K9 Conservationists
By Kayla Fratt
K9 Conservationists is hosted by Kayla Fratt, CDBC and co-founder of K9 Conservationists. Along with her two co-founders, she trains dogs to detect data. Support the work we do at patreon.com/k9conservationists.
K9 ConservationistsDec 28, 2021
Using Dogs to Reduce Wildlife Conflict with Nils Pedersen of Wind River Bear Institute
In this episode of K9 Conservationists, Kayla speaks with Nils Pederson from Wind River Bear Institute about wildlife canines used for bear deterrence.
Science Highlight: Effectiveness of scat-detection dogs in determining species presence in a tropical savanna landscape
Links Mentioned in the Episode:
Where to find Nils: Website | Facebook | Instagram
You can support the K9 Conservationists Podcast by joining our Patreon at patreon.com/k9conservationists.
K9 Conservationists Website | Course Waitlist | Merch | Support Our Work | Facebook | Instagram | TikTok
Curlew Nest Detection Dogs through Solid Science with Caroline Finlay of Conservation Detection Dogs of Northern Ireland
In this episode of K9 Conservationists, Kayla speaks with Caroline Finlay about curlew nest detection dogs.
Science Highlight: None
Links Mentioned in the Episode:
Conservation detection dogs sniff out rare curlew nests
Where to find Caroline: Website | Facebook
You can support the K9 Conservationists Podcast by joining our Patreon at patreon.com/k9conservationists.
K9 Conservationists Website | Course Waitlist | Merch | Support Our Work | Facebook | Instagram | TikTok
Continuing Education Extravaganza with Natasha Underwood
In this episode of K9 Conservationists, Kayla speaks with Natasha Underwood from NHU Ecology and Detection Dogs about continuing education.
Science Highlight: None
Links Mentioned in the Episode:
Dog Handling Training | Kryus | England
College of Scent Dogs-The College of Scent Dogs
Where to find Natasha: Website | Facebook | Instagram
You can support the K9 Conservationists Podcast by joining our Patreon at patreon.com/k9conservationists.
K9 Conservationists Website | Course Waitlist | Merch | Support Our Work | Facebook | Instagram | TikTok
Don't Get Bitten: Keeping Yourself Safe Around Working Dogs with Ursa Acree
Science Highlight: None
Links Mentioned in the Episode:
Aggressive Dog
Muzzle Up Project
Where to find Ursa: Website
You can support the K9 Conservationists Podcast by joining our Patreon at patreon.com/k9conservationists.
K9 Conservationists Website | Course Waitlist | Merch | Support Our Work | Facebook | Instagram
Arousal in Working Dogs Part Two with Liza Rader
In this episode of K9 Conservationists, Kayla is back with Liza Rader from Focus Dogs for part two about arousal in working dogs.
Science Highlight: None
Links Mentioned in the Episode:
Where to find Liza: Website | Webinars | Instagram | Facebook
You can support the K9 Conservationists Podcast by joining our Patreon at patreon.com/k9conservationists.
K9 Conservationists Website | Course Waitlist | Merch | Support Our Work | Facebook | Instagram | TikTok
Arousal in Working Dogs with Liza Rader
In this episode of K9 Conservationists, Kayla speaks with Liza Rader from Focus Dogs about arousal in working dogs.
Science Highlight: How do seasonal changes in adult wolf defecation patterns affect scat detection probabilities?
Links Mentioned in the Episode:
Where to find Liza: Website | Webinars | Instagram | Facebook
You can support the K9 Conservationists Podcast by joining our Patreon at patreon.com/k9conservationists.
K9 Conservationists Website | Course Waitlist | Merch | Support Our Work | Facebook | Instagram | TikTok
Long-Term Working Dog Success with Lucia Lazarowski
In this episode of K9 Conservationists, Kayla speaks with Lucia Lazarowski about long-term working dog success.
Science Highlight: None
Links Mentioned in the Episode:
Behavioral Characteristics Associated with Detection Dog Success
Olfactory Research in Dogs by Lucia
Where to find Lucia: Website | Research Papers
You can support the K9 Conservationists Podcast by joining our Patreon at patreon.com/k9conservationists.
