This podcast is all about detection dogs, where we discuss dog training and working with your dog in the real world. Whether you are just starting out with a new dog or have an experienced dog, this podcast is for you.

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Ford K9

This Ford K9 channel we cover various aspects of Detection Dog training... Ranging from Professional detection dog work to those who compete in sports like Nosework and Scentwork.

Ford K9
In this episode of K9s Talking Scents, Cameron Ford engages with a panel of experienced search and rescue professionals Diana Bunch, Athena Haus and Jack Thorpe who share their insights and experiences from recent disaster recovery efforts in North Carolina following a hurricane. The conversation covers their backgrounds, the scale of the disaster, the importance of training, and the mental and physical preparedness required for such challenging deployments. The panelists emphasize the need for adaptability, the significance of exposing dogs to real-world distractions, and the critical human factors involved in disaster response. In this conversation, the speakers discuss their experiences in search and rescue operations, focusing on the unpredictability of the environment, the importance of teamwork, and the mental resilience required in high-stress situations. They share profound experiences from swift water searches, the significance of proper training and equipment, and the human element that emerges during disasters. The conversation also addresses the challenges posed by self-deployment of unqualified teams and the need for handlers to check their egos and prioritize safety. In this conversation, the speakers discuss the complexities and challenges faced during search operations, particularly in cadaver searches. They emphasize the importance of proper training, the need for handlers to be aware of their dogs' behaviors, and the significance of conducting blank searches to enhance detection skills. The discussion also highlights the necessity of teamwork and communication among search and rescue teams, as well as the value of learning from each other's experiences. Show Sponsors: Getxent http://www.getxent.com Sci K9 http://www.scik9.com Precision Explosives http://www.pre-exp.com Michael Ellis School http://www.michaelellisschool.com Ford K9 for everything detection dogs http://www.fordk9.com Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Search and Rescue Teams 01:36 Backgrounds of the Panelists 05:21 The Scale of the Disaster 06:55 Training for Real-World Deployments 17:06 Adapting Training to Distractions 20:46 The Importance of Mental Preparedness 29:10 Human Factors in Disaster Response 39:54 Navigating the Unpredictable in Search and Rescue 42:44 The Importance of Team Dynamics and Dog Readiness 45:06 Handling Emergencies and Team Support 49:20 Mental Resilience in High-Stress Situations 51:41 Profound Experiences in Swift Water Searches 58:28 Equipment and Training for Water Searches 01:05:29 The Human Element in Disaster Response 01:09:13 Self-Deployment and Its Consequences 01:18:42 Challenges in Search Operations 01:24:06 The Importance of Training and Experience 01:30:02 The Power of Blanks and Blind Searches 01:39:10 Final Thoughts and Reflections
In this episode of K9's Talking Sense, Cameron Ford engages in a deep conversation with Michael Nezbeth, exploring various aspects of dog training, particularly in detection work. They discuss the importance of communication between trainers and handlers, the balance between scientific methodologies and the art of training, and the emotional connections that exist between dogs and their handlers. The conversation also touches on the evolution of training methodologies, the significance of learning through failure, and the impact of handler emotions on dog performance. They emphasize the need for inclusivity in training approaches and the importance of fostering constructive conversations within the dog training community. Sponsors: Getxent http://www.Getxent.com Precision Explosives http://www.pre-exp.com Ford K9 http://www.fordk9.com Grassroots K9 http://www.grassrootsk9.com Michael Ellis School http://www.michaelellisschool.com
In this episode of K9's Talking Sense, Cameron Ford engages in a deep conversation with Michael Nezbeth, exploring various aspects of dog training, particularly in detection work. They discuss the importance of communication between trainers and handlers, the balance between scientific methodologies and the art of training, and the emotional connections that exist between dogs and their handlers. The conversation also touches on the evolution of training methodologies, the significance of learning through failure, and the impact of handler emotions on dog performance. They emphasize the need for inclusivity in training approaches and the importance of fostering constructive conversations within the dog training community. Sponsors: Getxent http://www.Getxent.com Precision Explosives http://www.pre-exp.com Ford K9 http://www.fordk9.com Grassroots K9 http://www.grassrootsk9.com Michael Ellis School http://www.michaelellisschool.com
Working fundamentals is like keeping yourself in shape doing basic exercises and calisthenics. We always have to remember to keep a ballot between doing our more complicated or scenario based searches as well as working the basics of fundamentals. #trainingbalance #detectiondogs #fundamentals #DoTheBasics #snifferdogs #policek9 #fordk9
Here is a actual search with K9 Ammo looking for a firearm that was tossed out. There are some things that I will improve in the future with Ammo, but overall not bad on his first time!!
