Drug Dogs

Our single-purpose drug dog package costs $13,800, and our dual-purpose drug dog package costs $16,800.

Both packages include the dog, required online preparation, handler school, Highland Canine Training certification, and lodging during handler school. Agencies should budget separately for travel, meals, and equipment for the dog and handler.

A single-purpose drug dog is trained for narcotics detection and on-leash obedience.

A dual-purpose drug dog combines narcotics detection with patrol functions, including tracking, building searches, area searches, suspect apprehension, and handler protection. Dual-purpose dogs receive off-leash obedience training for control while working at a distance.

Both programs prepare dogs to perform obedience in operational environments and teach handlers how to maintain those skills.

We offer training for cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine, fentanyl, marijuana, MDMA, LSD, and PCP. Your agency can select target odors based on its operational needs.

Our staff will discuss your requirements and help you determine the appropriate training for your dog.

Yes. We train drug dogs specifically for agencies that do not need marijuana detection.

Our preparation goes beyond leaving marijuana out of initial odor training. We deliberately teach these dogs to disregard marijuana odor as a distraction while searching for their assigned narcotics.

In our experience, simply never training a dog to detect marijuana does not adequately prepare it to disregard that odor during searches.

Our non-marijuana detection dogs follow a deliberate proofing plan. This process reinforces their response to assigned target odors while teaching them that marijuana odor is not a target.

We do not offer retraining to remove marijuana as a target odor from dogs previously trained to detect it. Our marijuana-exclusion process is used when developing dogs whose assigned target odors do not include marijuana.

Developed through nearly two decades of research, analytics, and practical experience, ODOR FIRST emphasizes fluency in target odor and extensive proofing.

We focus on teaching dogs to recognize their assigned drug odors across varied search conditions and remain committed to those odors amid distractions. Handler education complements that preparation by explaining how the dog was trained and how to maintain its skills.

Our proofing process exposes dogs to competing smells, sights, sounds, and physical distractions while reinforcing their focus on target odor.

We incorporate these challenges into realistic training environments to prepare dogs for the demands they may encounter during operational searches.

Training includes vehicles, buildings, luggage, packages, and varied settings that prepare dogs for operational work.

We can also prepare a dog for specific locations, venues, or agency assignments upon request. Discuss those requirements with our staff when planning your purchase.

We recommend a freeze and lock indication. The dog stops moving, adopts a rigid posture, and fixes its gaze on the location of target odor. Additional behavioral or postural changes may accompany that response.

We shape this indication without aversives or pressure. Our approach emphasizes a clear, recognizable response while reducing unnecessary handler influence and the potential for false-positive responses. Its distinct appearance also helps handlers describe the dog’s response in reports and courtroom testimony.

Other trained indications are available upon request.

We vary drug odor quantities, concealment methods, odor availability, and search difficulty throughout training.

Rather than relying on repetition of the same searches, we develop the dog’s ability across changing conditions. Clearly defined benchmarks within our training process guide our evaluation of readiness.

Yes. We do not sell trained dogs without handler school. Your agency must send a handler through our program as part of the purchase.

Understanding the dog’s behavior, training history, and handling requirements helps the team work effectively together and maintain its capabilities after returning to duty.

Our standard single-purpose handler course includes three weeks of in-person instruction. Dual-purpose handler school lasts four weeks.

Handlers must also complete required online preparation before arriving. This coursework is provided by us and can be completed at the handler’s own pace from anywhere.

Customized courses lasting up to six weeks are available for agencies requiring additional instruction.

Courses cover search techniques, odor theory, reading canine behavior, problem solving, training design, and reducing unnecessary handler influence.

Instruction also includes criminal interdiction, report writing, liability considerations, and courtroom preparation. Experienced former law enforcement K9 handlers and supervisors connect the instruction to practical operational demands.

Yes. We can tailor instruction to help experienced handlers strengthen existing skills, address training challenges, and prepare for specific assignments.

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

Our dogs generally receive 16–20 weeks of training, but this is not necessarily your agency’s wait time. We continually train dogs at different stages of development, so a suitable dog may already be progressing through its program when you contact us.

Handler schools are typically scheduled four to five times per year. Contact our staff for current availability and an estimated timeline.

Yes. We encourage agencies to visit, evaluate dogs, observe demonstrations, and discuss their needs with our trainers.

You may also request client references to hear directly from agencies that have purchased our dogs and completed our handler programs.

Our dogs come with a two-year health guarantee against congenital health defects, backed by replacement of the dog at no cost under the guarantee.

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

To request a bid, provide your agency’s desired capabilities and target odors, along with the requestor’s name, agency address, email address, and phone number.

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