Dog Detector Team

The San Joaquin County Dog Team enhances agricultural inspections by using a trained detector dog to identify parcels containing plant products that may harbor harmful pests.

Meet Waylon

"Waylon", a black labrador mix, is partnered with a trained dog handler, Senior Biologist, Erik Baxter, inspects packages at many of the county parcel facilities. The team completed a rigorous eight-week training through the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Detector Dog Training Center in Newman, Georgia.  The team works to intercept pests that may hitchhike on illegal agricultural shipments.

Waylon is a 69 lb Labrador Retriever Mix. Waylon was born on May 20, 2022, and was abandoned twice before being donated to the National Detector Dog Training Center in Georgia by Animal Services in Douglas County. Waylon partnered with handler Erik Baxter and completed his Agriculture Detector Dog training in May of 2024. Waylon now resides in Lodi, California, in San Joaquin County working primarily for the San Joaquin County’s Agricultural Commissioner's Office. Waylon has high energy and passion to help protect California’s Agricultural Industry by sniffing out unmarked packages from parcel facilities containing regulated fruits, vegetables and other plant material.

When Waylon is not on duty, his favorite pastime is playing in the water. Other hobbies include hiking trails, playing fetch, and meeting new friends.