Learning to Adapt with K9s Talking Scents, Cameron Ford

In this episode, Jerry Bradshaw and Cameron Ford discuss:

• The creation of PSA and evolution of dog sport.

• How the rigidity in traditional dog sports has led to innovation and creativity.

• Being open to adaptation not fighting against it.

• Increasing complexity in training detection.

• The responsibility of having an online platform for your dog training.

• Training based on experience and on research.

Key Takeaways:

• PSA exploded in popularity the last decade due to the prevalence of younger trainers and social media.

• A lot of traditional dog sport is built around breeding programs and registering your dogs. PSA allows for dogs of any breed and age as long as they can handle the training.

• If you're interested in your dogs learning detection, teach your puppies to track and hunt. It is key for police work.

• Training detection dogs is about more than odor, no matter what changes have occurred over the years.

• Adjusting to what the dog is doing during training when they aren't following your progressions is where the fun and intrigue comes in.

• Training is not a race. Do it right from the beginning and it will create a stronger, better dog than if you try and do it all in just a few weeks.

"Unfortunately, a lot of dog trainers get married to doing something because it's the way they've always done and they feel comfortable with it. But I think you have to be smart enough to jettison what's not working or is less efficient." — Jerry Bradshaw

Contact Cameron:

Website: https://www.fordk9.com/

Website: https://stratosk9.com/

K9s Talking Scents: https://www.fordk9.com/podcasts/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbLa_PL0uHeOK5WsSgjR-Mw

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fordk9/

Get Jerry's book Controlled Aggression on Amazon.com

Contact Jerry:

Website: controlledaggressionpodcast.com

Email: JBradshaw@TarheelCanine.com

Tarheel Canine Training: www.tarheelcanine.com

Youtube: tarheelcanine

Twitter: @tarheelcanine

Instagram: @tarheelk9

Facebook: TarheelCanineTraining

Protection Sports Website: psak9-as.org

Patreon: patreon.com/controlledaggression

Slideshare: Tarheel Canine

Calendly: https://calendly.com/tarheelcanine

Tarheel Canine Seminars: https://streetreadyk9.com/

Tarheel Canine Student Portal: https://tcstudentportal.com/

Sponsors:

ALM K9 Equipment: almk9equipment.com

PSA & American Schutzhund: psak9-as.org

Tarheel Canine: tarheelcanine.com

The Drive Company: https://thedriveco.com/

The Drive Company Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thedrive.co

Find out more about Hold The Line Conference 2026 at https://htlk9.com/

Train Hard, train smart, be safe.

Show notes by Podcastologist Chelsea Taylor-Sturkie

Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.