Simon Prins ACT

29/08/2025

As the official dealer of CATO Boards in Europe, I receive many great questions and feedback from trainers about how to use them most effectively. I started importing CATO Boards after seeing with my own eyes how powerful they are in training.
I use them in many different ways: for obedience, detection work, radio-controlled guidance training, laser training, hunting training, as a metal anchor – and more.

This week I’d like to share a beautiful example from Sander Dijksma, showing how he uses free shaping to teach a young dog to go to a CATO Board. I really admire Sander’s skills – his patience, timing, and sharp observation make this a wonderful example of shaping in action. There are many ways to implement CATO Boards in your training. Here you see shaping – but what method do you prefer, and why? I’d love to hear your experiences! Ready to start? Get your own CATO Board in my online shop: www.detectiondogshop.com

28/08/2025

We often get so caught up in the rush of daily life that we forget to pause and enjoy moments of true inner peace. Give yourself permission to slow down. Take time to relax, breathe, and refocus on what truly matters. Time is precious, and so are your physical and mental well-being.

21/08/2025

When I was trained as a young K9 instructor, senior trainers often told me: “If things go wrong on Monday, it’s because you didn’t train in the weekend.” I didn’t argue back then, but my experience has always been different.

Recently, I wasn’t able to train my dog for five months due to illness and long stays in the hospital. Last week I managed my first short walk with her, and today I saved all my energy for one special thing: a blind search. Someone else had hidden NOTA.

Even after five months without detection games or exposure to NOTA, she worked with focus, showed fast passive alerts, and full energy. For me, the lesson is clear: dogs don’t need daily training. They need a good relationship, enrichment and they need good, solid training that lasts over time. And NOTA provides exactly the kind of challenge I need as a trainer.

After 30 minutes working together I was completely exhausted and needed to rest. She curled up and slept on top of me.

So here’s my question to you:
- Do detection dogs really need training every day?
- Or is strong conditioning enough to carry them through breaks in training? I would like to hear your thoughts.

20/08/2025

A unique course for police and military K9 professionals !

When I started my career in special forces, I already had trained many dogs. But when Bob and Marian Bailey asked me to train chickens, I was completely out of my comfort zone.

At first, I laughed. Then, I felt scared—because deep down I knew I didn’t have enough knowledge about animal training. Chickens are very different from dogs, but the lessons I learned from them changed everything.

During this period, I discovered what real training means: a combination of theory and practice, gather and analyse data, making protocols and follow science. Besides, it’s not enough to understand the theory—you also need to master the mechanics and put it into action.

For police and military K9 professionals, this is a unique opportunity: step out of your comfort zone and experience the same eye-opening training that transformed my perspective 30 years ago.

Bob and Kirsten will guide you through these steps, challenge your assumptions, and help you see animal training from a completely new angle. For more information check out

https://www.kirstenschickenworkshops.com/campaigns/view-campaign/BA0SbZzAIKqxHbP3XGOTbGFU5ScdZ8eksbECqm6_m8S9LoVn9en8GuLNu9zP8J0kF1PMYAA1OPpxh5YYaxtqrHqT2VPv4rEw

06/08/2025

Train Smarter – Train on Real Odor with Getxent

As the exclusive dealer of Getxent products, ACT! is proud to offer a revolutionary tool in the world of scent detection: the Getxent tube. This innovative odor carrier allows you to train your detection dog on real target odors—safely, effectively, and without harmful substances.

Unlike traditional odor carriers, Getxent tubes can absorb and release a wide range of target odors, offering approximately 150 hours of active training time per tube. They are safe for both dogs and humans, and ideal for use in public settings such as airports, schools, trains, and buildings. And the best part? You don’t need any special license or permit to use them. This makes the Getxent tube one of the most efficient and accessible training tools available today.

At ACT!, we don’t just sell Getxent—we use it ourselves in our own training programs. That means when you order from us, you’re not only getting a unique, high-quality product, but also access to expert advice and training tips from professionals who work with these tools every day.

