We all know dogs are intelligent creatures. They can be trained to detect drugs, guns, money, and more. Police and military dogs are often trained for this purpose. But can dogs detect opioids? Let’s find out.
Signs of a Dog Detecting Drugs
When a dog is searching for drugs, they have one focus. They are given a scent and will search until they find it. Once they detect the smell, they may bark or touch their nose to the area. Some dogs may become aggressive by digging or pawing at the spot. However, they are trained to never harm a person or destroy property.
Body Language
When a dog detects drugs, they may exhibit signs such as staring, being alert, guarding, or pacing. They may also paw, dig, or scratch at something, stand in front of something, or touch their nose to something.
History of Dogs Smelling Drugs
Dogs have been used by humans for many years to detect drugs and other substances. They were first used to detect German mines during World War II. Over time, they were trained to detect various illegal substances. Dogs have also been trained to detect pests and agricultural products.
Science Behind Dogs Smelling Opioids
Dogs are generally not trained to smell opioids due to their high toxicity. Even small amounts can be lethal. However, progress has been made in Canada using a liquid version of the opioid fentanyl for training purposes.
Training Dogs to Smell Opioids
Training dogs to detect opioids is challenging due to their deadly nature. In Canada, a liquid version of fentanyl is used for training. Dogs are trained to sniff out drug pads that contain the liquid version of the opioid. This allows them to detect the drug without inhaling it.
The dogs are trained using positive reinforcement. They are rewarded when they show any sign of detecting the target smell. As training progresses, they are only rewarded if they alert to the assigned drug and display the proper signal.
Training is extensive and takes months of practice for both the dogs and handlers. The dogs must become certified and work well with a team.
“Training dogs to detect opioids: A life-saving challenge”
Tips & Things to Know
1️⃣ Dogs can be trained to detect a wide variety of drugs, including opioids. They rely on their sense of smell to identify the specific drugs they are trained to find.
2️⃣ When a dog detects drugs, they may exhibit signs such as staring, alertness, guarding, pacing, pawing, digging, or scratching at something, standing in front of something, or touching their nose to something.
3️⃣ Detecting opioids presents a challenge due to their deadly nature. However, in Canada, a training system has been developed using a liquid version of opioids that allows dogs to safely learn to detect them without inhaling the substance. Training is extensive and takes months of practice for both the dogs and handlers.
Frequently Asked Questions, Answered ✅
1. Can dogs detect opioids?
– Yes, dogs can be trained to detect opioids.
2. What are the signs that a dog has detected drugs?
– Signs that a dog has detected drugs include staring, being alert, guarding, and pacing.
3. How do dogs indicate that they have found drugs?
– Dogs are generally trained to signal they found something by barking, touching their nose to the area, or by becoming aggressive in some cases.
4. What is the history of dogs being trained to detect drugs?
– Dogs have been used to detect drugs since the 1970s, starting with explosives and progressing to illegal substances like marijuana, heroin, and cocaine. They have also been trained to detect other things like pests and agricultural products.
5. How are dogs trained to detect opioids safely?
– In Canada, dogs are trained to detect opioids using a liquid version of the drug fentanyl. The liquid is combined with water and placed on absorbent pads, which the dogs are trained to sniff out without actually inhaling the substance.
