K-9 Crime Fighters
Narcotics Dog Training
| Last updated August 26, 2006 |
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Drug dogs detect four types of drugs: marijuana, cocaine, heroin, and methamphetamines.
The dogs are trained on each drug one at a time until they are able to successfully find
each drug type repeatedly. When the dog locates the drugs, the dog sits quietly and
stares at the location (no pawing or digging at the drug's location is permitted). The
handler then interprets this passive behavior as a drug find. Ample praise and rewards
are given each item the dog correctly detects the hidden drugs, and the entire process is
supposed to be a fun game to the dog. Please note that at no time is the dog allowed to
directly contact narcotics. The dog is trained only to detect the odor of the drugs and will
not be in physical contact with any narcotics.
The dogs are trained on each drug one at a time until they are able to successfully find
each drug type repeatedly. When the dog locates the drugs, the dog sits quietly and
stares at the location (no pawing or digging at the drug's location is permitted). The
handler then interprets this passive behavior as a drug find. Ample praise and rewards
are given each item the dog correctly detects the hidden drugs, and the entire process is
supposed to be a fun game to the dog. Please note that at no time is the dog allowed to
directly contact narcotics. The dog is trained only to detect the odor of the drugs and will
not be in physical contact with any narcotics.
Step 1: Putting
the marijuana
in the box
the marijuana
in the box
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NOTE: Drug dog training was
discontinued so that K-9 Patrol
can focus on their primary task
of apprehension work. APD has
narcotics detector dogs in other
departments, such as Narcotics
and Highway Enforcement, so
the work is still being
performed, just by other
departments.
discontinued so that K-9 Patrol
can focus on their primary task
of apprehension work. APD has
narcotics detector dogs in other
departments, such as Narcotics
and Highway Enforcement, so
the work is still being
performed, just by other
departments.
Step 2: Four
boxes are
lined up, but
only one box
holds the drug
boxes are
lined up, but
only one box
holds the drug
Step 3: Setting
the dog up for
the drug
search (Officer
Lahr & Draco)
the dog up for
the drug
search (Officer
Lahr & Draco)
| Step 5: Draco indicates that drugs are in the box by sitting & staring at the drug's location |
Step 7: Draco
is encouraged
to play with his
toy "reward"
is encouraged
to play with his
toy "reward"
Step 4: Draco
sniffs the box
to detect drugs
sniffs the box
to detect drugs
Step 8: Drug
Dog Training is
supposed to be
Fun for the dog!
Dog Training is
supposed to be
Fun for the dog!
Step 6: After a
correct find,
Draco is
rewarded with
his favorite toy
correct find,
Draco is
rewarded with
his favorite toy