Blogs by Stu Phillips

Blank searches are not wasted time — they are the foundation of reliable detection dog work. From exposing handler influence to building search stamina and independence, blanks prepare teams for the real world where most searches result in nothing found. In detection dog work, blank isn’t empty — it’s where trust is built.

An “empty” suitcase caused both Customs detection dogs to show a change of behaviour — proving how easily contamination creeps into training. This blog explores why strict controls, fresh kit, and trusting our dogs are vital.

Empty, unused buildings — what I call dead environments — are a favourite for detection dog training. They’re quiet, predictable, and free from hazards, making them great for introducing green dogs or setting up controlled hides. But when used too often, especially by multiple agencies with different odours, they become contaminated, stagnant, and misleading. The result? Dogs that look sharp in training but falter in real operations. In this blog, I explore the hidden risks of dead environments, the contamination problem, and why real-world, live environments are essential for building truly capable detection dogs.

This blog explores the dangers of training detection dogs on multiple, unrelated odour groups such as drugs, cash, and firearms. Drawing on operational experience, it highlights how overloading dogs with too many targets leads to confusion, unclear alerts, and serious legal risks — especially in environments like stash houses, private dwellings, and vehicle searches. Real examples from UK police and Trading Standards teams expose the practical and legal consequences of using dual-trained or career-shifted dogs without proper retraining or maintenance. The blog makes a strong case for single-purpose detection dogs, arguing that clarity in training leads to reliability in the field — because in real-world deployments, one nose should have one job.

This blog highlights the dangers of using porous materials — such as wood, concrete, and old luggage — in detection dog training. These materials trap and retain odours, creating misleading scent pictures that confuse dogs and undermine reliability. Drawing on lessons from his whisky dog project and operational experience, Stu explains how contamination from poorly chosen materials or sloppy storage can lead to false alerts and failure in the field. The solution is simple: use clean, non-porous materials like stainless steel or glass, rotate training aids and luggage, and maintain rigorous standards to ensure dogs learn to detect the true target odour — and nothing else.

In this latest blog, Stu Phillips shares an operational case study featuring Griff, a tobacco detection dog working for HMRC. While searching a shop, Griff displayed clear changes of behaviour without delivering a trained final response — a powerful reminder that real-world detection rarely looks like textbook training. Stu explores the importance of understanding subtle canine communication, trusting your dog, and why success in the field often hinges on interpretation, not performance.

Keď pes nereaguje podľa učebnice, neznamená to, že sa mýli. V tomto blogu Stu Phillips opisuje skutočný operatívny zásah s detekčným psom Griffom, ktorý síce nedal klasickú konečnú reakciu, ale jeho správanie jasne ukázalo prítomnosť tabaku. V reálnych podmienkach – v neprehľadnom, nebezpečnom a rušnom prostredí – je práve zmena správania tým najdôležitejším signálom. Tento blog je pripomienkou, že detekcia v praxi nie je o dokonalých reakciách, ale o schopnosti čítať svojho psa a dôverovať jeho inštinktom.

Skutočné videozábery a fotografie z tejto colnej akcie sprevádzajú tento blog.

This blog challenges the over-reliance on leads in detection dog work, arguing that true proficiency lies in trust, independence, and clear communication—not physical control. Drawing on years of experience with off-lead Spaniels in the UK, it contrasts international handling styles, explores breed-related perceptions, and calls for more thoughtful, capability-driven deployment. It’s a bold case for letting go—so dogs can do what they were trained to do.

Change of behaviour speaks louder than any trained response - if the handler is listening.