A Review of the Types of Training Aids Used for Canine Detection Training

Abstract

The canine detection community is a diverse one, ranging from scientific fields such as behavior, genetics, veterinary medicine, chemistry, and biology to applications in law enforcement, military, medicine, and agricultural/environmental detection. This diversity has allowed for a flourishing and innovative community, yet it has also led to little acceptance and agreement on terminology. This is especially true when discussing the variety of training aids used in olfactory-based exercises. In general, authentic materials and pseudo-scents are the most commonly discussed, with the former accepted widely for training and certification, and the latter more often disregarded. However, as advances are made in the creation of training materials, alternative training aids are being introduced that do not fit into either of these categories. The misconceptions surrounding how these alternative training aids are manufactured has led to confusion on their classification, and therefore their reliance as an effective tool. This manuscript will review the existing language surrounding canine training aids, address relevant research revealing effectiveness, and clarify the different types based on their manufacture, chemical nature, and fundamental function.

Detection dogs in nature conservation: A database on their world‐wide deployment with a review on breeds used and their performance compared to other methods

“…Generally, we found that most cases where WDD did not perform better indicated problems in training (37 cases), an issue also highlighted for bird dogs (Gutzwiller, 1990) and scat detection dogs (MacKay et al., 2008). Importantly, good training includes the selection of proper training samples (DeMatteo et al., 2019; Simon et al., 2020) as well as handler abilities (DeMatteo et al., 2019). Issues with the target density (26 cases), study design (21 cases), the target species (20 cases), season‐ and weather‐dependent detectability (14 cases) or an unsuitable area or habitat (13 cases) followed this (Table 4).…”

Utilizing Odor-Adsorbed Filter Papers for Detection Canine Training and Off-Site Fire Ant Indications

“…Several tools have been used as odor adsorbents and transmitters, and as training aids for canine detection training [ 39 ]. Recently, more canine training aids were studied, such as odor capture-and-release materials for explosive odorants and ovarian cancer cell lines for ovarian cancer detection [ 40 , 41 ].…”

A Novel Method for Training the Interdiction of Restricted and Hazardous Biological Materials by Detection Dogs

“…However, complex targets remain difficult to identify with a unique odor “fingerprint” and they are dynamic samples that can change over time ( 18 ). Therefore, selection of an easily reproducible primary odor target for use as a pseudo-training aid, which does not use the original true material for its production, presents a challenge and may be limited in operational relevance ( 19 ).…”

“…Recent studies with a polymer-based odor capture and release (POCR) training aid demonstrated its capability of presenting qualitatively the same target-based odor profile for explosives such as triacetone triperoxide (TATP), for use in detection canine training ( 20 – 22 ). This aid represents a non-pseudo alternative that uses the true material in its manufacture directed toward ad/bsorption of the full target odor profile ( 19 ) while eliminating the associated risks and hazardous of handling and use. This technology uses a polymer-based material to safety capture the odor profile of a target of interest, which holds application toward biological targets with complex odor signatures.…”