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Introduction
You've likely seen a drug-detection dog, as they frequent airports, train stations, and other security checkpoints with law enforcement officers not too far behind. These canines are highly trained to use their sniffers to smell out all kinds of odors -including but not limited to drugs, explosives, and even humans.
As smoking alternatives get more and more creative, one can only wonder whether drug dogs are able to keep up.So if you're wondering whether dogs can smell wax pens, the answer is an unwavering yes. Whether you're inhaling marijuana or tobacco, pups are able tosniff it out. Read on to find out why!
Signs that Dogs Can Smell Wax Pens
Handheld vaporizers, commonly known as wax pens, are designed for inhaling waxy oils, whethertobacco or marijuana, in a discrete manner. Wax pens resemble e-cigarettes, enabling consumers toinhalewaxconcentrates.
Drug-detection dogs are trained to react tomany scents, including those of drugs, in avariety of ways. Some common "alerts" includebarking, touching their noses to the area where the drugs are hidden, sitting in front of the location and staying there until their handler comes by, or digging/pawing at the location of the scent.
Here are some of the common drugs DrugEnforcement Officers have trained dogs to detect:
- Marijuana
- Cocaine
- Methamphetamine
- Heroin
- Opiates
- Ecstasy
- LSD
Body Language
Dogs use a number of body language signs to indicate that they're honing in on a scent, including:<br/>
Growling
Staring
Alert
Barking
Head Tilting
(Video) Do drug-sniffing dogs pass the smell test?Whining
Jumping Up
Sniffing
Other Signs
Other signs that a dog has caught a scent include:
Digging
Focused Attention
Standing In Front Of A Location
Scratching Or Pawing At A Location
Following A Scent Nose First
Rapid Inhalation And Exhalation
The History Behind Dogs Smelling Wax Pens
As descendants of wolves, dogs have always had incredibly powerful sniffers. Thankfully, dogs have fulfilled their role as man's best friend and have assisted humans with scent detection for years. Bomb-sniffing dogs were introduced in World War II, while drug-sniffing dogs made their debut 70's as drug use in the United States was on the rise (we truly don't deserve dogs).
Today, dogs are mostly used to detect illicit drugs andcontrabandrather than medications or other legal drugs, for instance, tobacco. "Wax pens" are a popular vaporizer used to inhale forms of nicotine, including tobacco; however wax pens are more commonly used to inhale marijuana as well.
Dogs have not been utilized to sniff out tobacco use, however, if wax pens are being used to inhale marijuana, dogs can certainly sniff out that scent. However, as states and municipalities are increasingly legalizing marijuana use,police officers are refraining from wasting time and resources on training drug-detection dogs to find marijuana. Instead, training has become focused on the detection of hard drugs, like heroin,ecstasy, cocaine, ormethamphetamine.
The Science Behind Dogs Smelling Wax Pens
Research confirms just how amazing our pooches are, noting that dogs haveup to 300 million olfactory receptors in their noses; while we only have around 6 million.Even more impressive, the part of a dog's brain responsible for analyzing smells is, proportionally, 40 times greater than our own. This ensures that dogs have an acute sense of smell that is anywhere between 10,000 and 100,000 times better than ours.
To really get into the nitty gritty—dogs use their wet, spongy noses to capture scents, and they exhale through slits in the side of the nose, a mechanism that helps circulate new air through the nostrils. Once the air enters through the nostril, it encounters a fold of tissue that diverts the air along two separate channels — one is used for breathing and the other route is used to analyze scent.
It is also important to note that sniffing abilities can really depend on the breed of dog. For instance, Bloodhounds have at least 300 million scent receptors in their noses, while German Shepherds or Beagles have about 225 million. However, most dogs (even if they weren't bred for scent detection) are capable of recognizing illicit compounds at a ratio of five parts per billion.
Training Dogs to Smell Wax Pens
If a law enforcement dog can smell drugs, it means that pup has been trained to understand that if he tracks down a target scent, a treat will be given. Training a drug detection dog takes several months and focuses on teaching the dog to identify and find specific illegal substances through positive reinforcement.
The National Narcotic Detector Dog Associationis a nonprofit organization that handles the certifications for drug-detection canines. Certifications can be for a whole range of abilities - for instance - police units, body searches, explosive devices searches,and drug searches. However, in order to become certified through this organization, the dog and trainer must both be a part of the Federal Armed Forces or Armed Force reserves.
