CBP dogs train at Big Bob's Flooring Outlet

For most, the thought of “training” might evoke images of foam cups of coffee, legal pads - and possibly a lengthy presentation projected onto a giant screen.

But for the four-legged officers with Customs and Border Protection (CBP), it couldn't be more different.

Tuesday morning, the Yuma Sun watched as six officers and their canine partners used local business Big Bob's Flooring Outlet for a training exercise, drawing some extra attention from the public.

Supervisory CBP Officer James McIntyre was one of the trainers involved in the exercise Tuesday morning.

The group is based at the U.S. Port of Entry at San Luis, Ariz.

He said they do a different exercise once a week in a different location to help the dogs participate in real-world situations.

In the past, McIntyre said they've used locations such as the airport and other businesses around town.

“It keeps the dogs proficient,” he said. “And it allows us to control the environment.”

Trainers help place indicators, said Supervisor Teresa Small, spokeswomen with the CBP.

The dogs involved in the exercise Tuesday are narcotics dogs, McIntyre said. That means they are trained to find marijuana, hash, cocaine, heroine, methamphetamine and ecstasy.

Small said from October 2009 to July 2010, the officers have helped seize about 2,600 pounds of cocaine; almost 700 pounds of meth; just more than 200 pounds of heroin and 107,646 pounds of marijuana.

For more information about the Customs and Border Protection, visit http://www.cbp.gov/.

Stephanie A. Wilken can be reached at swilken@yumasun.com or 539-6857.