How do you train a k-9 dog for the DRUG ENFORCEMENT AGENCY?

Answer 1

i heard of this man who taught his dogs to detect cancer he puts the liqid of the cancer into bandaids(2 of then like the liquid on the white patch then another to cover it on the top of that banaid) with the actual cancer then he put a whole bunch of other bandaids exactually the same then he stuck then all over his wife and then you lay the person down then you let your dog sniff them and some how the dog hit the badaid that had the cancer with his paw i suggest to put them like in a shoe,pocket,jacket and places that people actually hide there drugs not out in the open TRY TO REMEMBER WHICH ONE ANSWER:

While not completely accurate, the above answer is on the right track in some aspects. Most detection (sniffing) dogs are generally trained using similar principles with some key differences depending on the trainer's desired results. The key words to remember here are REPETITION and ASSOCIATION. You basically have the dog repeatedly perform tasks. When the dog exhibits desired behaviors, you praise it. When the dog exhibits undesired behaviors, you correct it. Sounds simple, right? It is in concept but at the same time can be a little complicated. Most trainers will start off using a set of boxes (usually 4-8) with holes cut out in the tops measuring 3-5 inches in diameter. One box is designated as the "hot box" and is the one in which the training aid is always placed. Only one box in the set should be used to hide training aids in (this is to prevent contamination.) The trainer will then have the dog stick his nose in each box (it's critical that the holes are small enough to prevent the dog from sticking its head all the way in and getting stuck.) When the dog gets to the hot box, the trainer will allow the dog to get a nose full of the training aid scent before telling the dog to "sit" (for a "passive" alert) or "get it" (for an "aggressive" alert.) If the dog obeys its trainer, it gets rewarded (either with a toy or an edible treat.) If the dog doesn't obey, it gets corrected verbally, physically or both ways. It is important to note that "physical" correction is not defined as abusing the dog. A gentle nudge on the dog's behind or tug on a leash is sufficient.

This process is repeated over and over with the order of the boxes getting switched around between each turn to prevent the dog from alerting based on memory. As time goes by, the dog relates finding particular scents with getting rewarded and it becomes a game of hide and seek.

When the dog has mastered the box exercises, it graduates to the next level. The trainer will introduce the dog to different exercises and environments. Training aids will then be hidden in buildings, vehicles, luggage, etc. The idea is to expose the dog to as many different scenarios as possible so that when they actually go out in the field and work, they will feel comfortable doing so.

When the prescribed training program is complete, the dog and handler must pass a certification test together. Each must complete a training program separately but in general no handler is permitted to work with a dog he/she has not been certified with.

One last point of interest. Despite their classification as "working" or "service" animals, the dog does not consider what it does for its handler "work." This is a point of confusion for many people as there are rumors of drug sniffing dogs being forced to consume narcotics as a motivational tool. The logic here is that if the dog is given drugs, it will become addicted and thus become obsessed with finding more drugs. This is false and absolutely ridiculous. No police K-9 trainer/handler would ever do such a thing. It's cruel, foolish and it would shorten the life of an animal that more than likely has become a member of the family. The entire motivation for the dog to search is fun and excitement. The training makes it a game, the dog doesn't need much more than that to get it going. Besides, if the rumor were true, then how are bomb dogs motivated? I've never heard of any explosive with addictive properties. ### ^ That's a good answer. I just wanted to add that most drug dogs are trained with "pseudococaine" which I believe is called, "methyl benzoate"--which is actually an IMPURITY created in the non-pharmaceutical--i.e., "bootleg" process. A drug dog therefore might not detect someone who had a PRESCRIPTION for cocaine for whatever reason. Another factor that certain Supreme Court justices have noted is that up to 65% of US Currency can be tainted with drugs to the level that a dog might detect it. So a citizen could be legally carrying tainted currency and get a positive hit from a drug dog, in theory. I.e., you could be innocent of any wrong doing and get drug-tainted currency as change, for instance.