In this episode, Cameron Ford interviews Stu Phillips, an operational K9 handler and trainer. Stu shares his journey of working with military working dogs and transitioning to civilian work as a detection dog handler. He discusses the challenges and requirements of working with passive screening drug dogs in high pedestrian environments. Stu also talks about his experience working with explosive detection dogs during the London Olympics. The conversation concludes with Stu's work training whiskey barrel detection dogs and the process of training dogs to detect low-level odors. In this part of the conversation, Stu Phillips discusses the importance of recording and timing in dog training. He then shares the story of the whiskey dogs and the challenges he faced training them. He also talks about his work with tobacco detection dogs and the unique qualities he looks for in these dogs. Finally, he emphasizes the importance of reading your dog and incorporating blank searches into training. In this conversation, Stu Phillips and Cameron Ford discuss various topics related to detection dog training and handling. They cover the use of a middle position and reinforcing different search outcomes, the challenges of conservation detection work, the pros and cons of using Kong as a training tool, advice for handlers working with their first detection dog, and the differences between Springer Spaniels and working Cocker Spaniels. Stu Phillips also shares how people can connect with him and the services he offers.

You can reach out to Stu on Instagram @bwyk9
Website http://www.bwycanine.co.uk

CHAPTERS

#97 Where is my Whiskey and Tobacco with Stu Phillips