Karen talking with Sonya Gray during the filming for Kai Safari. Series 3, Episode 12 – Rotorua.
My name is Karen Drummond and I have been involved in dog training well prior to the start of the 21st Century!
I started Truffle Dog Services New Zealand in 2011, in the Te Puke area with Ollie, a Sydney Sylkie x Maltese. He was a small but very agile dog that loved working for truffles. His nose was amazing.
Increased demand meant that additional dogs were needed, and then we had two dogs working and another in training (Meet our Dogs).
Since 2014 our King Country business has grown to provide truffle hunting services throughout the North Island. With additional dogs we are working to providing a higher servicing opportunity to the North Island truffières and are working towards truffle surveying in the South Island in coming seasons.
Continuing Education
As part of the Continued education is important to keep up to date with training specifically in scentwork. As well as attending or hosting speakers at workshops, qualifications and additional Professional Development include:
- Currently – The School of Canine Science – Behaviour Bible – a three year course covering the biological and behavioural side of dogs, and different training strategies.
- 2021 – The School of Canine Science – Scent For Six
- 2020 – Swedish Working Dog Institute – 1 month online Passive Indication Training course
- 2020 – Swedish Working Dog Institute – Progression Planning Session
- 2020 – Swedish Working Dog Institute – Tracking Session
- 2020 – Fred Helfer – Understanding Olfaction and Odour Parts 1 and 2
- 2019 – hosting of Steve White from Proactive K9 for Tracking and Scent Work in Auckland for three days.
- 2019 –
Scentwork Enrichment Certificate (2019) from Canine Principles and a UK Rural Skills Certificate in Canine Scentwork - 2010 – National Certificate of Adult Education and Training Level 5
- 2005 – Principles of Canine Behaviour from Massey University
- 2005 – Canine Health and Husbandry from Massey University
