VIDEOS - BOOKS - INSPIRATION
Bob and Marian Bailey
Meeting Bob and Marian Bailey in 1997 was the beginning of an incredible journey in the animal training world! We became good friends. They introduced me to science. They explained the power of garbage can science and encouraged me to collect data and use video. One of the reasons to add some of their work on this page. Because they were a true inspiration for me!
Use video!
Use video in your training. It will help you to become a better trainer. It will help you to change your training by splitting all the details. And all of this will help you to your animals up for success! And another benefit is that you will start archiving your training journey into a video log. This will be useful for education and will be inspiring others! The reason that I added some inspirational videos inhere
Garbage Can Science
As an inspirator, influencer, and change agent, I built many different training devices. Because devices can help raise success for animals, this will speed up training. Building devices can cost a lot of time and money. Garbage can science can help. With low-cost materials and simple construction, we test our ideas before investing more time and money to make it awesome! Like our scent wheels!
INSPIRATION
We live in a fast world where many people are locked into their phones, tablets, or computer screens. Animal people are living the opposite; they are out there, living in the open, enjoying animals, encountering nature. The bond between humans and dogs is one of the most inspiring friendships on this planet. No animal is so intuned with us humans as a dog. Besides the friendship, dogs are with us during sports, activities, hikes, and work. They genuinely love us, trust us, work for us and inspire us. My inspiration comes from work, the bond, sports, workshops, and all sorts of dog-related activities. And also from many training friends, scientists, research, awesome videos, and books. There is so much information out there, and I like to inspire you with a short selection of videos and books. Especially for those days, you come home after a nice hike or training, and you want to learn more about dogs, what motivates them and how they know.
Directional training started in 1996!
In 1996, I developed the first radio- and laser-guided camera dog protocols, at a time when nothing like it existed. Inspired by hunting and herding dogs, I created the Canine Directional Training © system from scratch, training dogs to follow voice commands like “left,” “right,” “forward,” and “here,” even at long distances, in darkness, and under high distraction. I didn’t just design the system, I trained the dogs and worked with them in real, high-risk operations for over 25 years. Today, these protocols are used by police and military units worldwide.
Whenever you see orange cones or laser cues in training, now you know where it started. What you see in this video is part of the end result: a fully operational dog working in an urban environment, without visible cues, guided only by verbal directionals. A true example of what’s possible when innovation meets purpose.
The work of Bob and Marian Bailey
It was not a coincidence that I met Bob and Marian Bailey. During the development stage of the canine directional training (CDT), I did a lot of research. This set me on the path of these two incredible people. I found out that they did many pioneer work in the animal training industry. Marian, a former student-professor of Skinner and Bob as the Navy director of training, did a tremendous amount of work in their IQ Zoo. Besides this animal enterprise, they did much innovative work in many government animal programs during the Cold War. We became good friends, worked together for more than 25 years. We did a lot of exciting projects together, and I’m sure we inspired a lot of trainers out there!
The Direct Odor Imprint Method ©
Development of scent wheels
The scent wheel is one of the most simple, innovative, and sophisticated training devices. Even the most talented and skilled dog trainers will observe, timing, and reinforce mistakes. Understanding the principle of “what you reinforce, is what you get ” is what encouraged us to make the ‘perfect scent wheel.’ These videos give you a glimpse of our scent wheel development stages. This leads to the fully operational sensor scent wheel with data storage!
ACT! Low budget scent wheel
I learned from Bob Bailey to use what he called “garbage can science”—build smart concepts using simple, low-cost materials. That’s exactly how we started using early versions of scent wheels like the one in this video.
In this great footage, you’ll see a series of mistakes—proof that even the best trainers can miss things. And that’s exactly what inspired us to develop sensor-operated scent wheels: to support trainers, reduce errors, and bring more precision to scent detection work.
My first sensor scent wheel
This was my first low-cost sensor scent wheel, built using simple materials like PVC, aluminum, and an Arduino in a suitcase. Based on the “garbage can science” idea, it served as a proof of concept to test sensor placement, timing, and reward automation.
The suitcase acted as a cue for the trainer, and the system connected to a food machine, allowing fully hands-off training. It was never meant to replace the trainer, but to support them. Because in training, timing is everything. And this was leading to more and smart rings!
The foldable scent wheel
The ACT! stainless steel foldable scent wheel is tough, compact, and ready for serious detection work. Used worldwide by police, military, customs, and top trainers, it’s easy to set up, built to last, and perfect for daily use. In this video, we show the first training steps with the horizontal target system. Curious about our unique vertical version? Check it out in our shop.
Buy a wheel and get free access to the full online scent wheel course—train smart from day one.
Upgraded sensor scent wheel
The upgraded ACT! foldable scent wheel with Smart Rings sets a new standard in detection training.
Powered by the latest sensor technology, advanced computer boards, and seamless wireless communication, this is the most innovative and precise scent wheel we’ve ever built.
