What to listen for:

In the third part of the series on consistency, our hosts Robin Greubel, Stacy Barnett, and Crystal Wing dive deeper into what makes consistency such a challenge—and how to truly make it work in real life.

Staying consistent isn’t just about following a routine. It’s about self-awareness, emotion management, and breaking behaviors down into manageable slices.

The Dames of Detection get real about how emotions, fatigue, scheduling, and even peer pressure can all derail our best intentions. From setting tiny goals to using physical cues like a leash by the door or a pre-loaded treat pouch, the key theme is this: Make it easier to succeed.

Consistency doesn’t mean perfection. It means being predictable for your dog, building routines that support success, and giving yourself permission to make it messy and human. Want to be more consistent? Slice your goals thinner, check in with yourself often, and let progress, not perfection, be the aim.

Key Topics:

• Stacy, Robin, and Crystal Reflect on Their Paths to Training Consistency (00:00)
• Building Self-Awareness (06:58)
• Why Your Emotional State During Training Sessions Matters (15:19)
• Finding the Right Training Environment for Consistency (25:24)
• What Keeps Handlers from Staying Consistent (29:32)
• “Pick One Thing!” (35:28)
• Check In with Yourself (47:33)
• Takeaways (50:17)

Resources:

• K9 Detection Collaborative Ep 54: Canine Handler Fitness with Liz Joyce
• K9 Detection Collaborative Episodes 72, 73, 74 with Jens Frank
• K9 Detection Collaborative Episodes on Consistency - Part 1, Part 2
• K9 Detection Collaborative Ep 8: Dealing with Post Certification or Competition Mental Exhaustion
• RokForm Phone Cases

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:

In the second part of the series on consistency, our hosts Robin Greubel, Stacy Barnett, and Crystal Wing take a closer look at the mechanics of consistency, from creating intentional setup signals to reinforcing behaviors for longevity! You’ve probably heard about marker timing and reinforcement. Today, our hosts take a fresh look at the finer details—like how you stand, where you point your toes, and even the words you use when training your dog to shape new behaviors.

The Dames of Detection chat about how good mechanics aren’t just about doing something with your hands—it’s about reading your dog and being intentional about your own patterns so your canine partner can read you. From how you cue a start to what gear you’re wearing or how you hold your body, everything sets the stage for what your dog expects.

Wrapping up, our hosts discuss reinforcement zones, chasing toys vs food, and how where you reward matters just as much as what you reward. The bottom line? Clean, consistent mechanics help dogs learn faster and clearer. So, before you blame the dog, check your cues—clarity starts with you! Tune in next time for part three of this series on consistency in dog training!

Key Topics:

• Why Mechanics Are Underappreciated (00:00)
• Start Signals and Setup Mechanics (03:37)
• Why Sit Down When Shaping a Behavior? (12:02)
• Choosing Your Action Words Intentionally (16:47)
• From Consistency to Reinforcement (26:52)
• “Where You Reinforce is Just as Important as What You Reinforce!” (31:05)
• “What is Making the Dog Click?” (38:38)
• Predatory Modal Action Patterns (40:34)
• Knowing When and Where NOT to Reinforce (47:05)

Resources:

• Kynotalk by Kynotec Podcast Ep 77: Jens Frank “successive approximation”
• K9 Detection Collaborative Ep 135: Consistency in Dog Training Pt 1
• K9 Detection Collaborative Ep’s 129, 130, 131 with Denise Fenzi

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:

“You’re constantly writing and rewriting a contract with your dog.”

Today, our hosts Robin Greubel, Stacy Barnett, and Crystal Wing tackle the power of consistency, the pitfalls of “lumpy” training, and why even small slip-ups can throw your dog off track. They break down how to build a rock-solid training environment and avoid the hidden traps that sabotage progress.

“The clearer and more predictable you are, the faster your dog will learn.”

Our hosts swap real-life stories about cue associations—the good, the bad, and the hilarious. From verbal missteps to accidental signals, they reveal how tiny inconsistencies can shape (or derail) your dog’s responses. Whether you’re training a pet or a working dog, clear communication is everything.

“Inconsistent timing leads to inconsistent outcomes.”

And for the sport and search-and-rescue trainers out there, this episode digs deep into the power of precision and clarity when it comes to reinforcing behaviors. The Dames of Detection challenge quick-fix mentalities, explore discipline-specific mindsets, and make the case for mastering the mechanics that take training to the next level. Tune in next time for part two of this three-part series on consistency in dog training!

Key Topics:

• Why is Consistency Important? (00:00)
• Using Inconsistency Strategically to Highlight Contrast in Your Training (09:18)
• Different Forms of Consistency (14:05)
• “Accidental” Consistency (24:06)
• How Timing Impacts Consistency (25:58)
• Behaviors: Observe, Mark, Pause, Reward (42:00)
• Reinforcement of Mechanics Requires Precision and Clarity (48:16)

Resources:

• Decoding Trainer Lingo (image)
• K9 Detection Collaborative Ep 11: The D’s of Detection Work
• K9 Detection Collaborative Ep 134: How Do I Pick My Criteria?
• K9 Detection Collaborative Ep 133: Getting the Most Out of Virtual Coaching

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