Conservation Dogs Collective

A huge thank you to the Forest Preserve District of Will County, Illinois for helping us kick off our 2026 conservation detection season last week!

After an afternoon training session with some tagged turtles, Ernie & Betty White joined their team in the field to survey for ornate box turtles for a few days. The turtles were playing it coy (canine AND human searchers came up empty 😄) during our deployment, although the dogs did find a few areas of "stinky interest," that indicate the possibility of turtle presence. Regardless of the outcome, every data point collected matters and goes toward building a clearer picture for future monitoring of this species.

And the field had plenty of surprises to offer! We spotted several snakes (including a very cool hog-nosed snake), a wild turkey nest, and Ernie & Betty White flagged several potential early-season bumble bee nesting sites along the way, which meant they got to have a cheese party for a job well done!

So grateful for partners who care as deeply about this work as we do. Here's to a great season ahead! 🐢🐾

You're invited to our first ever Odor Bathing Retreat 🐾🌲

We're thrilled to introduce an incredible opportunity we've been working on for months: The Odor Bathing Retreat with Finders Ernie & Betty White taking place from July 17-31!

This exclusive 14-day immersive experience takes you deep into the northwoods of Wisconsin to truly slow down and connect with nature through scent — led by two dogs who have dedicated years to this very practice.

What's included:
- Guided odor awareness walks by Betty White who will show you where to put your nose.
- Sunrise scent meditation by Ernie who is more than happy to wake you up at 5am each day.
- Gourmet farm-to-trail snacks served al fresco.
- Your own personalized odor assessment from Ernie & Betty White themselves.
- Unlimited olfactory enrichment rain or shine.

Additional details and registration at:

Odor Bathing Retreat 2026 | Conservation Dogs Collective Join us for a 14-day immersive Odor Bathing Retreat with Finders Ernie & Betty White! Guided scent walks, woodland odor immersion, and two expert Finders who will absolutely not let you miss a single smell.

💪 SPRING TRAINING IS UNDERWAY!

Before every canine conditioning session, training, or field work outing, Ernie & Betty White and I run through this quick 3-part warm-up & cool-down routine developed by the Penn Vet Working Dog Center. I especially love it because all you need is your dog, some treats, and 2 minutes. No special equipment required!

1️⃣ FIGURE 8s
Your dog weaves between your legs in a figure 8 pattern (6–8 reps).
🐾 Why it works: Gets the body warmed up and ready for lateral movement and side-to-side bending.

2️⃣ PAWS UP
Dog places both front paws on your forearms and stretches vertically while rear feet stay on the ground for ~ 15 seconds.
🐾 Why it works: Targets the lower back, hips, stifles, and shoulders — priming those key areas for explosive activity.

3️⃣ BOW
Dog bows with elbows down to the ground while the rear end stays up for ~ 15 seconds.
🐾 Why it works: Stretches the shoulders and lower back in the opposite direction from Paws Up, and also opens up the hamstrings — the perfect finishing move.

Check out Betty White and Ernie doing their warm-up and cool down here: https://youtu.be/speIeZbn54w

Three simple exercises, tons of benefit — and the dogs love it. It's become one of my favorite little rituals with these two!

Credit: Penn Vet Working Dog Center

Safety Tip: As always, check with your veterinarian prior to starting the exercises. If your dog is reluctant, DO NOT force them into position. As always, see your veterinarian if you notice any abnormal behavior or discomfort signs in your dog.

Warm up & Cool Down Routine for Dogs Before every canine conditioning session, nose work, or field work outing, Ernie & Betty White and I run through this quick 3-part warm-up & cool-down routin...