Now, more commonly there are also private organizations you can reach out to in order to help train your dog. Although the dogs are not certified through the National Narcotic Detector Dog Association, pups still go through the same vigorous training processes that dogs at the Narcotic Detector Dog Association must go through. If you are interested in training your dog for scent detection, reach out to your local private organization for details.
Have questions or concerns about your pet?
Chat with a veterinary professional in the Wag! app 24/7.
Safety Tips for Drug-Detection Dogs:
- Always ask the handler if you can pet their pup.
- Professional drug-detection dogs must be trained properly.
- Do not try to out-smart a drug-sniffing dog.
ByOlivia Gerth
Published: 05/02/2018, edited: 04/06/2020
More articles by Olivia Gerth
FAQs
Can dogs smell my wax pen? ›
So if you're wondering whether dogs can smell wax pens, the answer is an unwavering yes. Whether you're inhaling marijuana or tobacco, pups are able to sniff it out.
Can dogs detect pens? ›Whether you're wondering if dogs can smell dab pens, the answer is a resounding yes. A dog's nose is so sensitive that it may pick up the odor of marijuana or tobacco even if you inhale it via a small vape pen.
What material can dogs not smell through? ›Although man's best friend tends to have a pretty incredible ability to sniff things out, dogs cannot smell though airtight, vacuum sealed containers.
Can dogs smell vape smoke? ›Trained drug sniffer dogs can smell vape cartridges and pens depending on what substance is in the juice and cartridge. Police dogs can signal to detect what they have been trained to find, including cannabis and nicotine, from some law enforcement agencies.
Does the smell of a wax pen stay? ›Wax pens or dab pens can smell even if you're not currently using them. Keep them in an airtight container when they're not in use. It's also important to keep them clean. The vaporizer can get clogged, and it will impact pen performance as well as have a distinctive odor.
How far can drug dogs smell? ›Accurate detection of threats and illicit substances is among the drug-sniffing dog facts ensuring you feel safe. Dogs have excellent senses and can detect objects or people's smells 20 km away under perfect conditions.
What smells can dogs detect? ›- Cancer. Dogs trained to detect cancer have an accuracy rate between 88 and 97% versus machines, which is between 85 and 90%., by simply sniffing the a breath, urine, or blood sample.
- Epilepsy. ...
- Computer Gear. ...
- Ovulation. ...
- Bed bugs. ...
- Emotions. ...
- Drugs.
Dan Hayter, a former chief of the military drug-detection dog trainer and founder of K9 Global Training Academy strong believes that edibles aren't impossible to trace. He has even stated most dogs can be trained to recognize marijuana and THC substances that are mixed into flour without too much difficulty.
What can sniffer dogs detect drugs? ›- Marijuana.
- Cocaine.
- Crack cocaine.
- Heroin.
- Ecstasy.
- Methamphetamine.
- Ketamine.
- LSD.
- Citrus Scents. Citrus scents top the list of smells your dog probably hates. ...
- Vinegar. While this non-toxic household substance is safe for use around your home, your dog won't appreciate it. ...
- Rubbing Alcohol. ...
- Fresh Herbs. ...
- Cleaning Products & Chlorine. ...
- Mothballs. ...
- Hot Peppers. ...
- Perfume.
What smells don't sniffer dogs like? ›
Bad Smells to Steer Clear From
Your pooch will hate the smell of mothballs, alcohol, cleaning products and nail polish! However, we do not recommend the use of these as a deterrent, as they are toxic and harmful for your pet. Steer clear of these stinky products when your dog is around!
Yes, drug dogs can smell carts. They can detect vape cartridges and vape pens. However, drug dogs are not trained specifically to find vape cartridges themselves or anything vaping-related like vape juice and vape pens.
Is it OK if I vape around my dog? ›Vape smoke contains nicotine, which is toxic to pets. There are potentially other ingredients in vape juice that are aerosolized and can also be problematic for animals. Not to mention, elements such as THC, propylene glycol, and even formaldehyde can carry their own toxic risks.
What happens if you vape next to a dog? ›Second-hand inhalation of vaping pens can cause respiratory distress, but long-term exposure can cause cancer of the lungs, sinuses, and nasal passages. Additionally, if a pet chews on or eats a vape pen, they may be at risk of serious poisoning.
Is second-hand vape bad for dogs? ›In 2016, the World Health Organization announced that second-hand aerosols from e-cigarettes are a source of hazardous air quality for people and pets. Breathing in the toxins increases your pet's risk of developing respiratory problems and cancers of the lungs, sinuses, and nasal cavities.
