[Garth]

This might sound like a dumb question but does anyone know if they become drug addicts as a result of their work? I mean they spend time getting trained to detect narcotics & then spend all their working lives sniffing them out. Could they also suffer withdrawal symptoms if they don't have a bust for a while or when they're retired? Think about it. This is how humans get addicted by sniffing this stuff so surely it would follow that dogs could be affected the same way?

We've got a couple of customs programs running on tv right now dealing with the contraband that is constantly smuggled into the country which got me wondering about this topic. Next time I run into a drug dog at an airport, I'll ask its handler. It might make for an interesting conversation.

 

[Garth]

I agree with the above, but wanted to tell you an interesting story. A girl I work with adopted a golden retriever from a local rescue. We swear she was a drug dog because everytime she is around a car, any and every car, she smells all the wheel wells. And she does this thoroughly. We jokingly say she must have been taught to sniff out drugs, but sometimes I wonder if it's true!

There's an easy way to find out. Plant some drugs behind a wheel & watch how she reacts.