Bed Bugs Are Everyone’s Nightmare — But This Dog Is Thrilled to Find Them
Bed bug detection dogs have been hard at work sniffing out the dreaded insects for more than 15 years, so there have been plenty of pups in the profession. But Zephyr the Labrador Retriever may just be the happiest one on the job.
His handler (and mom) Emma regularly shares videos of Zephyr doing what he does best and loves best – inspecting spaces for bed bugs. Zephyr is trained to sit to alert her when he detects the presence of the pests.
Together, the pair visit hotels, apartment buildings, libraries, and care facilities to help locate infestations before they spread.
His excitement and joy at doing his job is obvious in every clip Emma posts. “His trained alert is a sit — the awoo was just excitement,” she writes, adding, “Yes, that means bed bugs were present.”
@emmercrew His trained alert is a sit — the awoo was just excitement (Yes, that means bed bugs were present.) #bedbugs #workingdog #k9life #dogtok ♬ original sound – Zephyr bb K9 | Emma
In this particular video, Zephyr is actually doing a training exercise. Emma placed a vial of live bed bugs under a pillow so he could practice and stay engaged.
“I place them during searches so just in case he doesn’t find any actual infestations, he still gets the satisfaction and reward for his work by finding the vial,” she explains.
One viewer asked whether Emma worries about Zephyr picking up bed bugs, since “he is all up in the bedbug space.”
But Emma reassured them that she doesn’t. “Bed bugs don’t hitchhike on dogs like they can on humans,” she answers. “They’re pretty lazy, and because dogs move quickly during searches, there’s no chance for them to hitch a ride.”
She also notes that bed bugs typically stay hidden during daylight hours, making it unlikely they would come out while Zephyr is working.
After Zephyr successfully sniffs out a scent, he sits proudly and flashes a big smile. “Zephyr is the happiest when he finds bed bugs,” Emma writes, adding, “My bed bug detection dog LOVES his job.”
@emmercrew Zephyr is the happiest when he finds bed bugs! #bedbugs #workingdog #dogtok #k9life #doglover ♬ original sound – goldenbiscuit.tx
Other viewers wondered if bed bugs are linked to poor hygiene or mostly found in America, but Emma explained that the insects exist on every continent except Antarctica.
“And despite popular belief, you don’t have to be dirty to get them. Anyone can get them due to their hitchhiking nature,” she says. “Bed bugs can be very hard to find, which is why it’s also so hard to get rid of them. They hide literally everywhere. The dog can just smell them and it makes everyone’s job easier.”
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