Explosives Detection Dogs

Our single-purpose explosives detection dog package costs $15,900, and our dual-purpose explosives detection and patrol dog package costs $18,900.

Both include required online preparation, handler school, lodging during the course, Highland Canine Training certification, a two-year health guarantee against congenital defects, and free lifetime in-service and brush-up training.

Agencies should budget separately for travel, meals, and dog and handler equipment.

Single-purpose dogs focus on explosives detection and receive on-leash obedience training.

Dual-purpose dogs combine explosives detection with patrol capabilities, including tracking, building searches, area searches, suspect apprehension, and handler protection. They receive off-leash obedience training.

Our staff can help your agency choose the appropriate program for its assignments.

Our programs prepare teams for schools, buildings, large venues, public-event locations, and vehicle screening at event entry points.

Training combines realistic searches with handler instruction in planning and managing larger search operations. We can also address specific locations or assignments your agency expects to encounter.

The target odors listed on this page are standard unless your agency requests an exclusion. They include TNT, RDX, PETN, TATP, HMTD, and other explosive materials.

We can customize the odor profile to your agency’s requirements. Additional target odors are available upon request, and proficiency testing assesses the team on every imprinted odor.

Our dogs are trained to recognize their assigned target odors, including when those odors are present in mixtures associated with homemade explosives.

Our approach develops target odor fluency across varied presentations and search conditions. Detection capability relates to the odors included in the dog’s training; it does not mean that every possible homemade explosive mixture is a trained target.

Yes. Both TATP and HMTD are included as standard, unless your agency requests their exclusion. Teams are assessed on both odors as part of their proficiency testing.

Access to these peroxide-based explosives can present training challenges because of handling and storage hazards. Our program incorporates these important target odors into the dog’s development and the handler’s preparation.

ODOR FIRST emphasizes thorough imprinting, target odor fluency, and deliberate proofing.

We develop the dog’s recognition of its assigned odors, then challenge its ability to locate them amid competing smells, sounds, movement, and environmental distractions. Handler education explains that process so handlers can maintain the foundation, recognize problems, and make informed training decisions.

Our standard passive indication is a freeze and lock: the dog stops, adopts a rigid posture, and fixes its gaze on the location of target odor.

A sit indication can also be taught upon request. Handlers learn to recognize their dog’s trained response and the behavioral changes that occur during the search.

We offer Labrador Retrievers, Golden Retrievers, pointers, Belgian Malinois, German Shepherds, and Dutch Shepherds.

Breed is one consideration in selection. Our staff works with your agency to identify a dog suited to its handler, intended assignments, and operational environment.

Dogs undergo extensive health screening before entering training. They are also tested and selected for their ability to handle demanding environmental conditions.

Our trainers continually assess progress and adjust development to the individual dog and the requirements of its intended assignment.

No prior explosives experience is necessary. Instruction is tailored to the handler’s experience level.

New handlers develop foundational skills, while experienced handlers receive instruction that builds on their knowledge and addresses their needs.

Handlers learn to work and read their dogs, recognize meaningful behavioral changes, solve training problems, and maintain detection skills.

Instruction also addresses planning and managing large-scale searches and developing efficient search systems for public events and vehicle-screening posts. Additional subjects include odor theory, recordkeeping, report writing, case law, and training-aid handling and storage.

Handler school is required when purchasing a trained dog.

Single-purpose courses include three weeks of in-person instruction; dual-purpose courses include four weeks. Both require online preparation before arrival, completed at the handler’s own pace.

Teams receive certification through Highland Canine Training, with proficiency assessed on every imprinted target odor.

We also encourage third-party certification. Discuss your agency’s certification requirements with our staff before arranging your program.

Firearms detection and EPIC screening for explosives on people are separate programs.

Standard explosives detection packages prepare teams for searches of locations, vehicles, and items within their training scope. Contact us if your agency also needs firearms detection or screening of moving people.

We provide a two-year health guarantee against congenital defects, backed by replacement of the dog at no cost under the guarantee.

We also provide phone guidance and free in-service and brush-up training for the dog’s lifetime. Agencies are responsible for travel and lodging when attending follow-up training.

We do not offer a separate working or performance guarantee.

Yes. We encourage agencies to meet our trainers, observe training, evaluate available dogs, and request client references.

Visits are free and by appointment. Contact us about a week ahead and generally allow two to three hours.

Timing depends on available dogs, your agency’s selection requirements, requested training, and handler-school scheduling.

Dogs generally receive 16–20 weeks of training, but this is not necessarily your agency’s wait time: we continually develop dogs at different stages of preparation. Contact us for current availability and an estimated timeline.

Provide your agency’s desired capabilities, operational requirements, and anticipated purchase timeline, along with the requestor’s name, agency address, email, and phone number.

A 50% deposit is required to reserve a particular dog.