Here is a video featuring Alice Ewing and her dog, Juno. Alice, who is deaf, works on nosework with her 12.5-year-old dog. During the seminar, we set up challenging hides to help handlers better read their dogs and tackle more difficult scenarios, rather than just opting for simple hides that boost handler confidence. Embrace the challenge and seize every learning opportunity! It was such a joy to watch Alice and Juno work together as a team to navigate this single blind search.
This is a scenario based search we did at a school. Schools can be a common location for firearms detection dogs. Some cases are proactive searches to keep schools safe, and some will be reactive searches due to an incident at a school. Make sure you practice both possibilities.
This is from our recent NEW “Results Driven” seminar. This is a mixture of fundamental exercises as well as challenging searches. Just as our friend Stu Phillips pointed out, you have to remember not to skip of forget fundamentals as we progress through training. Equally important is to grow and push your training as you progress so you can find gaps and make sure we improve with our dogs. #detectiondogs #snifferdogs #fundementals #pushyourtraining #policek9 #peoplesniffs #resultsmatter #fordk9seminars
I had to walk and hide on a Sloped Roof, so this Area Search Search and Rescue K9 had to bark and communicate to its handler that it had found me. This was a single-blind hide, and the handler did not know where I was hiding.
Episode #107 with Shay Cook. In this episode, Cameron Ford interviews Shay Cook, a search and rescue dog handler, about her background and experiences in the field. They discuss the different disciplines within search and rescue, such as tracking, trailing, and area search, and the definitions and differences between them. They also talk about the importance of experience and learning from failures, as well as the need for ongoing handler education and support for volunteers in the search and rescue community. The conversation explores the importance of education and the ability to read the dog in search and rescue work. It emphasizes the need for handlers to have humility, learn from their mistakes, and trust their dogs. The use of control negatives and scent discrimination in training is discussed, as well as the challenges of collecting and storing scent articles. The conversation also touches on the need for training with diverse subjects, including those with medical conditions, and the importance of exposing handlers and dogs to realistic scenarios. In this final part of the conversation, Cameron and Shay discuss the importance of proper documentation and record-keeping in search and rescue work. They emphasize the need for handlers to accurately document their training and real searches, including the location, date, time, weather conditions, and a detailed narrative of what happened. They also discuss the importance of cross-pollination and collaboration among search and rescue teams, as well as the need for ongoing education and training. They highlight the significance of being professional in the field, including being physically and mentally fit for the job, having the necessary knowledge and skills, and being able to articulate and document their actions and observations. They also touch on the topic of training time and the importance of documenting the hours spent on training and proficiency. For more information on shay cook go to http://www.k9shay.com For more information on everything Detection dogs and to buy K9s Talking Scents gear go to http://www.fordk9.com Chapters 00:00 Introduction to the Episode 05:12 Defining Tracking, Trailing, and Area Search 10:23 Lessons Learned from Experience 13:39 Applying Science to Search and Rescue 19:06 Balancing Standards and Individuality in Search and Rescue 26:18 Supporting and Educating Volunteer Search and Rescue Handlers 32:05 Handler Education and the Importance of Reading the Dog 35:26 Embracing Failures and Learning from Them 38:51 Humility, Learning from Mistakes, and Trusting Your Dog 41:45 The Use of Control Negatives and Scent Discrimination in Training 45:30 Collecting and Storing Scent Articles Properly 48:21 Training with Diverse Subjects, Including Those with Medical Conditions 54:31 Exposing Handlers and Dogs to Realistic Scenarios 01:50:26 The Importance of Documentation and Record-Keeping
Cameron Ford sits down with Dr. Stuart Hilliard to discuss their experiences in the dog training world. They reminisce about their early days in the Air Force and how they were inspired by Dr. Hilliard's book on Schutzhund training. They also talk about their mentors, including Godfrey Dildei and Bob Gailey, and the impact they had on their training methods. The conversation covers topics such as the importance of removing conflict in dog training, the use of hoses as training tools, and the influence of German Shepherd dogs and Belgian Malinois in their training journeys. Dr. Hilliard discusses his introduction to Malinois dogs and his involvement in importing and training them. He credits Helmut Riser for teaching him the theoretical structure of dog training and changing the language of dog training in English.
