Have you seen a dog eagerly waiting to play catch? They can’t contain their excitement as they anticipate the ball being thrown. Well, this is similar to the behavior of a dog smelling concentrates. Interested to learn more? Keep reading!
Signs of Dogs Smelling Concentrates
When a drug-detection dog detects the smell of concentrate, they will bark, paw at the location, and become excited. They have been trained for this and eagerly await their reward. Their incredible sense of smell alerts them to the presence of concentrates.
The handler may encourage the dog with phrases like “get it, get it!” which excites them even more as they paw, dig, scratch, and sniff at the location. Their attention is fully focused as they know they are close to finding what they’re looking for. They follow the scent, nose first, body shaking with excitement, and barking to let their handler know they’ve found it.
When a dog alerts to the smell of concentrates, it is unmistakable. Their excitement is uncontrollable as they have been trained for this exact moment.
Body Language
Here are some signs you might notice when a dog smells concentrates:
– Growling
– Alertness
– Digging
– Shaking
– Scratching
Other Signs
Additional signs to watch for include:
– Sitting near the concentrates
– Pawing at the handler
– Barking
History of Dogs Smelling Concentrates
In the late 1960s, the United States began training dogs to identify illegal substances. However, as cannabis legalization and decriminalization spread, drug-sniffing dogs are now being trained to ignore marijuana and focus on substances like heroin, ecstasy, and methamphetamine. The role of drug-sniffing K-9s is evolving due to the changing legal landscape.
Nevertheless, these super-sniffers continue to be valuable in finding missing people and detecting explosives. Dogs have played crucial roles in search and rescue efforts, such as locating earthquake survivors and aiding in disaster situations like the World Trade Center collapse and Hurricane Katrina. Today, Labradors are even being trained to assist soldiers in detecting improvised explosive devices (IEDs) in war zones.
While their use in the War on Drugs may be shifting, dogs’ sense of smell will still be utilized in important ways. Dogs truly are man’s best friend, serving and protecting with their incredible olfactory abilities.
Science of Dogs Smelling Concentrates
Dogs’ sense of smell is 10,000 to 100,000 times more acute than humans’. While we may smell an apple pie, dogs can detect the individual scents of nutmeg, sugar, apples, flour, cinnamon, and more. Dogs have even been trained to sniff out cancer and help diabetic patients identify changes in their insulin levels before they experience symptoms.
The difference lies in the number of olfactory receptors in their noses. Humans have about six million, whereas dogs can have up to 300 million receptors. Additionally, the part of their brain dedicated to smelling is 40 times larger than ours. Their unique breathing and air filtration systems also contribute to their ability to detect specific scents.
While different breeds have varying abilities, all dogs are capable of sniffing out concentrates. After all, dogs experience the world primarily through their sense of smell.
Training Dogs to Smell Concentrates
Drug-detection dogs are usually selected for training between the ages of one and three. Their enthusiasm for training is more important than their breed. Energy is a desirable trait that handlers want them to maintain throughout their careers. However, Labrador Retrievers, Golden Retrievers, and German Shepherds are commonly used breeds.
Toys are scented with concentrates and thrown into the yard. The dog is then instructed to find the scented toy, relying on their acute sense of smell. This helps them associate the smell with playtime and reinforces their excitement when they come across the scent of concentrates.
If you want to train your dog to sniff out concentrates and live in a state where it is legal to obtain them, you can start by scenting your dog’s toy. Place a small amount of concentrate inside a fill-toy. Since a dog’s sense of smell is remarkable, you won’t need much. Give a specific instruction like “find the toy” while the dog plays with it.
Once the dog can distinguish between the scented and non-scented toys, you can hide the scented toy and instruct your dog to “find the toy.” With practice, your dog will become a proficient drug-sniffer.
If concentrates are not legal in your state, you can reach out to the National Narcotic Detector Dog Association for training information and let them know you are interested in scent detection training for your dog.
“Dogs truly are man’s best friend, serving and protecting with their remarkable ability to smell.”
Tips & Things to Know
1️⃣ Dogs have an incredibly keen sense of smell, with the ability to detect concentrations 10,000 to 100,000 times more than humans. This makes them excellent for tasks such as drug detection and search and rescue operations.
2️⃣ When a dog smells concentrates, they exhibit distinct body language, including growling, digging, shaking, scratching, sitting near the concentrates, pawing at the handler, and barking. These signs indicate that the dog has detected the scent and is excited about it.
3️⃣ If you want to train your dog to sniff out concentrates, start by scenting their toys with the concentrate and playing with them. Over time, the dog will associate the smell with the toy and become eager to find it. However, it’s important to ensure that concentrates are legal in your state before attempting this training.
Frequently Asked Questions, Answered ✅
1. What are some signs that indicate a dog is smelling concentrates?
– Some signs include barking, pawing at the location, digging, scratching, shaking, and growling.
2. How does a dog’s body language change when they smell concentrates?
– The dog becomes excited and focused, following the scent with their nose first, shaking with excitement, and barking to alert their handler.
3. What other signs should I watch for if my dog smells concentrates?
– Other signs include sitting near the concentrates, pawing at the handler, and increased barking.
4. What is the history of dogs being trained to smell concentrates?
– Dogs have been trained to identify illegal substances since the late 1960s, but their focus has shifted from marijuana to substances like heroin, ecstasy, and methamphetamine. However, dogs are still used for various purposes such as finding missing people and detecting explosives.
5. How are dogs able to smell concentrations so effectively?
– Dogs have a much more acute sense of smell compared to humans, with up to 300 million olfactory receptors in their noses. Their smelling part of the brain is also significantly larger. This allows them to detect specific smells and even be trained to detect changes in insulin levels for diabetic patients.
