What to listen for:

Our hosts Robin Greubel, Stacy Barnett, and Crystal Wing offer their best tips for creating a training plan and measuring your progress without the help of an in-person mentor.

Crystal sets the stage with a top ten list that includes strategies such as assessing your current skill level, setting long and short-term goals, varying your training environment, incorporating feedback loops, maintaining a balance of fun and stress, and networking with other handlers.

As they kick things off, our hosts shine a light on that critical first step: getting clear on your skill level as a handler, as well as that of your dog. From cataloging strengths and weaknesses, to understanding the detection chain, to assessing your dog’s current trained final response, you’ll get actionable tips on how to elevate your training sessions by varying complexity and environmental conditions.

The Dames of Detection remind us that professional coaching and community support can make or break your training journey. They talk about seeking (and vetting) experts and what to know about certifications in detection work. Drawing from real-life examples, they illustrate how to effectively set up training scenarios, and explain how to craft challenging scenarios to hone your dog’s problem-solving aptitude.

Keeping training engaging and effective is no small feat. In the latter half of the conversation, you’ll learn methods to keep high-energy dogs focused and ensure fluency in critical behaviors, especially during certifications!

Key Topics:

• Crystal’s Top Ten Tips (02:32)
• Connecting With Other Handlers and Online Coaches (9:30)
• Vetting Your Nosework Instructor (14:50)
• Thoughts on Certifications (21:50)
• Problem-Solving With Your Dog: Troubleshooting as a Handler (25:10)
• Prioritization in Your Training (31:49)
• Breaking Down Your Goals (33:09)
• Varying Environments and Simulating Real-World Scenarios (43:49)
• Planning For Consistency and Adjusting as Needed (49:08)

Resources:

• Steve White ProActive K9
• Academy Standards Board
• Organization of Scientific Area Committees For Forensic Science
• K9 Detection Collaborative Ep 72 and 73 with Jens Frank
• FDSA FENZI Training Camp and Webinars
• Crystal in Wisconsin
• Reach out to Robin about her workshop in Tulsa in October

We want to hear from you:

• Check out the K9 Detection Collaborative FB page and comment on the episode post!
• You can follow us for notifications of upcoming episodes, find us at k9detectioncollaborative.com

What to listen for:

Odor detection handling mastery comes down to hitting that delicate balance between doing too much and too little for your dog–the ability to offer intimate guidance while nurturing confidence.

Our hosts Robin Greubel, Stacy Barnett, and Crystal Wing offer their best tips and strategies for using your presence as a handler to nudge your dog towards their goals without smothering their autonomy. They draw lessons from a variety of training scenarios and odors, whether essential oils or narcotics. They also touch on the difference between distraction and diversion, and the use of discriminative stimuli in a training environment.

Our hosts stress the need to identify your dog's unique personality, experience level, and skill mastery, and how to incorporate that context into your training strategy by providing challenges that encourage independent problem-solving.

The Dames of Detection unpack the concept of "dog time.” It’s a concept that our hosts have applied in Distraction Camp and Intentional Handling classes in which you’re encouraged to allow your dog to work at their own pace without excessive handler interference. They also talk handling errors typical of handlers at different levels of proficiency, and provide exercises to help remedy those errors.

Key Topics:

• Training as the Setting Up of a Problem (04:38)
• Using Your Presence to Increase Your Dog’s Understanding (11:03)
• The Right Way to Gain More Experience as a Handler (18:05)
• Two Buckets of Distraction Drills (21:50)
• Troubleshooting Your Training Strategy (29:56)
• What Makes a Good Handling Official? (39:17)
• Using Discriminative Stimuli (48:00)
• Key Takeaways (59:08)

Resources:

• Give us ideas to talk about here
• Distraction Camp/Intentional Handling 2024 Hot Wash
• Distraction Camp 2023 Download
• Distraction Camp 2022 Download
• Fenzi Webinars
• Stacy's NW101 in February
• Crystal in Kansas
• Fenzi Camp in Ohio
• Crystal in Wisconsin

We want to hear from you:

• Check out the K9 Detection Collaborative FB page and comment on the episode post!
• K9Sensus Foundation can be found on Facebook and Instagram. We have a Trainer’s Group on Facebook!
• Scentsabilities Nosework is also on Facebook.
• Crystal Wing K9 Coach can be found here at CB K9 and here at Evolution Working Dog Club.
• You can follow us for notifications of upcoming episodes, find us at k9detectioncollaborative.com

What to listen for:

Today our hosts Robin Greubel, Stacy Barnett, and Crystal Wing walk us through essential strategies for fostering independence and courage in dogs (and trainers!). They share their insights on avoiding the pitfalls of being an overprotective "helicopter handler" and how to allow your canine companion the freedom to explore their world and build self-assurance.

