Donate
Learn to be a K9 Conservationist:
We know how hard it is to get into this field. We are passionate about using our experiences to open doors to help more teams join the conservation fight.
We are here to help make connections and offer as much support as we can to our students. We strive to help you and your dog become K9 Conservationists in your own way. Join our community of students today!
Online Conservation Detection Dog Handler Course
Here's what you'll learn:
- how learning theory, cognition, and dog behavior relate to detection dog success
- how to train your detection dog, including selection, troubleshooting, and operational searches
- how to read terrain, vegetation, and odor movement for search success
- how to conduct field searches safely, assess risk, and advocate for your K9 partner on-site
- why welfare, ethics, and husbandry are SO important to detection dog program success
- how to find jobs and assist in study design
- why sample storage and collection are so important and how to do it well
Here's what you'll get:
- curated prework including scientific papers, podcast episodes, and articles from a wide variety of subject matter experts
- 18 modules with 25 hours of recorded lectures and discussions
- homework including GPS exercises, mock search setups, and short essays
- an optional Final Exam with a Certificate of Completion
- enthusiastic support, cheerleading, and accountability from your classmates and instructors
- lifetime access to the course materials
Patreon: Virtual Coaching and Book Club
Patreon is structured as a monthly payment to K9 Conservationists. Based on your level of support, you receive different perks.
At the $50/month K9 Conservationists level:
- get everything from the lower tiers; plus
- book a private 30-minute call with Kayla each month to discuss training goals, ecology questions, or whatever else you need to succeed in the field.
At the $25/month Nosey Naturalist level:
- do everything from the lower tiers; plus
- submit video to monthly coaching calls of you and your dog working together for kind, honest, constructive feedback; and
- receive exclusive merchandise such as mugs and stickers once you've been in the club for a set period of time.
At the $10/month Scentsational Scientist level:
- do everything from the lower tiers; plus
- join Live Coaching Calls as an observer; and
- join our monthly book club calls over Zoom where we all read a book related to conservation detection.
At the $3/month Doggie Detector level:
- submit questions to Kayla for the podcast based on upcoming topics and guests;
- join an exclusive Facebook group and WhatsApp group to share questions, successes, photos, videos, and connect with students around the world; and
- attend intermittent "goodies" like webinars, Zoom get-togethers, etc.
Here's what our students say about K9 Conservationists courses and mentoring:
"The learning time spent here in Kenya by K9C was awesome. We learnt much about search strategies, different field scenarios depending on wind, terrain, vegetation and how to handle them, we worked on extinction of indications on negatives and above all the conservation detection course which was eye opening especially having brought together many handlers from different parts of the world. K9C also donated plenty of books that are beneficial to us and any new team member."
— Edwin Kimutai, Action for Cheetahs in Kenya
“Joining the K9 Conservationists community has accelerated the success of my dog team. The community provides near instantaneous support for questions, wins and losses in the field. I especially appreciate the diversity of experiences and international representation in the group. Kayla is a force for good in the dog-conservation nexus and her personal support is a rock for me.”
— Shoshona Rapley, Australia
"The K9 Conservationists group is a welcoming and intelligent group of dog scent training enthusiasts and professionals. With their podcast, and resources in the Patreon and student group, I learned the foundations for scentwork, including odor sourcing, strengthening alerts, and building enthusiasm for longer searches, as well as troubleshooting unwanted behaviors. I am proud to say that we have just begun our 2nd season of conservation detection dog work! I didn't know if it was possible, but we made it happen with the significant support of the K9 Conservationists team."
- Emma Lustig, USA