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Search & Rescue Horses with Sharon Pomeroy from Highlands SAR
In this episode of K9 Conservationists, Kayla speaks with Sharon Pomeroy about search and rescue horses.
Science Highlight: None
Links Mentioned in the Episode:
Where to find Sarah: Website | Facebook
You can support the K9 Conservationists Podcast by joining our Patreon at patreon.com/k9conservationists.
K9 Conservationists Website | Course Waitlist | Merch | Support Our Work | Facebook | Instagram | TikTok
Jessie's Legacy with Esther Matthews & Marisa Steynberg
In this episode of K9 Conservationists, Kayla speaks with Esther Matthews and Marisa Steynberg about Jessie’s legacy and their book about her.
Science Highlight: Scent detection dogs as a novel method for oestrus detection in an endangered species, the Tasmanian devil (Sarcophilus harrisii)
Links Mentioned in the Episode:
Where to purchase the book: Amazon Kindle, WWFSA | Email marisa@sdoodledesign.co.za
Where to find Marisa: Instagram
Where to find Esther: Instagram
You can support the K9 Conservationists Podcast by joining our Patreon at patreon.com/k9conservationists.
K9 Conservationists Website | Course Waitlist | Merch | Support Our Work | Facebook | Instagram | TikTok
Safe Fieldwork While Black with Alex Troutman
In this episode of K9 Conservationists, Kayla speaks with Alex Troutman about safe fieldwork while Black.
Science Highlight: Remaining safe conducting Field work While Black (FWB), and Tips for PIs, Universities, and Employers of Black Individuals
Links Mentioned in the Episode:
Where to find Al: Instagram | X | Website
You can support the K9 Conservationists Podcast by joining our Patreon at patreon.com/k9conservationists.
K9 Conservationists Website | Course Waitlist | Merch | Support Our Work | Facebook | Instagram | TikTok
2023 Year-End with Rachel & Heather
In this episode of K9 Conservationists, Kayla speaks with co-founders Heather and Rachel for a year-end wrap up.
Science Highlight: None
Links Mentioned in the Episode:
None
You can support the K9 Conservationists Podcast by joining our Patreon at patreon.com/k9conservationists.
K9 Conservationists Website | Course Waitlist | Merch | Support Our Work | Facebook | Instagram | TikTok
Tick Borne Illnesses with Dr. Brian Herrin
In this episode of K9 Conservationists, Kayla speaks with Dr. Brian Herrin from Kansas State University College of Veterinary Medicine about tick borne illnesses.
Science Highlight: Predominant risk factors for tick-borne co-infections in hunting dogs from the USA
Links Mentioned in the Episode:
Where to find Brian: College of Vet Med
You can support the K9 Conservationists Podcast by joining our Patreon at patreon.com/k9conservationists.
K9 Conservationists Website | Course Waitlist | Merch | Support Our Work | Facebook | Instagram | TikTok
Human-Wildlife Conflict with Gabi Fleury
In this episode of K9 Conservationists, Kayla speaks with Gabi Fleury about human-wildlife conflict, being LGBTQIA+ and black in STEM, and so much more.
Science Highlight: Comparing narcotics detection canine accuracy across breeds
Links Mentioned in the Episode:
How to deliver a safer research culture for LGBTQIA+ researchers
Where to find Gabi: Lab Website | Twitter | Instagram
You can support the K9 Conservationists Podcast by joining our Patreon at patreon.com/k9conservationists.
K9 Conservationists Website | Course Waitlist | Merch | Support Our Work | Facebook | Instagram | TikTok
Foxtail Safety with Dr. Joe Spoo
In this episode of K9 Conservationists, Kayla speaks with Dr. Joe Spoo about foxtails and working dogs.
Science Highlight: None
Links Mentioned in the Episode:
Where to find Dr. Joe: Website | Courses
You can support the K9 Conservationists Podcast by joining our Patreon at patreon.com/k9conservationists.
K9 Conservationists Website | Course Waitlist | Merch | Support Our Work | Facebook | Instagram | TikTok
Podcast Schedule Changes
In this episode of K9 Conservationists, Kayla provides an update on the podcast's schedule.
