Detection Dog Science with Secret Service Chemist Dr. Katylynn Sloan Pt 2

Robin Greubel
Jun 17
2 min read

What to listen for:

2/3 of the Dames of Detection, Robin Greubel and Crystal Wing, return with the brilliant Katylynn Sloan for part two of their conversation on the intersection between chemistry and K9 detection!

“Train with as much variety as often as you can, in the weirdest of circumstances you can possibly get to, with as many groups and as many people as you can.”

Katylynn dives into one of the most misunderstood topics in the detection world: training aids. She breaks down why the term “pseudo” is falling out of favor, replaced by “alternative training aids,” and classifies them into four types: dilution, absorption, mimic, and vigilance. Each has its pros and pitfalls. Mimics, for instance, rely on human interpretation of what’s important for a dog to smell—sometimes right, sometimes not. And vigilance aids? They’re about maintaining search behavior, not the odor itself.

Katylynn also emphasizes the importance of language. As a member of standards boards like ASB and OSAC, she helps shape definitions so handlers, trainers, and scientists are all speaking the same language in courtrooms and classrooms alike. It’s not just about what you know, but how clearly you can explain it. Her advice to aspiring canine scientists? Master problem-solving, communication, and the humility to say, “I don’t know.”

She also touches on the challenges of HRD training, the evolving definitions of “real” odor, and how even “duh” science needs to be written down. Her message to handlers? Train broadly. Generalization is key. Get variety in odors, people, places, and aids—because you never know what the real world will throw at your dog.

Dogs are really good. But they’re even better when guided by thoughtful, curious humans willing to adapt, collaborate, and learn. Katylynn’s passion isn’t just informative—it’s contagious.

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