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Original poster

Just a random thought - drug/explosives/contraband sniffer dogs

18 replies

FadedRed · 30/03/2018 16:12

Just watching a short video on BBC News app about a sniffer dog and had a random thought.
When, these brilliant dogs 'retire' they get removed, usual with serving officers or people connected to the services they used to work for.
What happens when they go for a walk in the park/street? Do the dogs still try looking for the 'target' substances and what would the dog's owner do if their dog started playing a lot of attention to some random stranger?
I imagine the dogs are so well trained that they only 'work' when given certain commands, so this is unlikely to happen, but just pondering....

OP posts:
Original poster
FadedRed · 30/03/2018 16:14

removed should be rehomed

OP posts:
pigsDOfly · 30/03/2018 18:31

Yeah that could be a bit awkward.

I used to live in Brighton. Poor dog wouldn't be able to go more than 2 yards before coming across someone smelling of weed.

I imagine it's as you say, they only do it when given their orders.

There's a sight dog living near me. I'm told by his owner that when he hasn't got his vest on he behaves the same as any other dog, and in fact can be a bit dizzy. But as soon as his work clothes go on, he knows he's got a job to do.

I love watching tv programmes about sniffer dogs. It's wonderful to watch them in action and to see how pleased they seem with a job well done.

missbattenburg · 30/03/2018 18:43

I suspect detection dogs use cues to understand when they are working, such as having a special harness on.

If they never get reinforced for marking a scent when not wearing the harness then, over time, they will learn not to bother.

e.g. If I smell weed + I am wearing a harness + I stop still in front of the scent = I get to play with the ball

If I smell weed + I am NOT wearing a harness + I stop still in front of the scent = I do not get to play with the ball (so I won't bother)

tabulahrasa · 30/03/2018 18:57

Hmm I’ve heard of people rehoming sniffer dogs and having interesting experiences at the park... Grin

If you’ve ever watched them work, they’re not just doing it for the reward, they’re having an absolute blast - so while yes, they’re really highly trained and absolutely they’ll know when they’re supposed to be working and when they’re not, I can easily imagine them still going, oooh yay if they’re out and about not working.

JesusInTheCabbageVan · 30/03/2018 19:29

They need regular re-training when they're working, so I imagine the impulse to 'indicate' fades eventually. Mind you, I know someone witha retitled police GSD and she still acts the part. Very woofy.

JesusInTheCabbageVan · 30/03/2018 19:30

*with a retired...

Original poster
FadedRed · 30/03/2018 19:37

Yeah, walks in the park could get interesting!Grin
I think that watching working dogs is fascinating, whether they are assistance dogs, sniffer dogs or herder dogs, they are all so brilliant and really seem to be enjoying what they are doing.

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ineedamoreadultieradult · 30/03/2018 19:43

When I was younger we had a failed drugs dog. He failed some of the tests and had a health condition that wasn't discovered until they had already trained him to a certain extent. He did used to go stock still next to some people as if he was indicating for drugs. We didn't do anything but my brother who was a teenager did used to warn his friends before they came over Hmm

ErrolTheDragon · 30/03/2018 19:50

I think the dog happiest in his work that I've ever seen was a member of the USDA 'beagle brigade' - sniffer dogs trained to detect illicit foodstuffs coming into the USA. I bet they never give it up when they retire!Grin

MsAdorabelleDearheartVonLipwig · 30/03/2018 20:58

Not quite the same but I used to love watching my spaniel quartering up a drive on a shoot. He was in his element, he bloody loved that farm and he was good at it too. All the more proud to think that I helped train him.

DinahMo · 30/03/2018 23:50

I work at a vets and we have some prison sniffer dog patients, I’ve seen them indicate at our anaesthetics cupboard before Smile

tenbob · 31/03/2018 00:04

When I got my dog from Battersea in about 2008, they had 2 retired drug sniffer dogs up for rehoming...
They said they wouldn't go into work mode unless they were given the command to search, and the kennel staff weren't very forthcoming with what that command was..!

Squirrel26 · 31/03/2018 12:25

I do scent classes with my dog for fun & I love watching him ‘working’ - you can practically see his little mental cogs whirring. They tell us not to use the command you use for scent for anything else so the dog doesn’t get confused but my dog is not the brightest, I’m sure the professionals catch on quicker

cupoflemontea · 01/04/2018 16:47

Yes! I was thinking the same thing errol I remember it so well.

Gorgeous beagle in his work suit Grin

SwimmingInTheBlueLagoon · 01/04/2018 18:18

I work at a vets and we have some prison sniffer dog patients, I’ve seen them indicate at our anaesthetics cupboard before

Smile
Adarajames · 04/04/2018 20:52

I have a trainee search and rescue dog (we're lowland rescue vols), and she will only work when she's in her work harness, without that, she's the usual squirrel mad, tree climbing superfast girl she was before we started search work :)

pigsDOfly · 05/04/2018 11:04

That's wonderful, 'I've got my work clothes on I've got an important job to do'. They're not stupid are they?

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