Important Update – New Product Line & Webshop Refresh
Getxent has recently updated its product line, and we’ve worked hard to make sure our webshop reflects these changes. You’ll now find an up-to-date range of options to meet your training needs. Check https://detectiondogshop.com/collections/getxent-products-the-revolution-in-detection

Shipping Options

Standard Shipping (4–6 Weeks)
To guarantee maximum freshness and performance, most Getxent tubes are produced after your order is placed. These tubes are typically impregnated in the USA, and the production and processing time means delivery takes approximately 4 to 6 weeks.

Express Shipping (24 Hours)
Starting in September, we’re introducing a ready-to-ship selection of our most popular Getxent tubes. These high-demand products are kept in stock at our facility and can be shipped within 24 hours of your order. Be sure to check the availability on our website—stock levels may change quickly.

Whether you’re just starting out or working at the highest operational level, Getxent tubes will take your detection dog training to the next level. And with ACT! by your side, you’ll always have expert support along the way.

If you have any questions, feel free to contact us—we’re here to help.

16/05/2025

GETXENT 'the revolution in detection dog training'. Train smarter. Train safer. Train real. Train for the real!

Step into the future of K9 detection with Getxent Tubes—the ultimate training aid trusted by professionals worldwide.

Why Getxent Tubes? 100% AUTHENTIC REAL ODORS !

Forget synthetics and pseudo-scents—these tubes contain real target odors for unmatched realism in training.

No Special License Needed
Work with genuine substances without the legal complexity. Safe, controlled, and regulation-free.

Trusted Worldwide
Used by elite police, military, customs, wildlife, and K9 agencies across the globe.

Authorized Dealer Advantage
I don’t just sell Getxent Tubes—I use them, test them, and know them inside out.
As an official dealer, I guarantee sharp pricing, expert advice, and products that deliver results.

Tailored for Every Scenario

Whether you’re training dogs to detect narcotics, explosives, cadavers, bedbugs, or wildlife, Getxent Tubes adapt to your needs:
- Pre-Scented Tubes: Ready to deploy with real target odors.
- Blank Tubes: Load your own odors to create custom training aids.

Safe. Reliable. Effective.

No hazardous material handling.
No storage worries.
No compromise on performance.

Getxent’s patented design ensures:
- Safe training in public environments
- Durability for repeated use
- Clean, consistent scent delivery

Join the Leaders

From police, military, customs, security companies, city streets to remote conservation areas, professional handlers, wildlife detection teams, worldwide are upgrading their training with Getxent.

Now it’s your turn.
Discover the difference at DetectionDogShop.com

Because when it comes to detection—real training makes the real difference.

22/03/2025

Have you been able to visit our updated webshop yet? It’s more than just a place to shop—it’s a hub of inspiration, knowledge, and innovation.

Let us highlight two exciting features:

First, we’ve introduced Categories to help you quickly find the product groups that matter most. From cutting-edge detection tools to creative training gear, everything is now easier to navigate with a clear, organized layout.

Second, don’t miss the Inspiration section. Here, you’ll discover the latest innovations, inspiring product spotlights, and a collection of insightful blogs focused on detection dog training.
We add new products weekly, so be sure to check back regularly. If you’re looking for something specific, just let us know—we’ll use our powerful global network to help you find it!

13/03/2025

If you want to pre-train your detection dog to become a true specialist, start with the best training odor available. Forget Kong, tennis balls, and other non-unique scents. Choose NOTA – a scientifically designed target odor, developed by olfactory specialists and rigorously tested in the professional K9 community. This advanced training system builds a strong foundation without locking your dog into a specific career path too soon. Once your dog has mastered all seven levels, you’ll be ready to introduce the final target odor(s) with confidence. Train smarter with NOTA.

For decades, the detection dog world has faced the same challenge—how do we objectively test and calibrate our dogs? Target odors vary in purity, concentration, and behavior, making training inconsistent. But what if we had a scientifically designed, standardized training odor? Meet NOTA – Novel...

