These dogs have such a cool job! They are arsenal detecting police dogs! This means that their job is to determine where the fire started, helping their police partners discover whether or not the fire was accidental. 

They have a menagerie of cues and commands to learn, and they are only fed while working. This means that they have a huge drive to work, because if they don't work, they don't eat. These dogs are mostly labs, goldens, or goldadors (cross between a golden and a labrador). They sniff out gasoline that has been 50% diluted by water.

It was such a blast to be apart of the annual re-certification process for these dogs, to meet some of their policemen owners, and to observe them working. There is no doubt in my mind that a dog with a job is one happy dog! These dogs have a fabulous life, and they love working with and for their masters. 

Part of the re-certification process happened in a training facility for firemen, so the building had already been scorched. Hence the rubble and dark spots on the walls, and the harsh lighting. When the dogs discover where the two drops of water diluted gasoline are, they sit to signify that they've discovered where the fire started. 

Pretty neat, huh? As a dog behaviorist, I was quite impressed at how well these dogs were trained, and how often their masters work with them to keep their skills sharp. Check out these photos I snagged of the re-certification exam process.