How to Start Your Own Detection Dog Business
Starting your own detection dog business can be a rewarding and enjoyable endeavor. There are seemingly endless opportunities for detection dog teams and handlers in the commercial detection industry. Before you start, there are a number of things that you will want to consider.
Proper training and certification are a must for you or the dog teams that will be working for you in your detection dog business. You should ensure that your handlers are well trained and experienced in working with detection dogs. A four-week handler school should be the minimum requirement for most handlers to ensure that they are comfortable working with and reading their detection dog. It is also recommended that all detection dog teams receive annual certification from a reputable, third party organization.
Choosing the right dogs to represent your detection dog business is another important aspect to make your business successful. You will want to select dogs that have high drive to ensure that they will be able to perform in some of the challenging field environments they will need to work in. The dogs you select for your detection dog business should also be very social with all people and should be environmentally sound. Properly testing and selecting dogs takes a considerable amount of practice and experience.
There are a number of different types of detection dogs that can be used for your detection dog business and deciding which type(s) of detection you will offer is important.
Narcotics detection dogs are popular among commercial businesses, schools, and private residences. Businesses can used detection dog teams to help ensure they are providing a drug-free workplace. Schools use drug dogs to ensure they maintain a drug-free school.
Explosives detection dogs are primarily used by businesses and other organizations to provide safety and security on cruise lines, at sporting events, and overall security for hotels, casinos, convention centers, and other places which draw large crowds of people.
Conservation detection dogs are growing in popularity amongst biologists and conservation experts. These dogs are used to conduct surveys for endangered species of animals including, cats, bats, snakes, and other endangered species.
Bedbug detection dogs are primarily used by hotels, motels, and similar facilities to ensure that they do not have an infestation of bedbugs on their property. With the problem with bedbugs growing each year, the detection dog business to find them continues to grow as well.
There are a variety of other types of detection dogs that are utilized in the commercial detection industry. These dogs are trained to locate truffles, termites, mold, meat, cellphones, and practically any other item or substance that has a distinct odor.
Our School for Dog Trainers offers courses in detection training to teach students a variety of proven and effective methods for training and handling detection dogs. We can teach you everything from testing & selecting dogs, training and handling and even teach you the skills you need to start your own detection dog business. If you are interested in learning how to train detection dogs or starting your own commercial detection dog business, feel free to call us at 866.200.2207 or email learntotraindogs@highlandcanine.com