Road to Detection: Training Tips for Scent Detection Handlers, Competitors and Enthusiasts
Ever wish you had a scent detection training mentor in your back pocket? That's exactly what you'll get when you tune into Road to Detection with your host, Tamara Champagne. Her specialty? Breaking down training theory and strategies into actionable step-by-step processes that help you get results with a whole lot less confusion.
Road to Detection will deliver training strategies and tips about how to train and prepare your dog for noseowork competitions and trials.
These actionable episodes provide valuable insights for scent detection, nosework, sport detection and scentwork handlers, competitors and enthusiasts.
If you want to learn how to train your scent detection dog and optimize your training and trialing performance, you're in the right place!
On this show I will answer questions like:
*How to make a training plan for scent detection
*What are the steps to teaching an indication
*How to improve my dog's nosework performance
*What do I need to prepare for a scentwork trial
*How do I overcome my scent detection challenge
*What scent puzzles are good for my dog
- Update frequency
- every 9 days
- Average duration
- 37 minutes
- Episodes
- 20
- Years Active
- 2024 - 2025
019 - Inaccessible Hides: Challenges and Strategies for Success
In this episode, I discuss the concept of inaccessible hides in scent detection training. I share my experiences with my own dogs, Valor and Vimy, highlighting the importance of introducing inaccessi…
018 - Elevated Hides: Challenges and Progressions
In this episode, I discuss the complexities of training dogs on elevated hides. I break down the definitions, challenges, and training strategies necessary for success.
This episode emphasizes the im…
017 - Bird Dog Detection: Accidental Bird Dog & Ugly Dog Hunting
In this episode, I'm joined by Terry Ann Fernando and Mike Neiduski. We delve into our journey with bird dogs and explore effective strategies for managing our high-energy companions. We highlight th…
016 - Happy New Year - Wins and Questions from Students and Friends
2024 is a wrap! In this episode I share wins and questions from Road to Detection students and friends. The best part of this sport is how incredible our community is, and I'm always grateful for eve…
015 - Training Audit: Navigating Variable Reinforcement
In this episode, I'm joined by Paige as we discusses the intricacies of implementing variable reinforcement in scent detection. Paige has some concerns about motivation and confidence in her dog, Jak…
014 - Living the Detection Trial Life with Lane Michie
Today I'm joined by Lane Michie and her tiny dog, Wendel. Their journey in nosework began nearly four years ago but despite the relatively short time in the sport, they have participated in what equa…
013 - Avoiding Training and Trialing Burnout
In this episode, I discusses the challenges of burnout in training and the importance of setting clear goals to maintain motivation and avoid overcommitment. I discuss the need for handlers to reflec…
010 - Handler Skills: Working Memory and Focus
Learn more about Road to Detection Program
This episode is an upcycled talk I did for one of last seasons Road to Detection coaching calls. Get nerdy as I break down the neuroscience (the best I can…
011 - Lessons Learned: What I Wish I Knew
Whenever we learn something new, mistakes and oversights are inevitable! Let me save you from at least a few of them as I share what I wish I knew when I started training my own dogs, and my students…
009 - Don't Miss Out! Road to Detection Program Doors Are Open!
A quick shout out to let you know Road to Detection is open for registration!
Road to Detection is a comprehensive 6-month program for scent detection training. It covers everything from starting yo…
008 - Training Audit: Scent Skills for Trial Success
In this Training Audit, Kathleen and I dig into the skills (dog and handler) that teams should start incorporating in their training as they move up the scent detection trial levels.
Kathleen discuss…
007 - Odor Theory: Sport Detection Odor Concentration, Availability and Aging
In this episode, I discuss odor concentration, availability, and aging. These concepts continue to come up with my students and I often see these three things impact team's outcomes at sport detectio…
006 - Converging Odor: Tips, strategies and set-ups to help you conquer converging odor scent puzzles
In this episode, I dive into the scent detection skill of converging odor. We'll explore the essential prerequisites before starting with converging odor, how to introduce new cues, and the art of pr…
005 - Training Audit: Progressing Through Scent Puzzles
This Training Audit Episode was a fun one! I'm joined by current Road to Detection student, Angela. We talk about the goals she set at the beginning of the program, and how to continue progressing to…
004 - Embracing Mistakes: The Key to Learning with Dr. Melanie Uhde
In this guest episode, I'm joined by Dr. Melanie Uhde, Canine Decoded, to discuss the importance of stress and resilience in dog training, specifically in the context of scent detection. We explore t…
003 - Pee-Pee Routines
In this solo episode, I discusses the importance of having a pee-pee routine for competition dogs, especially for our scent detection and nosework competitions. I share my (unfortunate) personal expe…
002 - Training Audit: Reactivity and Detection Training
In this Training Audit Episode, I chat with Vee and discuss her dog, Jenko, who has been working through some reactivity issues and is also training in scent detection. Vee contacted me to better und…
001 - Cooking up Detection with Cameron Ford
In this very first episode of Road to Detection, I'm joined by Cameron Ford of Ford K9. We discuss our journey in the world of scent detection training and the changes we've seen over the last severa…
Road to Detection: Trailer
Join me as I introduce my new podcast Road to Detection. A podcast for scent detection handlers, competitors and enthusiasts! In this podcast I'll share a little about my passion for scent detection …