Drug detection dogs are highly trained dogs that use their strong sense of smell to detect various odors, including illicit drugs and explosives. These dogs can be seen at airports, train stations, and other public places. With the rise in popularity of dab pens, there is a question of whether drug-detection dogs can detect them. The answer is yes, dogs can smell dab pens, even if they are small and discreet. This article will explain why dogs can detect dab pens.
Signs That Dogs can Smell Dab Pens
Drug-detection dogs are trained to detect a wide range of illegal substances, including marijuana, cocaine, methamphetamine, LSD, and peyote. They can alert their handlers in various ways, such as touching their noses to the location of the drugs, sitting in front of the location, or digging/pawing at the scent. However, dogs are not trained to detect tobacco or nicotine, so they are unlikely to alert their handlers over a tobacco scent from a dab pen. However, dogs are observant creatures and can pick up on behavioral changes in humans, so they may still notice if their owner has used a dab pen.
Body Language
There are certain signs that indicate a dog has detected the scent of drugs from a dab pen. These signs include growling, staring, being alert, barking, jumping up, sniffing, raising ears, and raising a paw.
Other Signs
Other signs that a dog has detected drugs include digging at the object or location, touching their nose to the object, pawing at the object or location, and pacing in front of the object or location.
The History Behind Drug Detection Dogs
Drug detection dogs have been used since the 1940s to detect bombs, and in the 1970s, they began to be trained to detect drugs due to the increase in drug use. Nowadays, dogs are primarily used to detect contraband and illegal drugs, rather than legal drugs like tobacco. However, if a dab pen is used to inhale marijuana, dogs can still detect the scent. The training of drug-detection dogs has shifted towards detecting hard drugs like heroin, ecstasy, cocaine, and methamphetamine, as marijuana is being legalized in more states.
The Science Behind Dogs Smelling Dab Pens
Dogs have an incredibly powerful sense of smell, with some breeds being better at smelling than others. Dogs have about 220 million receptors in their noses, compared to humans’ 5 million. They also have a specialized organ called the vomeronasal organ that enhances their sense of smell. The part of a dog’s brain responsible for analyzing smells is much larger than in humans. These factors contribute to dogs having a sense of smell that is 10,000 to 100,000 times better than humans.
Training Dogs to Smell Dab Pens
The National Narcotic Detector Dog Association handles the certification for drug-detection dogs. However, certification through this organization is limited to the Federal Armed Forces or Armed Force reserves. Private organizations also provide drug detection training for dogs, although they may not be certified by the National Narcotic Detector Dog Association. These organizations still provide rigorous training for dogs interested in scent detection.
“As states legalize marijuana, drug-detection dogs focus on sniffing out harder substances, but their super sniffers can still detect the scent of dab pens.”
Tips & Things to Know
1️⃣ Drug-detection dogs can smell dab pens, even if they are small and discreet. Dogs are trained to detect a wide range of illicit substances, including marijuana and tobacco.
2️⃣ While dogs may not alert their handlers to the scent of tobacco from a dab pen, they are highly observant creatures and can pick up on changes in human behavior and body odors. This means that even if a dog can’t identify the specific scent, they may still notice your behavioral changes when using a dab pen.
3️⃣ Dogs have an incredible sense of smell, with about 220 million receptors in their noses compared to our 5 million. They also have a specialized organ and a larger part of their brain dedicated to analyzing smells. This makes them between 10,000 and 100,000 times better at detecting smells than humans.
Frequently Asked Questions, Answered ✅
1. Can drug-detection dogs smell dab pens?
– Yes, drug-detection dogs can smell dab pens, even if they are small and discrete.
2. What signs do drug-detection dogs show when they detect drugs?
– Drug-detection dogs may exhibit signs such as touching their noses to the area where the drugs are hidden, sitting in front of the location, digging or pawing at the scent location, among others.
3. Can drug-detection dogs detect tobacco scent from dab pens?
– It is unlikely that drug-detection dogs will alert their handlers over a tobacco scent exhibited from a dab pen, as tobacco and nicotine are not illegal substances.
4. Can dogs detect behavioral changes caused by marijuana or alcohol use?
– Yes, dogs are observant creatures and can notice behavioral changes in humans when they consume alcohol or marijuana.
5. How do dogs have a better sense of smell than humans?
– Dogs have about 220 million receptors in their noses compared to humans’ 5 million, a specialized organ called the vomeronasal organ, and a part of their brain dedicated to analyzing smells that is 40 times greater than humans’. This gives them a sense of smell that is 10,000 to 100,000 times better than humans.
