Birchwood K9

04/15/2025

I have just one spot remaining for an upcoming Live Find Area Search Seminar! This is a great opportunity to dive into K9 SAR area search foundations, strategy, and handler skills in a safe and supportive, hands-on environment. Whether you're just getting started or looking to further advance your skills, this seminar will be packed with valuable training, real-world scenarios, and personalized feedback provided in urban and wilderness settings!

📅 June 28 and June 29
📍 Alexandria, MN
🐾 Hosted by Birchwood K9
💰 Cost: $300 for the full weekend!
📩 Register here: https://www.birchwoodk9.com/product/area-search-seminar/2?cs=true&cst=custom

About the Instructor: Natalie Runge is a K9 handler and instructor with a strong background in both mental health and working dog training. She is a Master Trainer through the Scandinavian Working Dog Institute (SWDI) and the owner of Birchwood K9, LLC. She currently serves as the Vice President and Director of Search and Rescue for Mid-Minnesota K9, Inc., and is an Assistant Instructor for the K9Sensus Foundation and the K9Sensus Working Dog Academy.

Natalie also brings field experience to the seminar, having earned three live find area search certifications as well as a live find building search certification on two deployable dogs through NAPWDA and AERIE. She also handles a certified and deployable HRD dog through the American Rescue Dog Association (ARDA), and holds an additional HRD certification through USPCA on a HRD dog in training. With a unique blend of clinical expertise and operational K9 knowledge, Natalie is passionate about helping handlers and dogs reach their full potential in real-world SAR deployments.

03/31/2025

A quick update on the Handler Attunement course, it is near completion and I will provide info on registering once it’s done! I’m also developing on-demand webinars tailored for SAR teams, the first two are the following:

Psychological First Aid & Stress Responses for SAR Personnel – Learn how to manage stress, build resilience, and support yourself, your K9, and your team during and after missions.

Missing Persons & Mental Health – This webinar will explore the demographics of missing persons with mental health-related conditions, including autism, psychosis, suicidality, trauma, dementia, and other disorders. Rather than focusing on lost person behavior, the goal is to deepen understanding of these mental health challenges so we can respond more effectively when these individuals are found.

Wondering- would these topics be valuable to you or your team? Let me know in the comments or send me a message—your feedback will help shape these resources!

03/05/2025

Handler Attunement™: The Science Behind Building Trust and Connection with Your Dog

For all those who reached out and commented with interest in attending a Handler Attunement™ seminar, I’ve been busy putting things together and have some more information to share on what they will entail!

If you’re a detection/SAR/working dog, or a sport dog handler this seminar is specifically designed for you. As a trauma therapist, specializing in animal assisted therapy and certified as a canine-assisted intervention specialist, I’m excited to introduce a scientifically-based approach to training that will transform how you work with your dog when the pressure is high! We’ll explore how understanding emotional and nervous system regulation can improve both your relationship with your dog and training outcomes. Here’s what the Handler Attunement™ Seminar will cover:

Polyvagal theory—understand how your nervous system and emotional state affect your dog’s behavior and how to regulate stress for a more effective working relationship.

Attachment theory—learn how to build a secure emotional bond with your dog that promotes trust, reliability, and effective teamwork in critical environments.

Co-regulation techniques—practical tools to help you and your dog stay in connection, ensuring calmness and clear communication during training, competitions, trials, and missions.

Scientific, evidence-based practices—grounded in neurobiology and psychology, these tools are designed to regulate stress, improve focus, and strengthen emotional attunement for better performance.

Interested in attending or have questions? Feel free to drop a comment below or send me a message. I’ll be sharing more details soon!

02/24/2025

One of the things Oliver and I have spent the winter working on is fine tuning his trained final response (TFR) through building duration, confidence, and clarity. The video below shows him holding his TFR, even when I leave the room and shut the door. Part of my criteria for me, was to never make eye contact with him or acknowledge him once he started to alert. I just left the room. He looked at me like “where are you going, mom?” but he completed his assignment despite the question!

To me, this isn’t just about training a skill—it’s about the bond we’ve built through consistent work and mutual trust. Oliver may not know when I will return, but he knows I will, just as I trust him to stay committed to the source. That level of confidence doesn’t happen overnight. It’s developed through countless hours of training, setting clear criteria, and reinforcing his ability to work independently all while continuing to build our partnership as a team. We will never stop learning and growing together, and I couldn’t be prouder of his progress!!!

