Detection for Good

22/08/2025

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Thoughtful Thursday: What promises are you making?

Over the last several months I've been out teaching and had over 50 students at the Foundation for various events. Now that the dust has settled, there has been the chance to sit and reflect, adjust my training, and think about many of the lessons I have learned. The interesting thing is most of them have not been about dog training. Okay, they are, but they aren't.

A lot of what I have learned is about how we are working with people, which relates to how we work with dogs. Before I was a full time dog trainer and human coach, I worked in the world of philanthropy and was lucky enough to go to large conferences where I saw some amazing speakers. One of them was Alex Sheen, the founder of Because I Said I Would. His story and use of Promise Cards was profoundly moving and inspired a lot of reflection. (Here is the history of that story: https://youtu.be/ob_VJYystJk). In fact, fifteen years later I still have the shirt, use it for pajamas, and think of it often. It was an incredibly moving keynote speech. I regularly look up the website and watch his TEDx speeches.

Why was it so moving?
One simple concept.
Make a commitment.
And keep it.
People want us to keep our promises.
Dogs want us to be consistent.

I often watch handlers talk to their dogs, constantly. Or tell me the behavior they want is one thing then cue something totally different when in the heat of the moment, sometimes even using a totally different word. Our mechanics are so important in dog training. If we do not have our mechanics squared away, how can we be consistent for our dog?

Every time we train we are writing a contract, not only with words but with actions. Our dogs read our body language so much better than listen to our words, so it's important for us to be body aware.

When you say you will do something, do it.
And know that we are making promises to our dogs.
And we need to keep them.
Because we said we would.

______________________
You can find out more about the Because I Said I Would Foundation at https://becauseisaidiwould.org/

05/08/2025

EDIT: position filled

I'm also looking for Junior to help out $17 an hour to support us in a bunch of tasks that support caring for the dogs and operations, including washing bedding kennels etc, disinfecting equipment, sorting gear etc. Perth/ south side folks, if you know a kind reliable high school student with a decent work ethic not scared of dogs, Let me know.

03/08/2025

We are seeking a new teammate or teammates to help us grow!!

If you know someone reliable who would be a good fit tag them in this post or pass it on!

CASUAL TRAINING AND BUSINESS ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT

Casual Position, up to six hours per week.
Location: Perth, Australia
Duration: 3 months initially, possibility of extension
Compensation: $35 per hour (*inclusive of casual loading), negotiable depending on experience
Apply by: August 16, 2025

We are looking for a teammate interested in being a central part of the rewarding, impactful, mission-driven work we do. Our ideal candidate approaches work with openness and curiosity, and a willingness to pitch in and support whatever needs to get done. They joyfully and responsibly interact respectfully and safely with humans, dogs, and the natural world. The successful candidate will assist the CEO and head trainer in preparing our dogs for their important work while keeping them safe, happy, and healthy, and support other aspects of our work such as record-keeping and logistics on an as-needed basis.

Key Qualities:
- Reliable
- Committed
- Trustworthy
- Asks questions to ensure effective comprehension
- Kind
- Responsible

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
- Assist in data collection
- Assist in care of dogs
- Assist in training dogs
- Assist in exercising dogs
- Assist in preparing dogs for weather, terrain, and topographical conditions
- Complete timesheet weekly
- Completes assigned work to a high standard
- Assist in maintaining records, including expenses
- Prepares meals and enrichment
- Provides food and water
- Maintain dog health and safety records
- Transport dogs
- Assist in managing logistics
- Assist in maintaining clean housing

Knowledge, Skills, and Experience Required:
- Able to both take directions and think independently.
- Willingness to work a flexible schedule that will vary in hours each week, and depending on the season.
- The role will at times require early start times - 5am in Summer.

Physical Requirements:
- Able to walk over uneven terrain in variable weather conditions.
- Capable of handling one or more dogs without assistance.

Additional requirements:
- Valid C-class driver's license
- 18 years or older

Valuable but not required: Bookkeeping, Admin experience, Training experience, previous work with animals, interest in ecology and conservation, skill in video filming and editing.

Please DM with questions, or email [email protected]

16/07/2025

Detection for Good is seeking a casual administrative / bookkeeping assistant. EOI to [email protected] with CV, statement of experience and references.

Recommendations are also welcome.

10/07/2025

15/06/2025

A beautiful farewell to the incredible inspirational majestic Fonz. May he rest peacefully and find Mel in whatever is beyond 🌈 🐾

Farewell to Fonz: Tasmania’s Trailblazing W**d Detection Dog

We are saddened to share the news of the passing of Fonz, the remarkable German Shepherd who played a pivotal role in Tasmania's environmental conservation efforts

Fonz became Australia's first canine trained to detect the invasive serrated tussock grass. His keen nose and unwavering dedication led him to identify and assist in the removal of this and other noxious w**ds, including orange hawkw**d and Chilean needlegrass, across the areas of our work.

Fonz's partnership with his handler, and our friend the late Melanie Kelly, was profound. Together, they educated communities, trained upcoming handlers, and showcased the immense potential of conservation dogs in ecological management.

Their collaborative efforts not only advanced w**d detection methodologies but also inspired many in the field of environmental science.

His legacy, like Mel’s, endures through the continued conservation scent-detection projects at Enviro-dynamics and the Melanie Jane Kelly Memorial Fund.

Rest in peace, Fonz.

26/05/2025

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She has been holding this chuck it most of the day..some would say she is toy obsessed (I hope she is I’ve invested in it 😉).

Rather than trying to deplete her obsession by limiting access to toys I’m letting her enjoy it as much as she wants to…and surprise surprise it doesn’t make her any more obsessed
(disclaimer for old school working dog trainers it also won’t decrease her drive 😁).

07/05/2025

Can’t wait to see how this project progresses - working together as part of a multi-pronged approach to understanding species ecology is how you get awesome outcomes 🤩

02/05/2025

Check out all these cool sniffing projects in SA!

02/05/2025

Great work from our colleagues over in Tassie Enviro-Dynamics

21/12/2024

A little blog post from the fantastic Emilee about her research and our collaboration with the wildlife conservation lab at UQ.

Featuring a very fun find the dragon test! ;)

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/EQPrHTxt2mZ5TLH6/?

By Emilee ThomsonFinding reptiles can be a challenge at the best of times, they are shy, highly cryptic creatures that are typically only active for some of the year. This is only made more challenging and more important when the target species is endangered. Globally, over one in five reptile speci...

07/10/2024

Get in quick Canberra crew!!

Oakley, the skilled sniffer dog, will return to Canberra to help celebrate Lake Burley Griffin’s 60th anniversary.