The Dames of Detection explain stress inoculation and how providing dogs with coping mechanisms can build resilience. Discover the importance of consistent and clear training, and how the thoughtful introduction of stressors can prepare your dog for future training and work. From the strategic use of play to enhance problem-solving skills to real-life anecdotes like the unforgettable encounter with Prize and the pack of coyotes, they cover it all to ensure you're equipped with practical tips for building your dog's bravery.

Our hosts also explore the value of scent work in boosting canine confidence and share heartwarming stories of dogs overcoming their fears through gradual exposure and positive reinforcement. Learn how to read and support your dog's confidence with subtle cues and create safe yet challenging scenarios. No matter the discipline, this episode is packed with actionable advice to help you and your dog thrive together.

Key Topics:

• Building Dog Confidence and Bravery through Play and Training (01:15)
• Building Confidence through Distance and Independence (04:38)
• Using Play to Help Dogs Cope with Stress and Build Positive Associations (09:17)
• Stress Inoculation for Dogs (and Trainers) and its Importance in Training (13:22)
• Building Dog Resilience through Training and Odor Inoculation (19:33)
• Engaging Dogs through Play and Body Awareness (23:11)
• Using Play and Confidence-Building Exercises to Help Dogs Overcome Fear and Anxiety (27:01)
• Confidence and Handling Distractions (35:13)
• Practical Tips to Confidence Building (41:13)
• Takeaways (46:59)

Resources:

• Crystal’s Class in Kansas: Focus with CB Wing

We want to hear from you:

• Check out the K9 Detection Collaborative FB page and comment on the episode post!
• K9Sensus Foundation can be found on Facebook and Instagram. We have a Trainer’s Group on Facebook!
• Scentsabilities Nosework is also on Facebook. Here is a Facebook group you should join!
• Crystal Wing K9 Coach can be found here at CB K9 and here at Evolution Working Dog Club. Also, check out her Functional Obedience Class here.
• You can follow us for notifications of upcoming episodes, find us at k9detectioncollaborative.com to enjoy the freebies, and tell your friends so you can keep the conversations going.

What to listen for:

“Every distraction is a possible reinforcement.”

Could minor changes in your training strategy routine drastically improve your dog's performance? Join Robin Greubel, Stacy Barnett, and Crystal Wing as they uncover the secrets behind intentional handling, drawing from their recent experience at Distraction Camp.

From hide setting and odor pool navigation to handling blank areas, our hosts open a treasure trove of insights to elevate your training game that you won’t get anywhere else!

They kick things off by discussing how running experienced dogs first can provide critical insights into the dynamics of a hide. Learn how minor tweaks in start lines, like transitioning from a sit to a down position, can make a world of difference.

Play isn't just for fun; it's a transformational tool in your training arsenal. Stacy, Robin, and Crystal explore the benefits of integrating food games, arousal modulation techniques, as well as how to read your dog's comfort levels.

Don’t miss the very end of the episode to learn what you can expect at next year’s Distraction Camp!

Key Topics:

• Takeaways from Distraction Camp (01:17)
• What to Know About Odor Pools (02:56)
• Biggest “Ah-hah!” Moments (11:34)
• What to Know About Distraction Camp 2025 (21:07)
• Why Play is Integral as a Handler (27:08)
• Teaching Handlers to be Trainers (36:48)
• The Importance of a Solid Reinforcement System (44:24)

We want to hear from you:

• Check out the K9 Detection Collaborative FB page and comment on the episode post!
• K9Sensus Foundation can be found on Facebook and Instagram. We have a Trainer’s Group on Facebook!
• Scentsabilities Nosework is also on Facebook. Here is a Facebook group you should join!
• Crystal Wing K9 Coach can be found here at CB K9 and here at Evolution Working Dog Club. Also, check out her Functional Obedience Class here.
• You can follow us for notifications of upcoming episodes, find us at k9detectioncollaborative.com to enjoy the freebies, and tell your friends so you can keep the conversations going.

Jingle by: www.mavericksings.com Instagram: @mavericktastic

Audio editing & other podcast services by: www.thepodcastman.com Instagram: @the_podcast_man

What to listen for:

“Even if you don't give them a cookie, you don't play, the dog has been reinforced. [It’s] just the way their brain works.”

Our hosts, Robin Greubel, Stacy Barnett, and Crystal Wing discuss how to use known hides to your advantage during training as compared to blind hides.

