Mythbusting with Meg Barnes and Paul Bunker episode artwork

EPISODE · Nov 6, 2025 · 1H 4M

Mythbusting with Meg Barnes and Paul Bunker

from K9 Conservationists · host Kayla Fratt

It’s time to bust some myths and challenge some hot takes of the conservation detection dog world! Join Kayla Fratt (K9 Conservationists), Paul Bunker (Chiron K9), and Meg Barnes (Detection for Good) as they tackle common claims and controversies that impact dogs, handlers, and the field as a whole. From “training your dog on Kong will ruin them”, to “good training can fix anything”, to “working a dog is unethical”. These seasoned professionals break down why these ideas persist, why they’re wrong, and what good, ethical, and evidence based training really looks like. Hot takes we BUST in this episode include: If you train your dog on Kong/essential oils you will ruin them!Detection dogs can’t do any other sports or it will ruin them!Good training can fix anything!Your dog wouldn’t do ___ if you were a better trainer!You should starve your dog to make them work harder!Confine your dog to a small kennel for days to “build their desire to work”!Making your dog work is unethical!!!You can’t train directional cues without an ecollar!Force fetch is the only way to teach a dog to retrieve!Our guests:Meg Barneshttps://www.instagram.com/detectionforgood/ Paul Bunker https://www.instagram.com/chironk9/ Host: Kayla FrattEditor: Sara Fangton Guest logistics: Brooke Schoeder Intern: Evelyn Combs Website: Meg du BrayMentoring group: Madison Davis

It’s time to bust some myths and challenge some hot takes of the conservation detection dog world! Join Kayla Fratt (K9 Conservationists), Paul Bunker (Chiron K9), and Meg Barnes (Detection for Good) as they tackle common claims and controversies that impact dogs, handlers, and the field as a whole. From “training your dog on Kong will ruin them”, to “good training can fix anything”, to “working a dog is unethical”. These seasoned professionals break down why these ideas persist, why they’re wrong, and what good, ethical, and evidence based training really looks like. Hot takes we BUST in this episode include: If you train your dog on Kong/essential oils you will ruin them!Detection dogs can’t do any other sports or it will ruin them!Good training can fix anything!Your dog wouldn’t do ___ if you were a better trainer!You should starve your dog to make them work harder!Confine your dog to a small kennel for days to “build their desire to work”!Making your dog work is unethical!!!You can’t train directional cues without an ecollar!Force fetch is the only way to teach a dog to retrieve!Our guests:Meg Barneshttps://www.instagram.com/detectionforgood/ Paul Bunker https://www.instagram.com/chironk9/ Host: Kayla FrattEditor: Sara Fangton Guest logistics: Brooke Schoeder Intern: Evelyn Combs Website: Meg du BrayMentoring group: Madison Davis

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Mythbusting with Meg Barnes and Paul Bunker

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District of Conservation Gabriella Hoffman District of Conservation is a podcast highlighting the incredible conservationists who thrive and survive deep in or around "The Swamp." These are the policymakers, storytellers, trailblazers, and hardworking folks who go unnoticed but shape this region—whether they live or work here. In addition to guests, the podcast will also cover difficult and even controversial conservation public policy matters and news. Talking Australia Australian Geographic Talking Australia, from award-winning Australian Geographic, shares the stories of Australia’s most inspiring explorers, conservationists and adventurers. Listen as they take you on a journey around this magnificent country and beyond, whether battling the elements to achieve their lifelong dreams or working hard to preserve our unique and fragile natural world.Each week the podcast features intimate conversations with extraordinary Australians. The Aquarist Podcast Aquarist Podcast This podcast is intended to serve the tropical fish keeping community with insightful interviews from all facets of the hobby: breeders, conservationists, scientists, retailers, brand reps, and new to seasoned enthusiasts. If you keep a freshwater aquarium, this is the podcast for you! This Wild Life Conservation Podcast Amy Turner Welcome to This Wild Life Podcast! Join us as we host world-renowned conservationists sharing tales of their wild adventures and discussing the highs and lows of living and working in vast wilderness. Gain a unique insight into the lives of endangered species and hear remarkable stories about the efforts made to save them. Explore the pathways to becoming a conservationist and stay informed about the current conservation issues affecting our world. We're here to bring the wild to you! 

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is this episode of K9 Conservationists?

This episode is 1 hour and 4 minutes long.

When was this K9 Conservationists episode published?

This episode was published on November 6, 2025.

What is this episode about?

It’s time to bust some myths and challenge some hot takes of the conservation detection dog world! Join Kayla Fratt (K9 Conservationists), Paul Bunker (Chiron K9), and Meg Barnes (Detection for Good) as they tackle common claims and controversies...

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