When you hire a mold dog team, it’s helpful to know what the process looks like so you can prepare and understand the results. Most inspections begin with a brief walk-through or conversation about the home’s history—leaks, odors, health symptoms, or areas of concern. This helps the handler focus the inspection and avoid unnecessary alerts from outdoor mold or other distractions.

Next, the dog is given a few minutes to acclimate to the environment. This is an important step—new scents like pet odors, food, cleaning products, or even unfamiliar people can be distracting. During this time, the handler may walk the dog through parts of the home without actively inspecting, simply helping the dog settle in and shift focus to the task at hand.

Once acclimated, the handler will guide the dog through the home, often room by room. The dog may work off-leash or on a long lead, depending on the layout. While the handler may point out areas of concern, this is not a signal to alert—mold detection dogs are trained to respond independently based on scent, not cues. When the dog detects MVOCs associated with mold, it will “alert”—usually by sitting, pawing, barking, or nose-pointing, depending on its training.

The handler will mark or document the alert location and may ask to bring the dog back to that area for a second pass, especially if the alert needs confirmation. This is often referred to as letting the dog “chew” or work the area again, helping to reduce false positives and ensure accuracy.

It’s important to keep the environment quiet and calm during the inspection. Distractions like loud noises, strong odors (including air fresheners or recent cooking), and too many people can interfere with the dog’s ability to focus.

After the inspection, the handler will provide a summary of the findings and a written report. This may include alert locations, photos, inspector notes, and recommendations for follow-up. If needed, they may suggest contacting an Indoor Environmental Professional (IEP) for a visual inspection, moisture testing, or lab sampling to confirm and characterize the problem further.