The Ups and Downs of Bed Bug Detection Dog Ownership

Despite the positive publicity and a potential increase in bed bug work, owning and handling a bed bug detection dog can be difficult work, says Pepe Peruyero, chief executive officer, J&K Canine Academy. Companies considering a detection canine need to understand not just the upsides of ownership, but the reality of providing quality care for these service dogs.

“The dogs need to have a dedicated handler, and for those people, it’s a 24-hour-a-day job. Bed bug detection dogs cannot live at home just like a pet — it’s really a whole different lifestyle for these animals,” Peruyero explains. “People really need to understand the commitment that this type of job entails.”

For example, some companies keep the dogs in kennels similar to what the government does with customs dogs. Law enforcement handlers may only work a 32-hour week, because they spend the other eight hours maintaining their dogs. Also, companies need to have a dedicated dog vehicle as scent dogs can’t be exposed to chemicals or smoke on a regular basis because these smells will affect a dog’s olfactory system.

“We are much happier if someone realizes it’s not for them and walks away rather than getting a dog and the situation doesn’t work out, because if it fails for them, it fails for everyone and it impacts the industry as a whole,” Peruyero says. “We want to select the right dog for everyone but, at same time, there are certain boundaries. For instance, someone wanted us to train a Rottweiler. And while the dog had a great disposition, we didn’t feel that anyone would hire him.”

For more information on the J&K Canine Academy, visit www.jkk9.com, call 386/454-3647 or e-mail admin@jkk9.com.

For more information on bed bug detection dogs from the Florida Canine Academy, visit www.bedbugdog.com, e-mail info@bedbugdog.com or call 800/665-3364.