In this episode of K9 Conservationists, Kayla speaks with Grant Blackley from Orkney Native Wildlife Project about transitioning from airport screening detection dogs to working with conservation detection dogs.

Science Highlight: Olfaction-based Detection Distance: A Quantitative Analysis of How Far Away Dogs Recognize Tortoise Odor and Follow It to Source

What is similar between airport detection and conservation detection?

• Dog care is the same; health checks, etc.
• Training foundations are similar
• Educating the public is the same for both

What things are different?

• Quick controlled rewards in the airport vs toy rewards for conservation
• Dogs on leash at all times in the airport, can be off leash for conservation
• Taught to speak a lot to airport detection dogs, but not for conservation
• Overall search styles are different
• Small differences in training elements
• All airport dogs are trained the same, conservation dogs trained individually
• Different hours of work, different work environment
• More human sided work with airport detection vs conservation
• There is more work and funding for airport detection

Links Mentioned in the Episode: None

Where to find Grant Blackley: Website | Facebook

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