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Medford police dog loves his work photo by Drew Fleming Springer spaniel Robb just thinks it�s all a game By Jill Briskey Medford police officer Rob Havice couldn�t be happier with his new partner. "He never asks to drive and he never cares where we eat dinner," Havice said of Robb, the newest addition to the department. An 18-month-old springer spaniel, Robb is too busy scrambling after a rolled-up towel during a game of fetch to pay Havice any mind. Dogs aren�t trained to be mean While police dogs have a lot of bark to go along with their bite, they aren�t trained to be indiscriminate killing machines. Contrary to popular opinion, police dogs aren�t trained to just attack criminals without cause, said Medford police officer Dave Plummer. "It�s a very common misconception," Plummer said. A member of Medford�s K-9 Unit, he said police dogs are trained to respond to commands and specific situations when using force. "It�s the suspect that dictates the outcome," Plummer said. "If the guy keeps running after we�ve ordered him to stop, then the dog is going to go after him." If a suspect threatens an officer, or makes motions like he might physically harm police, Plummer said police dogs have been trained to protect their handlers. Officer and dog trainer Rob Havice has also heard several false rumors about drug-sniffing police dogs. "(Narcotic dogs) aren�t injected with drugs in order to find them," Havice said. "They are never allowed to come into contact with narcotics. They are trained to find the odor." As the third canine on the force and the only dog specializing exclusively in finding drugs, Robb has been "on duty" since mid-November, said Havice. Despite the fact that he doesn�t fit the public�s general description of what a police dog should look like, Robb has already sniffed out hidden marijuana paraphernalia that led to an arrest earlier this month. "People look at him like they aren�t sure what�s going on," Havice said of his 55-pound, brown-and-white partner whose ears bounce a little with every step. "He�s got a kind of goofy personality because he�s a springer. It�s kind of part of his uniqueness." Officer Dave Plummer said that across the nation, other police departments are starting to use springer spaniels such as Robb as "dope dogs." The breed is known for its intelligence, friendly nature and sense of smell, he added. "These dogs have incredible drive. They are small, and they work very fast," Plummer said. Fast doesn�t even begin to describe Robb, Havice said. A ball of energy, Robb zips back and forth across the floor in search of the scent of drugs, toenails clicking rapidly on the smooth floor. For Robb, being on duty means having fun. As his trainer, Havice works to ensure that life is just one big game for his furry partner. "People call it the �Rob and Robb� show," Havice said. "This is a game. It�s nothing but a game for the dogs." Robb�s job is simple, Havice said. If he can sniff out where the drugs are stashed, then he gets to play. Robb�s favorite treat is a rolled up towel he can chew on and chase, Havice said. Like other drug dogs, Robb is trained not to find drugs but to find where the odor of drugs is coming from, Plummer said. Dogs working with the Medford Police Department are trained using positive reinforcement. Their work is rewarded with praise and games. They aren�t trained to respond to commands out of fear of their handler, Plummer said. That means the dogs aren�t struck or harmed physically for punishment, he added. "Our dogs do what they do because they want to. For them, it�s their passion," Medford officer D.J. Graham said. Graham�s dog, a German shepherd named Tiko, has been on the force about four months. Tiko is trained as a police dog. Unlike Robb, Tiko can help protect officers and apprehend criminals. Tanja, a 9-year-old Dutch malimois, is a four-year veteran. Handled by Plummer, Tanja is also both a drug and police dog. Other law enforcement agencies use Medford�s three top canines for various cases involving drugs, Plummer said. As working members of the department, all three dogs undergo formal training throughout the week. Plummer said their owners also work with each animal on their own time to keep their specialized skills sharp. When they aren�t on duty, the dogs live at the home of their trainers and sleep in a kennel. In almost every way possible, Robb, Tiko and Tanja are considered partners by their trainers in the K-9 unit. "He�s my boy," Havice said, giving Robb�s head a pat. "He�s my partner." Reach reporter Jill Briskey at 776-4485, or e-mail [email protected] Mail Tribune Home | Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. | Dow Jones & Co., Inc. | Privacy | Contact Us Copyright � 2000 Mail Tribune, Inc.