Science Highlight: None
Links Mentioned in the Episode:
You can support the K9 Conservationists Podcast by joining our Patreon at patreon.com/k9conservationists.
K9 Conservationists Website | Course Waitlist | Merch | Support Our Work | Facebook | Instagram | TikTok
Heat Injuries in Dogs with Emily Hall & Anne Carter
In this episode of K9 Conservationists, Kayla speaks with Emily Hall and Ann Carter about heat injuries in dogs.
Science Highlight: The effect of urine sample temperature on the efficacy of olfactory detection of prostate cancer in men by a specially trained dog
Links Mentioned in the Episode:
None
Where to find Emily & Ann: Blog | Facebook | Twitter
You can support the K9 Conservationists Podcast by joining our Patreon at patreon.com/k9conservationists.
K9 Conservationists Website | Course Waitlist | Merch | Support Our Work | Facebook | Instagram | TikTok
Search & Rescue Needs in Indigenous Communities with Shelby Homer
In this episode of K9 Conservationists, Kayla speaks with Shelby Homer about search and rescue needs in indigenous communities.
Science Highlight: Canine (Canis familiaris) scent detection of invasive brown bullhead catfish (Ameriurus nebulosus) in lake water samples
Links Mentioned in the Episode:
None
Where to find Shelby: 4Corners Website | 4Corners Facebook
You can support the K9 Conservationists Podcast by joining our Patreon at patreon.com/k9conservationists.
K9 Conservationists Website | Course Waitlist | Merch | Support Our Work | Facebook | Instagram | TikTok
Multiple Alerts to Discriminate Between Targets with Jens Frank
In this episode of K9 Conservationists, Kayla speaks with Jens Frank from the Scandinavian Working Dog Institute about teaching dogs multiple alerts to discriminate between targets.
Science Highlight: Relationships between personality of human–dog dyads and performances in working tasks
Links Mentioned in the Episode:
None
Where to find Jens: University Website | SWDI Website | SWDI Instagram | SWDI Facebook
You can support the K9 Conservationists Podcast by joining our Patreon at patreon.com/k9conservationists.
K9 Conservationists Website | Course Waitlist | Merch | Support Our Work | Facebook | Instagram | TikTok
A Day in the Life of a Conservation Detection Dog Handler
In this episode, we discuss a day in the life of a conservation detection dog handler on a variety of projects that Kayla has worked on.
Dangermond Preserve Wrap Up
In this episode of K9 Conservationists, Kayla speaks with Elizabeth Hiroyasu, Hillary Young, and Grace Lewin about their Dangermond Preserve work.
Science Highlight: None this week
Links Mentioned in the Episode:
None
Where to find Hillary: Young Lab
Where to find Elizabeth: Website
You can support the K9 Conservationists Podcast by joining our Patreon at patreon.com/k9conservationists.
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Snake Bites with Nick Brandehoff
In this episode of K9 Conservationists, Kayla speaks with Nick Brandehoff about snake bites.
Science Highlight: None this week
Links Mentioned in the Episode:
Where to find Nick: Website | Snake Bite Support Group | Vet Snake Bite Support Group
You can support the K9 Conservationists Podcast by joining our Patreon at patreon.com/k9conservationists.
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Snake Avoidance with Ken Ramirez
For this episode of K9 Conservationists, Kayla speaks with Ken Ramirez about snake avoidance
Science Highlight: Field quantifications of probability of detection and search patterns to form protocols for the use of detector dogs for eradication assessments
Links Mentioned in the Episode:
None
Where to find Ken: Website | Instagram | Course
You can support the K9 Conservationists Podcast by joining our Patreon at patreon.com/k9conservationists.
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Heat Safety & Working Dogs with Dr. Janice Baker
For this episode of K9 Conservationists, Kayla speaks with Dr. Janice Baker from the Veterinary Tactical Group about heat events and working dogs.
Science Highlight: Rethinking Heat Injury in the SOF Multipurpose Canine: A Critical Review
Links Mentioned in the Episode:
None
Where to find Janice: Website | Facebook | Instagram
You can support the K9 Conservationists Podcast by joining our Patreon at patreon.com/k9conservationists.
