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We wanted to co- post this great K9s Talking Scents episode with Cameron Ford and Eric! Titled How to Reward on Blanks
This isn’t polished—it’s two veterans with decades of experience discussing the real problems, failures, and solutions in detection dog training.
What We Cover:
Why rewarding every find creates pattern dogs (and court problems)
The “all done” command stolen from European trainers that changes blank search training
Court record analysis: why 100% training success rates destroy credibility
Why dogs skip the first hide and go for their “favorite” odor
The magnet shell game for vehicle searches (stop starting from headlights)
Edmonton PD airflow study: where vehicle odor ACTUALLY escapes (not door handles)
Cameron’s admission: 90% false alert rate at blank traffic stops—even for handlers who know better
The vehicle door handle myth vs. touch transfer reality
Why detection training needs more “monkey wrenches” like NSW does
Balancing training records: 50% blanks, 50% finds for court credibility
Eric walks through his evolution from “four hot, one blank” to incorporating proper blank searches, distractors, and variable rewards. Cameron breaks down the science, legal implications, and practical solutions. Both emphasize: we’ve made every mistake so you don’t have to.
Critical for: Law enforcement K9 handlers, private security detection teams, trainers building programs from scratch.
Always a HUGE thank you to our sponsors:
KINETIC DOG FOOD
www.kineticdogfood.com
HIGHLAND CANINE TRAINING
30% off new online classes with the discount code HK930 email them at policek9@highlandcanine.com
HORIZON STRUCTURES
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RAY ALLEN K9
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WDRRAY 10% off
DOGTRA OFFICIAL
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WDR10 10% off of a single item over $200
ALM K9 EQUIPMENT
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“WDRADIO” 10% off
Music by @brotherdege brotherdege.net
Rest in Peace Dege Legge!