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Kayla Fratt

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K9 Conservationists
K9 ConservationistsSkipper's StoryEver wonder how a seasoned handler selects their new co-woffer? Kayla Fratt, co-founder of K9Conservationists, walks through her process of how she selected her newest recruit Skipper! Kayla talks about how she went about finding potential candidates, how she screened over 70 dogs, and how she finally landed on Skipper. If you're looking to find your next detection dog and want to know all the nitty-gritty on how that happens- this is the episode for you!Massive shout out to Thrifted Kittens Animal Rescue for their help and taking such amazing care of Skipper...
2025-12-1840 minK9 Conservationists
K9 ConservationistsDogs, Bogs, and Slogs: Inside the Island Wolf ProjectKayla Fratt of K9Conservationists wraps up her Alaska fieldwork mini-series with a deep dive into life on the Island Wolf Project. She shares what a day in the field really looks like from loading the boat at dawn, hiking through temperate rainforests, relentless rain, and working with the Barley, Niffler, and Itooma across 25+ remote islands.Kayla answers Patreon questions about how she chooses search routes, when to work dogs on- and off-leash, how to stay safe around bears and wolves, and how to navigate the somewhat unpredictable logistics of boat-based surveys. She also breaks down what...
2025-12-0457 minK9 Conservationists
K9 ConservationistsA conservation dog book for kids?! With Alison Pearce StevensIn this episode of K9Conservationists, Kayla Fratt chats with Alison Pearce Stevens, author of Detective Dogs: How Working Dogs Sniff Out Invasive Species. They discuss the inspiration behind her new book, her experiences shadowing detection dog teams, and what it was like to bring the story to life.Alison’s websitehttps://apstevens.com/ Get a signed copy! Don’t forget you can personalize your copy, just put your desired personalization in the comment box when ordering.https://francieandfinch.com/ Host: Kayla FrattEditor...
2025-11-2025 minK9 Conservationists
K9 ConservationistsMythbusting with Meg Barnes and Paul BunkerIt’s time to bust some myths and challenge some hot takes of the conservation detection dog world! Join Kayla Fratt (K9 Conservationists), Paul Bunker (Chiron K9), and Meg Barnes (Detection for Good) as they tackle common claims and controversies that impact dogs, handlers, and the field as a whole. From “training your dog on Kong will ruin them”, to “good training can fix anything”, to “working a dog is unethical”. These seasoned professionals break down why these ideas persist, why they’re wrong, and what good, ethical, and evidence based training really looks like. Hot takes we BU...
2025-11-061h 04K9 Conservationists
K9 ConservationistsHow volunteer conservation dog teams are making a differenceJoin Kayla Fratt (K9Conservationist) for a enlightening conservation with Kyoko Johnson and Marlee Monahan (Conservation Dogs of Hawaii), Sally Dickinson (Virginia Tech), and Arden Lumenfall (New York-New Jersey Trail Conference) as we learn about how organizations across the USA are engaging with their communities and using the power of volunteer detection dog teams to help further research and initiatives. Come along as they discuss how volunteers have helped further their causes, how they select dogs, and some of the challenges of using volunteers in the field.This episode also features a science highlight on hard ticks...
2025-10-2358 minK9 Conservationists
K9 ConservationistsAlaska Storytime 02: When Dog Preparation Goes SidewaysIn this episode K9 Conservationist co-founder, Kayla Fratt, continues her story about her PhD research and Alaskan field season with a raw and honest look at what “ugly training” really means and why it matters. Kayla shares the realities of working detection dogs in unpredictable weather, adapting when field plans fall apart, and facing the heartbreak of realizing that not every talented dog is a fit for every project. From rough and rain-soaked boat rides to joyful breakthroughs in the field, this episode dives into the art of balancing research, intuition, and compassion in conservation detection dog work.
2025-10-0928 minK9 Conservationists
K9 ConservationistsAlaska Storytime 01: Preparing for FieldworkIn this episode of K9 Conservationists, co-founder Kayla Fratt speaks about her PhD research. This episode covers background on the Alexander Archipelago wolf, some past research done by other biologists, and how dogs fit into the picture. She then discusses dog selection, onboarding, and training for this project. This episode ends with Kayla and her field technician Grace missing the ferry to Alaska. Links mentioned in this episode:Genetic Gobeldygook with Ellen Dymit https://open.spotify.com/episode/5oIRUv2sGmVXUYifn7vKee?si=b1b871f994534492 Detection dogs afraid of wolf scat (Vervaecke et...
2025-09-2550 minK9 Conservationists
K9 ConservationistsSensitivity and Specificity Gone Wrong with Courtney BrownIn this episode of K9 Conservationists, Kayla speaks with Courtney Brown from Einstein K9 about search and rescue, handler scent discrimination, and sensitivity and specificity. Links Mentioned in the Episode:  Science Highlight: Conservation detection dogs: A critical review of efficacy and methodology Problem Solving with Kayla Fratt Where to find Courtney: Website | Facebook  You can support the K9 Conservationists Podcast by joining our Patreon at patreon.com/k9conservationists. K9 Conservationists Website | Course Waitlist |  Merch | Support Our Work | Facebook | Instagram | TikTok
2025-01-031h 36K9 Conservationists
K9 ConservationistsDifficult Dogs Part 2, Shelter Stress, and More with Ursa AcreeIn this episode of K9 Conservationists, Kayla is back with a bonus part two episode about difficult dogs in conservation work. She is joined by Ursa Acree, previous co-host on the retired podcast Canine Conversations! What are some environmental factors in the shelter or in the home that can make behavior problems worse?Change in environment is stressful, especially when going to a shelter Shelters are usually loud, stinky, and have a lack of enrichment The same can happen in the home if there is a lot of overstimulation but no adequate outlets for the dog Lack of exercise can...
2024-07-021h 20K9 Conservationists
K9 ConservationistsA Day in the Life of a Conservation Detection Dog HandlerIn this episode, we discuss a day in the life of a conservation detection dog handler on a variety of projects that Kayla has worked on.
