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AKC Detection Dog Webinars

AKC Detection Dog Webinars

 

  • 2026 +

    Improving Detection Dog Development Through Early Evaluation: Key Takeaways from Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (JHU/APL) – January 2026

     

    The AKC Detection Dog Task Force recently hosted a webinar featuring Megan Toms, DVM, MPH, and Jordan Johnson, PhD, MHS, of the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (JHU/APL). The presenters shared new insights from the Domestic Breeding Initiative (DBI), a collaborative, data‑driven program dedicated to strengthening the U.S. supply of high‑quality, domestically bred detection dogs. Their presentation highlighted how structured behavioral evaluations, long‑term data collection, and close partnerships with breeders can support more informed decisions throughout a dog’s early development—ultimately improving breeding practices, training pathways, and procurement outcomes for working canines.

    “Our goal with the Domestic Breeding Initiative is to bring more objectivity and consistency to how we evaluate and develop detection dogs, while still recognizing that different agencies may be looking for different behavioral profiles,” said Dr. Megan Toms. Dr. Jordan Johnson added that the initiative is designed to complement other similar initiatives with the collection of scientific data and published research.  For example, the program complements the work already being done by the AKC Patriotic Puppy Program.

    The speakers began by outlining the motivation behind DBI: a growing national need for reliable detection dogs and the importance of developing sustainable domestic breeding pipelines. DBI brings together breeders, researchers, and end users to systematically evaluate puppies and young dogs over time, using standardized methods that emphasize objectivity, repeatability, and real-world relevance to working detection roles.

    A core focus of the presentation was DBI’s behavioral evaluation framework, which measures key phenotypes associated with detection dog success. These include task-accomplishment traits such as scenting, search behavior, indication, persistence, and physicality, as well as trainability-related traits like boldness and pliability. Dogs are evaluated at multiple developmental stages using clearly defined rubrics that allow multiple evaluators to independently score observed behaviors, creating a shared language across breeders, trainers, and agencies.

    Importantly, the presenters emphasized that evaluation scores are not meant to label dogs as inherently “good” or “bad,” but rather to help guide appropriate placement and development decisions.

    “A high or low score isn’t inherently good or bad—it’s information,” explained Dr. Jordan Johnson. “What matters is how that phenotype aligns with the needs of a specific agency, handler, or mission.”

    The webinar highlighted findings drawn from several years of collected data comparing phenotype distributions across different career outcomes, including breeder candidates, government-procured detection dogs, industry dogs, and non-detection placements. Results showed that dogs selected for breeding and government detection roles tend to demonstrate higher and more consistent scores across key task-accomplishment phenotypes, while other groups exhibited greater variability. These differences reflect varying operational needs rather than differences in overall canine quality.

    Longitudinal analysis revealed that meaningful behavioral distinctions often emerge as early as six months of age, particularly for traits such as indication, persistence, scenting, and search behavior. This insight suggests that structured early evaluations may help inform development pathways, procurement timing, and placement decisions sooner than traditionally expected—benefiting programs, handlers, and dogs alike.

    Beyond evaluation, the presenters discussed how DBI data is being applied to support broader decision-making. Ongoing efforts include integrated digital tools to aid canine selection and development planning, best-practices guides for breeding and puppy development, and expanding genetics research focused on heritability, health considerations, and behavioral predispositions. Together, these initiatives aim to support the full lifecycle of a working dog—from breeding and early development through procurement and operational deployment.

    During the Q&A session, the speakers addressed topics such as breeding authority, phenotype-based breeding strategies, evaluation reliability, breed focus, and long-term outcome tracking. They emphasized that breeders retain control over breeding decisions, that entire litters are followed to better understand developmental trends, and that DBI’s definition of success extends well beyond initial selection.

    “We define success not just by selection, but by certification and operational performance,” said Dr. Johnson. “The fact that these dogs are certifying and deploying successfully tells us the program is working.”

    The webinar concluded with an invitation for continued engagement, noting that DBI membership is expanding and that collaboration with breeders, developers, and agencies remains central to the initiative’s mission. By combining rigorous data collection with practical, field-informed insight, DBI seeks to strengthen domestic detection dog programs and ensure the right dogs are matched to the right role earlier, more efficiently, and with greater confidence.

    Click here to view the webinar recording  

     

  • 2025 +

    Essential Skills All Breeders Should Know – Part Two, May 2025

    May 27, 2025

    On May 21, Dr. Carmen Battaglia, AKC Board Director and DDTF Co-Chair, returned for Part 2 of the AKC Detection Dog Task Force Webinar on Essential Skills All Breeders Should Know. While Part One introduced eight key skills for successful breeding, this follow-up focused on the eighth: “Manage, Feed, and Develop What You Keep,” with an emphasis on maternal influence, health concerns, and critical socialization skills.

    Key takeaways from this seminar include:

    Separating puppies from their mother and weaning them at six weeks of age or earlier can negatively impact their physical health and future working abilities. Puppies naturally learn essential skills for performance by observing their mothers.

    To promote healthier backs (topline), joints, and elbows in young puppies, it’s important to ensure regular rest, maintain proper weight, and avoid prolonged games of tug-of-war. Rough play and aggressive tugging action can damage the growth plate at the end of the ulna, potentially leading to an ununited anconeal process and resulting in elbow dysplasia.

