We often discuss the Dunning Kruger effect when I meet detection dog trainers during my workshops. Because watching an experienced detection dog combination work seems so easy. The trainer gently handles the dog through a search area, moves in a structured way, and communicates calmly. The mechanical skills that the trainer uses to handle the …
The ACT! Masterclass is a unique and intense workshop about animal training focusing on you as a person in the role of a handler, trainer, or coach. While the K9 community seems to be more polarized than ever, I like to go back to creating inclusive teams, psychological security, and enjoying training. I encourage people …
What is teaching? What can we expect? How do we recognize good and bad teaching? What equipment does a teacher use? A teacher is needed to transmit information. Good teachers will always make you want to know more. A good teacher will make you curious about what else is possible. A good teacher will take …
I started to work with scent wheels in 1996 and experienced the benefits with hundreds of dogs. Working with a scent wheel is an excellent way to train detection dogs, as it can help to refine the dog’s odor-detection skills and lead to better results in the field. Scent wheels provide a way to isolate …
When training animals, establishing criteria is one of the essential steps in the process. It is the foundation for successful animal training, setting the parameters for the behaviors you will reward and reinforcing consistency, clarity, and boundaries. Establishing criteria helps to ensure that the animal is learning the desired behavior. Criteria can be defined as …
Animal training is essential in helping dogs develop good behaviors and new skill sets. So they can become detection champions, good patrol dogs, wildlife detection dogs, service dogs, or just well-behaved members of society. Knowing the difference between a bridge and a keep-going signal (KGS) is essential to help dogs understand what is expected of …
The Matrix and dog training seem like two completely different topics, but there are some striking similarities that can be drawn. In The Matrix, Neo is presented with the choice of taking either a red or a blue pill. Taking the red pill represents a departure from the safety of the familiar and a journey into …
My workshops are about empowering trainers, building your training protocols, collecting data, and using more positive training methods. Of course, we go into the newest insights in training. And yes, we train a lot of detection, hands-on. We teach what we just have learned in theory. You will find a mixture of lectures and actual …
Training a reliable detection dog is not easy because we need to dive into the minor details of training. Books, YouTube videos, FB posts, Insta tips, online courses, and instructors will tell you a different approach. Many roads lead to Rome. There is not one perfect approach that will always get you there. The reason …
Training a reliable detection dog is not easy because we need to dive into the minor details of training. Many books, YouTube videos, FB posts, Insta tips, online courses, and many instructors will tell you a different approach. Many roads lead to Rome. There is not one perfect approach that will always get you there. …