2023-09-2649 minK9 Conservationists
K9 ConservationistsOdor Discrimination Part 1: Signal Detection Theory with Simon GadboisIn the first episode of the odor discrimination mini series, we revisit an older episode of K9 Conservationists where Kayla Fratt speaks with Dr. Simon Gadbois to talk about signal detection theory and his conservation work. Discussed in this Podcast: Dr. Gadbois work in Nova Scotia What is signal detection theory? What’s the potential problem with proportion or percentage correct data as performance? What’s the problem with our basic lineup for training and testing detection dogs as it relates to SDT? How can trainers at home put this to use with their dogs? Link...
2023-05-091h 07K9 Conservationists
K9 ConservationistsCombining a Love of Dogs with Conservation with Co-Founder Heather NootbaarIn this episode of K9 Conservationists, Kayla interviews co-founder Heather. They discuss how Heather got into the world of conservation detection dogs, her experience before K9 Conservationists, and how she met Kayla.  Science Highlight: Using Scent Detection Dogs in Conservation Settings: A Review of Scientific Literature Regarding Their Selection We Discuss: Heather's dad, who showed bearded collies when she was a kid Heather's history as a zoology major in college, then working in zoos and wolf sanctuaries How diving way into animal behavior and dog training landed Heather a job with conservation dogs K9 E...
2022-08-0253 minK9 Conservationists
K9 ConservationistsGet to Know K9 Conservationists Co-Founder Rachel HamreIn this episode of K9 Conservationists, Kayla interviews co-founder Rachel Hamre. They discuss how Rachel first got into dog training, her many jobs as a field tech, how she and Kayla met, Rachel’s season handling Barley, and her journey with her new dog Suki. Science Highlight: Why Sniff Fast? The Relationship Between Sniff Frequency, Odor Discrimination, and Receptor Neuron Activation in the Rat (https://journals.physiology.org/doi/full/10.1152/jn.90981.2008)  Links Mentioned in the Episode:  You can support the K9 Conservationists Podcast by joining our Patreon at patreon.com/k9conservationists. K9 Cons...
2022-07-2641 minK9 Conservationists
K9 ConservationistsGrowing as a Handler with Edwin Kimutai from Action for Cheetahs in KenyaIn this episode of K9 Conservationists, Kayla speaks with Edwin, a conservation dog handler at Actions for Cheetahs in Kenya. Kayla spent 6 weeks with Edwin and Naomi helping move the program forward before Heather and Rachel (also from K9 Conservationists) arrived to spend about a month each with the program. Stay tuned for more updates! Links Mentioned in the Episode: Where to find ACK: Website | Facebook | Vaccination Facebook Page | Go Fund Me You can support the K9 Conservationists Podcast by joining our Patreon at patreon.com/k9conservationists. K9 Conservationists Website...
2022-07-0522 minK9 Conservationists
K9 ConservationistsIntelligent Disobedience and Cue Hierarchies with Tony HarveyIn this episode of K9 Conservationists, Kayla speaks with Tony Harvey about intelligent disobedience. Review Highlight: JPinCB says “Kayla’s authentic, enthusiastic interest in all of her guests and topics, paired with her knowledge in a variety of scientific fields makes this podcast fun, interesting, and informative. If you have any interest in dogs, nature, travel, science, even pursuing your dreams, you will love this podcast.” What is intelligent disobedience? When the dog goes directly against the handler's cue in an effort to make the better or safer decision (ie. A guide dog not crossing the road when asked when there...
2022-05-2448 minK9 Conservationists
K9 ConservationistsConservation Canines: How Dogs work for the EnvironmentIn this episode of K9 Conservationists, Kayla speaks with Isabelle Groc about her book Conservation Canines: How Dogs Work for the Environment. Science Highlight: Performance of detection dogs and visual searches for scat detection and discrimination amongst related species with identical diets Have you read Conservation Canines: How Dogs Help the Environment yet? Isabelle Groc put together this lovely book to highlight many of the working dogs around the world, from conservation detection dogs to livestock guardian dogs. I had a blast learning about her book-writing process. If you don't have the book yet, order...
2022-04-0544 minK9 Conservationists
K9 ConservationistsPanel Discussion with Ken Ramirez, Kim Brophy, Laura Holder, Dr. Erim Gomez, Ursa Acree, and Dr. Charles van ReesIn this episode of K9 Conservationists, Kayla hosts a panel of conservationists, dog behavior consultants and trainers, and ecologists. Our panel guests this episode are Dr. Charles van Rees, Ken Ramirez, Ursa Acree, Kim Brophy, Laura Holder, and Dr. Erim Gomez. Questions asked: What kinds of applications are currently practiced in conservation dogs work that might surprise those of us who don’t know about them? What are your top 2 or 3 professional ethics you feel are the most important in the work you do with animals (including humans)? What are the top things that you most wi...
2022-03-291h 21K9 Conservationists
K9 ConservationistsTraining an "All Clear" for Detection Dogs with Paul Bunker of Chiron K9In this episode of K9 Conservationists, Kayla speaks with Paul Bunker about all clear procedures. Science Highlight: An assessment of the effects of habitat structure on the scat finding performance of a wildlife detection dog What is an all-clear response? The dog’s formal response to let the handler know there is no odor to alert to What is a go-no-go response? The dog’s NON-formal response to let the handler know there is no odor to alert to What’s a situation we may want to teach this for? Odor r...
2022-03-221h 02K9 Conservationists
K9 ConservationistsJames Davis on Field Safety, Mentorship, and Dealing with Charismatic Invasive SpeciesIn this episode of K9 Conservationists, Kayla speaks with James Davis about his work with Padfoot Science Highlight: Detecting Small and Cryptic Animals By Combining Thermography and a Wildlife Detection Dog What is some advice for someone hoping to jump into the industry? Be realistic about your expectations Don’t rely on this line of work to hold a steady income or to sustain you financially How do you keep your dogs safe in the field? Use snake avoidance training - teach the dog to avoid snakes by rewarding the behavior of th...