How fast does dab pen smell go away? ›It generally lasts up to 10 or 15 minutes. However, some factors can affect its duration and the type of odors produced by your pen or vaporizer. For example, the amount of mist or smoke of your dab pen can depend on the kind of weed strain or composition of your pen's cartridge.
How long do wax pens last you? ›However, for a heavy user who has built up resistance against THC, it will last up to 30-days in their system. The dosage of cannabis in your wax pens also determines how long it will stay in your urine. If you're taking more potent cannabis, it can last longer than 30-days in your urine.
How long does wax hold its scent? ›How Long Does a Wax Melt Last? The usual length of scent for 2 wax melt cubes is 8-12 hours. This period of time can be more or less depending on the type of wax warmer used, the type of wax melt, and its ingredients.
Can drug dogs smell dab pens? ›So if you're wondering whether dogs can smell dab pens, the answer is an unwavering yes. Whether you're inhaling marijuana or tobacco, dogs are able to sniff it out, even if the vape pen is small and discrete.
Can dogs smell through mason jars? ›Dogs are able to smell through glass. However, if a glass container is airtight, such as a mason jar, a vacuum has been created and no air is able to escape. Therefore, no odor can escape and a dog is not able to detect a scent.
Why does my dog keep sniffing my private area? ›
Key takeaway. Dogs sniff people's crotches because of the sweat glands, also known as apocrine glands, that are located there. Sniffing these glands gives a dog information about a person such as their age, sex, mood, and mating probability.
Which is the strongest sense in a dog? ›Smell. Smell is a dog's most prominent sense and the one that is the most different from ours. It has been estimated that a dog's sense of smell is 100,000 times more powerful than a human's.
How do you confuse a dog's sense of smell? ›Bleach is one such scent that can overpower a dog's sense of smell, causing them to lose it completely.
Can drug dogs smell Delta 8 carts? ›Drug dogs can smell delta-8. The handlers train these canines to pick up various substances, including delta-8 and other cannabis derivatives. However, with relaxed legislation around cannabis and more focus on hard drugs, the chances of a drug dog picking up delta-8 are low.
How do you hide the smell of edibles? ›A good bit of body wash should do the trick, but if you've been doing some hotboxing, you may want to use a more powerful shampoo. If you don't have the time for a shower, some pungent perfume will do. Make it strong enough to mask the smell, but not too strong to irritate the people around you.
What do dogs at airports sniff for? ›Drug Screenings
Dogs can find all sorts of narcotics, like marijuana, opium, cocaine, and heroin. These drug dogs always work in conjunction with a handler. They walk through security checkpoints sniffing the air around passengers and their luggage.
The short answer is no. Sniffer dogs and your dog at home have impressive abilities, but they can't smell through materials like glass jars. However, some airtight containers can leach scent through microscopic holes in the material.
Can sniffer dogs smell CBD oil? ›And since most of the CBD products on the market are in liquid form or some cosmetics with low CBD content, it is difficult and impractical for sniffer dogs to detect them, but they can still be trained to detect products with high CBD concentration, Chan added.
Can sniffer dogs smell drugs in water? ›In fact, a dog's sense of smell is so powerful that in a million gallons of water, they can smell a tablespoon of sugar. So it becomes clear why they can locate small amounts of substances such as drugs in a search and rescue situation where large amounts of water are concerned.
What smells are strongest to dogs? ›Our study shows that dogs were more likely to interact with the scents of blueberry, blackberry, mint, rose, lavender, and linalol.
What do dogs hate the taste of? ›
At the top of the list? Citrus. Most dogs can't stand the taste and smell of oranges, lemons, and grapefruit.
Why do dogs go in circles before lying down? ›Turning in circles before lying down is an act of self-preservation in that the dog may innately know that he needs to position himself in a certain way to ward off an attack in the wild.
Do smell proof bags stop sniffer dogs? ›His dogs have tested nearly every brand of odor proof bags on the market. Popular Brands such as cookies, dime Bags, skunk bags, revelry bags have all FAILED K9 testing. Abscent's activated carbon bags are the ONLY smell proof bags to consistently and reliably defeat K9's.
What tastes bitter to dogs? ›Bitter apple sprays and spicy or hot sprays are commonly used deterrents. When you first introduce a bitter apple spray to your cat or dog, apply a small amount to a cotton ball or piece of tissue. Place this directly into your pet's mouth.
