How detector dogs are trained to detect fentanyl

Transcript

Visual: A detector dog team searches a truck bed of a pick-up truck. The dog smells a specific area, sits and is then rewarded with its toy.

Instructor 1: To be able to train a dog for fentanyl is not very different than introducing a dog to any other odour.

Visual: A vehicle has its hood open and a dog stands on the engine while searching. The dog sits and is then rewarded with its toy.

Instructor 1: We definitely introduce odour as a game, so we want the dogs to be able to play this game with us and hunt odour.

Visual: A detector dog team searches boxes stacked on a pallet. The dog smells a specific box, sits and is then rewarded with its toy.

Instructor 1: And whether it's currency, food, or fentanyl, it really doesn't make a difference to the dog.

Instructor 2: Any contact with their nose could be a danger with fentanyl or other substances.

Visual: A detector dog team searches suitcases in the arrivals area of an airport. The dog smells a specific suitcase, sits, and is then rewarded with its toy.

Instructor 2: So it's really just knowing what to do if it happens.

Visual: A detector dog team searches a van. The dog smells under the back bumper, sits and is then rewarded with its toy.

Instructor 2: And the way we train our dogs, they're not scratching or biting. They're sitting. It's a passive reflex. So they're not going to have contact with the substance.

Visual: The corporate signature of Canada Border Services Agency and the Canada wordmark.