Anti-narcotics dogs are complementary to the work of the Argentine Customs, they have the character of non-intrusive control and guarantee effectiveness, efficiency, while speeding up inspection. Recently, nine puppies —4 females and 5 males— have begun their training activities, the organization announced.
The plan is ready for Strengthen motor skills and perception of spaces of these 2-month-old Labrador animals, with the aim of improving their abilities so that they become dogs specialized in detecting narcotics and/or currency, forming a guide binomial with the agent.
Currently, Argentine Customs has 145 active pairs, with border collies, golden retrievers, Labradors, German shepherds and Belgian Malinois. “They are considered members of our families,” explains a Customs agent, who adds that when the dogs retire, they are adopted by their handlers.
The activities that puppies do in this first stage aim to prepare them for the conditions that will be part of their daily life when they become working dogs. Thus, the games that are proposed to them now accustom them, for example, to unstable surfaces, with different textures and the presence of light and shadow.
“If they learn this, they will be able to be in these same conditions later on without losing their concentration on smell,” explains a trainer, who adds: “If they don't incorporate it at this age, they probably never will.”. "
Specifically, the puppies Bubba, Track and Otto They are offspring of Lola and Kaiser, operational dogs of the Ezeiza Customs, while Xavi, Jana, Fyodor, Amparo, Andy Le Sauce and Lambo are offspring of Tango (also from Ezeiza Customs) and Mar, from the K9 Training Center.
It is recalled that Argentina is a reference in Latin America in this type of product inspired by international standards and best practices. In this regard, the training center that the Customs has in Boulogne was certified by the World Customs Organization (OMA) as a Regional Dog Training Center. There are only 18 Regional Dog Training Centers accredited by the OMA in the whole world and the one in Buenos Aires is the only Spanish-speaking one.
Aduana News is the first Argentine customs newspaper to launch its digital version. With 20 years of experience, its publications and initiatives aim to provide the most relevant knowledge on customs issues in order to contribute to safe trade in the region.
