With all the bomb threats that occur on a regular basis, as well as the actual bombings that do take place, it is critical for many law enforcement agencies to make use of bomb sniffing dogs as a way to identify these devices and put a stop to the danger before it becomes a real risk. One of the most common types of dogs to use for this purpose is Labrador retrievers. Learning more about how the dogs are trained will show you how incredible what they do really is.
Training on the Scent
One of the most important things the Labrador retriever needs to learn is what scent they are looking for. This can include the smell of gun powder and many other types of explosive materials. This is what the dog will look for whenever he is working. Because these dogs are able to detect scents, even when they are supposedly masked by other scents, they should be able to locate bombs in a wide variety of situations.
Reaction Training
It is important to train Labrador retrievers to react in a specific manner when a bomb or bomb materials are detected to alert the handler of where the bomb is located. In some situations, the Labrador may be trained to sit when he determines where the bomb is located. In other situations, he may be trained to bark, paw at the area or turn in a circle. As long as the handler is aware of the indicator, the dog will be able to alert law enforcement to the presence of bomb materials.
Situational Training
There are a wide variety of situations in which bombs can be a real threat. Airports, public transportation systems, national and international events and anywhere there is a credible bomb threat. This is why Labrador retrievers that will serve as bomb sniffing dogs must be trained in a variety of realistic situations in which they can learn how to identify the explosives among different scenes.
Bomb sniffing dogs are becoming a necessity in today’s society. With the right training, these Labrador retriever dogs can provide a great service that can save a lot of lives, as well as pain and suffering. Through their training, they will learn which scents they must look for, as well as how to identify when they have located these scents. When working with their human handlers, these dogs can be effective at finding explosives in a variety of situations.