2022-03-1538 minK9 Conservationists
K9 ConservationistsDo Our Working Dogs Owe Us Work?In this episode of K9 Conservationists, Kayla speaks with Sarah Stremming and Erin Jones regarding what we owe our working dogs, and what they owe us. Science Highlight: Buzzing with possibilities: Training and olfactory generalization in conservation detection dogs for an endangered stonefly species Where to find Sarah Stremming: Website | Facebook | Instagram | Podcast | TikTok Where to find Erin Jones: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram You can support the K9 Conservationists Podcast by joining our Patreon at patreon.com/k9conservationists. K9 Conservationists Website | Merch | Support Our Work | Facebook | Instagram | TikTok
2022-03-081h 16K9 Conservationists
K9 ConservationistsConservation Dogs of Hawaii with Kyoko Johnson and Dr. Charles van ReesIn this episode of K9 Conservationists, Kayla and Charles speak with Kyoko Johnson about her work at Conservation Dogs Hawaii. What are some threats that Hawaii is facing? Hawaii is in the middle of the pacific ocean. One of the major principles of conservation is island biology, which is how species and organisms are not able to easily get there from other places It cannot be “fixed” by just allowing other species to arrive, as they would be considered invasive species and the island is much more sensitive to those Is there anything unique about Hawa...
2022-03-011h 05K9 Conservationists
K9 ConservationistsDifficult Dogs and Conservation with Rogue Detection TeamsIn this episode of K9 Conservationists, Kayla talks to Jennifer Hartman and Heath Smith from Rogue Detection Teams about working with behaviorally “challenging” dogs for conservation dog work. Episode suggestion:  Pay attention to your bedtime routine. Call to action: Go for a walk somewhere new. Once dogs are able to work at a job, a lot of the behavior problems melt away. Making sure their needs are met can change the behavior. Links Mentioned in the Episode: None Where to find Rogue Detection Teams:  Website |  Instagram | Facebook | YouTube You c...
2022-02-151h 01K9 Conservationists
K9 ConservationistsErrors, Mistakes, and Failure in Conservation Dog TrainingIn this episode of K9 Conservationists, Kayla talks about mistakes, failure, and errors. This week’s science highlight: You Are Not My Handler! Impact of Changing Handlers on Dogs’ Behaviours and Detection Performance. Everything is just data; it’s just information Now we have all sorts of interesting questions to dig into - was it search conditions? Target odor? Study design? Time of year? Training sample quality? Dog-project fit? Criteria? Splitting? Timing? Stress or exhaustion? Handler interference? While applied behavior analysis isn’t always the answer to all training issues, it’s a great place to start. R...
2022-02-0827 minK9 Conservationists
K9 ConservationistsWhat to Know Before Hiring a Conservation Detection Dog Team, Part 2In this episode of K9 Conservationists, Kayla is back for part two with Kyoko Johnson from Conservation Dog Hawaii and Jennifer Hartman from Rogue Detection Teams to continue their talk about things to know before hiring a conservation detection dog team. This week’s science highlight: How Behavior of Nontarget Species Affects Perceived Accuracy of Scat Detection Dog Surveys. Covered in this episode: What hazards might the dog-handler team be facing in the field? How can these be mitigated or avoided? What levels or types of risk are unacceptable? How does the use of CD...
2022-02-011h 20K9 Conservationists
K9 ConservationistsBONUS: Called to the Wild: Kayla and Barley on National Geographic and Disney+In October 2020, Kayla and Barley flew to Maine to compete in a dog human survival challenge now published on National Geographic and Disney+. The show is called Called to the Wild and depicts dog human teams competing to thrive in the wilderness. In this episode Kayla talks about her experience on the show and tells you where to find the show online.
2022-01-2723 minK9 Conservationists
K9 ConservationistsWhat to Know Before Hiring a Conservation Dog Team with Conservation Dogs of Hawaii and Rogue Detection TeamsIn this episode of K9 Conservationists, Kayla talks with Kyoko Johnson from Conservation Dog Hawaii and Jennifer Hartman from Rogue Detection Teams about things to know before hiring a conservation detection dog team. What are some things scientists should consider before hiring a conservation detection dog team? Lower density finds are easier for dogs Dogs are often used near the end of a project vs the beginning or brought in to target a more specific area It is important they have their question ready and prepared in order to figure out if dogs will be useful...
2022-01-251h 11K9 Conservationists
K9 ConservationistsFringe Alerts with Stacy BarnettIn this episode of K9 Conservationists, Kayla talks to Stacy Barnett about fringe alerts in detection dogs. What is fringing? When a dog alerts to odor outside of the preferred range of where the indication should be, aka too far away The final response begins where sourcing ends, so with fringing, the sourcing ends prematurely, making the alert farther away from the scent than is preferred Why does it happen? The behavior chain of sourcing and alerting is off balance Over-enthusiastic for the search Over emphasising the alert/not enough emphasis on sourcing the...
2022-01-181h 05K9 Conservationists
K9 ConservationistsBats and Wind Farms with Dr. Merlin TuttleIn this episode of K9 Conservationists, Kayla talks to Dr. Merlin Tuttle about bats and wind farms. Episode suggestion: Come to conversations ready to learn and ready to be curious. Call to action: Research your utility company and ask about green energy options in your area. More than 3 million bats a year are being killed by wind farms, none of which are labelled as endangered What can listeners do to get more involved? Be more knowledgeable about who you support. Ask them questions! Reduce the power you use! “Why run animals to environmental irrelevance before doing anything?” Links Mentioned in the...
2022-01-1140 minK9 Conservationists
K9 ConservationistsAmphibians and Charismatic MiniFauna with Dr. Erim GomezIn this episode of K9 Conservationists, Kayla talks to Dr. Erim Gomez. They nerd out about amphibians, diversity, and academia! Episode suggestion: Try something new, even if it’s small! Call to action: Update your amazon smile to benefit K9 Conservationist! How could dogs help with amphibian research? Humans can’t see as well as dogs can smell, so dogs would be more accurate Dogs would also be able to help pinpoint the location in a safer way, vs humans having to dig around to find one Links Mentioned in the Epis...
