Selecting a Conservation Detection Dog

In this episode of K9 Conservationists, Kayla Fratt talks about considerations when choosing a conservation detection dog, sourcing a dog, and screening a dog. 

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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 that aren’t a must have, but are still of some importance to you. These are usually aesthetic type desires. 
• You also need to consider your work lifestyle, whether your dog can handle being off leash around wildlife, water, other dogs, people, etc. 
• Consider if you’d want to do outreach work at events with your dog. Would a social dog be more ideal, etc. 
• Travel is something to consider. A dog that thrives on routine may not be best for conservation work. 
• Most trainers in this field prefer dogs that have a high drive for toys 
• Consider what kind of dog you like to work with; high drive, low drive, preference for food reinforcement, preference for toy reinforcement, low energy or high energy personality, etc. 
• Consider the detail level of the work you want to do 
• It’s very important to consider your skill set and experience with dog handling 

Links Mentioned in the Episode:

• Pandemic Puppy - Where to Get a Puppy
• Pandemic Puppy - Picking a Breeder
• Pandemic Puppy - Picking a Puppy from a Breeder
• Pandemic Puppy - Picking a Shelter Puppy
• Test for Detection Dogs
  

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