Dog on Duty: German shepherd joins CBP to locate narcotics

Benedix, a K-9 enforcement officer with the U.S. Customs and Border Protection, recently returned from canine enforcement training with Chico, a 3-year-old German shepherd, as his new partner.

The two underwent an intense, 13-week training program at the Canine Enforcement Training Center in Front Royal, Va., where they formed a strong bond.

Benedix said he trained with three dogs during the program and had to pick one to return with him to International Falls.

“The hardest part was picking which dog to bring back to the field,” Benedix said. “[Chico] stood out for his high drive and work ethic.”

Those are similar characteristics that Marty Eide, acting port director, used to describe Benedix. Eide said that Benedix had “attention to detail and a high drive.” He also said that Benedix’ new role required “a lot of work and a lot of dedication.”

Chico seemed to choose Benedix, too, Benedix said. The dog barked and howled at Benedix when he trained with the other dogs. According to Benedix, Chico was jealous.

Benedix said instructors at the training center took several days to learn the personalities of the trainees before they were each matched with several canines.

However, the matchmaking was not purely a social experience. Benedix said that the January-through-April program was intense with physical and mental activities for both humans and dogs.

“You had to be willing to bring your ‘A’ game every day,” he said. “Your attitude runs down-leash. If you’re having a bad day, they can sense that.”

The officer and his new canine partner graduated from the program and returned to Minnesota in April. They recently finished the readjustment period necessary to settle the pair into their new roles.

Chico is now working with the CBP to locate narcotics. He is trained to detect marijuana, hashish, cocaine, methamphetamine, heroine and ecstasy.

The dog is one of only three law enforcement canines in the immediate area, and the only dog patrolling the border crossing with the CBP. There are more than 800 K-9 teams across the United States at various airports, seaports and land border crossings, according to the CBP Web site.

Eide called canine enforcement another tool in the inspection process.

He described scenarios in which the dog will be valuable. He pointed to the need at times to inspect multiple loads of cargo and said that trying to find contraband would be like finding a “needle in a haystack.”

But Chico is able to pinpoint the narcotics and give the agents a more precise location of illegal substances.

“It gives you satisfaction to know that you’ve done everything that you could,” Eide said.

The canine can be used in multiple ways during the inspection process. He and Benedix can pre-scan vehicles before they approach the customs booth. Or, he can be used during secondary inspections, when drivers are asked to pull forward for a more thorough inspection. The K-9 unit can also be loaned to other agencies as needed.

Chico has already proven effective in the field. Chico identified trace remnants of marijuana inside a vehicle during a recent inspection, Benedix said.

Chico is trained as a passive dog, which means he will signal Benedix and then sit down. This is in contrast to positive dogs, which scratch and bite near the source of the odor they are trained to find.

The training does not end now that Benedix and Chico have graduated from the program and are working in the field. Benedix has to keep Chico proficient in his techniques, so the two are required to run drills.

During a training demonstration, Benedix hid 30 grams of marijuana in a box under the back of a car. He ran the dog around the car. The dog took just enough steps past the drugs to slow his run and then he rested directly under the concealed box. He was only in the vicinity of the car for several seconds before the target was located and his human partner was signaled.

His reward? His favorite chew toy — a broken rubber radiator hose — and a rousing game of tug-of-war with Benedix.

The mutual respect between the partners is apparent. Chico obeys Benedix’ commands and enthusiastically completes his tasks.

“He’s my partner and I have to look out for him every day,” Benedix said, similar to how human partners would describe one another. “You have to have confidence in your dog, and I have that with him.”

Chico’s care also includes food, water, exercise, temperature control, brushing, checking the ears and teeth, and maintaining general health — the same care all dog owners should give to their pets.

“Pete has shown that he’s going to go the extra mile to make the dog work here,” Eide said. “He is real energetic and excited about it.”

Chico will most likely work along the border until he is 8 years old. At that point, Benedix said that he would be able to adopt Chico as a pet.

But, for now, Benedix is glad to have him as a working partner.

“He’s an asset to the agency, an asset to homeland security and an asset to the northern border,” Benedix said. “I can’t find anything negative about him.”