Can you hide your scent from dogs? ›Wash your body thoroughly before encountering a dog. You can buy scent-eliminating soaps inexpensively which can help to mask the human smell. Wear clothing that has only been washed in that same scent-eliminating soap. Wear scent-reducing apparel if you are willing to spend more money.
What happens if my dog licks my vape? ›As such, ingesting small amounts of vape juices is all it takes to harm them. Usually, the animal will develop gastrointestinal symptoms due to irritation in their digestive tract. Some of these symptoms include nausea and vomiting, loss of appetite, diarrhea, and abdominal pains.
How can you tell if someone is vaping in your house? ›- A sweet scent in the air. ...
- Unfamiliar pens and USB drives. ...
- Drinking more water. ...
- Nosebleeds. ...
- Smoker's cough or mouth sores. ...
- New batteries and chargers. ...
- Discarded vaping pods and devices.
Nicotine poisoning and e-liquid safety around pets
The biggest risk to pets from vaping however is not from breathing in vapour. E-liquids contain concentrated nicotine, which is poisonous to cats and dogs. Nicotine poisoning is rarely fatal when treated, but it is very dangerous.
Vaping inside: what's the verdict? Ultimately, only you can decide whether you want to vape inside your home. Although vaping outside is recommended, vaping inside may be fine for someone who isn't afraid of a little extra cleaning once in a while.
How long does vape smoke stay in the air? ›Vape clouds produced indoors by e-cigarettes break down within SECONDS to allow air quality to return to normal levels (while it takes over 30 minutes for a traditional cigarette)
Is vape worse than smoking? ›
1: Vaping is less harmful than smoking, but it's still not safe. E-cigarettes heat nicotine (extracted from tobacco), flavorings and other chemicals to create an aerosol that you inhale. Regular tobacco cigarettes contain 7,000 chemicals, many of which are toxic.
How do I know if my dog has nicotine poisoning? ›Signs of nicotine toxicity can include vomiting, drooling, diarrhea, agitation, rapid breathing, high or low heart rate, abnormal heart rate, tremors, muscle weakness and wobbliness, high or low blood pressure, respiratory depression, and seizures.
Can dogs smell dab carts? ›Can Dogs Smell Carts? In a brief answer, yes, a drug-sniffing dog that is trained to detect marijuana will be able to smell your cannabis vape pens and cartridges. But most aren't trained to detect vape cartridges.
Can drug dogs smell drugs inside you? ›However, sniffer dogs are not capable of smelling illicit drugs inside the human body. Their training focuses on detecting the odour of drugs in the air or on surfaces. They are not trained to detect drugs that are concealed within the body.
Can dogs smell Delta 8 carts? ›Drug dogs can smell delta-8. The handlers train these canines to pick up various substances, including delta-8 and other cannabis derivatives. However, with relaxed legislation around cannabis and more focus on hard drugs, the chances of a drug dog picking up delta-8 are low.
Can dogs smell carts from outside the car? ›Can drug dogs smell carts from outside a car? If the dog is trained to detect weed, yes, depending on where your “cart” happens to be.
Can K9 dogs smell nicotine Vapes? ›There are also drug-detection dogs that are able to smell illicit substances and other odors in all kinds of substances. So if you're wondering whether dogs can smell the nicotine in juuls, the answer is an unwavering yes. Your pup's sense of smell can be 1,000 times more powerful than a human's.
How little drugs can dogs smell? ›Sniffer dogs can smell a wide range of substances, from cannabis to heroin, to ketamine and MDMA. They are trained to identify illegal odours that emit from certain drugs.
What drug can a dog smell? ›Dogs are also good at sniffing out illicit drugs. Most sniffer dogs can be trained to pick up the smell of marijuana, cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine, opiates, ecstasy and LSD.
How easily can dogs smell drugs? ›Their sense of smell is two thousand times much stronger, and fifty times more sensitive than that of a human's which is why a sniffer dog is used for a number of security operations. Sniffer dogs have totally no interest in the drugs themselves. What they're actually searching for is their favourite toy.
What happens if a dog eats a delta-8 pen? ›
It can be panic-inducing if your pet consumes delta-8 THC products. It can result from mild discomfort to severe issues leading to hospitalization. Most of the time, your pet will sleep it off, but it all depends on how much your animal consumes before stopping.
Is delta-8 detectable by drug test? ›The short answer is that yes, delta-8 THC can show up on a drug test. The National Drug Court Institute recommends avoiding delta-8 THC if you're going to be tested for drugs, and not just because delta-8 falls into a legal gray area. Some impure delta-8 products also contain delta-9 THC.