Peer-reviewed research on olfaction has been building for decades. Nobel Prizes have been awarded for it. And yet claims circulate in our community — at seminars, in social media groups, from well-meaning colleagues — that directly contradict what the science actually shows. They spread not because people are careless, but because the research isn't always making it to the field in a usable form. That's a problem. Because bad science in our field doesn't just look embarrassin

Progress in your training rarely comes from having a stronger opinion. It comes from seeing more clearly. What we observe in front of us will always matter more than the story we’re tempted to about it. When we slow down enough to really watch a dog, we start collecting information instead of assumptions. A hesitation before a cue, a subtle shift in weight, a change in breathing, a slight drop of the tail. None of it is good or bad. None of it is failure. It’s simply data. T

Belle and Raven remind me often that behavior never happens in a vacuum. Belle is 9 months and Raven is 6 months. Both dogs know how to engage, search, think, and how to do a nice trained final response. And yet, put them in a busy environment, a new surface, unfamiliar sounds, stacked smells, people movement, and suddenly the picture changes. Not because they’re being difficult or our training is “failing.” But because the environment is asking more than they can currently g

As an instructor, one of the most common barriers to progress has little to do with the dogs. It’s the mindset of a training group. Most people are working in a group or with a couple of friends/teammates they are comfortable with, or helped them get started. The people are capable, the training feels solid, and early success reinforces the belief that what you’re learning is not just effective, but complete. Alternative training ideas are often dismissed, not because they’ve

This week I was working Belle, an 8-month-old black Lab, and we are working her foundations in detection. She came to the session motivated, engaged, ready to work. Tail wagging, eyes bright, all the good stuff. And then… she checked out. Not because she was tired. Not because she lacked drive. Not because she suddenly decided detection wasn’t her thing. Because I got unclear. I set several hides that made sense in my head but didn’t translate cleanly in the environment. We w

This is the time of year I spend time looking where I want to go with the Foundation, where my training is going with each dog, and of course, make some goals or hatch some ideas which may end up percolating all year. I also spend some time reflecting on where I've been, what worked, what didn't, and also feel a little guilty that my dogs didn't get worked enough. You know, typical dog trainer stuff. As you look toward 2026, consider shifting your focus from outcomes that sup

This past week was hard, sometimes you have to choose your hard. I sent my 15.5 year old dog ahead without me. I've spent days reflecting on things my dogs have taught me. I'm focusing on these lessons with gratitude. This is the best legacy they can provide. In no particular order: 1) The animal choses the reinforcer. Rae's favorite thing on the planet was being within 6ft of me. We had an amazing time as a narcotics detection dog team, once I understood. 2) The animal can c

Raven is just so excited to work that she can barely contain herself. She's fast, smart and sassy. Her concept of being a 22lb puppy in a large world means nothing to her. She thinks she can do it all! As I was watching her try to jump onto a platform that Flash (who is significantly taller than her) did, it got me thinking about coaching and playing at a level higher than you think you can. I have several coaches and friends who continually ask me questions that make me thin

This is the time of year I usually find myself struggling to maintain my motivation. Seminar season is done, we are looking at winter...

I'm watching Belle (5.5 months) put pieces of the detection game together. We are working through adding in her start cue, a small...

I have two very sassy black lab puppies who are pushing boundaries and I'm molding into my next round of detection dogs. They are super...

The last couple of days I've had several conversations with handlers from all over the nation about their dog not wanting to do the work....

The end of seminar season always brings about a time of reflection for me because I am usually pretty exhausted. I've seen a rash of new...

Over the last several months I've been out teaching and had over 50 students at the Foundation for various events. Now that the dust has...

This is very true for all of us. I was working with a new student the other day who was just starting their detection dog journey. Their...

Last month there were 35 handlers on site that wanted feedback. The Dames of Detection (Stacy Barnett, Crystal Wing, and myself) hosted...

One of my previous posts started people talking. YAY, this is what they are supposed to do! The post highlighted the pitfall of...

As a professional executive coach and a master dog trainer, one of the opening lines from a client that makes me smile is "I'm probably...

It's a Saturday morning and I'm sitting on my computer, writing this particular Thoughtful Thursday. After this, I'm taking the rest of...

Originally the seminars I held at MUTC were only going to be offered every other year. Organizing a large scale event eight hours away...