Detection Dogs ... the need exceeds supply - Page 2

Good, agreed.

Now off the internet and start training.

Sunsilver, you think this is a once in a life time realization? You don't think people realize there is a lack of dogs? I know trainers making six figures training detection dogs due to the high demand...

What's the point of the post? Just point this out? If you want to do something to change it then change it, don't make a post on pedigree database expecting it to make some sort of difference in the real world.

So many keyboard jockeys...no one is willing to actually do something though...or should I say no one has the actual ability to do something. Easy to write a paragraph about it, not so easy to actually make a difference.

Pearce said the vapor-wake trained dogs cost $24,950 and dogs skilled in vapor-wake and standard explosive detection cost $29,950. The Labs trained in Anniston are used by law enforcement agencies across the country, including the New York Police Department and U.S. Capitol Police. Pearce said he couldn’t say with absolute certainty, but if one of his Labs had been at the Boston Marathon the pressure cooker bombs that killed three people might have been discovered before they went off. 

http://theinteractgroup.com/blog/police-dogs-in-big-demand/

Looks like the realities of the cost are improving. I think the right non-profit, with the right people and the right connections might be able to work this figure down.

I never before heard the term "vapor wave" - made me curious.

http://www.vetmed.auburn.edu/blog/cvm-news/vapor-wake-technology-granted-patent/

They do have a PATENT ?!?

http://www.amk9.com/about-us/company-history

And they already have a professional partner, giving courses ?!?

http://www.amk9.com/courses

In case they are good I guess the cheapest way for any department would be to send handler/dog teams over there for training - a non profit organization could evaluate suitable dogs, no matter the breed.

Are there any dog training facilities owned by government in the US, or are all of them privately owned?

I think that the idea of a non-profit sounds a lot better in theory than it would be in practice. Non-profits rely on annual donations, investment income from a large endowment, or government subsidies (government contracts to perform social services). Take a look at some of the larger service dog organizations and their financials…you’re talking millions in revenue and also assets in order to attain the scale necessary to not just provide the dogs to people, but also have a big enough reach to solicit more donations. Most people believe OTHERS should do this type of work for discounted rates…it’s easy to tell other people to take pay cuts for “the greater good” (especially on the internet). The truth is, the field is very competitive, the skills many trainers have are quite sought after and require a competitive salary. The scale necessary to allow less people to train more dogs will need a fairly large initial capital investment. A handful of people can train dozens of dogs if those dogs are in kennels…one person can only train so many if they’re living in their home and it’s just a side job.

Most don’t understand the competition and profit that this field has. It’s the type of business and money that isn’t very friendly to the way a non-profit has to function. It’s a fun discussion to have, but most are going to think with their hearts and not with their heads. Google/research some of the other firms that are currently doing this type of work. Anything from for-profit dual-purpose/detection training facilities to large service dog organizations to small time 3 employee businesses that try to get by. You’ll be surprised at what you find.

Worst case scenario lots of well meaning people with half ass dogs diverting resources away from the big guys.

A better option would be to donate money to an existing org that is established or donate time shovelling shit, walking puppies...etc.

Lots of non experience with venture non-profits, doing the lecturing. Luckily for some, this is my wheelhouse.

We donate several. Your Dallas (DoNut) my Drako, possibly another this year.

We donate about 1 a year.

Melissa

I think the hardest piece of the puzzle would be finding training staff. Its close to impossible to find trainers for anything. With the job market in the toilet for much of the US I would have thought it would get easier to find some decent or talented staff for training decoy etc. Nope