Show Notes
It’s time to bust some myths and challenge some hot takes of the conservation detection dog world! Join Kayla Fratt (K9 Conservationists), Paul Bunker (Chiron K9), and Meg Barnes (Detection for Good) as they tackle common claims and controversies that impact dogs, handlers, and the field as a whole. From “training your dog on Kong will ruin them”, to “good training can fix anything”, to “working a dog is unethical”. These seasoned professionals break down why these ideas persist, why they’re wrong, and what good, ethical, and evidence based training really looks like.
Hot takes we BUST in this episode include: If you train your dog on Kong/essential oils you will ruin them! Detection dogs can’t do any other sports or it will ruin them! Good training can fix anything! Your dog wouldn’t do ___ if you were a better trainer! You should starve your dog to make them work harder! Confine your dog to a small kennel for days to “build their desire to work”! Making your dog work is unethical!!! You can’t train directional cues without an ecollar! Force fetch is the only way to teach a dog to retrieve!
Our guests: Meg Barnes https://www.instagram.com/detectionforgood/ Paul Bunker https://www.instagram.com/chironk9/
Host: Kayla Fratt Editor: Sara Fangton Guest logistics: Brooke Schoeder Intern: Evelyn Combs Website: Meg du Bray Mentoring group: Madison Davis
More from K9 Conservationists
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Join us for a fantastic conversation with Lauralea Oliver of k9inSCENTive about the art of selecting rescue dogs for detection work. With over 25 years of professional experience, Lauralea brings a wealth of knowledge to the table, having selected and placed numerous working dogs with handlers and conservation projects across the country. She has mastered selecting the traits that make a shelter dog excel in the field- and, crucially, knows exactly when to walk away. The core theme of this episode is simple but vital: "Say no to the maybes" and only move forward with a dog you are absolutely sure about. Check out K9inSCENTive here https://k9inscentive.com/ Also check out "Built for the field". Use code K9POD26 for 20% off! https://k9inscentive.com/built-for-the-field-online-course/ Host: Kayla Fratt Editor: Sara Fangton Sci-comm intern: Evelyn Combs Guest logistics: Brooke Schoeder Website: Meg du Bray Patreon: Madison David