Phoenix Bed Bug Dog Service

By Keith Coddington Cimex K9, LLC announces the addition of two more bed bug dogs to our Phoenix, Arizona based operation plus two more bed bug dogs for our out of state operations as we continue to contract with national and regional pest control companies.

Cimex K9 also recently added a former military canine handler / trainer to our staff to assist us with our new additions in order to provide the highest quality bed bug dog detection services on the market today.

Cimex K9 certifies their teams through an independent third party called the World Detector Dog Organization.  The owner of Cimex K9 is also a Certified Detection Dog Trainer through the WDDO and is licensed by the Arizona State Office of Pest Management.

For the past two years Cimex K9’s bed bug dogs have been servicing private residences, hotels, summer-camps, local, state and federal facilities with our discrete proactive and reactive inspection services.

Cimex K9 is an accredited business through the Better Business Bureau that maintains an A rating with an unmatched regard for customer service.

For more information Contact Cimex K9 at 888-928-4364

Consumer beware: Investigate before you hire a Bedbug Dog! Phoenix, Arizona

By Keith Coddington There is no doubt that the nationwide bedbug epidemic has turned into an enormous business opportunity which looks extremely attractive in today’s economy.   The bedbug epidemic is nationwide and Phoenix, Arizona has not been spared.  Experts agree the bedbug problem will get much worse before it gets better.

There will be more and more start-up companies trying to cash in on this opportunity which is not necessarily a bad thing, however consumers need to be sure to research the company they are about to hire especially when it comes to bedbug dogs.

The problem is that there is currently no set standard, license or industry-wide recognized certification for bedbug detection dogs teams.  As of now anyone can simply claim they have a trained bedbug detection dog.   A system of consistent quality control in this highly specialized field is lacking.  The good news is that there are several different organizations already addressing this issue and a long-term industry-wide solution is on the horizon.

Cimex K9 is promoting and currently working on the implementation of a state sponsored certification process for search teams to ensure consumers are protected and receive the best quality service possible.

So you may wonder:  How do I hire a reputable detection dog company?

1.       Ask if the dogs are certified.  If so which certification agency?  Ask for proof.

2.       Is the certifying organization operated by the same person that trained and sold the dog?  If so this is a conflict of interest and you should be very skeptical of the legitimacy of this type of “certification”.  The organization must be an independent uninterested third party.

3.       Certification must be of the Team which includes the dog and handler.

4.       Is the certification in real-world conditions?  Is it a double-blind test?

5.       Who trains and maintains the detection dogs?  There is a difference between handlers and trainers.  Trainers train the dogs and the handlers from scratch.  Handlers are trained to use a dog that has already been trained, and aren’t qualified to train other handlers and dogs.  Not many areas have actual trainers on-hand  to maintain the detection dog teams, but when available this is an issue worth considering from a quality control perspective.

6.       Ask for references.  Of course any business will always give out the customer’s names that have had good experiences with them.  The best reference for a bedbug detection dog would be to ask for an apartment complex that has used their bedbug detection dogs frequently over the past year.  This can give you a much clearer picture of the company’s performance.

7.       Does the company, trainer and/or handler have any prior experience with detection dogs?

If the company you are about to hire can’t easily answer all of the questions above you may want to look elsewhere.  Until there is a set industry standard regarding bedbug detection dog certifications the questions above are the best way to ensure protection for the consumer.

-Keith Coddington

owner/trainer

Cimex K9, LLC

888-928-4364

Phoenix Bedbug Detection Dog Services

By Keith Coddington

Phoenix, AZ based Cimex K9 search teams are currently employed by various pest control companies across Arizona.  We boast the fact that we are currently the only third party certified detection dog teams maintained by a certified detection dog trainer in the state of Arizona.  It is extremely important for consumers to be aware of this fact as more and more bedbug detection dog companies start popping up that are not third party certified, experienced in the field of detection canines and have little if any quality control standards in place.

We have a genuine concern for this industry considering how specialized this field is and how there is currently a total lack of a certification requirement or required testing when it comes to bedbug detection dogs.  Anyone can currently simply state that their dog is a bedbug detection dog and there is no way for a consumer to know the difference.

