K9 dog training takes roughly 10 weeks. First they learn obedience, then get specific training for their field.

In most cases, the training is done with toys. K9 dogs are taught to associate drugs with their favourite object. A basic example would be a white towel. The dog has a chance to play with it, do some tug-of-war, and generally get used to playing with it. Then the trainer alters the towel’s smell, with drugs, explosive chemicals, etc.. and the dog begins to associate the smell with the sight of his towel, and seek it out.