If you’re working with a detection dog and want guidance on building a strong trained final response with a confident working relationship, feel free to reach out! 🐾🐾🐾

02/07/2025

We are going to be finishing up the last week of Scent Work 101 and will be starting a couple new classes soon-
Detection: Advanced Searches and Hide Placement as well as an Advanced Obedience class! Check them out through Copper Pines Boarding and Training! They’re going to be super fun classes with a ton of learning for you and your dog!

https://copperpinesboarding.com/new-class-detection-advanced-searches-and-hide-placement/?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR3NxZqkpBeScWcO5--nMyPh-3oZG_3m9RJ-aAEaJzq6Qz2dbW2sHAlOgk4_aem_JBiTGeXgNGpEjkhciWMKwg

https://copperpinesboarding.com/new-class-advanced-obedience/?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR09IuS1u1h8wFYmz8hNXhFbJii6klJl3SMeCDGIDjXRcpGqQhmY0AEAKDQ_aem_xfudhoxReyp3xC1GVBJ-FQ

We're so excited to be offering a new Advanced Detection class with Natalie Runge of Birchwood K9! See below for details and prerequisites! Link to register

01/31/2025

Handler Attunement™

Attunement in Dog Training: The Heart of Our Connection

As a trauma therapist, attunement is at the core of my work. I don’t just listen to what clients say—I tune in to their body language, breathing patterns, and energy, meeting them where they are to create safety and trust.

As a dog trainer, I do the same with my dogs.

Before every training session, I take a moment to check in. I take deep breaths, practice co-regulation, and yes, I even ask them how their day is going. I also place my hands on their stomachs and breathe with them—slow, deep belly breaths, syncing my rhythm with theirs. This practice isn’t just about calming them or myself; it’s about connection, attuning to their emotional and physiological state, and letting them know they are seen and supported.

Handler Attunement™ means I’m not just asking my dog to work for me—I’m working with them. It means recognizing when they need encouragement, when they’re stressed, when they’re engaged, and when they need a break. It’s about being fully present, creating a space where they feel understood, safe, and ready to learn.

In the world of search and rescue, where our dogs’ certifications and deployments can mean the difference in life-or-death situations, this connection is vital. A strong relationship built on attunement isn’t just a training technique—it’s the foundation of a team that can perform under pressure and adapt in the face of challenges.

Good training starts with connection. Before we ask our dogs for anything, we should be asking ourselves: Are we listening? Are we present? Are we attuned?

© Birchwood K9, LLC, 2025. All Rights Reserved.

01/13/2025

K9 Oliver is an advanced search and rescue dog, certified as a dual purpose cadaver and live-find dog, who has a bark alert when he makes a find. In the video below, we worked on several critical skills to strengthen his trained final response, an essential component for any detection dog!

-Duration: Oliver practiced holding his final response longer, despite distractions, ensuring clarity and consistency in his alert.

-Increased Cadence: We have been working on building a steady, confident rhythm in his barks to enhance communication in high-stakes scenarios (such as being out of sight from his handler when making a find).

Trained final responses are vital for detection dogs. They ensure clear communication between dog and handler, improve search accuracy, and build trust in the field. It’s all about preparing for the challenges they’ll face in real-world situations.

If you are starting a detection dog and looking for help, please reach out!

12/29/2024

~Why Directionals Matter for Detection Dogs~

Directionals are a critical skill for detection dogs, helping them search large areas systematically and efficiently. By guiding the dog to specific “cones” or sectors, handlers ensure thorough coverage while maintaining clear communication and control.

This method improves search accuracy, reduces redundant efforts, and adapts easily to various environments. It also builds the dog’s confidence by providing clear, structured guidance.

Check out K9 Everest in action as we work on send-outs to a single cone in a brand new environment at 10, 20, 30, 40, and 50 meters! These drills develop focus, precision, and teamwork, laying the foundation for real-world success.

12/24/2024

12/20/2024

🎄🐶🎄

This holiday season, SAR K9 Oliver is all dressed up in his festive bow tie, but his focus is always on the mission! 🎄🐾 Whether it’s through the snow or across tough terrain, he’s ready to answer the call. Wishing you a safe and merry season from all of us at Mid MN K9!