This podcast is the official podcast for the Joint Symposium for Working K9s (JSWK9) conference. This podcast interviews important figures in the working k9 community, introduces topics of the JSWK9 conference, and covers all topics for working k9s.
Dr. Lucia Lazarowski and Bart Rogers discuss their Department of Homeland Security funded study on using markers in detection dog training, revealing whether markers improve learning rate and performance in this interview.
25 Sept 2025
The spacing or condensed training schedule
Dr. Lucia Lazarowski interviews Dr. Smith about an Auburn University study that explores spaced versus condensed training schedules for dogs to determine optimal learning outcomes in canines.
6 Apr 2025
Meet JSWK9 Member Craig Shultz
In this podcast we learn more about Craig Shultz of K9 Sci Con and JSWK9. Learn about his background and where he got introduced to animal training from zoo, marine mammal and detection dogs. Learn more about his workshop at JSWK9, "Drop that reward".
23 Mar 2025
JSWK9 Workshop- Dr. Otto's Keeping Cool
In this episode I speak with the Penn Vet Working Dog Center's Director, Dr. Cindy Otto. We learn about the workshop she is teaching at JSWK9 on Monday April 7th, called Keeping Cool. Learn more about this workshop and how to keep your dog cool!
8 Mar 2025
Interview- Dr. Mia Cobb
In this episode, I interview Dr. Mia Cobb (https://findanexpert.unimelb.edu.au/profile/834478-mia-cobb) Canine Welfare Scientist at the University of Melbourne. Dr. Cobb will be plenary speaker at the JSWK9 conference. Dr. Cobb is the Chaser Innovation Research Fellow in Canine Welfare Science and critical researcher in working dog welfare.
In this conversation, Dr. Cobb discusses her journey in animal welfare, the importance of understanding canine needs, and the impact of enrichment programs on guide dogs. She emphasizes the need for transparency in animal welfare practices and the role of societal approval in shaping these practices. The discussion also touches on the legacy of Chaser, a dog known for her remarkable cognitive abilities, and how her story has influenced ongoing research in canine welfare.
7 Mar 2025
Interview with Fred Helfers Instructor of JSWK9 Workshop
In this episode we learn more about Fed Helfers and his exciting career with detection dogs. Mr. Helfers is the instructor for the workshop, "Conducting Double Blind Exercises for K9 Team Certifications and Odor Recognition Tests". In this episode we learn about the importance of double blinds and how his workshop will give practical advice on how to implement them in your training program. They are not that hard, and can do wonders for your training program. Listen in to learn about Fred's fascinating career and how his thoughts on double-blind tests have evolved over his career.
7 Mar 2025
Interview Dr. Paola Tiedmann and Cameron Ford- Workshop Firearms Detection
Listen in on this joint interview with Dr. Tiedemann and Cameron Ford on firearms detection. They are instructing a JSWK9 workshop, "The Smoking Gun: Understanding the Detection of Firearms from Odor to Training Methods". In this episode we learn about the differences between an explosives detection dog and a firearms detection dog and the critical operational and training differences. This episode touches on the topics that will be covered in more depth in their workshop (https://www.jswk9.com/workshops).
6 Mar 2025
Interview- Bob Dougherty Workshop Instructor
In this episode, I interview Bob Dougherty of the Penn Vet Working Dog Center, who is instructing the JSWK9 workshop, "The Prepared Puppy: Foundational Training for Law Enforcement". In this episode we learn about Mr. Dougherty's vast experience and evolution in Law Enforcement K9 training. We also get a sneak peek to what is covered in the workshop. Learn how Penn Vet develops puppies for Law Enforcement and lessons learned!
22 Jan 2025
Effect of training method on detection dog learning rates and generalization
In this podcast I interview PhD candidate Sarah Kane, Dr.
Lucia Lazarowski, and canine instructors Bart Rogers and Jennifer Davis-Miller on a recent project conducted by Auburn University and Texas Tech University. If you need to train dogs on a range of explosives, how do you do this most efficiently? Do you train one at a time? Do you mix multiple together to make a “stew”? Do you introduce the dog to each of your
odors from the start? In this podcast, the team discusses the results of a study conducted across both institutes to answer these questions!
This study was funded by the Department of Homeland Security, Science and Technology Directorate, Detection Canine Program Office under contract #70RSAT22CB0000002. This podcast represents the position of the researchers and not necessarily that of DHS.
