At ACT! we keep pushing the limits to help you to train detection to the next level
For more than six months I tested a wide range of UV liquids and powders to find the ideal formula for UV-based detection training. It had to be completely safe for dogs and handlers, clearly visible, and compatible with many types of target odors. After extensive trials with dogs, people, different materials, and a variety of environments, we finally found the perfect UV detection solution. This development builds on what we introduced earlier with the ACT! Result Tracker. That handheld scanner boosted handler confidence by making double-blind work easier and more reliable. It allowed trainers to work alone with their dog and receive immediate feedback on whether the alert was on a target or a distraction odor.
Now we are taking the next step by bringing UV feedback into detection training, offering an even cleaner, simpler, and more intuitive way to verify what your dog is telling you.
Why integrating UV detection into your dog training is absolutely brilliant
If you’ve been working with detection dogs for years, you’re well aware of the challenges: how to keep your dog focused on the odor that matters, how to prevent distractions, how to create reliable results when you’re training solo. That’s where UV‑detection technology steps in, and trust me, as a trainer you’re going to love it.
A leap forward in precision and control
By integrating UV soaks and UV lights into your training, you gain a level of control over odor placement, detection of residue, and distraction management that was previously very hard to achieve. You can immediately see if any trace materials have been left behind on equipment or surfaces, and rule out that your dog is reacting to anything other than the target odor. This not only improves the quality of your training but also boosts your confidence as a trainer.
What’s more, UV detection allows you to run truly double‑blind sessions. Ask someone to place the odor(s) in the field and leave te area. Then you enter and let your dog search independently. When the dog alerts, use UV light to confirm where the odors or residual traces actually were. Is the dog right, green light for target odor. Is the dog wrong, red light for placed distractions. This approach lets you gather objective data rather than relying on intuition or inadvertently cueing your dog.
Confidence as a trainer
For trainers, one of the biggest hidden pitfalls is giving subtle cues without realising it. Small changes in posture, where you look, how you breathe, or the slightest pause can all influence a detection dog. When a dog enters a search area and notices there is no helper, no familiar human scent, or senses hesitation from the handler, motivation can drop instantly. Many dogs simply conclude: “There’s nothing here.”
Research shows that detection dogs don’t only respond to odor. They also respond to context, patterns, and the expectations they read from the handler. And that is exactly what often happens in real operations: the dog learns in training that certain cues mean “there is something to find,” but in real deployments those cues vanish. As a result, the dog may work less motivated or lose clarity.
With UV detection training, all those cues are removed, while you still keep full control over confirming your dog’s work. When your dog shows interest, COB or TFR, you simply switch on your UV light. If the mark glows, you immediately know whether it was a target or a distraction and you can reward on the spot. No need for another trainer, no helper, no extra person confirming your dog’s performance. This allows you to train fully alone with your dog while still maintaining high-quality double-blind standards. It saves time, builds trust between you and your dog, and boosts your confidence because you learn to rely on a clean system instead of human cues.
By structuring your training with UV detection and double-blind protocols, you teach your dog to work on odor alone, exactly as required in real operations. And you step into the role of true coach, guiding the method instead of unintentionally guiding the dog. This shift strengthens performance, reliability, and your own professional confidence, often with a very big smile.
What makes UV detection so special?
Here are some concrete benefits you’ll experience right away:
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You can visualize residue or traces that would otherwise go unnoticed. Even when a scent carrier (soak) is removed, micro‑traces often remain, but for a dog’s nose they can matter. With UV light you can spot those traces and determine whether the dog may have reacted to them instead of the odor soak, valuable information! And this will help you to work much 'cleaner' than before.
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You can identify distractions or cross‑contamination. If a scent carrier or human handling has left invisible traces on the search area, UV detection highlights them, so you maintain cleanliness and reliability in your setup.
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You enable a double‑blind scenario: because you’re not assisting or signaling during the search, you work more objectively. After the search you scan with your UV‑light to check whether the odor was placed correctly or whether unintended traces were left behind. You now have objective instant feedback rather than guess‑work.
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You increase the dog’s motivation and focus: when the dog consistently works in an environment where only the correct odor counts and unwanted cues or residue are removed, the dog learns to home in on the target faster. Their confidence and precision improve.
