Epsilon Archive for Student Projects

Abstract

Training dogs for future service roles is a costly process. Therefore, it would be beneficial to be able to predict and identify, at an early stage, the individuals with the greatest potential to succeed as working dogs. Currently, many dogs begin training, but a significant number are later excluded due to being deemed unsuitable. This results in time, money, and other resources being invested in dogs that ultimately do not enter service, resources that could have been used more effectively on dogs that complete their training.
This literature review aims to compile existing research, with a particular focus on detection and tracking dogs, and to explore how individuals best suited for service work can be identified more accurately.
The results indicate that several traits are important for success in service roles, including prey drive, a well-developed sense of smell, effective environmental perception and processing, high play motivation, willingness to cooperate, concentration, boldness, obedience, agility, independence, responsiveness, high arousal levels, and impulse control. The findings also suggest that in some cases, these traits can be identified as early as puppy stage, although some research contradicts this. However, more recent studies suggest that cognitive testing may be a valuable tool in predicting suitable traits. It is also emphasized that environmental influences, prior experiences and hereditary factors, must be considered when evaluating early behavioural traits, as dogs at a young age are not considered to be fully developed.
Furthermore, the results of the literature review indicate a need for continued research to determine which methods are most effective for identifying suitable service dogs. There is a lack of standardized methods, as well as ambiguity and significant variation in the terminology used to define different traits.
In conclusion, an improved selection process for identifying suitable service dogs would be of great importance. It would lead to more cost-effective resource use and improved welfare of the dogs selected for service, ensuring that they are truly suited for the tasks they are expected to perform.