BORDER NOSES STAND GUARD

It's an anniversary unlikely to be celebrated by drug traffickers, gun
runners or smugglers. but it has been 25 years since Canada Customs
introduced detector dogs to the border.

The service began in Windsor as a pilot project with just three detector
dogs but has since grown to 46 teams strategically located across Canada.

The Canada Customs and Revenue Agency (CCRA) marked the occasion with an
impromptu media demonstration of their canine unit's capabilities.

"The detector dog service is an integral part of our contraband detection
force," said Alan Nymark, Commissioner of the CCRA. "The special skills and
abilities of these canines help us stop drugs and firearms from being
smuggled into our communities."

This year the dogs have been responsible for more than 500 drug and firearm
seizures worth $125 million.

The two Windsor teams are responsible for a nation-leading $18-million in
seizures.

Ken Turner, a current dog handler, said the canine of choice when the
program was initiated in 1978 was the German Shepherd, all-purpose police
dog. But 15 years ago it was determined that retrievers were better suited.

Turner's dog is an eight-year-old, Black Lab named Rosco. He said the
perfect animal is one "that will retrieve until it drops from exhaustion."

Unlike other breeds, retrievers are non-aggressive and gentle, are known for
exceptional physical endurance and have a strong work ethic.

Just a game

While the drug pusher may be sweating out the search of his car, his
tail-wagging nemesis considers it nothing more than a game.

The dogs, said Turner, take four days to train, but the handlers require a
four-week preliminary course followed by 10 weeks of paws-on training.

During the training it's possible that either the dog or the handler could
fail out. Only one in 30 dogs makes the cut.

For the animals, the training consists of being conditioned to sniff out
contraband.

Their handlers, who live with the dogs full-time, use drug-scented bundles
to play fetch until they are conditioned to seek out the smell. They are
rewarded with treats and praise .

Jim Yen, who pioneered the program, went through seven German Shepherds in
two and half months before he found one that could do the job.

In those days, he said, drug traffickers would stash dope in car
deodorizers, heaters, under the battery,and in wheel wells and hub caps.

Today there are no hiding places the authorities haven't seen.

"After 25 years there are no surprises."