Training Ideas and Takeaways with Diana Bunch

K9 Detection Collaborative

What to listen for:

Today, 2/3 of the Dames of Detection - Stacy Barnett and Crystal Wing - are sitting down with special guest Diana Bunch, an Air Force veteran-turned-search and rescue trainer.

Diana shares her inspiring journey from the military to the world of disaster response, running through her various experiences in various search scenarios, from wilderness expeditions to urban disaster zones.

Our guest dives deep into the art and science of training search dogs, whether you’re a longtime expert looking to shake up your training, or a newcomer looking for the right community of handlers. Diana tells us how to build a dog's confidence through strategic exposure to distractions and varied environments. She talks reinforcement systems and finding the delicate balance between knowns, blinds, and blanks in refining your dog’s skills.

Diana also offers her take on the impact of environmental factors, such as wind and humidity, on a search-and-rescue dog's performance, and explains how handlers can pinpoint the ideal training schedule for their particular dog, and her best tips and strategies for nurturing a dog's natural instincts.

Key Topics:

• Diana’s Disaster Response Experiences (06:20)
• Ensuring that You and Your Dog Are Fully Prepared for Wilderness and Disaster Work (12:23)
• Utilizing Knowns, Blinds, and Blanks (23:15)
• Breaking Training Plateaus (36:57)
• How to Get Involved in Search and Rescue Work (45:07)

Resources:

• Distraction Camp and Intentional Handling and Hide Setting
• If you want to get involve in K9SAR work, here's a class from K9Sensus that you can take
• Diana Bunch [e-mail]
• Legacy SAR team
• Diana's FB Post
• Episodes with Emily Lawrence: 35, 36, 37

We want to hear from you:

• Check out the K9 Detection Collaborative FB page and comment on the episode post!
• K9Sensus Foundation can be found on Facebook and Instagram. We have a Trainer’s Group on Facebook!
• Scentsabilities Nosework is also on Facebook. Here is a Facebook group you should join!
• Crystal Wing K9 Coach can be found here at CB K9 and here at Evolution Working Dog Club. Also, check out her Functional Obedience Class here.
• You can follow us for notifications of upcoming episodes, find us at k9detectioncollaborative.com