Posts by Deana Hudgins
Why Keep K9 Training Logs?
If you have been involved with search and rescue for any length of time you are familiar with training logs. A search of any working dog social media group will produce results regarding training log discussions. You may keep training logs simply because someone such as a supervisor, team leader or well-known trainer has told…
Read MoreK9 Water Training – Where We Go Wrong
HRD Water workshops are among our most requested courses at CFTE. From beginner to operational teams, handlers are always looking for ways to improve their water recovery skills, and more specifically their boat search skills. As a result, we have had the opportunity to work with hundreds of dogs and handlers. THE PROBLEM Water is…
Read MoreIt’s All About Balance
During a recent workshop one of the handlers asked me how I divided my time between water, disaster and land/wilderness HRD. I’ve been doing it so long I don’t spend much time consciously thinking about it anymore, but the truth is, it’s a balancing act. I firmly believe that a dog is capable of doing…
Read MoreLet’s Talk: Networking With Agencies To Increase Callout Frequency
We’ve spent the last 4 weeks focusing on training that centers around your dog. If you’ve been involved with K9 search and rescue for any length of time, you know there is so much more that goes into what we do including handler training, fundraising, educating the public, and building relationships with agencies that request…
Read MoreChallenging Your Deployable Dog: Searches for Small Spaces
Coming To Terms With A New Reality This week we want to look at ways we can challenge our operational or more advanced dogs while following stay at home orders. Many of us have now been practicing social distancing for well over a month. Here in Ohio we are getting ready to start our seventh…
Read MoreNo! Don’t Touch That! (Stopping Unwanted Behaviors At Source)
This week we are going to focus on a topic chosen by you! We received several requests asking what to do if your dog picks up, rolls on, tries to eat, digs at, marks, or otherwise disturbs source? While this is a common problem, it is a serious one. You absolutely do not want to…
Read MoreWhat A Cute Puppy!
“What a CUTE puppy! Can I meet him? He’s so sweet!” After training numerous retrievers for SAR work I’m used to hearing this on a daily basis. Yes, it’s hard to find anything cuter than a Golden Retriever puppy. If you follow my personal Facebook page it’s currently filled with photos of a peacefully sleeping…
Read MorePart 4: Blue-Green Algae & Your Search Dog
In the final installment of our 4-part series on blue-green algae, CFTE Founder and K9 Handler Deana Hudgins shares practical tips for keeping your K9 partner safe while you continue to serve your community and respond to callouts. What do we know about blue-green algae? Now you know what blue green algae is, why it’s…
Read More