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Field Safety Prep with Pine Irwin
In this episode of K9 Conservationists, Kayla speaks with Pine Irwin about field safety prep.
Science Highlight: None this week
Classes to Consider:
Wilderness First Responder, WFR
Before You Go:
Check weather
Check terrain for water access, gullies, cliffs, other hazards
Learn about wildlife - snakes, predators, big herbivores, cattle, loose dogs. What are the risks with them? What can be done to mitigate these risks?
Check where property lines are in case of private property crossings.
Nearest emergency vet
Nearest emergency room
Permethrin clothes as needed
Add Seresto collar as needed (we use in addition to Bravecto)
Spray dog with Show Sheen to reduce burr/foxtail collection as needed
Double-check medications and gear to ensure nothing is expired, damaged, or missing
On The Dog:
In The Hip Pack/Fanny Pack:
GPS (paired with GPS collar)
Cell Phone
Tweezers
Poo Bags
Treats
Toys
Squeeze tube of lube/coconut oil
Chapstick
Sunscreen
Getxent tubes (individual samples)
Gimme (target odor sample)
Alcohol pads
In The Backpack:
Possibles Pouch:
Firestarter (lighter and firesteel)
Paracord (30+ feet)
Duct tape
Mirror
Whistle
Spare batteries for GPS/headlamp
First Aid Kit:
Write in rain paper and pencil
Gauze (buy in-person to avoid getting TONS of rolls at once)
Benadryl
Ibuprofen
Theraflu
Carprofen/Rimadyl
Imodium
Syringe (to irrigate wounds)
Vet wrap (also buy in-person, online packs are huge)
Antivenin (extremely hard to get in USA)
Gabapentin
Trazadone
In Pack:
Layers for cold and/or rain
Dog booties
Paper map
Zipties (large, for trap release)
Headlamp
Water (3L)
Optional: dog bowl. My dogs drink from my Camelbak
Snacks for human and dog
Links Mentioned in the Episode:
Where to find Pine: Facebook | Instagram | Website
You can support the K9 Conservationists Podcast by joining our Patreon at patreon.com/k9conservationists.
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Safari Science & Fieldwork Experience with Dr. Stotra Chakrabarti
For this episode of K9 Conservationists, Kayla speaks with Dr. Stotra Chakrabarti about safari science and his experience working in the field.
Science Highlight: Faecal sampling using detection dogs to study reproduction and health in North Atlantic right whales (Eubalaena glacialis)
Links Mentioned in the Episode: None
Where you can find Dr. Stotra: Website | Twitter
You can support the K9 Conservationists Podcast by joining our Patreon at patreon.com/k9conservationists.
K9 Conservationists Website | Merch | Support Our Work | Facebook | Instagram
Urban Ecology with Cesar Estien
For this episode of K9 Conservationists, Kayla speaks with Cesar Estien about urban ecology.
Science Highlight: None this week
Links Mentioned in the Episode:
None
Where to find Cesar: Website | Twitter
You can support the K9 Conservationists Podcast by joining our Patreon at patreon.com/k9conservationists.
K9 Conservationists Website | Merch | Support Our Work | Facebook | Instagram | TikTok
Odor Discrimination Wrapup and Personal Updates
For this episode of K9 Conservationists, Kayla wraps up our discrimination series with a Q&A and provides some updates.
Science Highlight: None this week
Questions asked:
From Megan:
How to “mix” discriminants/control things into your one sample without containing it?
Any good ideas for avoiding over discrimination/specification with limited samples?
Should we swab the storage rooms?
Any ideas for promoting generalisation across individuals, stages, phases with very few samples?
Testing for generalisation vs. specification before imprinting on target /deploying?
From Janna
Is discrimination training something they always do as a training step before fieldwork? Why? Or is it something they do if there is a challenge in fieldwork? And especially: what is their preferred method to do the training? Line-ups or go - no-go or search type scenarios? Why?
Links Mentioned in the Episode:
None
You can support the K9 Conservationists Podcast by joining our Patreon at patreon.com/k9conservationists.
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Medical Alert Service Dogs with Rayanne Craven
For this episode of K9 Conservationists, Kayla speaks with Rayanne Craven about medical alert service dogs.