This K9 team successfully completed my detection scenario station at the Colorado K9 Conference. In this evolution, the team conducted a single-blind search, knowing only that they had two rooms to search without any information about the presence of hides. In one of the rooms, there was a narcotics hide weighing about half a pound, placed in the ceiling roughly 10 feet above the ground. As demonstrated, the team, like many others, noticed their dogs signaling "Something is here," despite the complexity being beyond the usual straightforward training scenarios. Typically, the dog's odor training involves simpler and more accessible hides, unlike the challenging contexts encountered in real searches. This advanced training is designed to help handlers interpret their dogs' behavior in situations resembling actual operational deployments. The goal is to make training more realistic, identify any gaps, and allow teams to experience failure in a controlled setting to reduce the likelihood of failures during real searches.
Here is another jump out search with K9 Ammo. This is his 4th Scenario based search. This is a single blind search (meaning I do not know what or where anything is). 🔫Shell casings were in the area for 12 hours before we conducted the search. ✅Location is an active intersection in an industrial park just down from a homeless encampment which provides plenty of distractions to work through. Added to the distraction was a person who kept coming up to us and asking us about my vehicle parked on the side of the road. ✅Total search time was about 28mins. First part of the search was 16 mins or so then a 15 min break, and second part was 10 ish minutes. ✅Results: located both areas with shell casings. Area 1 had 3 casings and second area had 2 casings. ✅Lessons Learned: After initial search, restart a second search after a break from a completely different angle of approach. Learned even better behavior from Ammo on how he looks when smelling animal or human scents in the ground. #detectiondogs #snifferdogs #makeyourtraininglookreal #pushyourtraining #workingdogs #policek9 #evidencedetection #fordK9 
Here is a video where I demonstrate working with my dogs, emphasizing the importance of understanding and reading your detection dog. It's crucial to recognize what is predictable, repeatable, and reliable in your dog's behavior when responding to odors versus distractions. The more familiar you are with your dog's detection nuances, the more confident and effective your team will become. More videos on this topic will be available soon. For even more Detection Dog Content go to http://www.FordK9.com
Summary In this episode, Cameron Ford sits down with Dr. Stuart Hilliard to discuss their experiences in the dog training world. Dr. Hilliard discusses the importance of looking at the scientific data and conclusions without prejudice or bias when it comes to dog training. He emphasizes the need to understand the science of aversive control and communicate what is known to practical dog trainers. The conversation then shifts to the concept of incorporating appropriate levels of reinforcement and punishers in dog training, and the search for a new term to express this approach. They also discuss the challenges of achieving stimulus control in detection dogs and the balance between specificity and generalization in Detection Dogs. To learn more about Kynology events go to http://www.michaelellisschool.com To learn more about Detection Dog training go to http://www.fordk9.com
🛑“Don’t forget to pay attention to your dog” …. This video shows when I missed my dog acknowledging odor as I am focused on the search area. It’s always good to learn lessons. #detectiondogs #nosework #policek9 #scentdetection #snifferdogs #detectiondogtips #fordk9
In this Video I share a search I do with my dog Ammo. This is only his 3rd scenario based search and this is a BLANK run. My main goal was exposure to the operation conditions he will face on call outs. This search also showed me his behaviors on unique smells in this kind of area and it gives me valuable experience in reading him in a non target environment. To learn more about this and all things Detection visit http://www.fordk9.com
Getxent Remote Air Sampling for Canine Olfaction is a cutting-edge technology that allows extremely fast detection of Explosives, Narcotics but also Bed Bugs and many other substances and chemicals. Getxent RASCO system is an innovative and affordable solution for collecting and concentrating odors from large volumes. The patented Getxent tube, combined with a specially designed accessory for Dyson or Xiaomi vacuums, enables quick and accurate odor detection in rooms, containers, vehicles, and more. Used globally in various industries, including defense, Customs and environmental/conservation detection. https://getxent.com/products/getxent-rasco Http://www.fordk9.com http://www.kynotec.at
Laleh Aksu, a trainer of C. difficile detection dogs, discusses the importance of using dogs to search for C. diff in hospital environments. C. difficile is a bacteria that can cause severe diarrhea and is a hospital-acquired infection. The dogs are trained to detect the presence of C. diff in the environment, such as on surfaces and in the air. Laleh explains the training process, the different strains of C. diff that the dogs are trained on, and the success rate of the program. She also discusses the challenges of training C. diff dogs and the rewards and markers used in training. Cameron Ford discusses the operational utilization of bio-detection dogs in hospitals, specifically for detecting C. diff. He explains that the dogs are trained to search areas such as supply rooms and storage rooms, but not patient rooms unless they are terminally cleaned. Ford also addresses the issue of false alerts