Drug dog training is an important part of the war against drugs. Additionally, it is an interesting process that entails patience and a great deal of creativity. In the end, though, these dogs are able to improve national security by detecting drugs through intense and long training. So how does drug dog training work? It is a complicated process, but here is a basic look at what goes on with these amazing living drug detectors.
Make it a Game
The most common way drug dog training is done is through making the whole thing a game for the dog. Whether the dog is in your living room or acting as a drug detector, they love to play. With that in mind, the trainers of these canine cops start with giving the dog a toy he enjoys. Once the dog is in love with the toy, it is given the scent of drugs or explosives that the dog will be needed to detect. The toy is then hidden somewhere and the dog is asked to find it as part of the game. When he does, he is excited to find his toy. Eventually, they take the toy away and hide the drugs. However, when the dog finds the drugs, he is always rewarded with his toy.
Masked Scents
Often times, to avoid security, smugglers will hide drugs among heavy scents like coffee to try and avoid the dogs’ drug detection. In order to help the drug dog training to overcome such a strategy, additional training is required with more complex equipment. The dog is generally led straight to the drugs already packed in coffee or incense or some other strong smelling cargo and allowed to smell it. The next time he is turned loose to find it on his own. If he does not, the process starts again. The key is to teach the dog to be as suspicious of all smells as possible, and to always reward him with his toy at the end of the drill.
Drug dog training is an important job for the security of the borders. They can be trained to not only detect drugs, but also to detect things like explosives and other contraband. These amazing animals are trained using some of the best trainers in the world as well as patience and love.
Dean Iggo is the webmaster of a training a dog website providing free dog training tips, obedience training, puppy potty training and more.
Source: www.articlesbase.com