Cooper ran around a circle of 15 cans of coffee hoping to sniff out one of 10 scents he knew would come with a reward – playing with his favorite rubber chew toy with his master, Tony. Quan.
For US Deputy Marshal Quan, it was more than a game. The dog’s official certification and their future together as the K-9 explosives detection team was at stake.
K-9 explosives dog “Tigi” is awarded his favorite rubber chew toy after correctly identifying explosives during ATF training and certification on Wednesday, September 15, 2021. Bureau of Tobacco, Firearms, Explosives conducted K-9 testing and training Tuesday through Thursday at the Frank Hotchkin Memorial Training Center in Los Angeles. 23 explosive K-9 teams from Southern California participate in the event which takes place every two years. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News / SCNG)
“Blake” is rewarded by his manager, UCLA Police Officer Larry Johnson, after correctly identifying an explosive during ATF training and certification on Wednesday, September 15, 2021. The Bureau of Tobacco, Firearms, Explosives conducted K-9 testing and training Tuesday through Thursday. at the Frank Hotchkin Memorial Training Center in Los Angeles. 23 explosive K-9 teams from Southern California participate in the event which takes place every two years. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News / SCNG)
UCLA Police Officer Larry Johnson guides “Blake” through the explosives course during ATF training and certification on Wednesday, September 15, 2021. The Bureau of Tobacco, Firearms, Explosives conducted K-9 testing and training Tuesday through Thursday at the Frank Hotchkin Memorial Training Center in Los Angeles. 23 explosive K-9 teams from Southern California participate in the event which takes place every two years. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News / SCNG)
The “smells” aren’t very interesting, but for K-9 explosive dogs they are all very different. ATF training and certification for K-9 took place on Wednesday, September 15, 2021. The Bureau of Tobacco, Firearms, Explosives conducted K-9 testing and training Tuesday through Thursday at the Frank Hotchkin Memorial Training Center in Los Angeles. 23 explosive K-9 teams from Southern California participate in the event which takes place every two years. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News / SCNG)
US Marshal Tony Quan and “Cooper” check explosives during ATF training and certification on Wednesday, September 15, 2021. The Bureau of Tobacco, Firearms, Explosives conducted K-9 testing and training Tuesday through Thursday at Frank Hotchkin Memorial Training Center in Los Angèle. 23 explosive K-9 teams from Southern California participate in the event which takes place every two years. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News / SCNG)
Anil Pillai from the Federal Bureau of Protection and his dog “Tigi” lead the explosives training course during ATF training and certification on Wednesday September 15, 2021. The Bureau of Tobacco, Firearms, Explosives carried out tests and a K-9 training Tuesday through Thursday at the Frank Hotchkin Memorial Training Center in Los Angeles. 23 explosive K-9 teams from Southern California participate in the event which takes place every two years. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News / SCNG)
Golden Lab “Cooper” and Quan, four, were part of one of 23 Southern California law enforcement explosives detection teams participating in the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco’s National Odor Recognition Test. Firearms and Explosives during the Frank Hotchkin Memorial training. Center in Los Angeles, Tuesday through Thursday this week.
According to Cody Monday, ATF head dog trainer, “We administer the national recognition test to make sure the dog masters 10 basic explosive scents. We go out every two years, which is important because our chemists and bomb technicians are looking at trends that are developing across the country, and if new explosives are used, we add them to testing.
Inglewood Police Officer Marcco Ware and his dog “Flynn” were also on hand for testing. The pair are in high demand now that the opulent SoFi Stadium in Inglewood – home to the Rams, Chargers, and a myriad of concerts and events – has opened.
Ware’s partner is special – a “Vapor Wake” dog.
According to Ware, “Flynn can lock up anyone who can carry explosives on her or in a bag.” If they are cycling or walking, the dog will cling to this scent and follow the subject.
The couple are also receiving calls in Beverly Hills and surrounding communities for help.
As the teams worked throughout the lessons. it was not a complete “dog day”. After putting their 300 million scent receptors to work at the indoor test site, many K-9s and their managers quickly locked the doors to admire the sights and smells of a crisp September morning near Dodger Stadium.