All data is transmitted instantly to your iPhone, iPad, or MacBook—giving you clear, objective feedback and full control over your training sessions.
Building your own scent wheel
Want to build your own scent wheel? It’s easier than you think and a great way to get started with scent detection training. All you need is an old tabletop, some basic tools, and a few Ikea cups. It’s simple, affordable, and based on the same “garbage can science” approach I learned from Bob Bailey: test the concept first, then improve it later.
Check out this video for step-by-step instructions, and enjoy the process of building and training.
Learning operant conditioning by training chickens
Inspiring was that Bob and Marian Bailey introduced me to operant conditioning by using chickens as their life training models. Chickens are fast; they are good observers and intelligent enough to do color discrimination, obstacle courses, laser training, and many other ‘dog-related exercises. Training animals is a profession and is necessary for the trainer to understand the theory and practice it. It’s not always easy to bring the knowledge in your mind into your hands and ‘translate it’ onto the training field. By using chickens, it’s possible to see how you will become a good trainer. Good trainers use the knowledge in their minds, bring it to their hands, and control their body language. I did all the five Bob and Marian Bailey courses. It taught me how to develop and write protocols. How to collect and analyze data. How to become a better trainer, a better instructor. And overall, it was teaching me to set up animals for success!
Color discrimination
Laser guided chicken?
Laser guided pigeon
Target training - basic skill set
The ‘normal’ obedience skill sets like SIT, DOWN, and HERE are the target training we standard teach to all our dogs. Target training can be beneficial in many exercises. It’s a steady and clear signal for dogs where to go, what to do, where to look, how to touch, and so much more. Besides this being very useful, it is also a training that will teach trainers to be more precise at criteria, observation, and reinforcement. It’s not only a shaping process for the dog but also shapes or, better to say, sharpens the skills of trainers. Target training can be taught to all dogs, even the smallest ones like this little fellow, during one of our workshops. Take a look at the beautiful skills of this trainer! Spot on!
Multi Target Training System
The ACT! multi target training system ™ is designed as a game changer in the detection dog training. The strong magnets will grip firmly on the ground plates and on all metal surfaces like doors, cars, containers, and more. The perfect set to generalize your dog to different circumstances. This set will make it possible to train you dog fast and in many different circumstances.
These are the ideal products to train your detection dog from the basics. And by the smart design they are multifunctional in many setups.
ACT! Smart Rings
ACT Smart Rings are designed to bring science and precision into your dog training. These compact, high-performance tools help you track behavior, capture timing, and measure progress in ways that were previously impossible in real-time training environments.
Developed from years of operational experience and field testing, ACT Smart Rings give you reliable data to improve training accuracy, reduce guesswork, and make better decisions, whether you’re working detection, obedience, or behavior shaping
Cato boards, the perfect tool
Cato Boards have become one of my favorite tools in dog training—and for good reason. They’re solid, stable, and incredibly versatile. Whether I’m working on detection, precision, or building duration and focus, these platforms help dogs clearly understand where to be and what’s expected.
I love how they create structure in training sessions without adding pressure. Dogs feel confident on them, and that confidence leads to faster learning and cleaner behavior. Cato boards are game changers in training!
Some wonderful books & online courses
My books shelves are loaded with lots of books. Of course many books about training dogs. Special old editions about training animals for war operations. Books about how to train birds, dolphins, horses, monkeys and many other animals. A lot about psychology, learning methods, and our human brains. I’m proud to have special editions like Skinners Behavior of Organisms, books from the Dutch author Niko Tinbergen and the Nature of the Beast by Hans Brick. Many of these books sharpened my brain and challenged me to do more go deeper, and all of them were building confidence, trust, and respect for animals around us! I will share a few of these books on this web page as sources of inspiration. And hope they will inspire and challenge you as they did for me!
Dog Training Decoded, the book that will change the way you
After more than 30 years of operational experience and innovation in the field, I’m proud to share my latest work. Dog Training Decoded is not just another book about dog training. It’s the English translation of my successful German-language book Das Pavlov Projekt—now available for a global audience. This book takes you deep into the mindset, principles, and systems behind truly effective behavior-based training. It’s full of practical tools, thought-provoking ideas, and stories from real-life special operations that shaped my approach. Whether you’re a professional trainer, handler, or just passionate about learning, this book will challenge and inspire you. You can find Dog Training Decoded on all major bookseller platforms worldwide. But if you order it directly from my online shop at www.detectiondogshop.com, you’ll receive a special signed edition, personally signed by me as a thank you for your support.
ACT! online courses
In addition to the book, I’ve created a series of new online courses that go even deeper into the topics I cover. These courses are designed to help you apply key concepts from the book in real-life training situations, and to strengthen both your technical and coaching skills. From detection dog training to behavior and mindset, these online programs are ready to support your growth as a trainer. Visit www.detectiondogshop.com to order your signed book and explore the online courses.
Let’s keep learning, evolving, and building a stronger connection with our dogs, together.