Science Highlight: None this week
Links Mentioned in the Episode:
None
Where you can find Rayanne: Website
You can support the K9 Conservationists Podcast by joining our Patreon at patreon.com/k9conservationists.
K9 Conservationists Website | Merch | Support Our Work | Facebook | Instagram | TikTok
Canine Sports Medicine with Dr. Leslie Eide
For this episode of K9 Conservationists, Kayla speaks with Dr. Leslie Eide from The Total Canine about canine sports medicine.
Science Highlight: None this week
Links Mentioned in the Episode:
None
Where you can find Leslie: Website | Facebook | Instagram
You can support the K9 Conservationists Podcast by joining our Patreon at patreon.com/k9conservationists.
K9 Conservationists Website | Merch | Support Our Work | Facebook | Instagram | TikTok
Progressing Your Detection Training Like a PRO with Lily Strassberg
For this episode of K9 Conservationists, Kayla speaks with Lily Strassberg about organizing training based on target behavior.
Science Highlight: A Review of the Types of Training Aids Used for Canine Detection Training
Questions discussed:
Why does it matter to think about target behavior when training?
Can you give a few examples of training scenarios that you may use based on their target?
How does the odor behavior itself affect this?
Why is it important to plan to train (not test) our dogs as we prepare to be deployment-ready?
What other factors may come into play when planning your progression/training plan?
Links Mentioned in the Episode:
None
Where you can find Lily: Facebook | Instagram
You can support the K9 Conservationists Podcast by joining our Patreon at patreon.com/k9conservationists.
K9 Conservationists Website | Merch | Support Our Work | Facebook | Instagram
Safety and Inclusion for Queer Ecologists with Jamie Coon and Nathan Alexander
For this episode of K9 Conservationists, Kayla speaks with Jamie Coon and Nathan Alexander about a paper they published about safety and inclusion for queer ecologists.
Science Highlight: None this week
What unique barriers do LGBTQ+ folks face when it comes to ecology, and fieldwork in particular?
Strain of identity disclosure
Negative fieldwork experiences and career trajectories
Cis/heteronormativity
Links Mentioned in the Episode:
Best practices for LGBTQ+ inclusion during ecological fieldwork
American Ornithological Society
Where you can find Nathan: Twitter
Where you can find Jamie: Twitter | ResearchGate
You can support the K9 Conservationists Podcast by joining our Patreon at patreon.com/k9conservationists.
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Odor Discrimination Part 6: Generalization with Paul Bunker from Chiron K9
For our sixth episode of our odor discrimination series, Kayla talks with Paul Bunker from Chiron K9 about generalization and discrimination.
Science Highlight: None this week
Links Mentioned in the Episode:
None
Where you can find Paul: Website | Instagram
You can support the K9 Conservationists Podcast by joining our Patreon at patreon.com/k9conservationists.
K9 Conservationists Website | Merch | Support Our Work | Facebook | Instagram | TikTok
Odor Discrimination Part 5: When Odor Discrimination Has Hone Wrong - A Case Study
For our fifth episode of our odor discrimination series, Kayla talks about the odor discrimination work K9 Conservationists did with Action for Cheetahs in Kenya.
Science Highlight: None this week
Links Mentioned in the Episode:
None
You can support the K9 Conservationists Podcast by joining our Patreon at patreon.com/k9conservationists.
K9 Conservationists Website | Merch | Support Our Work | Facebook | Instagram | TikTok
Odor Discrimination Part 4: Moss Discrimination with Caroline Finlay
For our fourth episode of our odor discrimination series, Kayla speaks with Caroline Finlay from Conservation Detection Dogs Northern Ireland about moss discrimination.
Science Highlight: Relative abundance of endangered San Joaquin kit foxes (Vulpes macrotis mutica) based on scat-detection dog surveys
Links Mentioned in the Episode:
Canine detection of chronic wasting disease (CWD) in laboratory and field settings
Where to find Caroline: Website | Facebook | Instagram
You can support the K9 Conservationists Podcast by joining our Patreon at patreon.com/k9conservationists.
