Simon Prins ACT

18/04/2026

Here’s something I’ve been thinking about for a long time… and honestly, it still triggers discussions everywhere I go. Are we, as a K9 community, sometimes making things too clean?

We talk a lot about odor hygiene, contamination, gloves, protocols… and yes, those things matter. But what happens when we take it so far that our dogs are no longer prepared for the messy, unpredictable reality they actually have to work in?

And more importantly… Why do some dogs perform perfectly in training… but struggle in real operations? Why do dogs fail on simple recognition tests when something slightly changes? And are we unintentionally creating expectations that don’t match the real world?

This blog is not about criticizing. It’s about reflecting. About challenging ourselves. About becoming better trainers for the dogs that depend on us. If you’re serious about detection dog training, this will make you think.

Here’s the uncomfortable thought that keeps coming back to me after all these years working with detection dogs: I’m not sure we are preparing our dogs well enough for the real operational world. And maybe even more confronting… I sometimes feel that, as a K9 community, we are trying to keep e...

15/04/2026

Slowly but surely, I’m starting to live again.

Carefully, we’re making plans for the future. While my amazing son and incredibly supportive wife kept my business running, I’m now taking back my work step by step. Recently, I even gave a short workshop again. Coaching people felt amazing.

But there’s also a risk: wanting to do too much.

Where I used to go from 6:00 AM to 11:30 PM, my limit now is around 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM. If I go beyond that, or skip my training, I pay the price immediately. Six days without exercise simply means a physical crash.

Sport is no longer just “important” to me. It determines my quality of life. Training three times a week gives me energy, physically and mentally. And that’s not just a feeling, it’s science.

Research shows that regular exercise during and after illness:
• reduces fatigue
• rebuilds strength and endurance
• lowers anxiety and depression
• and may even reduce the risk of relapse

Going to the gym at least three times a week, combined with daily movement, makes a real, measurable difference.

What I’m learning most:
balance and dosage are everything.

Not giving it all anymore, but doing just enough to keep moving forward tomorrow.

That is my new high performance.

13/04/2026

Soms zit de grootste vooruitgang niet in méér trainen… maar in gerichter trainen.

Tijdens mijn privélessen in Nederland werk ik 1-op-1 met jou en je hond. Geen afleiding, geen ruis, alle focus op wat jullie als team nodig hebben. We kijken niet alleen naar gedrag, maar vooral naar de waarom erachter. Timing, observatie, leerprincipes en communicatie staan centraal. Kleine details maken daarin het grootste verschil.

Of je nu vastloopt in je training, werkt met een detectiehond of simpelweg naar een hoger niveau wilt, privécoaching geeft ruimte voor verdieping en echte groei. Mijn doel is dat jij na elke sessie niet alleen verder kunt…maar vooral beter begrijpt wat je doet en waarom het werkt.

Of werk je liever in een groep? Dan kan je ook aansluiten bij een van mijn workshops hier in Nederland. Deze workshops zijn klein, inclusief en dynamisch van aard wat betekent een afwisseling van theorie en direct het geleerde toepassen in de praktijk. De eerst volgende workshops staan gepland op 25/26 april en 9/10 mei. Deze worden deze keer gegeven in de Engelse taal gelet op een aantal buitenlandse gasten.

Wil je investeren in jezelf als trainer én in de samenwerking met je hond? Stuur me een bericht voor de mogelijkheden, email naar [email protected]

12/04/2026

With the opening of my K9 Innovation Room, lecture space, and online shop storage all in one location, I now have the opportunity to offer private training sessions.

If you feel stuck in your development as a detection dog trainer, or if you’re facing challenges with alerts, odor recognition, or distractions, this is your chance to take the next step.

During these one-on-one sessions, you can:

- Improve your training approach and problem-solving skills
- Learn how to collect and analyze training data effectively
- Work hands-on with innovative tools such as electronic sensor line-ups, advanced search walls, and the unique ACT! Smart Wheel with full sensor integration

This is your opportunity to take a deep dive into detection training, with personal coaching tailored to you and your dog.

Ready to move to the next level?
Get in touch to book your private session.

09/04/2026

We found so many Easter eggs that we decided to extend our Cato 10% Easter discount until April 18, 2026. Don’t miss your chance to save!

04/04/2026

Check out the newest CATO BOARD colors!

This week only, enjoy 10% discount with the code EASTER ACTION.

Find your Cato Board now at
www.detectiondogshop.com

31/03/2026

They’re back in stock: our specialized Getxent kits.

