All AFCD Quarantine Detector Dogs (QDD) and their handlers have undergone intensive training in Australia. The dogs are trained to simply sit when they detect a target odour, and await their food reward from their handlers. This kind of ‘passive’response is regarded as acceptable among travelers. ‘Passive’ response training entails placing a target odour (for example from a puppy, kitten, rabbit or chicken) in a suitable container and encouraging the dog to sniff it. The dog is told to sit and then rewarded with a piece of food.

After the dogs arrived in Hong Kong, the QDD teams progressed to the entry points at the border or airport passenger terminal for further training under field conditions. Besides current detection operations, AFCD is continually looking for ways to improve training methods and new applications for the QDD teams. AFCD Quarantine Detector Dog Unit is based at Ta Kwu Ling Operation Centre where comfortable kennels and training area are provided for the well-being of the dogs.