They call Rik the ``Robot.'' He does whatever he's told.

There's Diesel, who can reach speeds up to 35 mph.

And then there's Nick. His bite has earned him the nickname ``Crusher.''

All are award-winning K-9s with the Miami Shores Police Department.

``If you've ever had a dog that you can teach how to sit or shake hands, well, these dogs do things that are just amazing,'' said Police Chief Kevin Lystad.

Officers John Lee, Leeann Jonchuck and Abner Vargas make up the village's K-9 unit, the most-decorated of the 36-member force. Crediting intense training and dedicated leadership, the handlers have accumulated more than 20 honors within the past 1 ½ years. The K-9 program has been in place since 1975.

Most recently, Lee and his Belgian Malinois, Rik, placed third in the United States Police Canine Association's 2009 national competition. Lee and Rik beat almost 100 competitors in September to earn perfect scores in the agility and article-search portions of the event.

And, at only 2 ½-years-old, Rik still has some time before reaching his prime, Lee said.

``I haven't even pushed him to the limit yet,'' said Lee, 42. ``I don't know what he's capable of.''

Rik, Diesel and Nick demonstrated their skills Oct. 28 during a series of visits to Miami Shores schools, including Doctors Charter and St. Rose of Lima, to honor Red Ribbon Week, a drug prevention campaign that takes place every year.

Hundreds of kids from St. Rose of Lima School sat cross-legged around the indoor basketball court to watch the dogs work.

Head up and chest out, Jonchuck, 28, marched across the court with Diesel by her side. He sat with his long tongue hanging and black ears back as he waited for commands.

The slick basketball court provided little traction for the lightening-fast runner, but a red chew toy poking out of Jonchuck's pocket motivated the 3-year-old Dutch Shepard to sit, stay, walk and run.

``The whole reason why he did that for me is for one thing,'' Jonchuck said, before tossing her K-9 companion his prize.

Diesel, 3, latched onto the toy so strongly that Jonchuck swung him in circles above the ground, drawing laughs and applause from the crowd.

Jonchuck is the first woman dog handler for the Miami Shores police department. She has worked with Diesel since he was a year old. Together, they placed fourth in obedience in regional competitions last year and 14th overall. With some more training, her goal is to make it to the top 10 next year.

Lystad requires the officers and their dogs to be recertified twice a year, which is once more than necessary. He also pushes them to keep up with their training. The unit practices about once a week for eight hours on a course built by a local Boy Scout troop. The course includes fences to jump over, ladders to climb and windows to jump through.

But Jonchuck said the relationship isn't all work: She said she cuddles with her ``baby'' at night.

``It's a family relationship, too,'' she said. ``At home, he's a pet.''

Nick, a 4-year-old Belgian Malinois with a black head and brown body, also demonstrated his skills for the students at St. Rose.

With Vargas leading the search with his hand, Nick's nose followed close behind, sniffing for contraband. Nick tugged on his leash in front of the basketball hoop before rising on his hind legs to pull out a bag of drugs.

Vargas patted his partner's back heartily for the find.

Vargas, 26, and Nick placed third in criminal apprehension in regional competitions last year, second for a two-person team and fourth in agility in nationals. He and Nick have been working together for two years.

Rik also had his time to shine. At his handler's command, the K-9 barreled toward Dee Rey, a second-grade teacher's aide, as she stood in the middle of the court with a decoy arm to be bitten.

After the demonstration, Rey rubbed her arm and wondered what the bite would have felt like without the protective sleeve.

``I would hate to be the person on the other end of that,'' she said. ``That was pretty awesome.''

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