Frequently Asked Questions

Our dogs are working—we ask that everyone refrains from interacting with them (petting, whistling, calling out, etc.), as their focus on their job is important in order to provide you with the best service possible.  
Many of our dogs are very serious about their work and prefer to keep sniffing. We have a few dogs that once the job is complete, they may want to visit with staff, but it is up to the handler, the dog, and how much time we have until our next appointment. 

At Desert Drug Dog, our mission is to support school administrators, staff, business owners, treatment centers, and families in creating safer, drug-free, and weapon-free environments.
Using highly trained narcotic and firearm detection dogs, we help deter the presence of illegal substances and locate hidden drugs or firearms in schools, private homes, and commercial properties. Our discreet, non-law enforcement K9 detection services promote a safer environment, protect lives, and contribute to a healthier, more secure community.

Yes, 100%. We provide non-law-enforcement services designed for prevention, not punishment.

Desert Drug Dog has proudly served Arizona communities since 2009, making us the longest-operating private narcotics detection company in the state.
With over a decade of experience, we provide trusted, non-law enforcement K9 drug detection services to schools, treatment centers, businesses, and private residences across Arizona.

While Desert Drug Dog proudly serves clients throughout the state of Arizona, our primary service areas include the Phoenix Metro Area, Tucson, and the Prescott/Prescott Valley region.
We are happy to travel statewide for narcotic and firearm detection services; however, travel fees may apply for locations outside the Phoenix Metro area. Please contact us to discuss your specific needs, location, and scheduling availability.

Pricing for our K9 detection services starts at $250, but final costs depend on several factors.
These include your location, the size of the area to be searched, the number of teams required, and how frequently you'd like us to conduct sweeps. We offer discounts for clients who schedule routine sweeps of their facilities.

We also provide site visits to discuss your specific needs and recommend the best service for you. Contact us today to schedule your consultation! Consultation is free within the Metro Area. 

Our dogs are trained to detect a wide range of narcotics, as well as firearms and ammunition. We also have contacts for canines trained to sniff out other odors so let us know what you need and we'll see if we can help. 

Narcotic odors include Heroin, Meth, Marijuana, Cocaine, and Fentanyl. This also includes derivatives such as hash, crack, dab, wax, etc. It is not uncommon for our dogs to find paraphernalia as well, such as pipes, razors, and containers or wrappers. Our dogs may also exhibit behavior that tells us there are lingering or residual odors present even if no drugs are found. We include this information in our report.

Yes, we provide a clear, confidential summary of findings. No law enforcement is contacted unless you call them.

Our detection dogs are not trained to provide a final indication on prescription medications and we can't promise they will find them. However, they have been know to assist in locating prescription opioids, Suboxone, gabapentin, and other medications. In many cases, our dogs will exhibit a "change of behavior" when detecting these substances. Our handlers are trained to recognize these signs and will document any findings in their detailed reports.

Our detection dogs are not specifically trained to provide a final indication on synthetic drugs such as spice. However, they may exhibit a "change of behavior" when detecting substances like spice. Our trained handlers are skilled at recognizing these behavioral cues and will document any relevant observations in their detailed reports.

Target odor refers to any specific scent that a detection dog has been trained to locate and give a final indication upon finding. Dogs are trained to detect a wide range of odors, as most things in the environment have scents detectable by their sensitive noses. During training, dogs are taught which odors "reward" them (i.e., target odors) and which ones they should ignore. It's important to note that odors may still be present even if no source or product is found.

No! Definitely not! Our detection dogs are trained to locate specific target odors, and their ability to indicate a find is directly linked to the reward they receive.
Each dog is motivated by what they find most valuable, whether it's a tasty treat, a favorite toy, or a game of tug. The training process ensures that the dog is highly focused and motivated to detect target odors, with the reward serving as reinforcement for their successful detection.

Change of Behavior (COB):
A "Change of Behavior" (COB), also noted as "COB" in reports, indicates that the K9 has shown heightened interest or focus in a specific area. This can occur for various reasons, including, but not limited to, lingering odors from substances previously present in the area, or the detection of an unfamiliar scent in the environment that has not been specifically trained for.

