Deputy K-9s train to catch the bad guys

MOBILE, Ala. (WALA) - It might surprise you to know that some Mobile County Sheriff's Deputies only work to get tennis balls and other toys. But it's true.

Deputy K-9s are trained to "keep their nose on the prize."

For six Mobile County Sheriff's Deputies, the dogs are their partners in fighting crime.

And just like their human halves, they too must be trained do that.

"The reason being is the criminal elements are always trying to change the game, always trying to come up with a way to outsmart the dog or out smart us," said Deputy Jason Gifford.

Oxy's partner, Deputy Jason Gifford, says Oxy is always ready to nab a bad guy. So we put him to the test. Deputy Gifford hid marijuana to see if Oxy could find it, and he did.

"He's letting me know there's some kind of substance coming from that vehicle," said Deputy Gifford. "Their drive is to find that toy. They have two things to do; make me happy and find the substance, and when they find it, I'm going to reward them with their toy."

That's why Deputy Gifford throws Oxy's toy against the car if Oxy discovers narcotics inside.

Training starts while the dogs are puppies. The puppy's toys are saturated with certain odors, such as marijuana.

"We'll throw their toy with them constantly so they get used to smelling and seeing. That's why they're trying to find that toy is because when they smell that, they think it's possibly their toy. They're able to distinguish each odor with a toy, it kind of blends it as one, all odors to one toy, so that's why they're able to work multiple odors like that," Deputy Gifford said.

The K-9s also use their noses to track people.

"Every human creates cells and the cells fall off like dandruff and stick to the ground and ferment. When he disturbs the ground they're sticking there and fermenting and that's what he's smelling. When he's casting back and forth that odors traveling on the ground and he's keeping his nose on it," Deputy Gifford added.

After a hard day's work, each dog goes home with his partner.

"They're one of the team, like everyone else. They're our family, just like our kids or anything else," said Deputy Gifford.

A deputy has to be put on a waiting list and interviewed several times before he or she gets a K-9.

Each K-9 usually works with its deputy for up to ten years, depending on its health.