and emphasizes the importance of reading and understanding the dog's behavior. He highlights the benefits of using bio-detection dogs in hospitals, including cost savings and improved infection control practices. However, he notes that the lack of exposure and support from some hospitals hinders the widespread acceptance of this resource. Contact Lale Aksu email: Lale.aksu@vch.ca Sponsors: Getxent http://www.getxent.com Precision Explosives for ALL your REAL odor needs and no licenses needed go to http://www.pre-exp.com Ford K9 To learn even more about Detection Dogs go to http://www.fordk9.com Chapters 00:00 Introduction to C. difficile detection dogs 02:22 The importance of detecting C. diff in the hospital environment 04:04 Uniqueness of the C. difficile detection dog program 09:01 Training dogs on the VOCs of C. diff 11:20 Imprinting dogs on specific strains of C. diff 23:07 Limiting dogs to one pathogen in training 25:33 Using food rewards in C. difficile detection dog training 27:20 Challenges in training C. difficile detection dogs 29:08 The Operational Utilization of Bio-Detection Dogs in Hospitals 39:34 Addressing False Alerts: Reading the Dog's Behavior 50:40 Benefits of Using Bio-Detection Dogs in Hospitals 53:33 Challenges in Widespread Acceptance of Bio-Detection Dogs in Healthcare
In this episode, Dr. Nathan Hall and Dr. Paola Tiedemann discuss their research on canine detection applications and the use of olfactometers. They explain that olfactometers are scientific instruments used to provide measured and standardized odors to animals. The researchers have been working on miniaturizing olfactometers and making them more rugged for various applications. They also discuss the merging of technology and dogs, predicting that within a few years, cameras and olfactometers could be used for initial dog training. They also explore the importance of the handler-dog relationship and the potential for technology to provide confirmation of the dog's findings. In this part of the conversation, Cameron and Paola discuss the importance of unifying the protocols and procedures used in scent detection. They emphasize the need to consider variables such as the length of time, collection methods, and the type of container used. They also discuss the plausibility of dogs remembering scents in real-world environments and the challenges of training dogs to match samples with different variations. They touch on the impact of factors like stress, medication, and age on human scent and the need for further research in these areas. They also highlight the importance of training dogs on a variety of targets and distractors to improve their ability to generalize and avoid false positives. Finally, they discuss the challenges of introducing new samples and variations in training and the need for ongoing evaluation and testing. In this final part of the conversation, Cameron Ford and Nathan Hall discuss the importance of challenging and critically evaluating detection dog training methods. They emphasize the need for accurate and informed decision-making in operational scenarios. They also explore the impact of odor concentration on a dog's ability to generalize and detect targets. The conversation then shifts to the research on firearms detection, including the significance of gunshot residue (GSR) and the volume of odor. They discuss the challenges of training dogs on different concentrations of odor and the importance of training on the actual weapon rather than just the powder. Finally, they touch on the ongoing research on ghost guns and the need to understand the odor profiles of 3D printed firearms. Joint Symposium for Working K9s April 7 -10 2025 http://jswk9.com Ford K9 for everything Detection Dogs go visit http://www.fordk9.com
Dr. Paola Tiedemann Forensic Chemist and professor at Texas Tech University and Dr. Nathan Hall Associate Professor of K9 Olfaction at Texas Tech and Cameron Ford of Ford K9 discuss the research on firearms detection, including the significance of gunshot residue (GSR) and the volume of odor. We discuss the challenges of training dogs on different concentrations of odor and the importance of training on the actual weapon rather than just the powder. Finally, they touch on the ongoing research on ghost guns and the need to understand the odor profiles of 3D printed firearms.
This video features Cameron Ford, Michael Ellis, and Natalie Morris engaging in an open-minded discussion about the two most common methods used to teach dogs detection work. As trainers, it's crucial that we continuously evolve and enhance our skills in training both dogs and their handlers. This often requires reflecting on our practices and conversing with peers who may offer different perspectives. Open discussions like these help us ensure that we are adhering to the "what is best for the dog" principle. We hope you all enjoy the conversation we had.
Question: How difficult would it be to introduce Variable Reward to a detection dog who has always been rewarded for each find? #Detectiondogs #nosework #scentwork #workingdogs #variblerewardsystem #fordk9 #michaelellis
#103. Many have heard of Getxent tubes OR the detection odor training aids sold by Precision explosives. I always get so many questions about this product how it works and what is the MAGIC behind this. This episode I sit down the with co inventor Gregory Herin of the Getxent tube and this is dedicated to answering all the common questions as well as covering lots of the common questions abut odor in general. Contact Gregory and Getxent here: http://www.getxent.com Order various detection REAL odors here: http://www.pre-exp.com Learn about all things Detection dogs and to join the Ford K9 membership go here: http://www.fordk9.com
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