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Our Mission

“Consistency is the basic foundation for proficiency which allows you to measure how efficient and effective your canine team performance can be.”

The security of our nation has significantly changed. The rapid growth and concern for security has been catapulted to the forefront of all of America, with the number one focus being to protect life and property.

This website is designed to introduce our organization to you and make you aware of the need for qualified Explosive Detection Dog teams. Our organization will ensure that the Explosive Security Detection teams that you might employ for these services meet superior standards.

Our vision at The Parker K-9 Group, LLC is to provide you with the necessary services to ensure that your Explosive Detection program is highly effective, credible and meets and exceeds industry standards.

The Parker K-9 Group, LLC will assist you in evaluating the effectiveness of your teams through certification and validation testing. Our services will identify problems, correct those problems, and enhance your program. For more information CONTACT US

For TPK9G Homemade Explosives video Click Here






Explosive Detection

Explosive detection dogs (EDD) are specially trained canines that are used to identify explosives and explosive materials.

They play a crucial role in security operations, helping to ensure safety in various environments such as airports, military facilities, and large public events.

Training

  • Basic Obedience:

    The training process begins with basic obedience, where dogs learn commands such as sit, stay, come, and heel. This foundational training is vital for building a strong handler-dog relationship.

  • Scent Discrimination:

    Dogs are trained to recognize specific scents associated with different explosives. This involves:

    • Scent Familiarization:

      Dogs are introduced to various explosive materials, often starting with safe samples.

    • Positive Reinforcement:

      The dog learns to associate the target scent with a reward (usually food or play) to encourage positive detection behavior.

  • Search Techniques:

    Dogs are taught to perform systematic searches in various environments. This includes:

    • Area Searches:

      Covering large spaces, like airports or stadiums.

    • Vehicle Searches:

      Inspecting cars, trucks, and other vehicles.

    • Package and Luggage Searches:

      Detecting explosives in bags or parcels.

  • Distraction Training**:

    To prepare for real-world scenarios, dogs are trained to maintain focus despite distractions, such as crowds, noise, and other animals.

  • Alert Behavior:

    Dogs must learn specific alert behaviors to signal to their handlers when they detect an explosive.

    Common alerts include sitting, lying down, or indicating with their nose.

Certification Process

  • Initial Evaluation:

    After completing their training, dogs undergo an initial assessment to evaluate their detection capabilities, obedience, and behavior in different situations.

  • Certification by an Authority:

    Certification is typically conducted by recognized organizations or governmental bodies. The process often involves:

    • Practical Testing:

      Dogs are required to locate hidden explosives in various settings and demonstrate their alert behavior.

    • Standardized Protocols:

      Testing usually follows established protocols to ensure consistency and reliability.

    • :

      Detecting explosives in bags or parcels.

  • Ongoing Training and Recertification:

    After initial certification, EDDs and their handlers must participate in regular training sessions and recertification assessments to maintain their skills. This ensures they stay current with detection techniques and can adapt to new types of explosives.

  • Documentation:

    Successful certification is documented, and handlers maintain records of their dogs training, performance, and any updates on certifications.

Overall, explosive detection dogs are highly skilled professionals that require extensive training and regular evaluation to effectively perform their critical role in public safety and security.



Vapor Wake

Protecting a Nation in Transit

These dogs (Vapor Detect dogs) can detect target scents minutes after a person has left the immediate area. This detection is an extremely effective method in the war on terrorism in identifying possible suicide bombers and explosives left behind for deployment. Click here

Vapor Detect dogs can detect target scents up to 50 feet away from the original source. Far more sensitive, far more adaptable, and far more mobile than any machine, vapor wake dogs represents years of research by doctors and scientist at Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine”

The vapor wake k-9 team train on a daily basis. they are trained to search for suicide bombers. They practice by selecting one person [planted with explosives] as a decoy. The decoy walks through a crowded station, and the dog is trained to detect the particular odor of the explosive. This is the best equipment we have.

Vapor Wake Dogs (VWDs) are specially trained canines that can detect the presence of explosives or narcotics carried by individuals, even as they move through a crowd.

This capability is particularly useful in high-traffic areas like airports, stadiums, and other public venues where traditional detection methods might be less effective.

The vapor wake dog is resource intensive, and the magnitude of the training is high.

Training

  • Basic Obedience:

    Before specialized training, dogs must master basic commands and socialization skills. This foundation is essential for effective communication between the handler and the dog.

