Arielle Godbout\nPatches and Valerie Arpin are The Winnipeg Dog, which offers proactive K-9 bedbug detection service.<\/figcaption>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n“As far as I know, she’s the first bedbug dog (based in Winnipeg),” said Arpin, who lives in St. Boniface
Arpin began operating her business in June, although Patches — who was trained at the Florida Canine Academy with master trainer Bill Whitstine — has more than 800 hours of training under her collar.<\/p>\n
Much like a drug dog, Patches uses her nose to detect bedbugs and then signals to Arpin once the pests have been located by sitting and pointing with her nose.<\/p>\n
The duo have sniffed out bedbugs in a number of Winnipeg location, including hotels and apartments.
They’ve also worked for the city, and partnered with Abell Pest Control in the West End.<\/p>\n
Shaun Jeffrey, Abell’s branch manager for Manitoba, said it was his clients who initially requested the option of a dog for bedbug detection.<\/p>\n
“Everyone wants a different option for their site, and Valerie provided a good option,” he said.<\/p>\n
While properly-trained humans can detect bedbugs much of the time, sometimes the situation calls for a different approach, Jeffrey explained.<\/p>\n
“When there’s a large area to cover in a short time, fortunately a dog is more effective,” he said.
Arpin agreed bedbug dogs are known for their speed and precision.<\/p>\n
“They can do a standard hotel room in less than two minutes and are very accurate — 98% accurate,” she said, adding bedbug detection dogs are used more frequently in larger cities like Toronto.<\/p>\n
Arpin first became intrigued by canine bedbug detection about four years ago, as she watched a news report about an apartment block that had to be completely evacuated because of the pests.<\/p>\n
A bedbug dog was brought in to help, and Arpin was enthralled.<\/p>\n
“I just watched the dog in action, and I’ve always been a pet lover, and I just though ‘Wow’.”<\/p>\n
Her journey with Patches has been a long one; Arpin originally hoped to train her own dog for detection, but the staff at the Florida Canine Academy decided he didn’t have the right temperament.<\/p>\n
Patches was found in an animal shelter in Florida, and Arpin said she’s taken a while to warm up to being loved.<\/p>\n
“She wasn’t an affectionate dog when I first got her,” Arpin recalled. “I think she didn’t know what it was like to be loved and cared for. She’s been bounced around the shelters most of her life.”<\/p>\n
Patches immediately took to bedbug detection, and Arpin said working with her furry colleague is a pleasure.<\/p>\n
“When I’m working with her, I’m concentrated on her and I’m so impressed by what she can do,” she said.
To contact The Winnipeg Dog, call Arpin at 231-1211 or email winnipegdog@gmail.com<\/p>\n
arielle.godbout@canstarnews.com<\/p>\n
facebook.com\/TheLanceWpg
Twitter: @LanceWPG<\/p>
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