K9 Conservationists Website | Merch | Support Our Work | Facebook | Instagram | TikTok
Odor Discrimination Part 3: Mud Snails with Conservation Dogs Collective and Auburn University
For our third episode of our odor discrimination series, Kayla speaks with Laura, Morgan, and Jo from Conservation Dogs Collective and Emily from Auburn University about a fascinating project undertaken to detect New Zealand Mud Snails.
Science Highlight: None this week!
Links Mentioned in the Episode:
Discrimination learning with and without “errors”
Where to find Conservation Dogs Collective: Website
Where to find Canine Performance Sciences: Facebook
You can support the K9 Conservationists Podcast by joining our Patreon at patreon.com/k9conservationists.
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Odor Discrimination Part 2: Training an "All Clear" for Detection Dogs with Paul Bunker
In the second episode of the odor discrimination mini series, we revisit an older episode of K9 Conservationists where Kayla speaks with Paul Bunker of Chiron K9 about all clear procedures.
Science Highlight: An assessment of the effects of habitat structure on the scat finding performance of a wildlife detection dog
What is an all-clear response?
- The dog’s formal response to let the handler know there is no odor to alert to
What is a go-no-go response?
- The dog’s NON-formal response to let the handler know there is no odor to alert to
What’s a situation we may want to teach this for?
- Odor recognition tests
- Teaching them that they can still get rewarded for no odor, which reduces stress
- Good to check for contamination
- Teaches them to be confident in leaving a search area with no target present knowing they will still be rewarded
What components make for a successful all clear?
- Ensure it is maintained and refreshed
- Prepare your training session in advance. Progression plans are extremely important.
- Variable reinforcement with your dog’s reward hierarchy
- The dog must 100% understand target before learning all clear
- Don’t use jackpot rewards for an all clear
What other options do we have for reducing stress and reducing false responses (go-no-go)?
- Teach odor separately from systems of searching so they are not codependent
- Train blank sessions
- Train longer sessions (within the abilities of your dog) so that it is similar to long working days
- Develop independence early
Links Mentioned in the Episode:
Where to find Paul Bunker: Website | Instagram | Facebook
You can support the K9 Conservationists Podcast by joining our Patreon at patreon.com/k9conservationists.
K9 Conservationists Website | Merch | Support Our Work | Facebook | Instagram | TikTok
Odor Discrimination Part 1: Signal Detection Theory with Simon Gadbois
In the first episode of the odor discrimination mini series, we revisit an older episode of K9 Conservationists where Kayla Fratt speaks with Dr. Simon Gadbois to talk about signal detection theory and his conservation work.
Discussed in this Podcast:
- Dr. Gadbois work in Nova Scotia
- What is signal detection theory?
- What’s the potential problem with proportion or percentage correct data as performance?
- What’s the problem with our basic lineup for training and testing detection dogs as it relates to SDT?
- How can trainers at home put this to use with their dogs?
Links Mentioned in the Episode:
Where to find Dr. Gadbois: Website | Lab Facebook Page | Lab Facebook Group
You can support the K9 Conservationists Podcast by joining our Patreon at patreon.com/k9conservationists.
K9 Conservationists Website | Merch | Support Our Work | Facebook | Instagram | TikTok
Canine Olfaction and Detection Science Conference with Lauren DeGreef
In this episode of K9 Conservationists, Kayla speaks with Lauren DeGreef about the upcoming Canine Olfaction and Detection Science Conference.
Science Highlight: None this week!
Where to find Lauren: Facebook | LinkedIn
Links Mentioned in the Episode:
You can support the K9 Conservationists Podcast by joining our Patreon at patreon.com/k9conservationists.
K9 Conservationists Website | Merch | Support Our Work | Facebook | Instagram | TikTok
Dogs Detecting Insects Carrying Diseases with Rachel Curtis-Robles and Devin Christopher
In this episode of K9 Conservationists, Kayla speaks with Rachel Curtis-Robles and Devin Christopher about dogs detecting insects carrying diseases.
Science Highlight: Dogs can sense weak thermal radiation
Where to find Rachel: Website
Where to find Devin: Linked in
Links Mentioned in the Episode:
None
You can support the K9 Conservationists Podcast by joining our Patreon at patreon.com/k9conservationists.