2022-01-041h 02K9 Conservationists
K9 Conservationists"Making It" as a Conservation Detection Dog HandlerIn this episode of K9 Conservationists, Kayla talks about her experience and advice on how to “make it” as a K9 Conservationists handler. Call to action: Join us on Patreon or make a monthly donation. Links Mentioned in the Episode: Lonely Conservationists Essay You can support the K9 Conservationists Podcast by joining our Patreon at patreon.com/k9conservationists. K9 Conservationists Website | Merch | Support Our Work | Facebook | Instagram | TikTok
2021-12-2838 minK9 Conservationists
K9 ConservationistsGive Bats a Break with Nate MarshallIn this episode of K9 Conservationists, Kayla and Charles speak with Nate Marshall. They talk about bats, wind farms, and why you should care about the conservation of bats!  Episode suggestion: Win friends, not battles.  Call to action: Build a bat box.  What should we like about bats?  They are around everywhere in multiple types of ecosystems  They eat insects, fruits, fish, crustaceans, and blood  The variation and diversity in bats is truly astonishing  1 in 5 mammals in the world is a species of bat  How many different species?  There are over...
2021-12-211h 18K9 Conservationists
K9 ConservationistsIntroducing Our New Conservation Correspondent: Dr. Charles van ReesIn this episode of K9 Conservationists, Kayla introduces Dr. Charles van Rees. Charles has been on the show before, but will now make a more regular appearance as K9 Conservationists new Conservation Correspondent.
2021-12-1439 minK9 Conservationists
K9 ConservationistsSelecting and Raising a Conservation Detection Dog Puppy with Laura HolderIn this episode of K9 Conservationists, Kayla talks to Laura Holder of Conservation Dogs Collective. They chat all about puppies!  Episode suggestion: Stay curious by being more “dog”! For 90 seconds a day, find joy in little things and slow down!  Call to action: Update your Amazon Smile to benefit K9 Conservationists. What are the pros and cons of getting a conservation dog as a puppy?  Pros: Having a dog from a puppy gives you more control over their learning and getting them started on detection-related development early  Cons: It is a hug...
2021-12-071h 03K9 Conservationists
K9 ConservationistsHow to be a K9 ConservationistIn this episode of K9 Conservationists, Kayla discusses the ins and outs of becoming a K9 Conservationist! Episode suggestion:  It’s okay to not finish a book if you aren’t liking it. Call to action:   Check out our new merch!! Suggested by Dr. Ayana Elizabeth Johnson, create a 3-way Venn diagram of how to get involved. Top circle is “what you love.” Circle off to the left of what you’re good at Lastly, a circle to the right of what the world needs. In the center could be some ways you can help...
2021-11-3021 minK9 Conservationists
K9 ConservationistsInspiring the Next Generation of Conservationists with Jeff RennickeIn this episode of K9 Conservationists, Kayla speaks with Jeff Rennickle. They talk about inspiring others to care about the land and Jeff’s experiences with photographing the world and teaching at the Conserve School. Episode suggestion: Give yourself grace for what you’re capable of right now. Call to action: Find a place that speaks to you, visit it often, and find out what you can do to get involved in its protection. What is wilderness? The wildness of our planet and the existence of everything in it The preservation of the...
2021-11-2359 minK9 Conservationists
K9 ConservationistsCommunications, Travel, and Conservation with Brooke Mitchell-NormanIn this episode of K9 Conservationists, Kayla speaks with Brooke Mitchell-Norman. They talk about tourism, communication, education, and how all of that relates to conservation! Episode suggestion: Don't sacrifice what you want now for what you want most of all. Call to action: Support a local small business that donates or shares some of its profits with a cause you care about. How does travel benefit conservation? When it is done right, it puts an exact value dollar on a live and thriving wildlifeWhen your favourite species is a top predator, it...
2021-11-161h 22K9 Conservationists
K9 ConservationistsThe Great Big Data Nerdfest with Dr. Charles van Rees (Part 2)In this episode of K9 Conservationists, Kayla speaks with Dr. Charles Van Rees about data. They discuss the ins and outs of working with data and how to turn data into information scientists can use.Episode suggestion: Take the time to see, smell, and notice things outside! Call to action: Check out ebird, inaturalist or seek! What is/are data? Information that we can use for inference and for learning things Data doesn’t necessarily “teach you things” but it helps you learn an answer to something you’re looking for Examples of data for...
2021-11-0949 minK9 Conservationists
K9 ConservationistsData Nerdfest with Dr. Charles van Rees (Part 1)In this episode of K9 Conservationists, Kayla speaks with Dr. Charles Van Rees about data. They discuss the ins and outs of working with data and how to turn data into information scientists can use. Episode suggestion:  Take the time to see, smell, and notice things outside! Call to action: Check out ebird, inaturalist or seek! What is/are data? Information that we can use for inference and for learning things Data doesn’t necessarily “teach you things” but it helps you learn an answer to something you’re looking for Examples...
2021-11-0244 minK9 Conservationists
K9 ConservationistsWhen Your Dogs are Your Coworkers - And Work is HardIn this episode of K9 Conservationists, Kayla and Marissa Martino get personal discussing the woes of conservation work when handling your emotions while working! They discuss ways to balance how you’re feeling while trying to make the job as positive as possible for your K9 partner! Episode suggestion:  Just train the dog! Call to action:   Follow us on social media! Reach out to Kayla if you’d like to volunteer with helping put together a scentwork course! Links Mentioned in the Episode: None Where to find Marissa: Website | Book | Podcast | Connect...
2021-10-261h 00K9 Conservationists
K9 ConservationistsSelecting a Conservation Detection DogIn this episode of K9 Conservationists, Kayla Fratt talks about considerations when choosing a conservation detection dog, sourcing a dog, and screening a dog.  Episode suggestion: “Don't sacrifice clarity at the altar of generosity”  Call to action: Join pateron!  Discussed in this Podcast:  Considerations:  Make a list of your must-haves from a lifestyle perspective to help which type of dog works best for you. This can be anything from breed type, grooming requirements, size, etc. You should also make a list of “nice to have” and “bonus points”. These are types of things t...
