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Why use dogs? They are not only better, but faster, more efficient, and less intrusive than any other inspection method known to man. Scientists have yet to create a more accurate and effective sniffing machine.

Are you licensed? Currently, we are the first and only private sector certified, licensed and insured Explosives Detector Dog (EDD) in the Pacific Northwest and Alaska!

Who certifies your competency? The International Detection Canine Foundation (IDCF) was founded from the aspiration of returning real world training and certification processes back to the community of the working K-9, their trainers, and their handlers.

IDCF efforts are focused on the training, certification, and continuing education programs necessary to maintain the competent, prudent K-9 Division. As a result of this, we strive to train and certify under conditions as similar as possible to those in which the service dog team will have to perform their duties.

Foundation members believe that once a department, team, or handler promotes themselves as "Duty Ready", certain responsibilities are taken on. These responsibilities are to themselves, other team members, their department, and, most importantly, to the community which has now entrusted the team to possess the skills, traits, and attributes necessary to empower the team in the performance of conducting their duties without hesitation when called upon.

This is true "Deployment Readiness", and can not be achieved by simply participating in competitions, which are often geared to the current field or training conditions. Nor can it be derived from training curriculums that are structured solely around such competitions.

This level of "Deployment Readiness" is obtainable only through curriculum, ideologies, and methodologies which are based on the promotion of the K-9 Team, reflecting live or actual scenarios.

What role do the dogs play in the security mechanism? Our Explosives Detector Dog (EDD) Program is an important tool used to deter terrorism in society. Our teams are the most mobile form of explosive detection and can be utilized nearly everywhere.

When are the dogs called into action? There is a wide variety of scenarios that our teams are used. We serve in both a pro-active role and in situations where specific threats involving explosives have been made. Our teams have been utilized to clear sports arenas, convention centers, hangers, aircraft, office buildings, shopping malls, schools, and open areas. Once again the EDD's mobility and ability to identify the source of an explosive odor are critical elements in its operational use.

How is the dog trained to find explosives? The dogs are initially trained through a conditioning model called "operant conditioning". This model is reward based where the dog is trained to indicate or respond to the location of an explosive odor. When the dog responds correctly, it is given a reward. This is done on a continual basis for hundreds of repetitions until the dog learns the response behavior. The dog views the task as a game.

What is the dog looking for? Our dogs are looking for a variety of explosive odors that they have been trained to detect. Once the dog identifies the explosive odor, it responds accordingly. Recent scientific studies have indicated that the dog actually smells a bouquet of several different compounds of the explosive to make this determination.

What does the dog do when they find one of these odors? Ours dogs respond in a passive manner. Once they identify the strongest concentration of explosive odor, the dog will sit at that location.

What is the reward given to the dog for making the find? Each dog has its own favorite reward. This could be a ball, Kong, or knotted cotton rope. They are given the reward for identifying the correct location of the explosive or training device. In addition, the dog receives physical and verbal praise for each successful find. Basically, we have a party! To the dog, detection work is merely a game of hide-and-go-seek.

Do you travel out of state or out of the country? Yes, we have been as far away as South America for our customers. It is not unusual to travel as far as the southern states or the east coast. We are well-traveled throughout the west and Alaska. The dogs are great traveling companions and do well in vehicles or on aircraft. In fact, since they are considered Service Dogs, they travel in the aircraft cabin with us.

Are you licensed? Is a professional license required?  Yes. A simple business license is not sufficient.  As required by law, we are licensed in the states of Washington, Oregon, and Alaska to conduct private investigations. Several other states offer reciprocity. Don't let any detector dog service convince you that they do not need professional licensing. The handlers are conducting an investigation as defined by law. It would be unfortunate and potentially embarrassing if the work they did for you was thrown out if court because they did not have the appropriate professional licensing.

You have questions? ...well, we have answers. Visit our Contraband Detection Canine Services Contraband Frequently Asked Questions page.

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