Bed Bug Detection Dog Handler Course Outline

All bed bug detection dogs are sold with a comprehensive six-day extensive training course. This course can be conducted at either our location or yours.

Dogs

    •    Evolution of dogs: Understanding the history and development of dogs in scent detection.

    •    Dog breed selections for scent detection: Choosing the right breed for the job.

    •    Breed drives: How different breeds respond to detection tasks.

    •    Breed characteristics: Key traits that make certain breeds ideal for this work.

    •    Temperament & social ability: How a dog’s temperament influences training success.

    •    Dog philosophy: Best practices for working with detection dogs.

Handler Selection and Obligations

    •    Bonding: Building a strong, trusting relationship with your dog.

    •    First six weeks: The critical period for establishing a good working foundation.

    •    Introduction to the new household: Transitioning your dog into your daily environment.

    •    Tie-down/crate training: Conditioning tools and safe transport.

    •    Boundaries: Setting boundaries for both the dog and handler.

    •    Human/animal of the household do’s and don’ts: Guidelines for cohabitation and teamwork.

Basic Scent Theory

    •    Dog’s sense of smell: How dogs use their superior olfactory abilities to detect bed bugs.

    •    Scent discrimination: Teaching dogs to differentiate between odors.

    •    Terminology: Key terms in scent detection.

    •    Scent association: Linking specific odors to rewards.

    •    Primary rewards/secondary rewards: Understanding how motivation works in training.

    •    Food vs toy drive: Working with different types of rewards.

    •    Passive and aggressive alerts: Recognizing when the dog indicates detection.

    •    Odor recognition indicators: Key signs the dog has identified a target odor.

    •    Interpretation: How to read and interpret your dog’s alerts.

Training Aids

    •    Can/box line: Constructin and use of training equipment.

    •    Scent wall: Building a controlled environment to test odor recognition.

    •    Detection wheel: Construction and uses

    •    Preparing vials/bags: How to handle and store training aids.

    •    Pseudo-How to implement in your training program.

    •    Hide placement: How and where to place hides.

    •    Construction: Techniques for building effective training environments.

    •    Uses: How to maximize training aids for successful results.

Handling and Storage of Bed Bugs

    •    Gloves: Proper handling of training aids.

    •    Contamination of training aids: How to avoid contamination.

    •    Collecting bed bugs: Safely capturing and storing live bed bugs.

    •    Maintaining bed bugs: Ensuring the viability of bed bugs for long-term training.

Search Strategies

    •    Preparing the dog to search: Conditioning your dog to begin a search effectively.

    •    Patterns: Training dogs to search in systematic patterns.

    •    Air currents: Using wind and airflow to optimize searches.

    •    Scent patterns: How odor can effect a search.

    •    Scent cones: Understanding how dogs track odor

    •    Search techniques: Strategies for more efficient searches.

    •    Difficult searches: Adjusting tactics based on the search scenario.

In the Field

    •    Safety checks: Ensuring safety for both handler and dog during searches.

    •    Obstacles: Training dogs to overcome physical and environmental obstacles.

    •    Distractions-food/novelty odors: How to manage distractions during a search.

    •    Stamina: Building the endurance necessary for long search sessions.

    •    Record keeping: Proper documentation of searches and finds.

    •    Canine first aid: Basic health and safety measures for your detection dog.

Advanced Detection

    •    Unusual search areas: Training for non-standard environments.

    •    Indicating on castings/dead bugs: Training the dog to no alert on different types of bed bug odors.

    •    Avoiding false alerts: Minimizing false positives.

    •    Shaping and improving indication skills: Enhancing the dog’s detection and alerting abilities.

    •    Training for distractions: Ensuring focus amidst potential distractions.

    •    Maintaining the drive: Keeping the dog motivated through training and work.

    •    Problem solving: Addressing challenges in training and detection performance.

    •    Evaluating the performance of you and your dog: Assessing progress and identifying areas for improvement.

Obedience and Agility Training

    •    Equipment: Training with the appropriate gear and equipment.

    •    Heel: Teaching the dog to walk at your side.

    •    Sit: Basic obedience for control and focus.

    •    Down: Command for resting and calmness.

    •    Come: Ensuring your dog responds reliably to recall.

    •    Wait: Teaching the dog to pause and remain in position.

    •    Hup: Teaching your dog to jump over obstacles as part of agility training.

    •    Formal/informal training: Differences between structured and everyday training.

    •    Health/Grooming: Keeping your dog in optimal condition for work.