2021-10-1937 minK9 Conservationists
K9 ConservationistsOff-Leash Etiquette and EthicsIn this episode of K9 Conservationists, Kayla Fratt talks about off-leash etiquette in order to keep your dogs, yourself, others, and the environment safe. Discussed in this Podcast: Off-leash is a privilege and owners carry a responsibility when utilizing that privilege Ensure your dog has solid recall, especially around distractions Look for signage; follow the law - if the trail or area is on leash, there’s a reason for it When you arrive at a trail, observe your surroundings Are there lots of cars indicating lots of people? Do the cars have bike racks? If so...
2021-10-1225 minK9 Conservationists
K9 ConservationistsToo Much "Structure" Compromises Your Working Dog's WelfareIn this episode of K9 Conservationists, Kayla discusses the structure and welfare of a conservation detection dog! This episode is heavily inspired by Sarah Stremming’s Cog Dog Radio Podcast Episode titled “Drive, Deprivation, and Desperation”. Be careful to not label desperation or deprivation as drive Limited your dogs access to toys or other fun in order to “build drive" is a welfare issue Try not to build up an obsession with the reinforcers to best avoid desperation and deprivation Welfare is appropriate food, enrichment, exercise, and anything that would meet the dog's needs. Just because your dog is worki...
2021-09-2820 minK9 Conservationists
K9 ConservationistsWorking with a Teenage Detection DogIn 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 ext...
2021-09-1421 minK9 Conservationists
K9 ConservationistsSignal Detection Theory with Dr. Simon GadboisIn this episode of K9 Conservationists, Kayla Fratt speaks with Dr. Simon Gadbois to talk about signal detection theory and his conservation work! Discussed in this Podcast: Dr. Gadbois work in Nova Scotia What is signal detection theory? Signal detection theory is a means to measure the ability to differentiate between information-bearing patterns and random patterns that distract from the information. It has been around for a long time Mostly used for physical stimuli vs olfactory stimuli It wouldn’t be useful for clear distinctions or errorless data However, signal detection theory needs a clear yes or...
2021-08-171h 05K9 Conservationists
K9 ConservationistsLengthy Searches with Dr. Nathan HallIn this episode of K9 Conservationists, Kayla Fratt speaks with Dr. Nathaniel Hall to talk about lengthy searches for conservation dogs! Discussed in this Podcast: How does a dog’s sensitivity to scent affect their work? All sensory systems are learned behaviors, so there will be genetic differences and learning history differences. Because of this, what one dog smells will not be the exact same as what another dog smells. It depends on the concentration of the odor on how sensitive your dog will be to the odor. Their threshold of detection of a ce...
2021-08-0352 minK9 Conservationists
K9 ConservationistsIntroducing the Conservation Dogs CollectiveIn this episode of K9 Conservationists, Kayla Fratt speaks with Laura Holder to introduce Laura’s Conservation Dogs Collective! Discussed in this Podcast: How did you get into conservation detection dog work? What spurred the change to Conservation Dogs Collective? What are your goals with CDCI? What upcoming or recent projects have your finder-keeper teams worked on? What work are you doing to engage the dog-loving community and educate the public? I’d love to talk a bit about dog selection and training methods. Links Mentioned in the Episode: None Where to f...
2021-07-2747 minK9 Conservationists
K9 ConservationistsHierarchy of Behavior Change for Working Dogs with Dr. Susan FriedmanToday I have the joy of talking to Dr. Susan Friedman about the hierarchy of behavior change for dog training. This is so central to what we do - ensuring that our dogs are excellent at the work they do while maintaining the highest quality of life possible for them. I am SO excited to get to this interview, but first I have to remind you all that our field vehicle repair fundraiser is ongoing. As I record, the van is getting repairs for several damaged cylinders as well as fuel injectors - costs will total around $16,000...
2021-06-291h 04K9 Conservationists
K9 ConservationistsMuzzling for Wildlife Safety with Michael ShikashioIn 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. Why is a muzzle a good idea for a CDD based on their work? Muzzles aren’t just for biting, they can also protect the dog from ingesting things they shouldn’t. Types of muzzles and what sort is best for a working dog wearing it long-term Three things to look for are comfort, safety (biti...
2021-06-0143 minK9 Conservationists
K9 ConservationistsSourcing Odor with Stacy BarnettIn 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 nosework. Links Mentioned in the Episode Fenzi Courses: Scent Theory & Dynamics, Introduction to Nosework, Nosework Games Where to find Stacy Barnett: Scentsabilities Nosework You can support the K9 Conservationists Podcast by joining our Patreon at patreon.com/k9conservationists. K9 Conservationists Website Go Fund Me
2021-05-1856 minK9 Conservationists
K9 Conservationists61. Goodbyes and Hot TakesUrsa is leaving the podcast for new and exciting endeavors. But before she goes, we're tackling a Patreon question and another round of HOT TAKES!  Patron Question Answered: “In episode 34 you talked about using chasing squirrels as a reward for your dogs. Kayla said this made Barely more desperately want to chase squirrels but Marissa said this made Sully’s desire to chase squirrels go down. My dog is veryyyyy excited about squirrels and it is one of the things I’ve been trying to teach her to not lose her doggy mind over since she doe...
2021-04-111h 24K9 Conservationists
K9 ConservationistsEp. 60: Life Updates and Hot Takes Part 3Kayla and Ursa provide updates on their life and play another quick round of hot takes. They take turns pulling a topic from a hat, then they have 3 minutes to give their thoughts on it – then the other person has 2 minutes to add their thoughts. Hot takes covered: Praise based training Head collars Vibration collars
2021-03-1659 minK9 Conservationists
K9 ConservationistsEp. 58: Hot Takes Part 2Kayla and Ursa return for another Hot Takes. They take turns pulling a topic from a hat, then they have 3 minutes to give their thoughts on it - then the other person has 2 minutes to add their thoughts. Remember, you can now support the podcast through Patreon for as little as $3/month! Patrons can submit questions, which we’ll answer at the end of each episode. Join the conversation over at patreon.com/canineconvos.
