I assumed booking a mold detection dog inspection was mostly about scheduling and cost. I didn’t realize how much the quality of the experience depends on the team’s standards — and how quickly the wrong team can turn “information” into panic.

Over time, I learned that a short set of questions reveals almost everything: how the dog is trained, how results are framed, whether the team is independent, and whether they understand their own limits.

This is the checklist I wish I’d had.

The right questions don’t create conflict — they prevent confusion.

Anchor sentence: Clarity starts before the inspection begins.

How to Use This Checklist

You don’t have to ask every question. But if a team can’t answer the core ones clearly, that’s information too.

• Choose the questions that match your situation
• Listen for calm specificity, not big promises
• Notice whether answers reduce confusion or increase urgency

Anchor sentence: Good teams welcome questions because they protect accuracy.

Copy-Paste Questions to Ask Before Booking

Training and Targets

• What exactly is your dog trained to detect (odor targets)?
• Is your dog trained on multiple odor sources or a specific set?
• How often do you do ongoing training and maintenance work?
• Do you have blind testing as part of your training routine?

Certification and Validation

• Is your team certified? By whom?
• How often do you recertify or retest?
• Do you have documentation of recent validation or testing?
• Do you track your own performance outcomes?

Inspection Protocol

• What is your standard inspection process from start to finish?
• How long does an average inspection take?
• Do you inspect HVAC and ductwork if needed?
• How do you handle rooms with strong competing odors?

Interpreting Alerts

• What counts as an alert for your dog?
• How do you handle ambiguous or weak alerts?
• Do you distinguish between “interest” and “final alert” behavior?
• How do you explain limitations when results are unclear?

False Positives and Misses

• What are common reasons dogs can alert in clean spaces?
• What conditions make your results less reliable?
• Can dogs miss mold — and if so, when does that happen most?
• What follow-up steps do you recommend after an alert?

Independence and Incentives

• Are you financially connected to remediation, demolition, or repairs?
• Do you refer business to remediation contractors?
• Do you receive referral fees from any related services?
• How do you avoid conflicts of interest?

Preparation and Logistics

• How should I prepare the home before you arrive?
• What should I avoid doing in the days before the inspection?
• Should pets be removed or secured?
• Do you need access to attics, crawlspaces, or utility rooms?

Deliverables and Documentation

• Do you provide a written summary or report?
• How do you document alerts (photos, notes, floorplan marking)?
• Can results be used as supporting documentation if needed?
• How do you recommend confirming findings?

Anchor sentence: A good inspection includes a clear explanation, not just a result.

What Good Answers Tend to Sound Like

The teams I trusted most tended to:

• Speak clearly about what the dog can and can’t do
• Describe a consistent process
• Encourage confirmation instead of certainty
• Avoid urgency or scare language

This aligns with what I learned about choosing reputable teams: How to Choose a Reputable Mold Detection Dog Team (And Red Flags to Watch For) .

Anchor sentence: Calm, specific answers are often the strongest credibility signal.

What Bad Answers Tend to Sound Like

The biggest red flags I learned to watch for were:

• Guarantees of near-perfect accuracy
• Refusal to discuss limitations
• Pressure to take immediate action based on alerts alone
• Vague answers wrapped in confident language

If you want a deeper explanation of why this matters, this piece connects directly: What Mold Detection Dogs Can’t Tell You (And Why That Matters) .

Anchor sentence: Overconfidence is not the same as competence.

A Grounded Takeaway

Mold detection dogs can be an incredibly useful tool — but the team matters.

Asking the right questions up front doesn’t make you difficult. It makes the results easier to trust and easier to use.

The best inspections start with a conversation, not a promise.

— Ava Hartwell

Anchor sentence: The right questions protect both clarity and calm.