Final Indication, Alert, and Trained Final Response (TFR):
The terms "Final Indication," "Alert," and "Trained Final Response (TFR)" are used interchangeably to describe the behavior exhibited by the K9 when they identify their target odor. This response occurs even if the substance has been removed, as residual odors can remain and may not always be visible to the human eye. The K9’s trained behavior signals can occur even if the substance has been removed, as residual odors may remain, which may or may not be visible to the human eye.

Residual Odor
Residual odor is the scent left behind on a surface due to contact with a substance. These odors can persist for an extended period until the trace amounts are properly cleaned.

Lingering Odor
Lingering odor refers to the scent that remains in an area after the source has been removed. Over time, this odor naturally dissipates.

Example:
Think of microwave popcorn. When it’s freshly popped, the scent fills the room, and we can all smell it. Over time, that smell fades—this is lingering odor. On the other hand, the oil splatters left behind in the microwave continue to emit a smell until cleaned, which is an example of residual odor.

Every dog is a little different but overall our dogs are trained with "passive alerts". That means they generally sit, down, freeze, stare, etc when they find their target odor. Each handler knows their dog very well and is able to read their body language and recognize these behaviors. 

Our detection dogs live with their handlers at home, forming part of the family.
They enjoy an active and fulfilling life, traveling, hiking, and even camping with their handlers. These dogs are treated with the utmost care and respect, as they play a vital role in our work. Without their dedication and skill, we couldn’t provide the exceptional service our clients rely on.

People

For liability reasons, our detection dogs do not search individuals directly.
When conducting a sweep of a group room, the dogs will focus on the clients' belongings, not the clients themselves. This ensures both safety and effectiveness while maintaining the integrity of the search process.

Vehicles

Yes, our detection dogs are trained to search both the interior and exterior of vehicles.
These sweeps will be conducted at the discretion of the handler, based on safety considerations. Searches may not be performed in extreme heat or in areas with environmental hazards such as sharp metal, leaking fluids, or open mechanic pits. The handler will assess the situation to ensure the safety of both the dog and the team.

Training a detection dog typically takes 3-4 months under ideal conditions, such as when the dog is between 1-2 years old and receives consistent training sessions multiple times a week. However, several factors can impact the training timeline, including the number of target odors to be learned, the working environment, and the dog’s individual personality.

In some cases, we begin training dogs from a young age, such as puppies. This process takes longer, as the dog must develop both the physical and mental abilities necessary to perform live searches effectively.

While most dog breeds have the ability to detect odors and learn target scents, it takes a dog with a lot of drive, energy, and stamina to successfully perform searches in large areas such as full houses, 50+ bed facilities, or high school parking lots. When selecting a detection dog candidate, trainers focus less on the breed and more on finding a specific type of dog that is well-suited for the job. 

The majority of detection dogs come from breeds that were originally bred for work, such as herding, retrieving, or bird hunting. Common breeds used in detection work include German Shepherds, Belgian Malinois, Labradors, German Shorthair Pointers, Spaniels, and Beagles.

The size of the dog can also play a role in determining its suitability for the environment and the specific tasks at hand. Selecting the right breed for the job is crucial—just as you wouldn’t send a Chihuahua to perform a water rescue or a Basset Hound to race against a Greyhound, it's important to choose a dog that is physically and mentally suited to detection work.

Choosing the right dog for the job is crucial. Just as you wouldn’t send a Chihuahua to perform a water rescue, a Mastiff to fit into a small gopher hole, or a Basset Hound to race a Greyhound, it’s important to match the dog’s capabilities with the task at hand.

That’s an excellent question, and the answer can be complex. Since our detection dogs are trained to locate odors, not products, there are times when they give their Trained Final Response (TFR), but nothing is visibly found. This could be due to residual or trace amounts of the odor that we can't see, but the dogs are still able to detect. In these situations, the dogs are not wrong.

The outcome of the search also depends on the thoroughness of the person performing the hand search. Additionally, we often don’t know the results of the hand searches, as we provide direction on where to look and continue with other tasks.

Although our dogs are highly skilled, they are not infallible. That’s why our company is committed to ensuring our handlers and dogs receive continuous training to maintain peak performance. We take great pride in our work, our dogs, and our community, striving to provide the best service possible.