2021-02-161h 08K9 Conservationists
K9 ConservationistsEp. 57: Hot Takes Part 1Kayla and Ursa try out a new format they're calling Hot Takes. They take turns pulling a topic from a hat, then they have 3 minutes to give their thoughts on it - then the other person has 2 minutes to add their thoughts.
2021-02-021h 06K9 Conservationists
K9 ConservationistsEp. 56: Preparing for a PuppyKayla speaks to Rebecca Hintz of Wintegrity K9 in Vacaville CA about deciding where to get a puppy. For the purpose of this episode, we are only comparing getting a dog from a responsible breeder versus a shelter. We are not discussing getting a dog from a pet store, online marketplace, grocery store lot, or backyard breeder because we do not support those venues of puppy acquisition. If you’re unsure how to find a responsible breeder, stay tuned for upcoming episodes.
2021-01-191h 24K9 Conservationists
K9 ConservationistsEp. 55: Meeting Everyone's Needs with Marissa MartinoIn today’s episode, Kayla hopped on the line with Marissa, our former co-host. On the show, we discussed how to provide your dog with the necessary daily enrichment while also taking into consideration what you need from the relationship as a pet parent. We share 6 different ways you can meet your dog’s needs along with a list of questions to consider, inviting you to personalize this content for you and your dog!
2021-01-051h 04K9 Conservationists
K9 ConservationistsEp. 54: Holiday StorytimeUrsa and Kayla have a lighthearted holiday episode where they share some favorite stories about their dogs, past and present.
2020-12-2257 minK9 Conservationists
K9 ConservationistsEp. 53: Case Study on MadgeUrsa and Kayla chat about Madge, Kayla's uber-fearful foster dog from earlier this spring. They also get a great update from Madge's new family!
2020-12-151h 13K9 Conservationists
K9 ConservationistsEp. 52: Dominance with Kim BropheyKayla sits down with Kim Brophy to discuss dominance in dogs and dog training from an ethological lens.
2020-11-301h 11K9 Conservationists
K9 ConservationistsEp. 51: Tips for Surviving the Holidays with Your DogKayla and Ursa discuss management strategies and training solutions to help make holiday gatherings less stressful for you, your dog, and your friends/family.
2020-11-191h 11K9 Conservationists
K9 ConservationistsEp. 50: Behavioral Euthanasia Part 2Kayla and Ursa revisit the difficult topic of behavioral euthanasia.
2020-11-131h 18K9 Conservationists
K9 ConservationistsEp. 49: Ethology with Kim BropheyKayla chats with Kim Brophey about the study of ethology, and how that creates a different framework with which to look at dog behavior.
2020-10-221h 14K9 Conservationists
K9 ConservationistsEp. 48: Behavioral Euthanasia Part 1Kayla and Ursa discuss the tough topic of behavioral euthanasia  for pet and shelter dogs.
2020-10-061h 15K9 Conservationists
K9 ConservationistsEp. 47: Mythbusting Part 3Ursa and Kayla tackle MORE dog training myths, including: 1. Greeting a dog after an absence creates separation anxiety 2. You need to always end training sessions on a good note 3. You need to eat first/walk through doors first/not let your dog on furniture or your dog will be alpha 4. You have to support the hierarchy between dogs 5. Aggression to kids = dominance structure 6. Pinch/prong collars are equivalent to corrections from mom
2020-09-221h 08K9 Conservationists
K9 ConservationistsEp. 46: Functional Dog Breeding with Dr. Jessica HekmanKayla sits down with Dr. Jessica Hekman of the Functional Dog Collaborative to talk about breeding dogs for behavioral and physical health. They talk about how the FDC aims to help
2020-09-081h 20K9 Conservationists
K9 ConservationistsEp. 45: Can Dogs be Racist?Kayla sits down with Jio and Taylor from Smart Bitch Dog Training, Curtis from Pet Parent Allies, and Allison from Dog Liaison to talk about whether or not dogs can be racist. Canine Conversations has been excited to get this episode out for a while, and we recognize it might be perceived as “late to the party.” I hope that instead we can view it as a continuation of an important discussion that is already fading from the news cycle. I am so grateful to all for joining me when they are so busy!
2020-08-251h 45K9 Conservationists
K9 ConservationistsEp. 44: Aggression in Dogs with Michael ShikashioKayla talks to Michael Shikashio about the Aggression in Dogs Conference and Michael's new podcast, The Bitey End of the Dog.
2020-08-1140 minK9 Conservationists
K9 ConservationistsEp. 43: Mythbusting Part TwoJoin Marissa, Ursa, and Kayla as they discuss dog training myths including: - Comforting a scared dog teaches the dog to be scared - A single dog training class is all the obedience/training your dog needs - Feeding your dog human food teaches them to beg - Shock collars don’t hurt Marissa also had a special announcement: she is leaving the podcast to start her own podcast, all about dog-human relationships. We’ll miss her and hope to have her back as a frequent guest!
2020-07-2859 minK9 Conservationists
K9 ConservationistsEp 42: Myth-busting Part 1Join all three of us, Ursa, Kayla, and Marissa discuss common dog training myths and what to do with your dog instead. They discuss topics such as socialization, canine body language, whether or not dogs are doing things out of spite. Check it out!
2020-07-1430 minK9 Conservationists
K9 ConservationistsEp 41: Is Aggression Ever Really Fixed?In today's episode, we're going to be discussing a very complex and even controversial topic - is aggression ever "fixed"? This is a matter of extensive debate in the dog training world, and a question that looms large in the mind of any pet parent who struggles with a dog that engages in aggressive behavior. When is your training finished? Is it ever finished? How do we determine if aggressive behavior is no longer a concern? Join Kayla, Marissa, and Ursa as we explore this topic!