10/03/2025

A new approach is changing the way we train detection dogs. No more bias, more scientific background, and a transparent process for trainers, handlers, vendors, and K9 units.
Are you still training with traditional odors that vary from batch to batch, risk contamination, and lack standardization? It’s time to rethink your approach. The introduction of NOTA marks a paradigm shift in detection dog training.

A novel odor training aid like NOTA is scientifically developed to offer consistency, objectivity, and flexibility—eliminating the challenges that come with using operational odors. Many detection programs unknowingly set their dogs up for false alerts, bias, and limited career paths by imprinting them on commonly found materials like Kong or by exposing them too early to operational odors like narcotics or explosives.

With NOTA, trainers can:
- Build a reliable foundation for green dogs
- Objectively test and calibrate detection dogs
- Standardize training and ensure accurate results
- Provide a neutral training odor that doesn’t interfere with future assignments

As technology and research continue to advance, the need for data-driven, objective, and legally defensible detection training will only grow. Trainers who integrate NOTA into their programs will stay ahead of the curve, ensuring their dogs meet the highest standards of reliability and effectiveness. ACT! is bringing NOTA to Europe! Your can now find it in our onlineshop www.detectiondogshop.com Are you ready to elevate your detection dog training? Read the my latest blog to learn more about NOTA

A novel odor training aid like NOTA is scientifically developed to offer consistency, objectivity, and flexibility—eliminating the challenges that come with using operational odors. Many detection programs unknowingly set their dogs up for false alerts, bias, and limited career paths by imprinting...

01/03/2025

NOTA gives me the power to train with precision, stepping up and down through seven calibrated levels of odor concentration: 100x, 10x, 1x, 0.1x, 0.01x, 0.001x, and 0.0001x. With a scientifically proven approach, I can systematically teach my dog to detect even the most subtle scent variations.

But NOTA isn’t just a challenge for the dog—it challenges me as a trainer. Can I shape my dog’s skills to reach these extreme sensitivity levels?

By using NOTA as the foundation of training, adding new odors later becomes effortless. The first odor is always the hardest, but once a dog understands how to earn the reward, adapts to different odor strengths, and learns to ignore distractions, the transition to any operational target odor is smooth and efficient.

And because I’ve already built a solid foundation using blank and control TADDs with cellulose, NOTA’s carrier, I can be confident that my training is transparent, reliable, and scientifically sound.
Would you be ready to take your detection training to the next level? NOTA is the key. Find your Nota at detectiondogshop.com

01/03/2025

ACT! delivers – no dropshipping, just fast and reliable service

At ACT!, we don’t believe in dropshipping. We ship directly from stock, ensuring fast delivery and top-quality control. Due to high demand, some items may occasionally be out of stock, but thanks to our strong partnerships with manufacturers, we can still restock and deliver super fast.

We are known for our exceptional service—we are easy to reach, responsive, and always ready to help. Because we use all our own materials, we can answer your questions with real experience and provide expert advice.

Did you know we update our product range almost every week? Check out the latest detection training materials in our webshop: detectiondogshop.com

27/02/2025

NOTA is where science, expertise, and the future of detection dog training come together. Designed by top olfactory scientists and validated through cutting-edge research, NOTA is the ultimate test of skills and precision.

- The perfect selection tool – Identify top detection talent early
- Unmatched quality control – Train with precision and reliability
- Pre-train detection dogs – Build strong foundations for any specialization
- Accurate calibration – Ensure consistency and peak performance
- Court-admissible validation – Strengthen credibility with objective proof
- The perfect vigilance aid – Maintain and test detection dog readiness anytime, anywhere

It is an innovative way to train and test detection dogs for any specialization, ensuring transparency and reliability in every step. The 7-step method guides trainers and dogs in developing detection skills with precision, preparing them for the real world like never before.

Especially designed for government K9 agencies, and now also available for you. This paradigm shift will elevate the detection world to the next level. Are you ready to lead the future of K9 training? Read more in our latest blog https://detectiondogshop.com/blogs/news/the-future-of-detection-dog-training-with-nota or order your NOTA kit today at detectiondogshop.com. You can also contact us for more information by emailing [email protected].