Bomb dogs are a vital part of today's security forces. Used by the military, police departments, government agencies and private companies, they not only detect the presence of explosives but also provide peace of mind when an area is confirmed as being free of any explosive devices.
The right temperament is just as important as a good sense of smell in the selection of bomb detection dogs. Some groups get their dogs from animal shelters or dog rescues.
They're the kinds of dogs that people adopt as puppies, and then later return to the pound when they turn out to be just a little "too much dog" for them to handle.
These are actually good characteristics in bomb dogs, as their stamina and perseverance will keep them going for hours at a time "on the job."
They need to be friendly and outgoing, with a strong hunting instinct and an intense work drive.
They should have a compulsive desire to play with a toy, which is a critical part of training the explosive detection dog, as we'll see.
They also need to get along well with people, because so much of what they do is in crowded areas.
A Golden Retriever is especially good at "working a crowd," as they're such a people-pleasing breed and completely non-intimidating.
Other popular breeds include the Labrador Retriever and the German Shepherd.
During training, the dogs are rewarded with toys to chew on each time they find explosive material.To them, it's a great game of hide and seek!
When they find the object (odor) they're looking for, they receive a reward (toys or food).
They also get lots of verbal praise.
They're trained to sit down abruptly (passive response) as soon as they catch a whiff of an explosive.
They learn to perform reliably in spite of loud noises, crowds, and a number of routine distractions in any environment.
These dogs are trained to "sniff out" at least 25 to 30 different odors (even in tiny amounts) that might comprise a bomb.
This translates into as many as 19,000 different combinations of explosives that they can detect.
The dogs also receive basic obedience training as part of their schooling.
Dogs have roughly 200 million scent receptor cells in their noses. That's about 40 times as many as humans.
This makes them incredibly sensitive to smells.
In laboratory tests, bomb sniffing dogs were able to detect odor concentrations as small as one to two parts per billion.
Dogs are also remarkably good at detecting a target odor even when mixed with lots of other smelly stuff.
For example, a dog can detect dynamite through dirty diapers, or C4 through smelly socks.
Whether providing explosives sweeps for a large venue or a smaller security detail, bomb dogs are more economical and effective than other methods of searching. Here are several reasons:
Speed -- Dogs can check faster by smell than an Xray machine operator by sight. Instant results -- They detect target odors "in real time" -- no waiting for lab results. Mobility -- Dogs can check out large areas faster than any other method. Versatility -- Explosive detection dogs can detect a wide variety of substances. Precision -- Dogs can discriminate between very similar chemical compounds. Focused -- Dogs can detect target odors in an environment so full of odors that electronic sensors may be compromised. Ability to Find Source -- Only dogs can track chemical vapor to its exact source. No instrumental device is presently capable of doing this. Fewer Breakdowns -- Dogs don't have mechanical failures and can quickly be replaced should the dog be ill or not want to work. No power source required -- Dogs don't require electricity and can work in areas where power is unavailable. Adaptable -- Dogs can check items and areas that won't fit in an Xray machine.
For military patrols throughout the world, a bomb sniffing dog can mean the difference between life and death. These "dogs of war" have saved countless lives and their record for finding hidden explosives has won them a loyal following. The soldiers trust these dogs more than metal detectors and mine sweepers.
Back on the home front, using bomb dogs reduces unnecessary evacuations. Dogs can check out suspicious packages, avoiding the need to call in a bomb squad (unless explosives are found) and reducing expensive company "down time."
It's a scary world we're living in. Modern and sophisticated explosive devices can be hidden literally anywhere.
These incredible dogs are trained to search wherever danger might lurk.
That can include luggage, packages, vehicles, courtrooms, schools, offices, lecture halls, hotels, malls, stores, hospitals, museums, banks, religious centers, industrial buildings, government buildings, schools and colleges, diplomatic consulates and embassies.
They can quickly check out large venues such as convention centers, stadiums, arenas, casinos, and concert halls.
They can rapidly secure other large areas that would take a long time to search by non-canine methods, such as seaports, warehouses, cargo facilities, airports, aircraft, ships, trains, mass transit systems, amusement parks, parking facilities, and military installations.
In the past, having an explosive detection team might have been considered a negative factor. But today it is viewed as a positive service.
It can help people feel safer and more secure.
One of the most effective ways to calm people down during a bomb threat situation is seeing a bomb dog in action.
As an added bonus, bomb dogs actually enjoy their work.
The happiest part of their day is when they're on the scent of something explosive.
Their super sniffing abilities have saved countless lives.
We owe them a huge debt of gratitude.
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