You may have seen them while walking through the terminal at Eindhoven Airport. The dog handlers of the Customs Service standing by with dogs during the security check. Working with the dogs is the best part of the job, according to the customs officers themselves. Especially since no day is the same. The dog handlers - and their six dogs in particular - sniff out large amounts of money, tobacco and narcotics. These are items that aren't allowed to enter or leave the EU. The dog's nose is its ‘weapon of choice’.

When he smells something, he sits down quietly next to the suspect passenger and the luggage or carry-on bag. The dog handler then knows the dog has detected a potential criminal activity. It is the signal for customs to approach the passenger and ask to check the items, and possibly conduct a body search. There are also practice days and exams for the dog handlers and their sniffer dogs at Eindhoven Airport.

Special actors mimic suspicious circumstances and the dog handlers are presented with various exercises. It could be that a large quantity of fake banknotes (made from the same paper as real ones) is hidden inside a bag, suitcase or jacket while the actor is walking or sitting among ordinary passengers. The dog handler has no idea who the actors are, of course, so the dog can never be ‘steered’ in the right direction. Dog and handler train together and continue as work companions for the dog's entire career. The two are completely in sync. It's extremely important for the handler and dog to have complete trust in each other in order to be a good and close team.