Rolling with the Punches
When you work with detection dogs, you need to be ready for anything. On most jobs, you don’t know what you’ll find, where you’ll find it, or what kind of obstacles you’ll encounter. After 40 years on the job, I’ve learned that success often comes down to rolling with the punches and getting the job done, no matter the challenges.
A Lifetime in Detection Dog Work
Over four decades, I’ve trained and worked with dogs to detect drugs, bombs, land mines, and accelerants for organizations around the world. I’ve authored several books on the subject, including Detection Dog Training: It’s Not a Job, It’s a Lifestyle.
In the 1980s, I began honing my skills while working security jobs in Toronto and Hamilton. During night shifts, I practiced by setting up “hides” for my dogs to find, exposing them to different search environments and distractions. This relentless practice led to steady improvement for both my dogs and me.
As we grew more proficient, opportunities multiplied. We started receiving work from local companies, which eventually brought us to the attention of law enforcement. This collaboration expanded our role into the public sector, searching prisons and assisting in drug task force operations.
Early Challenges and Unique Scenarios
One of my first dogs, a Belgian Malinois, accompanied me in six federal prisons. During one memorable search, we encountered a workshop filled with stacks of denim—exactly the material my dog’s toy was made from. I worried this might confuse him.
To test his focus, I asked a guard to hide an item in the room without revealing its location. Letting the dog work off-leash, I watched as he quickly located the hidden item. It was a reminder of the importance of trusting your training and adapting to unforeseen circumstances.
High-Stakes Detection
Dealing with explosives raises the stakes, where success means avoiding catastrophe. One of my early explosives calls involved suspected dynamite under a porch. By the time I arrived, a device had been blasted, and we were tasked with confirming the presence of explosives.
Environmental factors like wind can complicate detection work, especially outdoors. On this occasion, strong winds blew scent from the blast area. My dog, Trooper, indicated near a plastic bag with wires protruding from it. Upon further investigation, we realized the scent was coming from residue on the wires, not the bag itself. Recognizing these nuances saved time and prevented unnecessary risks.
Continuous Training for Real-World Success
Later, we moved inside the house, where Trooper demonstrated his skill by identifying a dish containing a .38 shell and locating a holster upstairs. These successes underline the importance of regular, dynamic training.
Detection work isn’t just about the dog; it’s equally about the handler. Static training environments can create a false sense of security. Incorporating unique scenarios and distractions into practice is essential because field conditions are rarely predictable.
Final Thoughts
If you’ve put in the practice and are willing to adapt, unexpected obstacles won’t stop you. Rolling with the punches and maintaining a flexible, problem-solving mindset is key to consistent success in detection dog work. Contact us to find out more.
