INTRODUCTORY CONSERVATION DOG COURSE

THIS COURSE IS FINISHED. IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN A FUTURE COURSE PLEASE EMAIL US TO BE ADDED TO THE ANNOUNCEMENT LIST.

Photo: Trainer coaches dog handler

CDH will be offering a 6-month introductory conservation dog course on O‘ahu for those who are employed in the conservation field and are interested in learning detection dog training/handling concepts and skills, how to apply the knowledge to a specific conservation application in the future.

COURSE DATES

July 2023 through December 2023

** Some December events may be postponed until after the holidays, depending on participant availability.

COURSE CONTENT

There are two ways to participate in the course – as a working participant or as an auditor (more details in next section). Working participants must be able to commit to the following course content during the 6-month program:

  • Zoom sessions to cover conservation dog concepts and skills – 1.0-1.5 hour session, twice a month
  • In-person group training sessions with CDH’s dog teams and other dog teams from this course – 3 hour session, once a month on a Saturday or Sunday
  • Shadowing our operational dog teams in a field setting – 3 hour session, once a month (weekend or weekday)
  • Training with a dog of your choice on your own time – 2-3 times a week, approx. 20 minutes per training
  • Reading and listening assignments (articles, podcasts, and a few books) – 1 hour per week
  • As a course project, each participant will select a specific target species and/or conservation dog application of interest, and will research the feasibility and logistics of using a detection dog for that purpose, with the input of the course instructor.

Zoom discussion topics will include:

  • Working dog selection and options
  • Detection dog training and handling
  • Target species sample collection, storage and use for scent training purposes
  • Environmental factors affecting scent detection
  • Field gear for dogs and handlers
  • Field survey considerations
  • …and more

PARTICIPATION TYPES / TUITION

NOTE: Applicants may check if this training could be funded by their employer. Upon request, CDH will provide a document detailing course hours and tuition. Course participants will receive a certificate of completion at the end of the course.

WORKING SPOT (Full Participation with Dog)

Tuition: $225 plus a $175 refundable deposit
No. of spots: 3

This option is for those who would like to take an active part in the course. Once applicants are screened and selected, the group training sessions and Zoom sessions for the 6-month course will be scheduled based on the working participants’ availability.

The $175 deposit will be refunded at the end of the 6-month course when the course requirements outlined in the Course Content are fulfilled. Up to one Zoom session and one group training session may be missed if there is a scheduling conflict. Zoom sessions will be recorded and any missed session must be viewed on the participant’s own time.

A detection dog team certification will not be offered as part of this course because this is an introductory course, however a certificate of course completion will be given.

Applicant Criteria:

  • Currently employed in the field of wildlife or environmental conservation.
  • Lives on O‘ahu – monthly in-person group training sessions will be held on O‘ahu.
  • Plans to remain in the Hawaiian Islands for the foreseeable future, as we would like this course to contribute to the growth of conservation dog use in Hawai‘i.
  • Has a pet dog of their own to train, or access to a friend’s or neighbor’s dog that they may train 2-3 times per week for the duration of this course. The purpose of training the dog is for your learning experience, rather than to prepare a dog for operational work. The dog does not need to fit the criteria for a working dog (high drive, environmentally confident, etc), however the dog should be food- or toy-motivated.

AUDITING SPOT (Observation Only)

Tuition: $300
No. of spots: 3

This option is for those who can’t commit to a working spot, but would still like to participate and learn. Auditors will be invited to observe all Zooms, group training sessions and field outings, but will not be required to train a dog nor research a specific conservation dog use/application.

Applicant Criteria:

  • Currently employed in the field of wildlife or environmental conservation.
  • Lives in the state of Hawai‘i and plans to remain here for the foreseeable future, as we would like this course to contribute to the growth of conservation dog use in Hawai‘i.

QUESTIONS & APPLICATION

Please email info@conservationdogshawaii.org with questions, or fill out the online application to be considered for the course (space is limited). The application closing date is May 31, 2023.

CDH dog handler teams