Investigation of the Behavioral Characteristics of Dogs Purpose-Bred and Prepared to Perform Vapor Wake® Detection of Person-Borne Explosives

Abstract

Specialized detector dogs are increasingly being utilized for the detection of modern threats. The Vapor Wake® (VW) dog was developed to create a dog phenotype ideally suited for detecting hand-carried and body-worn explosives. VW dogs (VWDs) are trained to sample and alert to target odors in the aerodynamic wakes of moving persons, which entrains vapor and small particles from the person. The behavioral characteristics necessary for dogs to be successfully trained and employed for the application of VW are a distinct subset of the desired general characteristics of dogs used for detection tasks due to the dynamic nature of moving targets. The purpose of this study was to examine the behavioral characteristics of candidate detector dogs to determine the particular qualities that set apart VW-capable dogs from others. We assessed 146 candidate detector dogs from a VW breeding and training program. Dogs received identical puppy development and foundational odor training and underwent performance evaluations at 3, 6, 10, and 12 months old, after which they were sold for service. Dogs were categorized based on their final outcome of the training program, independently determined by private vendors, corresponding to three groups: dogs successfully sold for VW, dogs sold for standard explosives detection, and dogs that failed to be placed in any type of detector dog service (Washouts). Comparisons of behavioral evaluations between the groups were made across domains pertaining to search-related behaviors (Performance), reactions to novel stimuli (Environmental), and overall ease of learning new tasks (Trainability). Comparisons were also made at each evaluation to determine any early emergence of differences. VWDs scored significantly higher on Performance characteristics compared to standard explosives detection dogs (EDDs) and Washouts. However, Environmental characteristics did not differentiate VWDs from EDDs, though scores on these measures were significantly lower in the Washouts. Furthermore, differences between groups emerged as early as 3 and 6 months for select measures. We describe the behavioral characteristics targeted for selection in developing the VW phenotype and discuss the relative merit and degree of expression of those characteristics in the success of dogs bred and trained for the VW application.

Cadaver Dogs and the Deathly Hallows—A Survey and Literature Review on Selection and Training Procedure

“…Behavioral traits—Behavioral traits also play critical roles in the determination of the success or failure of future HRDDs’ training [ 19 , 61 , 63 ]. The behavioral response of a dog facing a particular stimulus is driven by two main components: its temperament and its personality [ 21 , 64 , 65 , 66 ].…”

“…Temperament can be defined as the individual difference in behavioral responses, which is steady among time and context, that are grounded in affective state and its regulatory processes and which are evident from an early age [ 67 ]. It usually has genetic predisposition [ 58 , 63 , 67 , 68 ]. Personality is the result of both a dog’s genetics and experiences over time, which shapes the dog’s behavioral response to situational events [ 19 ].…”

Selecting Dogs for Explosives Detection: Behavioral Characteristics

“…Similarly, an analysis of the tests used to measure suitability of MWDs for the Swedish Armed Forces revealed that physical and social engagement were interrelated and both were predictive of training outcomes (27). Possession of an object and corresponding engagement with a handler during a tug game has also been shown to be predictive of suitability as an EDD as early as 6 months of age, indicating that this trait may be relatively genetically influenced and stable across development (16).…”

“…Potential advantages of using natural air-scenting breeds for detection work have not been systematically explored, and current evaluation methods do not typically account for these natural preferences (9). However, in a recent examination of the behavioral characteristics associated with dogs bred and trained for PBIED tasks, air-scenting ability assessed at 6 months was predictive of dogs' future placement as a PBIED EDD vs. traditional EDD, and was the only behavioral measure that distinguished the two types of outcomes at this age (16). This finding is consistent with the notion that air-scenting has a genetic basis, with such predispositions appearing earlier in development before extensive training may obscure differences.…”

The future of detector dog research

“…The value of traditional behavioral assessments is not overlooked; rather, their use in conjunction with concurrent measures will enhance their utility. For example, we recently published an examination of the behavioral characteristics related to success in a particular population of specialized explosives detection dogs (Lazarowski et al, 2018). Although we were able to identify a number of traits associated with success, the subjective nature of the assessments used to evaluate behavioral characteristics limits early predictability and overall generalizability.…”