They dive deep into the high stakes of detection work, such as why avoiding false alerts is crucial. Whether you're training for competitions or prepping your dog for operational tasks, understanding the impact of unintentional markers is essential to your success as a handler. It can spell the difference between gaining the knowledge to make small tweaks in your training, to being forced to scrap your training criteria completely to create a more effective one.

The Dames of Detection also explore how these unintentional markers can inadvertently reinforce behaviors, illustrating the importance of maintaining accuracy and reliability in your dog's detection capabilities.

You can increase your odds of success by mastering the transition from known to blind hides without rushing the process, especially if you're a novice handler. Crystal, Stacy, and Robin offer their best practices for doing just that.

Finally, they speak to newer handlers regarding how to communicate their training needs, as well as the value of observing experienced individuals and teams at work during training sessions.

Key Topics:

• Defining “blind hides” and “known hides” (03:27)
• The implications of a false alert in an operational setting (10:06)
• Determining whether or not your training criteria is working (17:15)
• When to use blind hides versus known hides (19:10)
• Why you shouldn’t “square up” to the hide (24:14)
• Does using only known hides limit a dog’s effectiveness? (28:31)
• Common challenges in transitioning from known to blind hides (35:23)
• Using blinds as an opportunity to optimize your training (38:03)
• When is a handler ready to incorporate blind hides? (42:00)
• Our closing thoughts (45:34)

Resources:

• Stacy’s Blog Post

We want to hear from you:

• Check out the K9 Detection Collaborative FB page and comment on the episode post!
• K9Sensus Foundation can be found on Facebook and Instagram. We have a Trainer’s Group on Facebook!
• Scentsabilities Nosework is also on Facebook. Here is a Facebook group you should join!
• Crystal Wing K9 Coach can be found here at CB K9 and here at Evolution Working Dog Club. Also, check out her Functional Obedience Class here.
• You can follow us for notifications of upcoming episodes, find us at k9detectioncollaborative.com to enjoy the freebies, and tell your friends so you can keep the conversations going.

Jingle by: www.mavericksings.com

Audio editing & other podcast services by: www.thepodcastman.com

What to listen for:

“So I think dog training is almost 90% thinking and preparing, and 10% working with your dog.”

Two of our three hosts, Robin Greubel and Stacy Barnett sit down for part 2 with Adee Schoon, an expert in the detection field with over three decades of experience, to explore her diverse and groundbreaking projects.

What happens when man's best friend becomes a vital ally in solving sexual crimes? Together with Amsterdam University and a local fertility clinic, Adee and team faced numerous challenges, from acquiring diverse samples to ensuring ethical evidence handling. Discover how these canine detectives are transforming forensic investigations, enhancing accuracy, and speeding up case resolutions.

Adee and our hosts dissect the intriguing ways in which a dog's natural tendencies—whether they're quick to alert or more methodical—affect their performance. Comparing high-pressure training scenarios like mine detection to more relaxed, recreational approaches, they highlight the importance of tailoring training strategies to individual dogs. By understanding and adapting to each dog's unique behavior, trainers can maximize both effectiveness and safety for the canine and its handler.

Adee recounts stories of dogs identifying fungus-infected wood under extreme conditions and even tackling complex tasks like recognizing different types of vanilla scents. This episode also offers a glimpse into the broader implications of using dogs for natural substance detection and the crucial need for validated studies to ensure reliability. All this and much more in this episode of K9 Detection Collaborative!

Key Topics:

• Working with Sexual Crime Dogs (0:31)
• Using Dogs to Locate and Analyze DNA Evidence (04:59)
• Training Dogs with Individualized Approaches (17:23)
• The Methods Behind Detecting Fungus in Trees (22:43)
• Detecting Bed Bugs and Spotted Lanternfly with Potential Applications in Pest Control and Forensic Work (28:00)
• Training Dogs to Detect Vanilla and Other Scents (36:47)
• The Concept of Cognitive Testing and Predicting Dog Performance (42:48)
• Adee’s Dream Project if the “Research Grant Fairy” Were to Visit (45:20)
• Takeaways (49:25)

Resources:

• Training Dogs To Use Their Nose, A Blueprint (by Adee Schoon)

We want to hear from you:

• Check out the K9 Detection Collaborative FB page and comment on the episode post!
• K9Sensus Foundation can be found on Facebook and Instagram. We have a Trainer’s Group on Facebook!
• Scentsabilities Nosework is also on Facebook. Here is a Facebook group you should join!
• Crystal Wing K9 Coach can be found here at CB K9 and here at Evolution Working Dog Club. Also, check out her Functional Obedience Class here.
• You can follow us for notifications of upcoming episodes, find us at k9detectioncollaborative.com

What to listen for:

In this episode of K9 Detection Collaborative, Our hosts Robin Greubel and Stacy Barnett sit down with Adee Schoon, an expert in the detection field with over three decades of experience, to explore her diverse and groundbreaking projects.

