Introduction to Working with Conservation Canines
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Scent detection dogs are increasingly used in conservation research to improve the frequency or probability of finding biological samples or focal organisms, including rare or cryptic species. This online course provides an overview of scent detection applications, animal training basics, general principles of scent detection training, and dog selection considerations. Ideal for students, researchers, and others new to learning theory, working dogs, and scent detection training. Following this course, be sure to check out our Detection Dogs as Partners in Conservation course.
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COURSE OPTIONS & INFORMATION (Review chart above, then click below)
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Sign up anytime over a 3-month period and learn at your own pace online as you work through prerecorded lectures and training questions and scenarios based on lectures, readings, and other course materials. Be aware that at any time during the first month Jan 1 - May 1, 2025, you may upgrade to receive instructor support.
3 months of access to course materials with no instructor support
Date and course fee: Begin anytime, $450 professional / $350 student
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With instructor support you can take advantage of the following options:
Ask questions about course material, other related training matters and professional development topics during scheduled one-on-one videoconferences, or email them directly to your instructors.
Submit a training plan outline, brief project proposal, or up to 10 minutes of recorded training sessions online for review and feedback from your instructors.
Get individual advice/consultation on a specific training issue provided via email or during (optional) weekly 30-minute videoconferencing sessions.
Access to online course and fee: January 1, 2025 - May 1, 2025; $600 professional / $500 student
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FORMAT: 1 month of consistent support followed by 2 months of limited support to facilitate successful completion of graded materials, and a full year of access to course materials.
ACADEMIC CREDIT: This 1-semester credit hour course can be taken with pre-approval from a student’s college or university. Taking the course for more than 1-semester credit hour can be approved on a case-by-case basis but will require completing an applied project. In addition to meeting the requirements for CEUs, students must take a final assessment to earn academic credit (e.g., Pass/Fail, letter grade) for this course. See our academic credit page for more details.
Access to online course and fee: January 1, 2025 - May 1, 2025; $750 professional / $650 student
Center for Wildlife Studies
Science Dogs of New England
PROMOTIONAL VIDEO
“Utilizing methods learned from CWS’s Scent Detection Dogs in Conservation Biology online course helped me in my work with Koda, the turtle dog. In fact, Koda, much to our elation, recently found her first unmarked turtle! The instructors provide a series of lectures covering many aspects of dogs as conservation partners, including their hands-on work with Chili. I would definitely recommend this course.”
Julie Lisk, Field Biologist
Zoo New England
“Thanks to the Center for Wildlife Studies for the opportunity to take the Scent Detections Dogs in Conservation Research Course. The course helped to re-evaluate our current project using scat detection dogs and subsequent fecal DNA analysis for monitoring the Vulnerable Black-footed cat (Felis nigripes).”
Michelle Schroeder
Wildlife Ecologist, Black-footed Cat Working Group, South Africa
SCHOLARSHIPS
Full scholarships are available to participants from countries designated as “lower income” and “lower middle income” in the World Bank List of Economies. Please see our CWS World Scholars Program page for details.
CANCELLATION POLICY
Cancellations 30 days or more before the start date are not subject to cancellation fees. Cancellations <30 days before the start date are subject to a 50% cancellation fee. No refunds once the course begins.