2020-06-301h 10K9 Conservationists
K9 ConservationistsEp 40: Education and Certifications for TrainersJoin Kayla and Marissa discuss continuing education opportunities and the importance of certifications. This episode is designed to help support your educational journey and the resources listed below should give you a great place to start!
2020-06-1859 minK9 Conservationists
K9 ConservationistsEp 39: Exotic Zoo Animals and Dogs!How does being an exotic animal trainer and zookeeper relate to dog training? Kayla Fratt and Emily Martin discuss how the zoo field has made Emily a better dog trainer, the most challenging animal Emily has ever trained, and much more.
2020-06-0250 minK9 Conservationists
K9 ConservationistsEp 38: Case Study - Dealing with Anxiety, Fear & ReactivityToday's episode includes Kayla Fratt, of Journey Dog Training, interview her amazing client, Caroline. Caroline reached out to Kayla several months ago to work on her dog's behavior concerns. Sonic is a four-year-old chihuahua with a variety of different anxious and fear behaviors. Marissa Martino, of Paws & Reward, joins the episode to hear about their current behavior modification process and offer another perspective.
2020-05-191h 09K9 Conservationists
K9 ConservationistsEp 37: Separation Anxiety with Erin JonesIn today’s episode, Kayla sits down with Erin Jones to talk about separation anxiety. Erin wrote an e-book and created a course for Journey Dog Training all about separation anxiety. She’s got a lot of firsthand knowledge, both with clients and personal dogs, on the topic. Join them as they discuss this challenging behavior issue, provide ways to prevent it, and offer tools and insight into the behavior modification process!
2020-05-0546 minK9 Conservationists
K9 ConservationistsEp 36: Splitting for Successful Training SessionsA good dog trainer and behavior consultant knows that taking your time and moving at the pace of the animal is the best way to go! It ensures success in the learning process. Join Marissa Martino of Paws & Reward and Kayla Fratt of Journey Dog Training share creative ways to split steps in your training plans.
2020-04-2147 minK9 Conservationists
K9 ConservationistsEp 35: Let them Sniff! Scent EnrichmentJoin Marissa Martino of Paws & Reward Dog Training and Kayla Fratt of Journey Dog Training discuss one of their favorite topics - scent enrichment! Listen as they discuss why engaging your dog's nose is a great form of mental stimulation, introduce the sport K9 Nosework, and provide you with some DIY scent enrichment activities!
2020-04-0700 minK9 Conservationists
K9 ConservationistsEp 34: Types of Reinforcement for our DogsIn today’s episode, Marissa Martino of Paws & Reward and Kayla Fratt of Journey Dog Training discuss a variety of reinforcements you can offer your dog during training sessions and real-life scenarios. This episode goes beyond treats and gives pet parents a ton of other great, creative ideas to use when reinforcing behavior.
2020-03-2454 minK9 Conservationists
K9 ConservationistsEp 32: What Should I Do With This Puppy?! With Megan ElizabethKayla Fratt speaks to Megan Lundberg about puppy socialization and training. Megan works for The Canine Coach running their puppy days school program, meaning she spends most of her working hours caring for, training, and socializing puppies.
2020-02-2558 minK9 Conservationists
K9 ConservationistsEp 30: House Training Your Puppy!Join Kayla Fratt of Journey Dog Training and Marissa Martino of Paws & Reward discuss a puppy house training case and share their ideal house training setup when you bring home a new puppy!
2020-01-2858 minK9 Conservationists
K9 ConservationistsEp 28: Breeding dogs and socialization with Danielle Spady and Susanne Shelton PART 2Join Kayla Fratt of Journey Dog Training interview Susanne Shelton of Austerlitz German Shepherds and Danielle Spady of Avid Aussies. They discuss neonatal socialization and how important this process is when breeding dogs.
2019-12-311h 26K9 Conservationists
K9 ConservationistsEp 27: Breeding dogs with Danielle Spady and Susanne Shelton PART 1Join Kayla Fratt of Journey Dog Training interview Susanne Shelton of Austerlitz German Shepherds and Danielle Spady of Avid Aussies. They discuss the ins and outs of breeding dogs!
2019-12-171h 03K9 Conservationists
K9 ConservationistsEp 25: The Fallout of PunishmentMost of our listeners know that Ursa, Kayla and Marissa are all positive reinforcement trainers, meaning they stay far away from punishment at all costs. They would prefer to teach your dog what to do instead of the problematic behavior. Listen as Marissa and Kayla walk you through the 6 reasons to not punish your dog and why your relationship depends on it!
2019-12-0343 minK9 Conservationists
K9 ConservationistsEp 24: Drink With Your Dog! With Amber QuannJoin Kayla from Journey Dog Training interview Amber Quann of Summit Dog training in Fort Collins, CO. Amber has been training dogs for 17 years. She is passionate about getting people and their dogs out having wonderful adventures together. Recently, this passion turned into the Drink With Your Dog Project, which is all about education for dog owners, breweries, and dog trainers about creating more brewery-friendly dogs and dog-friendly breweries.
2019-11-1943 minK9 Conservationists
K9 ConservationistsEp 23: Choosing the Perfect Dog!Join Marissa, Kayla and Ursa discuss the process of choosing a dog, introduce topics to consider and learn how they chose their loved ones!
2019-11-051h 02K9 Conservationists
K9 ConservationistsEp 21: Outnumbered! Living in a Multi-Dog HouseholdSo you’re considering adding another dog to your household - or maybe you already have a crowd. In addition to more love, cuddles, and cute photos, living with multiple dogs can also come with extra hair, extra poop, and extra expense - in addition to a host of other challenges. If you’ve been wondering about - or struggling with - a multi-dog household, join Kayla and Ursa discuss some common pitfalls and how to minimize them.
2019-10-0747 minK9 Conservationists
K9 ConservationistsEp 20: Crossover Training with Janee MooreJoin Kayla Fratt of Journey Dog Training, interview Janee Moore, owner of Boise Dog Sports in Boise, Idaho. In this episode, Janee and Kayla talk about crossover training. A so-called crossover trainer is generally described as someone who started their dog training career using all of the tools available to them, but now relies much more heavily on positive reinforcement and environmental management rather than punishment.
