Detection Dogs

Since 2020, detection has been at the heart of what we do at APEX canine. Our passion lies in harnessing the incredible power of a dog’s nose - training them to locate and identify targets that support conservation, research and community needs.

We personally train and handle our own detection dogs, ensuring every dog is not only highly skilled but also confident, motivated and consistent. Beyond our own team, we assist professional trainers and handlers who are facing challenges in their detection programs, offering troubleshooting, performance assessments and tailored coaching to get both dog and handler working in sync.

We also collaborate closely with rescues and working dog organisations to assess, train and place dogs that show strong potential for detection work. This allows us to assist in helping awesome, high drive dogs (that generally don’t make great pets!) find purpose and thrive in meaningful careers.

Our current operational dogs are trained in the detection of:

• Koala scat - supporting population and habitat monitoring efforts

• Rodent - aiding in pest management and eradication programs

• Plant pathogens - assisting in biosecurity and agricultural protection

Education is also a core part of our mission. We regularly present demonstrations, workshops and seminars covering scent detection training, canine olfaction, and scent movement - designed for everyone from beginners to professionals. An online detection training course is currently in development and will be available in the near future.

whether you’re looking to utilise or develop a detection dog, troubleshoot training challenges, or learn the art and science of scent yourself, we offer private lessons and online consultations.

Send us a message to find out how we can help you and your dog reach your full potential in detection work.