The future of detection dog training with NOTA
Two years ago, while working in the USA, I was introduced by Liliy Strassberg to NOTA—Novel Odor Training Aid. From the very first moment, I was captivated. The science behind it, the possibilities it offers, and its potential to revolutionize the detection dog world were undeniable. Now, I have the incredible opportunity to bring NOTA beyond the USA and make it available for you. I can’t wait to see how this innovation enhances training and elevates detection dog performance worldwide!
After 30+ years in the field, I have seen countless training methods, tools, and theories come and go. Some worked, some didn’t. However, one thing has remained the same: the need for consistent, reliable, and objective training methods. Detection dogs play an essential role in our society, from narcotics and explosives detection to medical alerts, wildlife conservation, and even bed bug detection. Their reliability is crucial, yet we continue to face one major challenge:
The problem with traditional odor training
Most K9 detection programs use Odor Recognition Tests (ORTs) to ensure their dogs are reliable. However, there’s a weak link—the target odor itself.
Every batch of target odor 
can vary in composition, purity, and concentration. Environmental factors like temperature, humidity, and airflow change how an odor behaves, making it difficult to standardize training and testing. This inconsistency can lead to unreliable detection results, false alerts, and court challenges.
can vary in composition, purity, and concentration. Environmental factors like temperature, humidity, and airflow change how an odor behaves, making it difficult to standardize training and testing. This inconsistency can lead to unreliable detection results, false alerts, and court challenges.Trainers have tried to work around this issue. Some start by imprinting their dogs on non-operational odors like tennis balls or Kong pieces, which can cause serious problems later. A detection dog must be trained on specific and controlled odors, not something they may randomly encounter in the real world. On the other hand, imprinting a dog directly on narcotics or explosives from the start locks them into one career path, making large-scale K9 unit management less flexible.
So, how do we standardize training, improve reliability, and create more flexible detection dogs?
The solution: NOTA
NOTA is a scientifically designed training odor developed by olfactory experts and validated through extensive research. It does not exist in the operational world, meaning it is fully controlled, standardized, and measurable.
With NOTA, we can:
-
Imprint young and green dogs without limiting their future career path
-
Objectively test and calibrate detection dogs, ensuring they are reliable
-
Standardize ORTs and eliminate variability in training aids
-
Provide court-admissible validation of a dog’s detection ability
-
Allow government agencies, vendors, and private trainers to use the same testing system
What NOTA brings to the detection dog community
-
Imprinting – Train green dogs without pre-selecting their future specialization.
-
Testing Dogs – Determine if a dog has true detection skills
-
Testing Trainers – Measure training effectiveness
-
Buying & Selling – Vendors and agencies can evaluate dogs objectively
-
Calibrating Dogs – Check performance levels before operations
-
Health Checks – Identify olfactory health issues early
-
Maintenance Training – Keep detection skills sharp over time
-
Research & Development – A stable odor for scientific studies
-
Objective Exams – Standardized certification processes
-
Courtroom Reliability – Prevent legal challenges to K9 evidence
-
Vendor Transparency – Ensure quality before purchase
-
Improved Pairing Methods – Enhance training efficiency
-
Operational Testing – Confirm dogs are mission-ready
-
Competitive Standardization – Fair and measurable trials
A new future for detection dogs
Imagine a world where every detection dog starts their training with NOTA.
-
A vendor can confidently sell a dog, knowing that government agencies or private handlers can test them using (their own) NOTA.
-
A K9 manager can keep a flexible stockpile of trained dogs, ready to be assigned to narcotics, explosives, or any other detection work.
-
A handler returning from leave can quickly verify their dog’s detection skills before heading into the field.
-
A trainer can assess a dog’s ability objectively before committing to a long-term training plan.
-
A research lab or K9 school can conduct experiments on scent detection without worrying about legal restrictions or operational odor contamination.
NOTA for realistic and versatile training scenarios
One of the biggest challenges in detection dog training is ensuring that the training environment closely mirrors real-world operational settings. Many traditional training odors have restrictions due to safety, legality, or public concern. However, a vigilance aid eliminates these barriers, allowing handlers to:
-
Train in public spaces such as airports, transportation hubs, shopping centers, and other high-traffic areas without legal or safety concerns.
-
Enhance environmental proofing by exposing dogs to everyday distractions, increasing their reliability in real-life deployments.
-
Improve operational readiness by refining search techniques in real-world environments instead of being limited to controlled training areas.
Consistent exposure without risk
Many traditional training substances have handling and storage limitations, requiring strict protocols that can disrupt or limit training frequency. A vigilance aid provides:
-
Safe and compliant use in various locations without raising alarms or requiring special permissions.
-
Frequent exposure opportunities in everyday environments help maintain a dog’s detection skills without logistical challenges.
-
Better adaptability for different missions, as handlers can prepare dogs for real-world conditions without worrying about legal or ethical concerns.
Greater flexibility in training progression
Since NOTA, as a vigilance aid, is available in multiple concentrations, trainers can:
-
Gradually introduce the odor in public areas to build the dog’s focus and confidence.
-
Increase difficulty progressively, ensuring detection accuracy in dynamic environments.
-
Develop tailored training plans that align with real-world operational needs.
What this means for handlers
In short, having a vigilance aid means detection dog handlers are no longer restricted to controlled environments. Instead, they can seamlessly integrate training into real-world settings, ensuring their dogs are fully prepared for the unpredictable nature of detection work. This leads to more reliable, adaptable, and confident detection teams, ultimately improving performance in the field.
The science behind NOTA
Since 2013, Florida International University scientists have worked on developing a Universal Detector Calibrant (UDC). This allows the calibration of biological and instrumental detectors, making it a groundbreaking tool for the detection dog world. If you want to read more about this, check this
Calibrating canines—a universal detector calibrant for detection
NOTA produced under the highest laboratory standards
This innovation is introduced by Tetracore Inc., a leading biotechnology research and development organization specializing in cutting-edge kits, assays, reagents, and detection instruments. Under Novel Odor Training Aid (NOTA), they have developed and made this groundbreaking training and test odor available to detection dog trainers worldwide. NOTA is produced under the highest laboratory standards, ensuring consistency and reliability for detection dog training.
NOTA behaves similarly to real-world odors, meaning dogs follow it just like they would follow narcotics, explosives, or medical scents. However, because NOTA is not a real operational odor, it provides an objective, standardized way to test and train dogs without contamination or legal risks.
The NOTA Training System
NOTA is available in multiple concentrations and will be delivered in TADDS—100, 10, 1, 0.1, 0.01, 0.001, 0.0001—along with 1 blank TADD and 1 control TADD. This allows trainers to:
• Determine a dog’s sensitivity level
• Gradually increase detection difficulty
• Fine-tune training based on real data
The Game Changer in K9 Training
As the official NOTA dealer outside the USA, I am proud to introduce this revolutionary tool to the global K9 detection community. NOTA is more than just another training aid—it’s a paradigm shift in how we train, test, and deploy detection dogs. If you are serious about improving the future of detection dog training, NOTA is the way forward. Are you ready to take your detection dog training to the next level? Find your NOTA at detectiondogshop.com