What to listen for:

Robin Greubel and Crystal Wing return with the brilliant Katylynn Sloan for part two of their conversation on the intersection between chemistry and K9 detection!

“Train with as much variety as often as you can, in the weirdest of circumstances you can possibly get to, with as many groups and as many people as you can.”

Katylynn dives into one of the most misunderstood topics in the detection world: training aids. She breaks down why the term “pseudo” is falling out of favor, replaced by “alternative training aids,” and classifies them into four types: dilution, absorption, mimic, and vigilance. Each has its pros and pitfalls. Mimics, for instance, rely on human interpretation of what’s important for a dog to smell—sometimes right, sometimes not. And vigilance aids? They’re about maintaining search behavior, not the odor itself.

Katylynn also emphasizes the importance of language. As a member of standards boards like ASB and OSAC, she helps shape definitions so handlers, trainers, and scientists are all speaking the same language in courtrooms and classrooms alike. It’s not just about what you know, but how clearly you can explain it. Her advice to aspiring canine scientists? Master problem-solving, communication, and the humility to say, “I don’t know.”

She also touches on the challenges of HRD training, the evolving definitions of “real” odor, and how even “duh” science needs to be written down. Her message to handlers? Train broadly. Generalization is key. Get variety in odors, people, places, and aids—because you never know what the real world will throw at your dog.

Dogs are really good. But they’re even better when guided by thoughtful, curious humans willing to adapt, collaborate, and learn. Katylynn’s passion isn’t just informative—it’s contagious.

Key Topics:

• Revising Standards and Defining "Real" Odor (0:59)
• Introduction to Alternative Training Aids (03:27)
• Mimics and Human Interpretation in Training Aids (07:30)
• Applying Dilution/Absorption Concepts to HRD (15:14)
• Public Comment Process and Impact on Standards (17:18)
• Skills and Traits for Aspiring K9 Scientists (22:53)
• Final Takeaways: Variety, Generalization, and Collaboration (39:52)

Resources:

• The manipulation of odor availability of training aids used in detection canine training
• AAFS Academy Standards Board
• Lindsay Waldrop's Lab

We want to hear from you:

• Check out the K9 Detection Collaborative FB page and comment on the episode post!
• K9Sensus Detection Dog Trainer Academy
• 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 (CB K9) can be found here!
• You can follow us for notifications of upcoming episodes, find us at k9detectioncollaborative.com

What to listen for:

“The dogs are so good at what they do, it’s brain-boggling.”

Today, 2/3 of our hosts, Robin Greubel and Crystal Wing, welcome Katylynn Sloan, a chemist with the U.S. Secret Service, to explore the eye-opening intersection of science and canine detection work.

With a PhD in chemistry and years in explosives research, Katylynn brings a fresh lens to how odor behaves, how dogs detect it, and why context matters. She explains how high vapor pressure substances like nitroglycerin contaminate everything they touch, and why containment protocols must evolve.

From calibrating training aids to understanding the unexpected behavior of odor in vehicles, Katylynn stresses the importance of operational realism. Dogs, she explains, learn expectations. If training doesn’t reflect real-world scenarios—like suicide vests or buried explosives—dogs might miss critical cues. She calls for more collaborative studies in generalization, where the difference in one chemical compound might be enough for a dog to disregard an otherwise familiar substance.

Katylynn’s insights aren't just academic—they’re actionable. She champions “train how you operate,” emphasizes the need for diverse training aids, and highlights the gaps in disciplines like HRD, narcotics, and electronics detection. Most importantly, she reminds us: dogs are really good. But it’s the handlers—those who know their dog’s tail twitch or sniff shift means something—that bring science to life.

Science and scent don’t compete. They collaborate. And as Katylynn shows, better understanding leads to smarter training and safer communities. Tune in next time for part two of this fascinating conversation with Katylynn!

Key Topics:

• Katylynn Sloan’s Career Journey (0:01:25)
• Changes to the Explosive Standard (0:08:17)
• What Handlers Need to Know About Training Aids with High Vapor Pressure (0:14:15)
• Areas in K9 Detection That Warrant Further Research (0:34:15)
• “Train How You Operate” (0:50:01)
• Most Common Handler Misconceptions About How Dogs Detect Odors (0:57:50)

Resources:

• The manipulation of odor availability of training aids used in detection canine training
• AAFS Academy Standards Board
• Lindsay Waldrop's Lab

We want to hear from you:

• Check out the K9 Detection Collaborative FB page and comment on the episode post!
• K9Sensus Detection Dog Trainer Academy
• 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 (CB K9) can be found here!
• You can follow us for notifications of upcoming episodes, find us at k9detectioncollaborative.com

What to listen for:

"To truly understand your dog, embrace the power of observation, question the environment, and engage with the nuances of their behavior."

Our hosts, Robin Greubel, Crystal Wing, and Stacy Barnett, take a deep dive into the role of critical thinking for handlers.

We’ve all been there—reading a viral dog training post and feeling an emotional gut-punch, or second-guessing ourselves after watching a training video. We need to learn to slow down, analyze, and ask better questions. Robin emphasizes watching videos without sound to assess the clarity of intent. Crystal introduces her favorite training reflection game: pause and predict. And Stacy reflects on how questioning cues—like saying “drop”—led to big lightbulb moments in her own training.

Our hosts share how truly understanding what (and why) you’re training builds better habits and stronger bonds between handler and dog. Whether it’s breaking down complex skills like a retrieve into more manageable pieces or recognizing how forward motion might unintentionally reinforce barking, it’s all about peeling back the layers.

The Dames of Detection look into how fear-based language can cloud judgment, and how to filter training advice by considering the source, the context, and your own dog’s needs. Crystal encourages following trainers with different views to stretch your thinking. Robin adds that respectful, private conversations often lead to deeper clarity than public debates.

Most importantly, critical thinking is a skill, not a fixed trait. Like any skill, it improves with practice. So whether you’re evaluating a post, adjusting a cue, or watching your dog’s body language, stay curious. Be open. Ask questions.

In the end, sharper thinking leads to stronger training, and your dog feels the difference.

Key Topics:

• “What Exactly Are You Training in This Video?” (00:00)
• Focus on the Message You’re Trying to Teach (08:55)
• What Stops Trainers from Thinking Critically? (14:46)
• The Problem with Fear-Based Training (19:14)
• What Happens to Your Dog Training Without Critical Thinking? (24:02)
• Avoid Close-Mindedness and Preconceived Notions (33:40)
• The Power of Active Listening (39:01)
• Overcoming Analysis Paralysis (45:44)
• “It Depends on the Dog.” (50:07)
• Takeaways (54:19)

We want to hear from you:

• Check out the K9 Detection Collaborative FB page and comment on the episode post!
• K9Sensus Detection Dog Trainer Academy
• 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 (CB K9) can be found here!
• You can follow us for notifications of upcoming episodes, find us at k9detectioncollaborative.com