AKC Detection Dog Webinars

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

January 10, 2025

On Wednesday, 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.

AKC Detection Dog Task Force Hosts Webinar Discussing Canine Nutrition and Working Dogs

February 22, 2024

Nutrition is a critical part of caring for a working dog.  Not just to ensure the dog’s health, but also to help the dog perform its jobs at the optimum level.

Yesterday, the AKC Detection Dog Task Force (DDTF) hosted a webinar entitled “Working Canine Nutrition – The State of the Science” with guest speaker Dr. Erin Perry, Ph.D., M.S., from Southern Illinois University.  Dr. Perry shared her extensive expertise and knowledge to cover a broad range of issues surrounding this important topic.

Perry’s detailed, scientific talk included how nutrition can impact everything from a dog’s brain function to its sense of smell, and how understanding the specific needs of your working dog is essential to optimal performance.  She also noted that diet should vary based on the dog’s breed and activity level.  Dr. Perry also provided scientific studies and facts surrounding various diets often discussed by the general public, including vegan, raw food, and grain free diets.

Yesterday’s webinar is part of the ongoing AKC Detection Dog Task Force Webinar Series, and is the second in which Dr. Perry discussed the importance of nutrition for working dogs.

Dr. Perry will speak in greater depth on this topic at the AKC 2024 National Detection Dog Conference, where she will be presenting, “Canine Nutrition – GI Stability in Working Dogs: Managing Diets to Improve Gut Health.”

To learn more about the AKC Detection Dog Task Force and view past webinars and DDTF resources visit www.akc.org/edc.

View this link to watch the webinar in its entirety.

October 2023 – AKC Detection Dog Task Force Hosts Webinar: “Ways to Improve Training Efficiency” (Blog and link to recording)

June 2023 – DDTF Webinar: Working Dog Veterinary Care, Your K9 Athlete’s Health (Blog and link to recording)

April – Law Enforcement K9s: The Crucial Value of Proper Training and Certification (Blog and link to recording)

January – Robustness in Training with Jay Crafter – Part 2 – K9 Handler Selection in Crucial Conservation Work (Blog and link to recording)

December 2022 – Robustness in Training with Jay Crafter – Handler and K9 in Crucial Conservation Work (Blog & click link to view recording)

June 2022 – AKC DDTF Webinar Series – Now Available Online: Latest Detection Dog Webinar: 9 – 12 Month Puppies, Getting Started Right For Detection Work (Blog & click link to view recording)

April 2022 – Webinar Examines the Impact of Pandemic on Detection Dog Industry (Blog & click link to view recording)

March 2022 – Detection Dog Task Force Launches The Confident Puppy e-Learning Course (Blog & click link to view recording)

January 19, 2022 – AKC DDTF Webinar Series – Industry Experts Discuss Key Factors in Raising 6-9 Month Puppies for Detection (Blog & click link to view recording)

November 10, 2021 – AKC DDTF Webinar Series – Recap and Recording: Dogs that Work Need Diets that Work (Blog & click link to view recording)

August 31, 2021 – AKC DDTF Webinar Series – Webinar Highlights Essential Qualities at 3 – 6 Months for Future Detection Dogs (Blog & click link to view recording)

Questions & Answers: 3 -6 Month Puppies, Getting Started Right for Detection Work

July 2021 – AKC DDTF Webinar Series – Webinar Highlights Program Changes That Could Positively Impact Detection Dog Shortage (Blog & click link to view recording)

June 2021 – AKC DDTF Webinar Series – Getting Puppies Started Right for Detection: Experts Compare and Contrast Successful Approaches – Part 2 (Blog & click link to view recording)

May 2021 – In-Person Seminar in Hillsborough NC – ‘Detection Dog Training Begins with a Responsible Breeder’. Please click here to view a post seminar blog about the event.

April 1, 2021 – AKC DDTF Webinar Series – “Exploring Issues, Challenges and Recommendations for Improving Government Acquisition of US-Bred Working Dogs”. (Blog & click link to view recording)

Feb. 25, 2021 – AKC DDTF Webinar Series – “So Your Dog Isn’t Cut Out for Explosives Detection? Here Are Other Opportunities.” Click here to view a recording

January 6, 2021 – AKC DDTF Webinar Series – “Getting Puppies Started Right for Detection: Experts Compare and Contrast Successful Approaches.” Click here to view a recording

*Jan. 25, 2021 – Please find Questions & Answers from the webinar.

*Please find a recording of this online event here:

AKC’s Patriotic Puppy Program: Program Updates and a Conversation with Stacey West

*Please find Questions & Answers from this Webinar: Q&A_Final