K9 Conservationists Website | Merch | Support Our Work | Facebook | Instagram | TikTok
Imposter Syndrome with Jay Gurden
In this episode of K9 Conservationists, Kayla speaks with Jay Gurden about imposter syndrome!
Science Highlight: You Are Not My Handler! Impact of Changing Handlers on Dogs' Behaviours and Detection Performance
Why is imposter syndrome so common in the dog world?
We care about what we do
Extra pressure
Young industry
Success is related to our dog’s behavior
No path to success like law school
How do you combat imposter syndrome?
Make objective appraisals about what you do know, what you can do, what you’ve proven. If you compare those to your imposter syndrome thoughts, you can see that these are just fake thoughts trying to hold you back
Dunning-Krueger effect plays into it
What are the 5 types of imposter syndrome and how do we combat them?
Perfectionist: people make mistakes. Mistakes help us learn.
Superbeing: what does success actually mean? Can you find success in doing your best?
Natural genius: learning is normal and can take work. You bring things to the field even if you’re not a natural on day 1.
Soloist: we don’t have to do this alone. We can build community.
Expert: it’s about making boundaries with your learning.
Everyone: try to create objective appraisals of what you’ve already done and how far you’ve come. Journaling on the good stuff.
What can we do as mentors/colleagues/mentees to celebrate their worth?
Talk about having the same thoughts regarding imposter syndrome.
Where to find Jay: Website | Good Guardianship
Links Mentioned in the Episode:
Valerie Young's 5 Types of Imposter Syndrome
The Secret Thoughts of Successful Women
You can support the K9 Conservationists Podcast by joining our Patreon at patreon.com/k9conservationists.
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Wood Turtles with Kristine Hoffman and Julia Sirois
In this episode of K9 Conservationists, Kayla speaks with Kristine Hoffman and Julia Sirois from St Lawrence University about their work with wood turtles, building on our conversation with Scott Buchanan.
Science Highlight: Training with varying odor concentrations: implications for odor detection thresholds in canines
Links Mentioned in the Episode:
None
Where to find Kristine: Website
Where to find Julia: Instagram | Facebook
You can support the K9 Conservationists Podcast by joining our Patreon at patreon.com/k9conservationists.
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Wood Turtles with Scott Buchanan
In this episode of K9 Conservationists, Kayla speaks with Scott Buchanan on his work with wood turtles.
Science Highlight: A Glimpse into the Use of Dogs to Address Global Poaching, Overharvesting, and Trafficking of Aquatic Species
Links Mentioned in the Episode:
None
You can support the K9 Conservationists Podcast by joining our Patreon at patreon.com/k9conservationists.
K9 Conservationists Website | Merch | Support Our Work | Facebook | Instagram | TikTok
Patreon Q&A with Caisa Persson Werme
In this episode of K9 Conservationists, Kayla speaks with our patreon Caisa Persson Werme to answer questions about training and alerts.
Science Highlight: Back to the basics with conservation detection dogs: fundamentals for success
Questions asked:
- During the search he might stop after a while and look at me. If I don't acknowledge it in any way he takes off to search again with the same intensity as before. Is that the right approach on my part? Is he looking for guidance or just to check in/ see where I am?
- When the search happens to be too long he comes back to me and sort of stares at me,or jumps at me and isn't as excited if I tell him to keep searching for the toy. What should I do in those situations?
- How much help can/should I give in the sense of walking closer to the toy, calling him to get closer or to stay at a closer distance to the toy, say if he's running in the opposite/wrong direction? But I feel like that might get him to think that I know where it is?
- How do you know/determine how long a search will be?
- How do you determine which way the wind blows?
- How do I know if something is too much for him?
- I should probably start working with a long line, but I'm afraid that it might interfere with his searching. How do I best introduce it without causing frustration or a drop in motivation?
- How do you know it’s time for a break? Is it on cue?
- I'm not confident that my rewards are good or exciting enough. Like he does seem to love it when I tell him to search and he has this look of anticipation when he hopes for it, but when he finds the toy he's more of like "yeah here it is..". We do play with it and he gets chicken or ham or similar and I mean we are improving when it comes to length of search and his enthusiasm is the same…but shouldn't he seem more excited to find the toy?