2019-09-2353 minK9 Conservationists
K9 ConservationistsEp 19: Top 5 behaviors we would teach every dog!Join Kayla Fratt of Journey Dog Training, Ursa Acree, Co-owner of Canis Major Dog Training and Marissa Martino of Paws & Reward Dog Training discuss the top 5 behaviors they would teach every dog! They each wrote down their top 5 and then shared the results live on the podcast!
2019-09-0956 minK9 Conservationists
K9 ConservationistsEp 17: BONUS EPISODE: Kayla Moves to Montana to work for Workings Dogs for ConservationJoin the 3 of us as we gab and gush about Kayla's new job: Marketing and Communications Coordinator for Working Dogs for Conservation! We talk about the mission of the organization, what it takes to train a great working dog and Kayla's upcoming move to Montana!
2019-08-1426 minK9 Conservationists
K9 ConservationistsEp 16: Street Dogs with Michael ShikashioJoin Kayla Fratt and Michael Shikashio discuss the behavior of street dogs. Find out how their behavior might be different (and the same) from the dogs we share our beds with!
2019-08-1255 minK9 Conservationists
K9 ConservationistsEp 15: "Drive" Myths with Sarah DixonIn this episode, Kayla talks to Sarah Dixon about the concept of drive in dogs. Sarah is the president of the board of the International Association of Animal Behavior. She works at Instinct Dog Training in New York City.
2019-07-2957 minK9 Conservationists
K9 ConservationistsEp 14: The Great Outdoors with Pine IrwinIn today’s episode, Kayla and Pine talk about heading outdoors with their dogs. Our guest, Pine Irwin of Irwin Dog Training, specializes in outdoor adventures. She teaches private lessons and leads a group that is all focused on helping dogs excel in the outdoors, from backpacking to shorter hikes. They talk all about safety and benefits of off-leash (and on-leash) hiking with our dogs.
2019-07-151h 04K9 Conservationists
K9 ConservationistsEp 13: Discover Online Dog TrainingIn this episode, we’re talking about how remote or online dog training works. Kayla runs JourneyDogTraining.com, where she works exclusively with people online and remotely. Join Kayla and Marissa discuss the pros and cons of this approach.
2019-07-0143 minK9 Conservationists
K9 ConservationistsEp 11: Answering Listener Questions #1In this episode, Kayla Fratt from Journey Dog Training covers five different Listener Questions about all sorts of dog behavior questions, including a dog is unfocused and lungey on walks, a dog who’s scared of the sound of coughing, a service dog prospect who’s scared of kids, and more.
2019-06-0327 minK9 Conservationists
K9 ConservationistsEp 10: What Behavior Consultants can Learn from Agility Trainers - with Sarah StremmingKayla Fratt speaks to Sarah Stremming, owner of The Cognitive Canine and instructor at Fenzi Dog Sports Academy. They discuss the similarities and differences between working on “worked up” sport dog cases and over-aroused pet dogs. Sarah also shares some of her favorite tips for helping dogs calm down when needed.
2019-05-2047 minK9 Conservationists
K9 ConservationistsEp 9: A Discussion on the "No Kill" MovementJoin Ursa, Kayla and Marissa discuss the pitfalls of the "No Kill" movement in animal shelters. Ursa, Kayla, and Marissa all have animal sheltering experience and can speak to this movement from behind the scenes. They share their own experience, what they would like to see for all shelters and the animals in their care.
2019-05-061h 03K9 Conservationists
K9 ConservationistsEp 6: Deepening your Relationship with your Dog PART 2Join author Marissa Martino of Human-Canine Behavior Connection discuss her book and the 6 relationship building principles necessary to enhance your relationship and training with your best friend! Kayla Fratt of Journey Dog Training interviews Marissa while also sharing her relationship experiences with Barley, her high drive, goofy border collie! This is Part 1 of a two-part series.
2019-03-2549 minK9 Conservationists
K9 ConservationistsEp 5: Deepening your Relationship with your Dog PART 1Join author Marissa Martino of Human-Canine Behavior Connection discuss her book and the 6 relationship building principles necessary to enhance your relationship and training with your best friend! Kayla Fratt of Journey Dog Training interviews Marissa while also sharing her relationship experiences with Barley, her high drive, goofy border collie! This is Part 1 of a two-part series.
2019-03-1148 minK9 Conservationists
K9 ConservationistsEp 4: A Case Study on Dog/Cat IntroductionsJoin Ursa and Kayla as they discuss a case study from Kayla's private practice, Journey Dog Training. The case study involves Checkers, the cat, and Bella, the dog, and how Kayla helped them live more harmoniously together!
2019-02-2555 minK9 Conservationists
K9 ConservationistsEp 3: Preventing Reactivity and AggressionJoin Marissa Martino and Kayla Fratt unpack how they prevent canine reactivity and aggression with their own dogs and the tools they use to support their clients!
2019-02-1134 minK9 Conservationists
K9 ConservationistsEp 2: 5 Things Trainers do Differently than Pet ParentsJoins Ursa, Marissa and Kayla discuss the 5 things they do with their dogs that may be different than how most pet parents engage with their 4 legged friends. Enjoy a day in the life of these 3 trainers, getting concepts and exercises that you can implement right away!
2019-02-1155 minK9 Conservationists
K9 ConservationistsEp 1: Meet the Canine Conversations Crew!Welcome to the Canine Conversations Podcast: where we’re positively obsessed with behavior. Join certified dog trainers as we discuss case studies, explore training concepts, and interview experts in the field of behavior. The hosts of this show include Marissa Martino, owner of Paws and Reward Dog Training in Boulder, CO, Ursa Acree, a co-owner of Canis Major Dog Training in Denver, CO, and lastly, Kayla Fratt, the owner of Journey Dog Training, a remote, online business.
2019-02-0824 min