Practical, Science-backed Tactics for Producing Operationally Relevant Detection Dogs

While detection canines have the potential to provide unmatched capability in terms of speed, mobility, selectivity, and sensitivity, common training pitfalls and missteps can have long-lasting detrimental effects on their realized.

Thursday
,
Aug 27, 2026
1:30 pm
-
3:30 pm
Instructor(s):
Kevin Good
View full class scheduleRegister for HITS 2026
Kevin Good presenting Practical, Science-backed Tactics for Producing Operationally Relevant Detection Dogs at HITS.
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Class overview

While detection canines have the potential to provide unmatched capability in terms of speed, mobility, selectivity, and sensitivity, common training pitfalls and missteps can have long-lasting detrimental effects on their realized abilities. Geared towards explosives detection, but helpful to all disciplines, this classroom instruction aims to share longstanding and novel best practices to use to achieve a relevant, robust detection capability. One area of emphasis will be the need to pursue realism and diversity in our training. In this context, much of the focus is on the concentration of odor that is anticipated to result from authentic hides/devices. Scenario and training aid parameters that can be manipulated for our benefit are discussed. Analytical results from smokeless powder configurations are provided. Other topics to be covered include the not-so-obvious benefits of the use of non-targets in detection exercises and problematic “cheats” that canines use to their advantage in training and testing.   

This session explains:

  • While detection canines have the potential to provide unmatched capability in terms of speed, mobility, selectivity, and sensitivity, common training
  • Geared towards explosives detection, but helpful to all disciplines, this classroom instruction aims to share longstanding and novel best practices
  • One area of emphasis will be the need to pursue realism and diversity in our training.
  • In this context, much of the focus is on the concentration of odor that is anticipated to result from authentic hides/devices.
Light beige paper texture background with subtle fibers and creases.Light beige paper texture background with subtle fibers and creases.Light beige paper texture background with subtle fibers and creases.Light beige paper texture background with subtle fibers and creases.Light beige paper texture background with subtle fibers and creases.
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About the instructor

Kevin Good

Kevin Good is an engineer at Battelle specializing in science-backed detection dog production.

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What past attendees say

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Go to HITS. It's a great class. Great conference. This is the third one that I've been to. I try and go every time. They change up the classes. It's offered for detection and apprehension or patrol canines. All the classes are great. You should definitely check it out. I'm going to try and come back next year.

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Greg Edlund
Broward Sheriff Office

Hi, this is Brian Laas. I'm from Arvada, Colorado. This is about my second or third time with HITS, and I've enjoyed it greatly. I like the vast amount of instructors' backgrounds, so even though I've come once or twice before, I'm always gaining a lot of knowledge. This is a great seminar for both the new and the old handlers. I think you can't go wrong coming here. It's a good time and well-spent money for your department.

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Brian Laas
Arvada Police Department

Hi, my name is Neil with U.S. Park Police. This is the first time I ever attend HITS and it's great training. A lot of different courses that definitely benefit my career. I've been a handler for 14 years now. I'm still learning and I recommend people to come down here and learn something.

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Neil
US Park Police

Been to hits a couple times, keeps getting better every time. This year it's been amazing, a lot of people, a lot of great classes, great camaraderie between all the agencies here. It's a good time, I highly recommend it.

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Unknown Attendee

Hi, Mark with BCBK9 here at HITS 2017, lets you know what a success it was. Tons of handlers, tons of great classes. We're really glad that we drove all the way out from Missouri and we're looking forward to 2018 being in DC and we hope to see you all there.

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Mark
BCB K9

Yeah, this is my first time it hits. It was a great time. Actually, I've been to a lot of conferences before. This is definitely the best.

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Attendee
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Secure your seat at HITS 2026

Legal defensibility is not theoretical. It is tested in court.

This class helps handlers and agencies prepare before that moment arrives.

Register for HITS 2026
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Explore other HITS classes

The Drug Canine Legal Update is one part of a broader HITS program designed to strengthen deployment judgment, detection reliability, and operational decision-making in the field. Additional sessions expand that learning across tracking, behavior, detection science, and tactical leadership.

View full class schedule
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