The first step in Nitro's training program was obedience. Basic commands to heel, lie, roll, and attack are taught at this stage. This step is crucial, because it teaches the dog discipline in a police environment. Through constant teasing, Nitro was taught to be aggressive, to make him want to bite when given a biting command. For every positive response to the command, Nitro would be praised by being given a toy.
Suspicion is taught to keep the dog alert for trouble.
The final training step was narcotics detection. Nitro was taught to recognize the scents of illegal drugs by being teased with a scented burlap rag. The rag would be hidden, and the dog would be told to find it. More often than not, he would find the rag and receive a reward in return. According to Officer Olsberg, Nitro's ability to detect aggression or trouble is his most valuable trait when doing police work.