Understanding Vapor Wake Canine: How They Work and What They Do

Vapor wake canines are highly trained dogs that detect and track the vapor trail left behind by a person's body heat.

These canines are trained to use their keen sense of smell to detect the unique scent of a person's body, which is a combination of their sweat, body oils, and other bodily secretions.

Vapor wake canines are used for a variety of tasks, including search and rescue operations, narcotics detection, and border patrol.

Their training involves teaching them to follow the scent of a person's vapor trail, even if it's several hours old.

Vapor Wake canines are trained to detect threats walking among large crowds of people, making them unique to typical sniffer dogs.

They work by leading their handlers in a moving crowd, detecting explosives on the move, not stationary objects.

These dogs react to explosives in backpacks and such, while the intended bomber is still moving to the place where the bomb is to be placed.

They sniff out moving explosives, leaving behind a wake of heat that carries particles according to what is on the person at the time.

This wake trail is similar to the wake trail left behind by a boat, and it's what the dogs are trained to detect.

Vapor Wake dogs can smell potential explosives up to 10 minutes after the would-be bomber has passed a particular point.

Auburn Vapor Wake Dogs are trained to sniff out the vapor trail of substances that could be used to make bombs or other explosive devices.

They do this by sniffing molecules left in the air by moving objects, just like perfume leaves an aroma.

The procurement process for Vapor Wake canines is rigorous and selective, with less than 25% of screened canines meeting the standards for purchase. The Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine – Canine Performance Sciences program develops working canines that are procured by GK9PG.

Our team evaluates each canine based on its physical and behavioral attributes, including its level of "drive" or "desire to search", aggressiveness, social behavior, environmental behavior, and medical screening results. Initial medical validation and certifications are made by a dedicated veterinarian.

The training program for Vapor Wake canines is based on years of operational experience and best practices, and it begins with socialization training at Auburn University. This training is vital for dogs that will need to interact with thousands of people and other animals.

The Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine – Canine Performance Sciences (CPS) program is a renowned institution for canine procurement. They continually work to advance the genetics of working canines.

GK9PG has purchased working canines from CPS since 2018, and we select their purpose-bred canines to fulfill our clients' needs. This involves procuring only the highest quality canines, with less than 25% of screened canines meeting our standards for purchase.

Every canine is evaluated prior to selection, based on physical and behavioral attributes. Our team of expert explosive detection trainers assesses each canine's level of "drive" or "desire to search", aggressiveness, social behavior, environmental behavior, and medical screening results.

Initial medical validation and certifications are made by our dedicated veterinarian, who ensures all canines are fully vaccinated and has their medical records up to date. Health certificates and rabies vaccination certificates are also provided, signed by a licensed veterinarian no more than 10 days prior to deployment.

Labrador Retrievers are the breed of choice for Vapor Wake dogs due to their trainability, keenness to please their handlers, and physical strength.

Their reputation as a popular breed means most people don't notice them in crowds, which is a significant advantage for this type of work.

In fact, breeds like German Shepherds have a reputation that makes them stand out in crowds, especially when accompanied by a police officer.

This makes Labrador Retrievers the perfect fit for Vapor Wake work, where blending in is crucial.

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The Vapor Wake program's training process is rigorous and specialized.

Dogs are trained at Auburn University, where they undergo socialization training to prepare them for interacting with thousands of people and other animals.

This socialization is crucial for the dogs' ability to perform their duties effectively.

The training also involves teaching the dogs to detect explosive particles left behind in a person's wake.

Four months of this training occur with inmates in federal prison systems.

Vapor wake canines are a game-changer in the world of security and law enforcement. They can detect explosives and firearms without impeding traffic flow, making them ideal for large crowds.

Here are some key features and advancements of vapor wake canines:

These dogs have already been used in public events, such as the Macy's Thanksgiving Parade, where they helped detect explosives in large moving crowds. Their advanced training makes security searches less intrusive and public gatherings safer.

Vapor Wake dogs are often deployed at major events, where they work independently to detect potential threats.

These dogs use their unique skills to sniff out everything that passes, choosing their own path and following the scent of a suspect.

They don't intervene directly, but instead sit next to the suspect, allowing officers or agents to approach the individual in question.

The Vapor Wake dogs' approach allows them to work effectively in a variety of settings, without being led by handlers.