In 2014 the TSA surveyed their detection dog handlers to find out what traits in their canine partners the handlers considered important to their success as detection dogs. The goal of the study was to determine whether the traits assessed by the staff of the breeding program during the dogs’ development (using standardized assessment tools […]

One of the leaders of the Detection Dog Task Force was told by a potential participant "that they would like to be involved, but understand the dogs are not allowed to be obedience trained". First, we need to consider what level of obedience is required of an active detection dog. Should a detection dog spend […]

[accordion] [accordion_panel title="2020"] July Resilience revisited June Obedience or no? May What makes a successful detection dog? Baselines for behavior February Comparing performance January  National Odor Recognition Test Why Assessing Canine Behavior is so important [/accordion_panel] [/accordion] [accordion] [accordion_panel title="2019"] December Assessment versus training November Problems and work arounds in ACS/TSA Hunt Test (part 1) […]

Assessment Environmental Stability  Genetics Health Olfactory Training Play & Possession Puppy Development Records Standards

  By Scott Thomas, Detection Dog Training Expert   Browse blogs by subject matter below and in the left navigation. See below for the most recent blogs. Assessment Obedience or no? What makes a successful detection dog? Dog Sales/Procurement What makes a successful detection dog? Dog Sales Overview, Part II Dog Sales Overview, Part I […]

For Valerie Schuter, doing a good deed for a dog turned into her downsizing Pinschers. The 30-year Doberman Pinscher breeder and rescue volunteer helped another breeder and ended up transitioning to the smaller German Pinschers—notably Bentley—GCH Diamond Bay A Chevelle Bentley Tribute. This conformation Grand Champion has a passion for people and racked up 13 […]

AKC Breeder of Merit Kym Burch-Ryan has raised and shown Australian Shepherds since 1993. She lives on a 20-acre farm in Roxbury, Kansas. Her daughter Brandi shares her passion for the breed; she has shown Aussies since she was 8 years old. Kym’s younger daughter, Hadlei, is also now showing Aussies. AKC: How did you […]

Never mind Xbox Live or a day at the ballgame. A century and a half ago in the north of England, a working man’s idea of kicking back on the weekend was rag racing. A contest of pure speed, the rag race was a straight-away course on which dogs galloped toward a finish line where […]

Meet Kendall Betz: She Learned That Training Can Build a Dog’s Confidence Name: Kendall Betz Age: 16 Hometown: Richmond, VA Grade: 11th Family: Parents, Brian and Elizabeth, sister Libbie Kendall caught the dog-training bug when she and a friend attended a training camp at the Richmond, VA, SPCA. They learned about canine behavior and how to teach basic tricks. At the end of the session, there […]

We have some big news to report about All-Americans succeeding at earning the top titles in Agility, Coursing Ability, Rally, Obedience, Scent Work, and Tracking. Many of you have had great success taking advantage of AKC’s Virtual Titling programs too!   Agility Master Agility Championships (MACH)  Multiple Master Agility Champions Congratulations to these dogs who have earned more MACHs: AGCH […]