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Subject: Scent Detection Dogs in Conservation Research (Online)

COURSE DESCRIPTION: Scent detection dogs are increasingly being used in a variety of situations, from law enforcement to medicine. Their recent application in field programs is seen as a way to enhance conservation research success by improving the frequency or probability of finding focal organisms, including rare or cryptic species. This course uses a case-study approach featuring an ongoing field-based project as a means to introduce participants to some of the practical issues, considerations, and benefits of using detection dogs in conservation. Taught by instructors with complementary expertise, this course explores the intersection of field conservation efforts, animal training, and the natural history of a target species. Participants will also learn about related topics such as practical considerations of canine temperament and training, collaborative partnerships, field methods in herpetology, and discuss real-life study logistics in an online platform. Participants will gain a unique insight into what is involved in using scent detection dogs as well as the potential benefits of this approach.

TOPICS:

  • Introduction to the course, field methodology, and the Maine Wood Turtle Project
  • Overview of uses and applications of “scent dogs”
  • The basics of animal training
  • Implications of temperament for training
  • Scent detection training
  • Building a collaborative partnership (our first field season)
  • Using SOPs, documentation and assessment
  • New and improved (our second field season)
  • General considerations for using scent dogs: reflections and takeaways after three seasons

FORMAT: This course consists of online learning for four weeks. Activities for the 4-week online course consist of pre-recorded lectures, synchronous and asynchronous discussions based on articles from the primary and secondary literature, weekly discussions around themed topics and applied training scenarios, and an online forum for other professional development and related training questions.

DATES: December 27, 2021 – January 21, 2022

EARLY BIRD DEADLINE: November 10, 2021

DEADLINE TO REGISTER: Sunday, December 26th 2021

FOR MORE INFO/REGISTERhttps://www.centerforwildlifestudies.org/courses/scentdogs-online-2-2021-2022


Center for Wildlife Studies <jkennelly@centerforwildlifestudies.org>
Tuesday, September 14, 2021