“What Do Explosives Smell Like? – For Dogs” was written in 2022 and is based on the practical, scientific, and methodological knowledge available in the service-dog field at that time.
First publication: 2022 – Second edition released in the fourth quarter of 2025 – ISBN 978-3-9821156-8-9
This work is not kept in permanent stock and is therefore produced individually upon request.
Please note:
The current delivery time is approximately three weeks, as each copy is printed only after the order is received.
You will receive a newly produced copy directly from print – including ISBN and full professional finish.
Thank you for your understanding and for your interest in this specialised handbook.
About the content
This book is written for dog handlers, trainers, and professionals who work with explosive detection dogs. It explains, in a clear and practice-oriented way, how dogs perceive scent, which components of explosives are actually relevant to a dog’s nose, and how search performance is influenced under different environmental conditions.
The content guides readers step by step through the fundamentals of odor formation, molecular dispersion, contamination pathways, and environmental factors.
You will learn:
- why some explosives are easier to detect than others,
- which everyday mistakes influence detection results,
- how environmental factors affect odor availability,
- and how to stabilize search performance with targeted training methods.
Special scenarios—such as minimally contaminated objects, hidden odor sources, or low-vapor-pressure explosives—are also addressed.
A key strength of this book is the combination of decades of operational experience with precise and accessible explanations of canine olfaction.
It not only describes how dogs detect odors, but why they do so—and how handlers can use this knowledge to improve real-world training.
For collectors
Since its first publication in 2022, this book has developed a special reputation among professionals and collectors. Many readers keep their copy permanently because it offers a rarely documented insight into real explosive detection dog work.
With the second edition released in Q4 2025, a revised and updated version is now available—making it increasingly attractive as a collector’s item, especially in combination with your other service-dog publications.
For anyone seeking a deeper understanding
Whether used in official operations, private security, or as part of a specialised professional library—this book provides a solid foundation for understanding the odor world of explosives and the practical demands placed on explosive detection dogs.