  • Scent Detection:

    Dogs are trained to recognize specific scents associated with explosives or narcotics or weapons. This includes associating the target scent with a reward, usually food or play.

  • Movement Detection

    VWDs learn to follow a persons scent trail, focusing on the vapor trail left by items like explosives. This requires training in various environments to ensure the dog can perform under different conditions.

  • Crowd Navigation:

    The dogs are trained to work in crowded and dynamic settings, learning to remain focused and not get distracted by the environment or people.

  • Alert Behavior

    Dogs must learn how to signal to their handler when they detect a target scent, which may involve sitting, staying, or using a specific behavior.

Certification Process

  • Assessment of Skills:

    Once the dogs complete their training, they undergo rigorous assessments to evaluate their detection capabilities and obedience in real-world scenarios.

  • Certification by Authorities:

    Certification is typically conducted by a recognized authority or organization specializing in canine detection. This process may involve practical evaluations, where dogs must successfully detect and alert to hidden scents in various situations.

  • Continuous Evaluation:

    After initial certification, dogs and their handlers usually participate in regular recertification processes and ongoing training to maintain their skills and adapt to new techniques or threats.

  • Documentation:

    Successful completion of the certification process is documented, and handlers must keep up-to-date records of the dogs training and performance.

Overall, Vapor Wake Dogs play a vital role in enhancing security in public spaces, leveraging their keen sense of smell and extensive training to help detect threats effectively.

These dogs represent a new breed of bomb-detecting "technology," the word given to the identification and training of dogs capable not only of sniffing out explosives in static environments, but when carried on a person. Called Vapor Wake®, this type of bomb detection involves the trained dog sampling suspect airborne particles from a human's wake and tracing the scent back to its source. This typically can be accomplished 45 seconds or more after a dog has crossed the suspect's wake.


picture of CEO with Labs
CEO with Labs
Video

Vapor Wake Detecting demo before Congress
picture of CEO testifying before Congress
Testifying before Congress
picture of CEO testifying before Congress
Testifying before Congress


Publications






About The Parker K9 Group

Our ability to provide on- site training and identification of advanced canine detection capabilities allows the canine teams to search the air in large groups of people by one of the Nations most recognized program experts in the field thus setting Parker K-9 Group apart from the majority of industry providers. This additional area of expertise allows for added defense against the common threat of suicide bombers and individuals carrying explosive devices on their person/baggage and makes us unique in our service offering. This capability is best utilized in areas where pedestrian traffic is at a high volume, and the patrons rely on the organization to provide a safe secure environment. This advanced capability is a new development within the industry and has proven to be a great success since its initial employment in 2008.

For Explosives video (Click Here).

With 45+ years of experience the Parker K-9 group prides itself on providing a wide array of services:

List of Services

  • Validation & Certification Testing
  • Establishment of Training Program
  • Full K-9 Program Development & Assessment
  • Multi-level Training
  • Third Party Evaluation
  • Ask about our other services
MGM Security Team

This team supports approximately 200 hundred Security Officers and Special Police Officers. This 1.4 billion dollar property sits on twenty-three (23) acres.

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MGM National Harbor
Annual Evaluation Certification

























Background

A majority of the detection dogs in the working dog industry have no certification / validation standards to adhere to. Since 9-11, the security of our nation has significantly changed. Concerns for security has grown Rapidly thus increasing our need for qualified Explosive Detection Dog Team (EDDT) services. For years EDDTs have provided critical support for our nation’s security, whether in the air, on land or at sea. They have provided added security for The President of the United States, Congress, Dignitaries and VIPs.

The potential for loss of life or serious bodily injury due to a criminal or terrorist act can be catastrophic. One of the most effective countermeasures to the increasing use of explosives by a terrorist or criminal is the deterrent value and the accuracy of the detection capability of an EDDT. With that being said, having a credible explosive detection program is critical.

In order to determine the effectiveness of an EDDTs ability, certain standards must be met, measured and maintained. This is accomplished when a system is put in place to ensure quality control and compliance. This system consists of employing a highly qualified evaluator to test and certify the EDDT prior to and during the time they are deployed in their operational environment.







MGM Foundation Golf Tournament 2023

MGM Resorts International Supplier Diversity Program

MGM Foundation Golf Tournament

MGM Diversity Mentorship Program

TPK9G Abroad: Jamaica

TPK9G Abroad: Jordan

TPK9G Abroad: Abu Dhabi 2015