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You elevate your role as a trainer: by adopting this scientific approach, you demonstrate you are current, professional, and serious about best practices. Clients or stakeholders see that you work with measurable control, data, and precision.
How a UV‑integrated session looks
Let’s walk through how you incorporate this method into your training:
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Preparation: Choose your target odor and any distraction odors. Ensure the environment is clean, no previous odor residues, minimal human handling. Use colored soaks or odor carriers (for example, green = target, red = distraction) and store in sealed bags (Mylar or similar) to prevent unintended contamination.
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Placement: Set the odor carriers in the search field, without the dog or handler knowing the exact locations. Leave the room and let dog team work alone. Now the dog will really work independently.
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Search process: The dog searches and signals interest, either through a Change of Behaviour (COB) or a full trained final response (TFR). The handler can check with the UV light if ititss a target odor or a distraction.
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With the UV light you can check the COB or TFR of your dog. Green means well done and you can directly reinforce without the need of more confirmation! Red means a distraction and you can immediatly give your dog feedback and handle.
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UV‑light scan: After the search, you use your UV light to scan the spots where odor carriers were placed, and check for any residual traces you can now see.
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Evaluation: Based on what you observe with UV, you assess the session: Was the odor placed correctly? Were there unintended marks or traces left? How did the dog perform? You now have objective feedback.
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Adjustment: Based on the results you refine your setup, clean surfaces, improve handling hygiene, increase distraction difficulty, vary search layout. Then run again.
Why trainers love this method
Because it’s simple, but powerful. It gives you more certainty, more measurable data, and less reliance on guesswork. For many trainers it means they don’t need a second helper in the room and can run high‑quality training solo. That means freedom and quality. This will boost the confidence in your dog! Moreover, UV detection aligns with the scientific mindset many modern trainers share: using repeatable methods, measurable outcomes, controlled variables. Research into odor availability and detection highlights that factors like surface, temperature, diffusion and packaging affect a dog’s performance. By adding UV‑technology, you’re gaining more control over these variables and bringing research‑based rigour to your training.
A thought to keep with you
“When I saw under UV light the spots where odor carriers had been placed, and realized how invisible residue could still remain, I experienced the moment where I knew my dog was responding solely to the target odor.” That clarity is what this method brings: ensuring the dog is responding as intended.
Practical examples
Imagine you place an odor carrier on a hard surface. After your dog searches you use the UV light and spot a faint fluorescent trace along the edge of the plate. You realise you or someone handling the plate left micro‑traces, nothing visible under normal light but detectable via UV. You now know that the dog may have responded in part to those traces. You correct your setup: cleaner surface, gloves, carriers not on the edge. The next session, no fluorescent trace, the dog responds directly and sharply, and you see the difference. Or, you use red soaks for distractions. You want your dog to respond only to the green target soaks. After the session you scan and find faint fluorescent marks on some red soaks due to handheld contamination. You realise those soaks inadvertently gave cues. You tweak your method, increase distance, refine handling, and the next session runs smoother; the dog is clearer in target identification.
Why start now?
Because you can begin today. You don’t need ultra‑complex gear. In the ACT! online store at www.detectiondogshop.com you can find all the UV equipment you need. Like different UV lights, UV soaks, Infusion sets, Mylar bags and more. Now you can elevate your training on a whole different level. Your work becomes more professional, your dog sharper, and your reputation as trainer stronger. No doubt: integrating UV detection elevates your training to a higher standard. You boost reliability, reduce uncertainty, and create a learning environment where both you and your dog perform at your best.
Conclusion
Adding UV technology to detection dog training isn’t a gimmick, it’s a smart, scientifically grounded improvement you’ll feel immediately. Whether you work with police dogs, military dogs, customs, or wildlife detection: the method is applicable and enhances your impact. As a trainer you step out of the zone of uncertainty (“Did the dog find the odor or something else?”) and into one of objective validation (“Yes, the odor was present, no residual cues, the dog gave the correct response”). That feeling of clarity, control and science‑backed method is invaluable.
I invite you to set up your first UV session today. Start small, evaluate, refine. And you’ll see your dog get sharper, and see your own confidence as a trainer grow. The future of detection dog training is smarter, cleaner, more visible than ever, with UV detection, you’re right there. Check the YouTube video about this by clicking this link.