Muzzling for Wildlife Safety with Michael Shikashio

In this episode of K9 Conservationists, Kayla and Michael Shikashio from The Bitey End of the Dog discuss muzzling. They cover why conservation detection dogs might need muzzles and the best way to acclimate your dog to wearing one. Show Notes Why is a muzzle a good idea for a …

Our Nearly-Homeless Detection Dog Teams Need Your Help!

One of the hardest parts about being a conservation detection doh handler is the travel. It’s not unusual for me to spend months on the road, living out of hotels and cooking on camp stoves in the parking lot. I may only have a few days at home to do …

Sourcing Odor with Stacy Barnett

In this episode of K9 Conservationists, Kayla and Stacy Barnett discuss sourcing. They cover what sourcing is and all you need to know about sourcing and nose-work.  What is sourcing? Dogs driving to the highest concentration of odor It isn’t ONLY the moment of the dog finding target, it’s the …

6 Ways to be a K9 Conservationist for Earth Day

Here at K9 Conservationists, we’re not just obsessed with training conservation detection dogs. We’re passionate about all the ways that dog lovers (and their dogs) can help protect the planet. Earth Day is about so much more than simple trash pickups or planting a few trees. Its roots lie in …

Introducing the K9 Conservationists Podcast

0:00 Hello and welcome to the K9 Conservationists Podcast! We’ve got a new name. As our loyal listeners know, we’ve recently lost my beloved co-host Ursa. She’s not dead! She’s just working a new job that is not going to allow her to continue to go forward with the podcast …

What’s It Like to Be a Conservation Detection Dog Handler?

To many outdoorsy dog-lovers, being a conservation detection dog handler sounds like an absolute dream job. In many ways, it absolutely is. But what is the job actually like? Of course, the first thing to say is it depends. There are a variety of different ways to get involved as …

How I Became a Conservation Detection Dog Handler

I love talking about my job. I truly think I have one of the coolest jobs in the world. When I’m talking to people about the work I do, I always get asked: how do I get started as a conservation detection dog handler? Of course there’s no one-size-fits-all approach …

Can Any Breed be a Conservation Detection Dog?

Not every dog can cut it as a conservation detection dog. As we discussed in our article “Could My Dog Be a K9 Conservationist,” generally trainers look for dogs that are: What to Consider When Selecting a Breed for Conservation Detection Dog Work This entire article is based on the …