Cimex K9, has chosen to certify our search teams through the World Detector Dog Organization.  The WDDO is fortunate to have Dr. Larry Meyers as our quality control advisor.  Dr. Meyers began his research on detection dogs in 1982 and continues his research at Auburn University.  Dr. Meyers and David Latimer are the WDDO’s certifying officials and developed the only double-blind certification procedure which is the most stringent and real-world certification available.

Keith Coddington

Owner / Trainer / Handler

Cimex K9, LLC

Phoenix, AZ

888-928-4364

Scottsdale, AZ hosts Bedbug dog Certifications

By Keith Coddington

Phoenix, AZ based Cimex K9 held their annual K9 Bedbug Search team certifications this week at a hotel in Scottsdale, AZ.  The location was chosen because it has never had a bedbug infestation and was also swept by a certified K9 bedbug team before the testing.

A total of five teams tested and certified this week.  Four of the teams were from Cimex K9 and one from Las Vegas 

The certifying official conducting the testing was Master Trainer David Latimer.  The testing was proctored by entomologists from the University of Arizona including Dawn Gouge Ph.D. Associate Professor / Associate Specialist and Bryan Stevens MSc. Assistant in Extension.

Cimex K9 feels it is extremely important to educate consumers on the proper use of bedbug dogs and proper certification.  As of now anyone can claim their dog is a bedbug detection dog as there is no license/certification standardization statewide or nationally.  It is up to each company to choose the best method of certification if they choose any at all.

Cimex K9 trains and maintains their own bedbug dog inspection teams and certifies them through the World Detector Dog Organization which is an independent third party.  The World Detector Dog Organization certifies various types of detection dogs for commercial and governmental agencies and is the only bedbug dog certification to utilize a double-blind system.

Should you choose to hire a detection dog or wish to certify your detection dog you should research the certification.  Some of the key points to look for in a legitimate certification:

Is the organization a third party?

Is the organization conducting their testing in real-world conditions?

Is the testing conducted using a double-blind method?

Is there a certifying official and proctor present during the testing?

If you would like to join the World Detector Dog Organization or have more questions about their certification procedure please visit their website at www.WDDO.org

Keith Coddington

Owner / Trainer / Handler

Cimex K9, LLC

How Cimex K9 is raising the bar with their Bedbug K9 Detection Program...

By Keith Coddington

First of all,  we would like to make it clear that we are not trying to bad-mouth our competitors or their program.  We are simply informing our consumers that there is an enormous difference between our program and our local competitor.  We have a genuine concern regarding the future use of bedbug detection dogs as others in Arizona are using and maintaining the dogs incorrectly.  Operating an accurate and successful detection dog program takes an enormous amount of work, expertise and knowledge.

Q: Who Trained the K9s?

A: We train dogs from start to finish.

Q: Who trained the handlers?

A: We train handlers and match them with a K9 that suits them.

Q: Who certified the search teams?

A: The USA Detector Dog Association which is an independent third party certifies our Canine Teams.

Q: How are the search teams certified?

A: The Canines are certified in accordance with the National Pest Management Association's guidelines for bed bug detection dogs.

Q: How much experience in detection dog work?

A: Dog behavior and training is our specialty and always has been.  We have been in the business for many years.  Our President and founder has been handling detection dogs for years.   Before bedbug dogs he trained and operated a private narcotic detection K-9 company and still operates Natural Instincts, a dog training / behavior business and Interquest Detection Canines of Arizona, a contraband detection dog business.

Q: How are the search teams maintained?

A: Teams that we have trained and maintain are worked with on a daily basis with our detection dog trainer to insure we are setting the new standard in pest detection.  We have the skills, experience and knowledge to deal with common problems like false alerts or failure to detect odor.

Q: How does the detection dog program compare to a government agency or police department that uses detection dogs?

A: After the K9s are trained the search team handler course can take from several weeks to months before the team is certified.  Additionally our program of training, maintaining and certification goes above and beyond any typical government agency’s guidelines.