Selection and Training Methods of Drug Detection Dogs

Drug Detection Dogs
Among working dogs, drug detection dogs are often seen at urban transportation hubs, such as crowded train stations, subways, and airports, where people use their sensitive sense of smell to search for suspicious items. Drug detection dogs are mostly selected based on work traits, with German Shepherds, Malinois, and Labradors being the majority; required abilities include concentrated attention, strong curiosity, sensitive olfaction, intact vision and hearing, and courage.
After professional training, drug detection dogs react to the scent of drugs and can search various environments within a certain range. Once they detect the odor of drugs, they will show an obvious reaction at the location to inform the officers.
The training mainly has two steps: the first is to establish a conditioned reflex of drugs in the dog, training the dog to respond to the scent of drug-related items. The second step is to develop the drug detection team's ability to identify drugs so that the dog reacts only to drugs.