Golden Retriever Training: May 30, Drug Dogs -- Sniffing Out Illegal Drugs

Drug dogs are trained to find illegal drugs, whether it's a large amount or just residue.

Drug dealers and smugglers go to great effort to hide their wares.

They seal drugs inside furniture, vacuum-pack them in cans, stuff them into fruit and submerge them in automobile gas tanks.

They even bury them in strong-smelling products like pepper or coffee.

And these amazing dogs find them anyway!

The dogs have absolutely no interest in drugs. What they're actually looking for is their favorite toy.

Why do they associate their toy with the smell of drugs?

It's all in the training.

You see, these dogs love to play tug-of-war with a towel.

So the handler simply plays with the dog and a scent-free towel.

Then a bag of marijuana is rolled up inside the towel.

After playing for a while, the dog starts to recognize the smell of marijuana as the smell of his favorite toy.

The handler then hides the towel, with the drugs, in various places.

The dog quickly learns that if he sniffs out the smell of drugs, he'll be rewarded with a game of tug-of-war.

As training progresses, different drugs are placed in the towel, until the dog is able to sniff out a variety of narcotics.

Positive reinforcement (rewarding with food and praise) is used to build the dogs' confidence and keep them eagerly anticipating each day's activity.

They're trained to perform regardless of distractions such as gunfire, loud noises and crowds.

They learn to find drugs in any location: buildings, vehicles, luggage, packages, lockers, aircraft, on people and in open areas.

When a drug dog finds what he's sniffing for, he lets his handler know it's there by giving the alert signal. He can do this in one of two ways.

Drug Dog He can use an aggressive alert, digging and pawing at the spot where he smells the drugs.

Or he may simply sit down, pointing with his nose to where the drug is located.

This passive alert is usually preferred because it doesn't make people nervous in places like airports.

Most drug dogs are trained to detect the basic odors of marijuana, hashish, powdered cocaine, crack cocaine, heroin, opium, methamphetamine and Ecstasy.

They can be trained to detect many other odors, as well.

They also receive basic obedience training. Both on- and off-leash commands are taught, using hand signals as well as verbal commands.

Ensuring your child is safe from drugs requires a drug free school.

First, school officials need to decide whether to use drug dogs at all.

Then they can decide whether to use police dogs or hire a private company.

The main difference between the two is the presence of a law enforcement officer.

When a private company conducts the search, findings are turned over to school officials to let them determine what action will be taken.

The primary goal is to keep the school free of drugs and thus safer for the kids and teachers, not necessarily to arrest students.

Drug Dog In School Random searches by drug sniffing dogs can be a very effective deterrent.

They send a strong message that drugs won't be tolerated at school.

The dogs typically check around lockers and cars in the parking lot when students are in class.

They can also check classrooms and other areas.

The dogs use a passive alert, as it's less intrusive.

Most private companies prefer to use dogs that don't appear threatening to kids. Golden Retrievers are perfect in that role.

Drugs in the workplace cost companies millions of dollars every year in decreased productivity and increased absenteeism and work related injuries.

Random inspections by drug detection dogs are less intrusive than other drug testing methods.

Unannounced inspections create a strong psychological deterrent against anyone using or selling drugs at work.

Teen drug use is a scary thought for most parents. Private companies can provide a confidential method for finding out if someone you love is using drugs in your home. The service is discreet and confidential, giving you the information you need to either help the person affected by drugs or to put your mind to ease.

The dogs' noses are so sensitive, they can smell marijuana residue on clothing from a joint smoked two nights before. It might seem sneaky, but if you really want to put your suspicions to rest, it's easier than forcing your child to submit to a drug test.

The breeds most often used for drug detection include the Golden Retriever, Labrador Retriever, German Shepherd and Beagle.

Drug Dog Drug detection dogs are selected for their intense search drive and compatibility.

They have great perseverance and enjoy working for long periods of time.

They're quite playful, and look forward to being rewarded for successful drug searches by playing with a favorite toy or tennis ball.

Many good drug dogs actually come from animal shelters and rescues.

They were turned in because they were destructive in homes.

They needed more mental and physical exercise, which is just what they'll get in their new role.

They're usually quite intelligent and intensely curious (which got them into trouble as pets).

Drug detection dogs have great noses! Research at Auburn University's Veterinary School shows working dogs can detect a few odor molecules per billion parts of air. That would be comparable to a person being able to locate one specific grain of sand in a thirty square foot section of beach!

Not only do drug detecting dogs have the ability to perceive tiny levels of a substance, they can also separate different odors.

For example, people can recognize the smell of pizza, whereas a detection dog can distinguish the smells of flour, tomato, onion, mushroom, peppers, cheese, and pepperoni.

With this ability to detect individual odors, drug dogs are able to find narcotics even when they're wrapped in items to mask the drug's scent. Nothing gets past their amazing noses!