Training a bed bug detection dog isn’t just about teaching it to sniff out pests. It’s a massive commitment of time, money, and mindset. In this episode, we sit down with Diego Rodriguez, Tech Specialist and K-9 Team Supervisor at Preventive Pest Control in Las Vegas, to explore what it really takes to build and maintain a top-tier canine detection team. From the biology of bed bugs to the psychology of a good handler, Diego pulls back the curtain on the reality of this niche pest control approach. He shares what makes a great canine-handler duo, how to know if a detection dog fits your business model, and why training the human is just as important as training the dog.

Join us as we discuss: 

• [6:37] How to determine if a detection dog is right for your company 

• [13:30] What to look for in a pest detection dog and a handler

• [20:24] The biggest challenges and rewards of working with detection dogs

  
  

Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:

• Register for Ignite 2026

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