    An easy, ongoing practice to help avoid joint damage is “beginning at about 6 weeks of age, clipping the toenails regularly will help the foot pad become nice and thick and provide cushion to the elbows and hips”, Dr. Battaglia said.

    Another area of concern is monorchid or cryptorchid males.  He noted that people should show great care or limit searching for testicles in a young dog. Around 4 to 5 weeks of age, a puppy’s testicles are very small—about the size of a BB—and highly susceptible to bruising and injury. Irreparable damage can occur if this area is handled too roughly.

    Regular grooming, gentle handling, and exposure to new environments are essential for a puppy’s mental development. These experiences help young pups grow into confident adults, comfortable with new situations and unfamiliar people.

    All webinar attendees were entered in a raffle to win an autographed copy of Dr. Battaglia’s latest publication, Training Your Puppy: A Guide to Their Development. The winner is Pam Loeb, of Vermont! Pam, look for special mail coming your way!

    To view the webinar in its entirety, click here: https://youtu.be/pHtn7V7DG0k

    AKC DDTF Webinar: Essential Skills All Breeders Should Know

    May 6, 2025

    Recently, the AKC Detection Dog Task Force (DDTF) hosted the first webinar of a two-part series Dr. Carmen Battaglia, AKC Board Director and DDTF Co-Chair, on the foundations of building an exceptional breeding program.

    In “Essential Skills All Breeders Should Know, Part One”, Dr. Battaglia identified eight skills for successful breeders:

    1. Breed Knowledge
      1. Purpose of the breed
      2. Important dogs in the breed
      3. Dreaded, inheritable diseases
    2. Breed Standard
    3. Method to Select Sires and Dams
    4. Evaluate Pedigrees (depth/breadth)
      1. 3 generation pedigrees (depth)
      2. Littermates (breadth)
    5. Evaluate Litters
      1. Allow litter to grow and develop
    6. Pick Best Puppies
    7. Record System
    8. Manage, Feed and Develop What You Keep
      1. Nutrition
      2. Early Neurological Stimulation (ENS)
      3. Maternal Influence
      4. Better backs
      5. Better elbows
      6. Better feet
      7. Fewer missing testicles
      8. Socialization

    Dr. Battaglia noted that when selecting a sire and dam, it’s crucial to offset their strengths and weaknesses. Evaluating them for correct and balancing structure is one of the first – and most important—steps in making breeding decisions. He explored the seven traits described in breed standards that identify physical characteristics that give a dog its unique shape, movement and overall appearance and enable it to perform the job it is intended to do. He also introduced attendees to a unique coding strategy to identify faults/disorders, including his “stick dog” pedigrees, to highlight trends and patterns in a dog’s pedigree.

    When evaluating a litter and individual puppies it is important to remember that a puppy’s brain isn’t fully developed until around 14 weeks of age, he said. “Testing puppies before they are 14 weeks old is high risk”.

    The information provided in this webinar focused on detection dogs but is relevant and beneficial to all dog breeders and enthusiasts who seek to produce and raise working dogs that can perform at high levels while maintaining pleasant demeanors and structural soundness.

    Dr. Battaglia will continue with part two of this program on Wednesday, May 21, 2025, at 7:30pm ET.  Click here to register.

    All webinar attendees were entered in a raffle to win an autographed copy of Dr. Battaglia’s latest publication, Training Your Puppy: A Guide to Their Development. The winner is Frank Leatherbury, of Alabama! Mr. Leatherbury, look for special mail coming your way!

    To learn more about Dr. Battaglia’s tools “Stick Dog & Symbol pedigrees” click here: https://www.breedingbetterdogs.com/

    To view the webinar in its entirety, click here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WIRrTcmrr88

     

    Nicholas King Presents ‘Selection & Development of Working Canines’ Webinar

    January 10, 2025

    The AKC Detection Dog Task Force (DDTF) welcomed industry expert and Patriotic Puppy Program Mentor, Nicholas King, of Von Der King Kennels and Training (VDK) for its latest educational webinar, “Selection & Development of Working Canines”. King delved into a wide variety of topics including cost analysis, building your individual skill set, selection of puppies/dogs and development of a breeding program and business.

    Cost analysis plays an important role in the framework and decision making of your breeding program. He ran through a variety of scenarios for developing breeding programs and a business, including how to analyze and make smart decisions. For example, should you consider opening an LLC?  When is it best to breed versus when is it better to buy a puppy?

    He reminded participants about the value of well-thought-out decisions when creating a budget to keep monthly and overall costs to a minimum. Considerations should include food, health preventatives, vaccinations and radiographs. Know when to cut your losses. Thoughtful choices will leave you with a larger profit margin.

    How to start building a skillset. Consider attending industry seminars, conferences, webinars and virtual meetings. Finding a mentor or professional in the field can offer new opportunities and introductions to other subject matter experts. AKC offers at no additional charge the AKC Confident Puppy course , which leverages broad expertise from the DDTF and the Patriotic Puppy Program to help dog owners and enthusiasts raise resilient, well-socialized  and confident dogs. The course provides a collection of educational resources for individual breeders, trainers, and puppy raisers.

    Nature v. Nurture: Genetics do matter! Utilize great genetics in combination with good training and development to increase your success. Develop individualized criteria for selection for breeding and/or buying. Considerations should include environmental testing, toy drive, and hunt/self-discovery. Nurture is crucial to the development of the selected genetic package. Genetics and training complement each other; genetic capability will not be reached without proper training and development.

    View this link to watch the webinar in its entirety.

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