28 Oct 2024
Meet Dr. Meghan Ramos
Meet Dr. Meghan Ramos, the medical director for the PennVet Working Dog Center. Dr. Ramos will be instructing the PennVet Canimetrics workshop at the JSWK9 conference. In this episode, learn more about Canimetrics, working dog fitness, and what you can learn from this workshop!
28 Oct 2024
Meet invited speaker Brad Gillespie
In this episode we meet Brad Gillespie, invited speaker for the JSWK9 conference. Brad has 25 years experience, handling and training law enforcement K9s. Listen in to learn more about Brad's experience in lessons he has learned handling and training!
17 Sept 2024
JSWK9 Invited Speaker Dr. Emily Bray
In this episode, I interview Dr. Emily Bray, Assistant
Professor at the University of Arizona. Dr. Bray talks about her research with
guide and assistance dogs. Dr. Bray has investigated the effect of maternal
style and mothering of dams on their pups’ future success in guide and
assistance dog programs. Is a more engaged mother better or worse in predicting
dogs qualifying as a guide or assistance dog? The results are more complex than
you may imagine! Are differences in
early puppy personality stable? Do they change with age or are they stable
individual differences? What cognitive traits are heritable in dogs? This
podcast is a great resource for anyone interested in working dog development
from puppy to adult.
17 Sept 2024
JSWK9 Keynote Speaker- Dr. Paul Waggoner
In this episode, I interview Dr. Paul Waggoner, Co-Director
for the Center of Canine Performance Sciences. Dr. Waggoner is the keynote
speaker of the JSWK9 conference and an industry leader for detection dogs for
the last 30 years. We will discuss the history of Auburn’s Canine Performance
Sciences, how Dr. Waggoner got started, and what trends he has observed over
the last 30 years. We will talk about Dr. Waggoner’s and Auburn’s successes in
transferring technology to operational teams and the key learning lessons Dr.
Waggoner has made over his career. Join us to learn about the history of
detection dogs and developments made under his lead at Auburn University.
17 Sept 2024
JSWK9 Invited Speaker Dr. Zenithson Ng
In this episode, I interview Dr. Zenithson Ng at the
University of Tennessee. Dr. Ng will talk about his experience as a
veterinarian for working dogs and his research on human-animal interactions.
How important is the bond between handler and working dog? How can a handler
improve this relationship and what can a handler look for to identify issues
earlier? Dr. Ng talks about how he recommends assessing a dog’s welfare and
what we can do to help make sure we are meeting our working dogs’ needs. Join
me in this podcast to learn the importance of your veterinarian for your
working dog and how to evaluate your dog’s welfare.
2 Jul 2024
Meet Lucia Lazarowski
In this episode, we interview JSWK9 founding team member Dr. Lucia Lazarowski.
We answer important questions like:
What is a dog's memory for odor like?
What cognitive and behavior traits are associated with working dog success?
What traits seem stable across development and are things to look out for?
We also learn about how Dr. Lazaroski started her impressive career in working dogs.
Today, Dr. Lazarowski is is Research Assistant Professor in the Department of Anatomy, Physiology, & Pharmacology at the Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine, and Chief Scientist at Auburn University’s Canine Performance Sciences. She has 10+ years of experience studying olfaction, cognition, and behavior in dogs.
21 May 2024
Meet Cynthia M. Otto
Meet JSWK9 Conference organizer and Director of the Penn Vet Working Dog Center, Dr. Cynthia Otto. Get to know Dr. Otto, her background, and how she started with working dogs. Learn about the moment that changed it all, and the dog that taught her everything. Don't forget to comment on the dog that changed it all for you! Last but not least, we must talk about fitness! Why is fitness important for the working dog and are you doing it right? Check out this great paper (https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fvets.2020.00470/full) to get started on working dog fitness.
20 May 2024
Meet Lauryn DeGreeff-Silk
In this episode, Lauryn and I battle out dog vs. instrument!
Here is a video (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TRwqOFHOjac) of Lauryn doing this test! Or perhaps there is a world where we live together with dog and instrument? We talk about the limitations of each as well as where dogs are unique. We then dive into, what is odor? Why is it complex and why are there few simple answers about what dogs are smelling?
20 May 2024
JSWK9 Introduction
Meet the team for the Joint Symposium for Working K9s. In this episode, I (Nathan) interview Cindy Otto, Melissa Singletary, Lucia Lazarowski, Paola Tiedemann, Lauryn DeGreeff-Silk and Craig Shultz. We introduce the podcast and the upcoming 2024 Joint Symposium for Working K9 conference.
Who has been a guest on Joint Symposium for Working K9s
Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.
Dr Lucia Lazarowski
Bart Rogers
Dr Smith
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