What to listen for:

“If I cannot, in five repetitions, isolate a variable down and get it where I want it, I do need to stop. That doesn't mean the next time we'll be successful. What that tells me is, don't do the same thing again and again and again. And there's been a lot of variation. Isolate that variable. It looks good now. Put it back in a chain, it doesn't look good. What have I done wrong?”

In part one of this two-part discussion, Robin Greubel and Crystal Wing sit down with special guest Denise Fenzi, a trainer and educator who specializes in building cooperation, joy, and extreme precision in competition dog sports teams.

“Patterns lead to confidence. Unpredictable leads to listening.”

Famous for breaking down complex concepts into bite-sized lessons, Denise does a deep dive into a training philosophy that stresses adaptability and prioritizing the dog’s wellbeing. She discusses how to build your dog’s vocabulary via strategic repetition, as well as her approach to encouraging or disrupting behavioral patterns during training.

“The more ways you generalize the behavior, the better the dog gets at those behaviors.”

Denise shares why tools like choke chains and e-collars might be a thing of the past, and why tailored, humane options like aversives better enhance understanding and cooperation between you and your dog–which in turn fosters a bond built on trust and respect rather than pain and fear.

“A behavior chain is simply a bunch of behaviors strung together, so you have to get comfortable with degrees of messiness.”

Finally, Denise unravels the complexities of behavior chains and the balance between instinctual behaviors and structured learning. She walks us through the art of rewarding gradual progress and adapting training techniques to maintain a dog's confidence.

Key Topics:

• Denise’s Training Methodology (06:51)
• Applying Micro Behaviors To Full Training Scenarios (20:22)
• Generalizing Behaviors (26:13)
• Drive Versus Arousal (35:50)

Resources:

• Fenzi Dog Sports Academy

We want to hear from you:

• Check out the K9 Detection Collaborative FB page and comment on the episode post!
• K9Sensus Detection Dog Trainer Academy
• 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

Jingle by: www.mavericksings.com

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

What to listen for:

Today, our hosts Robin Greubel, Stacy Barnett, and Crystal Wing reflect on key takeaways from their recent conversations with Diana Bunch, Jack Thorpe, and Annissia Justice – all expert handlers with a golden nugget or two (or 100s) around cadaver dog and disaster response training.

From avoiding the "ego hide" trap, to getting more out of nose time, to the importance of balancing motivation and frustration during training, our hosts explore the nuances of preparing dogs—and their handlers—for real-world challenges by preparing the training environment right from the get-go.

The Dames of Detection touch on the importance of scarcity and novelty in maintaining a dog's interest and drive. You’ll also get actionable tips on incorporating purposeful blanks into nose work and the importance of embracing unpredictability to better mimic real-life search and rescue scenarios.

They remind us to note your dog's unique personality and strengths, as well as the role of effective communication in bridging gaps between handlers and their canine partners.

Key Topics:

• Avoiding the “Ego Hide” Trap (02:45)
• Becoming Aware of Unintentional Distractions in Your Training Environment (12:29)
• Getting More Intentional with Nose Time by Using Blanks (20:29)
• Choosing a Search and Rescue Dog (24:31)
• Managing Time Constraints as a Nose Work Handler (36:45)
• Knowing How Much Your Dog Needs to Struggle in Training (43:42)
• Takeaways (48:44)

Resources:

• K9 Detection Collaborative Ep 83: Kickin' Back with Christi Raak
• K9 Detection Collaborative Ep 72 and 73: Talking Arousal vs Drive and Selection of a Dog with Jens Frank (pt 1 and pt 2)
• NEW: K9Sensus Detection Dog Trainer Academy
• See the info below for other happenings!

We want to hear from you:

• Check out the K9 Detection Collaborative FB page and comment on the episode post!
• K9Sensus Detection Dog Trainer Academy
• 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, 2/3 of the Dames of Detection - Stacy Barnett and Crystal Wing - are sitting down with special guest Diana Bunch, an Air Force veteran-turned-search and rescue trainer.

Diana shares her inspiring journey from the military to the world of disaster response, running through her various experiences in various search scenarios, from wilderness expeditions to urban disaster zones.

Our guest dives deep into the art and science of training search dogs, whether you’re a longtime expert looking to shake up your training, or a newcomer looking for the right community of handlers. Diana tells us how to build a dog's confidence through strategic exposure to distractions and varied environments. She talks reinforcement systems and finding the delicate balance between knowns, blinds, and blanks in refining your dog’s skills.

Diana also offers her take on the impact of environmental factors, such as wind and humidity, on a search-and-rescue dog's performance, and explains how handlers can pinpoint the ideal training schedule for their particular dog, and her best tips and strategies for nurturing a dog's natural instincts.

Key Topics:

• About Diana Bunch (00:00)
• Diana’s Disaster Response Experiences (06:20)
• Ensuring that You and Your Dog Are Fully Prepared for Wilderness and Disaster Work (12:23)
• Utilizing Knowns, Blinds, and Blanks (23:15)
• Breaking Training Plateaus (36:57)
• How to Get Involved in Search and Rescue Work (45:07)

Resources:

• Distraction Camp and Intentional Handling and Hide Setting
• If you want to get involve in K9SAR work, here's a class from K9Sensus that you can take
• Diana Bunch
• Legacy SAR team
• Diana's FB Post
• Episodes with Emily Lawrence: 35, 36, 37

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