Prepare to be fascinated by Adee’s incredible journey, from her early days researching scent identification with the Dutch police to her current role as a leading consultant. Robin, Stacy, and Adee delve into her international collaborations, including de-mining efforts with Apopo, detecting rust in the oil and gas industry, and groundbreaking cancer detection initiatives. Adee passionately discusses the importance of scientific validation and the ethical considerations in training and maintaining the well-being of detection animals.

In this episode, you'll also gain valuable insights into the techniques and challenges of training detection dogs and African pouch rats. Learn about the crucial role of motivation and reinforcement and the meticulous strategies needed for effective scent detection. Don't miss part two of this conversation next week!

Key Topics:

• Detection of Corrosion in the Oil and Gas Industry (04:30)
• Detection Dogs and Mine Detection (10:38)
• Balancing Motivation and Nutrition when Using Food as a Motivator (17:47)
• Training Dogs for Landmine Detection (24:19)
• Training Dogs and Rats for Search and Rescue Work (29:08)
• Training Rats to Detect Landmines in Tanzania (33:08)
• De-mining Techniques and Guidelines for Detecting Landmines (38:22)
• Small Odor Profiles, Including Electronics Detection and De-mining (41:20)
• Adee’s Book and its Immense Value in the Detection World (49:12)

Resources:

• Training Dogs To Use Their Nose, A Blueprint (by Adee Schoon)
• Animal Training 101 (by Jenifer A Zeligs)

We want to hear from you:

• Check out the K9 Detection Collaborative FB page and comment on the episode post!
• K9Sensus Foundation can be found on Facebook and Instagram. We have a Trainer’s Group on Facebook!
• Scentsabilities Nosework is also on Facebook. Here is a Facebook group you should join!
• Crystal Wing K9 Coach can be found here at CB K9 and here at Evolution Working Dog Club. Also, check out her Functional Obedience Class here.
• You can follow us for notifications of upcoming episodes, find us at k9detectioncollaborative.com

What to listen for:

Today, Robin Greubel, Stacy Barnett, and Crystal Wing address a common concern among handlers: what to do if your dog is having trouble finding the source of an odor during a training search. First thing’s first: “Your dog is just giving you information. It’s not personal. They don’t have it out for you!” Fixing this problem starts, our hosts say, by approaching trial searches from a place where you’re judging neither yourself nor your dog.

Listen in and learn the steps you need to take when your dog is struggling during search training, from troubleshooting problem points to creating a search environment catered to your particular dog’s strengths and skills. Is an odor not presenting itself the way you intended? “If the odor is not available,” say the Dames of Detection, “the hide might as well not be there.” In which case, you might not have a training problem, but a handling problem. Our hosts break down the art of hide placement and optimizing your training space.

They also discuss how to identify behaviors that indicate frustration in your dog during the search and, from there, how to eliminate variables to get to the root cause of that frustration. They stress the influence of your body language on your dog’s ability to operate, and how to troubleshoot the so-called “eight indicators'' that can help keep your dog within a productive pattern of work during a search.

Key Topics:

• Odor Availability and Hide Placement Best Practices (01:44)
• It’s Not Personal: Addressing Your Dog’s Frustrations Objectively (10:00)
• Troubleshooting Your Training Space (20:26)
• Identifying Patterns, and Frustration Behaviors in Your Dog (22:38)
• How Your Body Language Influences Your Dog’s Performance (27:19)
• Odor Availability and Breaking Patterns (33:27)
• The Eight Indicators (45:09)

Resources:

• K9 Detection Collaborative Episode 111: The Importance of Setting Hides
• K9Sensus: What Do I Do with this Dumpster Fire?
• Stacy Barnett: NW190: Training a Thinking Nosework Dog using a Cognitive Approach
• Thousand Hour Eyes: Reading Scenting Dog Behavior w/ Scott White

We want to hear from you:

• Check out the K9 Detection Collaborative FB page and comment on the episode post!
• K9Sensus Foundation can be found on Facebook and Instagram. We have a Trainer’s Group on Facebook!
• Scentsabilities Nosework is also on Facebook. Here is a Facebook group you should join!
• Crystal Wing K9 Coach can be found here at CB K9 and here at Evolution Working Dog Club. Also, check out her Functional Obedience Class here.
• You can follow us for notifications of upcoming episodes, find us at k9detectioncollaborative.com