In this episode of K9 Conservationists, Kayla discusses what it is like working with a teenage dog and gives tips and tricks to get your young dog in the world of conservation work!
- Start small. Niffler searches in small plots, each search only commencing around 15 minutes at a time.
- While conservation detection can be unpredictable, it’s best to find work that will be highly rewarding. If there aren’t as many finds as expected, make sure you are prepared to look after your dog’s welfare to make it a good and rewarding experience for them.
- Keep it extra fun!
- Don’t be afraid to call it off! Whether it’s cutting a search or day short, or just deciding it’s time to go back to training and start work at another date, it’s okay to call it off and take steps back or take breaks when needed.
- “Don’t prioritize success today at the expense of your dog’s long term career”
- Watch for changes over time, and expect them to happen
- Not all teenagers are going to be ready to work
- Use “gimme’s” as needed if there aren’t a lot of finds
- Watch your dog’s enthusiasm levels
- Don’t ruin your dog’s career for the stake of starting it early
Links Mentioned in the Episode:
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