Clickable links to canine scent detection certifying agencies:
National Entomological Scent Detection Association
World Detector Dog Organization
Clickable links to private trainers:
Rock Solid K9
Falco K9 Academy
Accrediation Role
Unbiased Confirmation
Third-party accreditation provides the public with unbiased confirmation the team is capable of recognizing live target odour at various levels of concentration, e.g. from 1 to 20 live bed bugs.
The testing also certifies the dog handler 'reads' his dog appropriately, recognizing her 'alert' to indicate the prescence of live bed bugs or viable eggs and not the scent emitting from dead bed bugs
Ken Hando, owner of Bed Bug Mutts, states:
"It is all about the relationship between the dog and the handler, we are a team depending upon each other. She is an athlete - she even has her own treadmill to keep her in top physical shape."
Once certification is achieved, the team must ensure this performance level is maintained. Daily maintenance training on live bed bugs, distractions and 'proofing off' dead bed bugs will maintain peak-level performance.
Before Hiring A Bed Bug Dog
Check on their certification; professional certifiying agencies post the names of the handlers, canine and website link. Ensure their certification is current; annual renewals is considered appropriate.
Ensure they follow the 'show me the bed bug' protocol - the handler verifies the alert by looking for the following physical signs - fecal stains, cast skins, bed bug eggs, and/or live bed bugs.
For another viewpoint on bed bug dogs, read the FAQ 'Bed Bug Sniffing Dogs: what you need to know' from the website Bedbugger.