If you want to keep your detection dog sharp, versatile and ready for real operational work, this is a tool you should not overlook. Each kit contains four different odors, with multiple tubes per odor, allowing you to build realistic and scalable odor pictures in your training. What makes this system unique is the Getxent tube itself. It allows you to train on real odors without using harmful substances. Safe for both handler and dog, and perfectly suited for use in public environments such as airports, trains, schools and buildings. No permits or licenses required, so you can integrate it directly into your daily training.

The kits are compact, practical and designed for professionals who want clarity, structure and reliability in their setups. This product is available from our ready-to-ship stock and can be dispatched within 24 hours, so you can get started quickly with fresh material.

Curious how this can improve your training? Visit www.detectiondogshop.com and search for “Getxent KIT” to explore all details of this unique product. Want to go deeper? Join one of our hands-on workshops in April or May and learn how to apply Getxent in a structured and effective way. Need other odors or a custom setup? Let us know.

29/03/2026

After 1.5 years, being able to host a workshop again reminded me just how much I missed it. Coaching, sharing knowledge, and feeling that positive energy together is truly something special.

We experienced beautiful aha moments, thoughtful and respectful discussions, and some really lovely dog work. It was inspiring to see new ideas come to life throughout the days.

A big thank you to all participants for your active involvement and for also looking out for me, helping me keep my own energy balanced along the way.

During the workshop, we took a deep dive into Getxent detection training method, explored different odor imprinting techniques, worked with smart rings and smart wheels, and experimented with UV double blind searches.

The next edition will take place on April 25–26 in Elburg, a beautiful historic town in the Netherlands. The workshop will be held in English to welcome international participants.

Looking forward to seeing many of you again.

26/03/2026

Even the smallest corner of my new innovative training room reveals clarity and potential, at least to the trained eye.

A Cato Board for precise placement.
A smart ring that monitors and captures the dog’s search performance.
A feeder that delivers reinforcement with perfect timing.
A windmachine to create and change the airflow

And of course, the influence of Marian and Bob Bailey is present everywhere, through their powerful reminders, like;

“Believe.”
“Training is a mechanical skill.”

Every detail in this space has a purpose. Every element contributes to clarity, timing, and communication.

After a 1.5-year break, this Saturday marks the start of my first workshop again.

And I’m excited.

Not just to teach, but to share, to connect, and to keep building a stronger, more unified K9 community.

15/03/2026

Many trainers talk about timing. The well-known 2-second rule: reward within two seconds, otherwise the dog may learn something different than you intended. That is true.

But in my experience the biggest challenge often lies somewhere else. Not in when you reward, but in what you actually reward. Many trainers are so focused on delivering the reward quickly that they forget to really observe first.

What behavior do you actually want to strengthen? And this does not only apply to the dog. It also applies to the handler.

When I coach trainers, I therefore look at two things first.

1. Does the trainer recognize the desired behavior of the dog?
2. Does the trainer also recognize the desired behavior of the handler?

Because only when you clearly see what is going well can you reinforce it at the right moment. Timing matters. But observation comes first. So do not only train the dog. Train your eye to recognize desired behavior. In the dog. And in the human. Remember, you get what you reinforce!

14/03/2026

If you cannot control what is inside you, you will never control what is outside you.

Dog training does not start with the dog. It starts with you.

To train a dog well you need control over your own mindset. You need patience when progress is slow. You need the ability to observe what your dog is actually telling you. You need to make clear decisions in the moment. And you need persistence, because real training takes time.

Most importantly, you need a plan. A clear path that leads from where your dog is today to where you want to go.

A dog learns from the person in front of them.
If you are calm, clear and consistent, your dog can be too.

10/03/2026

Do you want to see the picture I have in my mind?

This is it.

And the good news… we found a location and will start building next week. With the materials we already have and the people who are ready to help us, we are confident we can open this K9 Innovation Lab in April.

And no… this is not an April 1st joke.

This is the training space I have always wanted to design. A room full of smart training devices, all created to help trainers do an even better job. Devices with smart sensors that help you in timing, observation and create objective data. This will make training more efficient, more effective, and even more fun for the dog. At the same time, it gives me the opportunity to start offering in-person training again. I’m really looking forward to that. In fact, the first private training session is already booked on April 11 with two very enthusiastic detection dog trainers from Germany.

Are you interested in exploring your dog’s detection capabilities in a scientific and practical way?

You are very welcome to book your own private training session.