The MTA is taking new steps to address the threat of terrorism, opening a multi-million-dollar complex north of the city to train bomb-sniffing dogs. The canines patrol the Metro-North and Long Island Rail Roads, and the Staten Island Railway. Transit Reporter Jose Martinez has the story.

This isn't an average dog run - and these are no ordinary dogs.

It's the MTA police department's new, 72-acre Canine Training Center in Dutchess County, where dozens of dogs are being drilled on how to sniff out explosives on commuter trains and on buses for one of the country's largest police canine units.

"These dogs have to be able to be around a lot of people, doing a lot of different things, extreme noises, heat and cold and still be very social around people," said Lt. John Kerwick, Executive Officer with the authority's Police Canine Unit.

The MTA department has had a canine unit for decades, but it has been expanding ever since the 9/11 attacks 15 years ago. That unit now has more than 40 dogs —mostly German Shepherds — necessitating this new center.

Training begins with at least three months of instruction in how to detect explosives.

"The terrorist threat changes almost daily and we have to be prepared to change our dogs and the training of our officers, too, to be able to react to it," said Lt. Kerwick.

Then they are taught "mass transit tactics," such as checking out packages left on trains. MTA police investigated more than 2,700 of them last year.

"It's all in the scent and his training, where it's just repetitive, where he knows the odor," said Officer Kevin Pimpinelli.

Not every dog can have his day on this squad.

"At times, we've tested as many as 30 dogs just to get one dog that is capable of working in our environment," said Sergeant William Finucane.

The NYPD has a separate K9 Unit to patrol the subways. The training these dogs receive is tailored to patrolling the MTA's commuter railroads.

The dogs typically join the MTA PD at age two, staying in service until about age eight. Then, they enjoy a dog's life.

"When they do retire, they get to go home and actually rest and be a pet," said Lieutenant Kerwick.

But first, duty calls.