Detection Dog Services & Training
Cutting Edge Canine was founded by Nicole Harvey, an experienced detection dog handler and trainer with over 10 years’ experience working with organisations including the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry and Sydney Water. Nicole played a key role in establishing the world’s first successful water and sewage leak detection dog team, combining advanced training methodologies with proven operational experience.
Building on this foundation and a genuine passion for working dogs, Cutting Edge Canine specialises in handler development, the deployment of highly trained canine teams to accurately locate drinking water leaks across complex networks, and the development of dogs for innovative detection projects.
Our goal is to deliver reliable, efficient, and forward-thinking canine detection solutions that create real value for clients, support better operational outcomes, and continue to push the boundaries of what detection dogs can achieve.
Detection Dog Training & Services
Cutting Edge Canine delivers specialised canine detection services to private companies, councils, utilities, and infrastructure operators. Our highly trained canine teams are capable of operating across a diverse range of environments, including residential, industrial, rural, coastal, and national park areas. They are trained to adapt to varying terrain, pipe materials, and environmental conditions, ensuring consistent performance across complex networks. By tailoring each deployment to the specific requirements of the asset and location, we provide a reliable, efficient, and highly effective detection solution.
Services
Cutting Edge Canine delivers specialised canine leak detection services
Water and Waste water leak detction
Our dogs are trained to locate drinking and wastewater leaks by detecting chlorine and fluoride in treated water, enabling accurate, targeted detection across diverse networks and environments. Each deployment is tailored to ensure reliable performance in live conditions.
Proof of concept
A proof-of-concept detection dog service involves deploying trained canine teams to demonstrate feasibility, accuracy, and operational value in real-world conditions. It allows clients to validate performance and assess how canine detection can be integrated into their operations.
Handler Training
Cutting Edge Canine provides specialised handler training to develop the skills needed to effectively deploy and manage detection dogs. Our programs combine practical experience with proven methods, enabling confident handling and reliable performance across diverse environments.
Detection Dog Services
Cutting Edge Canine provides specialised detection dog services, deploying highly trained canine teams to accurately locate targets across a range of environments and operational settings.
Program development
We design and implement detection dog programs, guiding clients through dog selection, training, and operational integration to deliver effective, field-ready canine teams.
About Nicole
Nicole is a professionally qualified dog trainer with over 10 years of experience working with dogs across both private and government sectors. She has built a strong reputation for delivering precise, results-driven training tailored to each client’s needs.
Her career includes extensive work as a Biosecurity dog handler, where she developed advanced handling, detection, and operational skills in high-stakes environments. Nicole is also recognised as a pioneer in the field, being the first in the world to both train and handle dogs capable of detecting water and sewage leaks—an innovative application that demonstrates her ability to push the boundaries of canine detection work.
Combining technical expertise with a deep understanding of canine behaviour, Nicole specialises in developing highly reliable detection and working dogs, while maintaining a strong focus on practical outcomes, efficiency, and animal welfare.
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Canine Facts
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Global Use and Potential of Detection Dogs
Frequently asked questions
Benefits Over Conventional Hardware Technology
Detection dogs offer several advantages over traditional acoustic or electronic leak detection methods:
· Speed and efficiency: Large areas can be screened quickly.
· Pinpoint accuracy: Dogs locate the highest concentration of odour, often identifying the exact leak source.
· Real-time results: No post-processing or interpretation delays.
· Material independence: Effective across all pipe materials (e.g., PVC, AC, cast iron).
· Early detection capability: Able to identify very small leaks before they escalate into larger, more costly failures.
The primary limitations relate to high-traffic environments, such as main roads and densely populated urban areas, where safety and operational constraints can restrict deployment. That said, dogs excel in challenging terrain, including natural reserves, coastal environments, and uneven or heavily vegetated areas where conventional methods can be less effective. While leaks have been successfully detected on private property (e.g., service lines to homes), I have not undertaken detection work inside residential dwellings
I was one of the trainers responsible for preparing and deploying the detection dogs at Sydney Water and Central Coast. In May last year, I left Sydney Water and established my own company, Cutting Edge Canine, which specialises in water and wastewater leak detection, alongside other detection dog services.
In my experience, well-trained detection dogs are highly accurate at both tracking and pinpointing potable water leaks. They are not limited by a minimum leak size or specific pipe type. Dogs I have trained and handled have successfully identified leaks ranging from very minor seepage (early-stage leaks) through to high-flow failures. They have proven effective across a wide range of assets, including water mains, main-to-meter connections, hydrants, valves, stormwater canals, and private infrastructure.
Efficient, scalable, and field-proven
Our canine teams can cover large areas in significantly less time than traditional detection methods, helping clients prioritise repairs and reduce water loss with targeted, actionable findings.
Enquire now about our services
Happy to answer your questions