- How do you go about placing the hide without making your trail/footsteps part of it?
- When training an alert, how much should I care about the position like stand, sit or down?
- How do I know if/when it's the right time to start to ask for a propper alert?
- How do I go about incorporating the alert into the search?
- I have not yet trained Kenai on any blank searches, which maybe I should have started with much earlier? So how do i go about it now?
- Somewhat on the same topic, how would you handle the frustration that comes with ending a search session?
- Any advice for a current or future trainee?
Links Mentioned in the Episode:
You can support the K9 Conservationists Podcast by joining our Patreon at patreon.com/k9conservationists.
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Using Dogs for Pest Eradication with Melissa Houghton
In this episode of K9 Conservationists, Kayla speaks with Melissa Houghton about using dogs for pest eradication on a remote world heritage island.
Science Highlight: Methodology and challenges of a complex multi-species eradication in the sub-Antarctic and immediate effects of invasive species removal
Links Mentioned in the Episode:
You can support the K9 Conservationists Podcast by joining our Patreon at patreon.com/k9conservationists.
K9 Conservationists Website | Merch | Support Our Work | Facebook | Instagram | TikTok
Post Guatemala Fieldwork Discussions with PhD student Ellen Dymit
In this episode of K9 Conservationists, Kayla is back with Ellen Dymit to talk about their experience with the fieldwork in Guatemala.
Science Highlight: None
Links Mentioned in the Episode:
Where to find Ellen: Ellen’s Twitter | Taal’s Twitter
You can support the K9 Conservationists Podcast by joining our Patreon at patreon.com/k9conservationists.
K9 Conservationists Website | Merch | Support Our Work | Facebook | Instagram | TikTok
Pre Guatemala Fieldwork Discussions with PhD student Ellen Dymit
In this episode of K9 Conservationists, Kayla speaks with Ellen Dymit before their fieldwork in Guatemala.
Science Highlight: None
Links Mentioned in the Episode:
Where to find Ellen: Ellen’s Twitter | Taal’s Twitter
You can support the K9 Conservationists Podcast by joining our Patreon at patreon.com/k9conservationists.
K9 Conservationists Website | Merch | Support Our Work | Facebook | Instagram | TikTok
Baw Baw Frogs with Chris Hartnett
In this episode of K9 Conservationists, Kayla speaks with Chris Hartnett to talk about Baw Baw frogs.
Science Highlight: Obedience training effects on search dog performance
Links Mentioned in the Episode:
Where to find Chris: Website
You can support the K9 Conservationists Podcast by joining our Patreon at patreon.com/k9conservationists.
K9 Conservationists Website | Merch | Support Our Work | Facebook | Instagram | TikTok
Dogs Finding GPS Trackers with Sho Rapley
In this episode of K9 Conservationists, Kayla speaks with Sho Rapley about dogs finding GPS trackers.
Science Highlight: Diving in Nose First: The Influence of Unfamiliar Search Scale and Environmental Context on the Search Performance of Volunteer Conservation Detection Dog-Handler Teams
Where you can find Sho: Twitter |
You can support the K9 Conservationists Podcast by joining our Patreon at patreon.com/k9conservationists.
K9 Conservationists Website | Merch | Support Our Work | Facebook | Instagram | TikTok
Field Work Preparation
In this episode of K9 Conservationists, Kayla talks about field work preparation for the upcoming project.
You can support the K9 Conservationists Podcast by joining our Patreon at patreon.com/k9conservationists.
K9 Conservationists Website | Merch | Support Our Work | Facebook | Instagram | TikTok
Data Dogs Can't Detect with Toni Proescholdt
In this episode of K9 Conservationists, Kayla speaks to Toni Proescholdt from Utah State about the data that dogs can’t detect.
Science Highlight: Can volunteers train their pet dogs to detect a novel odor in a controlled environment in under 12 weeks?
Links Mentioned in the Episode:
You can support the K9 Conservationists Podcast by joining our Patreon at patreon.com/k9conservationists.
K9 Conservationists Website | Merch | Support Our Work | Facebook | Instagram | TikTok