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In the context of a global crisis, where over 80% of children fail to meet minimum standards of physical activity, children with developmental disabilities may face an even greater health disparity. Despite being disproportionately less physically active than the broader population, those with developmental disabilities are often excluded from mainstream interventions. This study evaluated a novel animal-assisted intervention (AAI) that incorporated the family pet dog, with the goal of increasing physical activity in children with developmental disabilities. The intervention involved teaching child participants to engage in “Do as I Do” (DAID) reciprocal-imitation training with their dog over ten 60-min sessions. After enrollment, 45 child-dog pairs of children and their family dogs were randomly assigned to either the experimental intervention (DAID) group, the active control group (dog walking control [DWC]), or the passive control group (waitlist control [WC]). Physical activity was measured using a 7-day ActiGraph accelerometer monitoring process, and data were analyzed for children who wore the accelerometer for a minimum of 4 days at both assessment time points (N = 14). Participation in the intervention (DAID) group was found to significantly increase moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) by 1.2 min/h (p = 0.0087; Cohen’s d = 1.7) and significantly reduce sedentary behavior by 4.03 min/h (p = 0.027; d = 1.3), outperforming the waitlist control group. Our findings demonstrate the potential of this novel dog-assisted intervention to improve physical activity in this population, thereby contributing to a reduction in health disparities.

Although dogs and humans have been in contact for thousands of years, myths and misconceptions about dog behavior still circulate today and hinder this relationship. This exploratory study aimed to determine the prevalence of certain myths and misconceptions in a Spanish sample and how personal characteristics might influence them. Thirty-four statements about dog behavior, generated based on the literature and personal experiences in veterinary practice, were presented in an online questionnaire distributed through social media and veterinary clinics from September to December 2020; 1,186 responses were received. The level of agreement for each statement was analyzed and the percentage of maximum possible (POMP) score was calculated as a summary of the respondents' agreement. Two myths were accepted by more than 50% of participants. These were "dogs need to know who's in charge" and an item about a wagging tail indicating that the dog is happy. Three items had a majority of "agree," including "dog parks are perfect for socializing puppies," "dogs love being hugged," and an item about the "guilty" look (that dogs know when they've done something bad). Finally, four items were rejected by more than 90% of participants, including an item about small dogs not needing to go outside, one about adult dogs being unable to learn to love their owner, one related to punishment as a way to cure fear, and one related to aggression toward children being normal. The mean POMP score was 41.18 (SD = 9.87), with scores ranging from 20 to 91.11 (out of 100). Categorical regression analyses were performed to examine the predictive power of participant variables on the POMPs and found that demographics such as age, population size, occupation, animal-related studies or jobs, dog ownership, cat ownership, and ownership of other pets accounted for 34.5% of the variance (ANOVA F(183) = 2.892, p < 0.001). Other personal characteristics such as gender and educational level were not found to be predictive of POMP scores (p > 0.05). Identifying the most common myths and the factors associated with them could help in the design and focus of educational campaigns on dog behavior and effective animal welfare policies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Dogs that press buttons to communicate with people have attracted a lot of attention on social media recently. This paper explores how communicating with dogs has a long history—particularly as entertainment but also as science—and notes several paradoxes in the presentation of modern button-pressing dogs. These include how these animals are presented as spontaneously expressing their thoughts when they need months of training; how they appear to offer direct access to their thoughts, yet their button presses usually make little sense without someone interpreting them; and how a human skill—language—is needed for dogs to express their canine mental states. We conclude that although well intentioned and playful, this approach to communicating with dogs runs the risk of replacing the ways that dogs truly communicate with people, such as barking and whining, with an infantile form of human communication. In recent years, dogs that appear to communicate with people by pressing buttons on soundboards that replay pre-recorded English words have become very popular on social media online. We explore how these dogs belong to a historical tradition that dates back at least to the Middle Ages and peaked in the early twentieth century. Through analyses of short videos, books, and training manuals, we identify several paradoxes inherent in this phenomenon. These include how the dogs appear to provide unmediated access to their thoughts, and yet, their button presses are typically incoherent and require interpretation. They also require months of training to "spontaneously" express themselves. There is also an anthropomorphism and -centrism in claiming that a human skill—language—is required for a dog to express mental states that it already possesses. This approach to communicating with dogs quiets canine forms of expression such as barking, whining, bodily postures, and odors and replaces them with endearing but infantile human voices. We suggest that, while this endeavor may be well intentioned and often playful, it runs the risk of skewing people's perception of dogs towards fur-clad infants rather than adult members of a different species and of making people less attentive to canine nonverbal communication. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hypogeous fungi ("truffles") are challenging to study because they produce underground sporocarps that may not be located during traditional fungal surveys. Commercially valuable truffles are located using scent‐detection dogs trained on truffles. However, the dogs are not necessarily limited to commercial truffle species when trained on other taxa of interest. For example, Genea (Pyronemataceae, Ascomycota) is a genus of common but difficult to find truffles that develops small and often soil‐colored hypogeous ascomata. We used a truffle dog trained to locate Genea sporocarps in the southern Willamette Valley and associated mountains in western Oregon, USA, recording when the sporocarps were present at a wide range of elevations (113 to 1879 m). We found Genea was present in half of our surveys and noted that it rarely fruited in areas that had experienced wildfire. This study demonstrates the value of using truffle dogs in documenting truffle diversity, particularly those that are difficult to locate visually, and provides further evidence for the abundance of Genea. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article focuses on embodiment and the centrality of embodied methods to multi-species research. We argue that taking the body as our methodological starting point is essential to researching human–animal relations but that bodies engage with and are engaged by the research process in a multiplicity of ways. In this we follow Vinciane Despret's analysis of the partial affinities between animal scientists' bodies and the animals they are researching and suggest that sociology's distinction between sociology of and sociology with the body glosses over the complexities of inter-corporeal encounters. We explore these questions through a discussion of our multi-species ethnography of dog training cultures in the UK, looking at the training of companion dogs, guide dogs and police dogs. We pay attention to the different forms of embodied engagement that these training cultures make possible for us as researchers and reflect on the place of embodied communication in both the training and research relationship. We consider the disembodied training necessitated by the transition to online classes during the Covid pandemic and the consequences of this for our ability to create partial affinities with the dogs and their humans. We argue that the methodological challenges of our times require that we develop methods that attend to our multi-species world, rather than focusing exclusively on the human, and that bring into being a social reality which is less anthropocentric. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Detection dogs are required to search for and alert to specific odours of interest, such as drugs, cadavers, disease markers and explosives. However, the odour released from different samples of the same target substance will vary for a number of reasons, including the production method, evaporation, degradation, or by being mixed with extraneous odours. Generalisation, the tendency to respond in the same manner to stimuli which are different – but similar to – a conditioned stimulus, is therefore a crucial requirement for working detection dogs. Odour is a complex modality which poses unique challenges in terms of reliably predicting generalisation, when compared with auditory or visual stimuli. The primary aim of this review is to explore recent advances in our understanding of generalisation and the factors that influence it, and to consider these in light of detection dog training methods currently used in the field. We identify potential risks associated with certain training practices, and highlight areas where research is lacking and which warrant further investigation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Canines are used by both government agencies and industries for their keen olfactory capability as well as selectivity, reliability, versatility, and speed. Within the last decade, canines have been used for the detection of on-shore crude oil. They were previously shown to find these deposits with high accuracy, providing increased confidence with little risk to oil spill response survey teams. In order to efficiently train canines, it is important to understand the odorants or groups of odorants that such canines use when locating subsurface crude oil deposits, as well as track how the odorant profile changes as the crude oil undergoes degradation. In this study, headspace solid phase microextraction (HS-SPME) was used in combination with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) to extract and separate odorants from the headspace of various crude oils. After, eluent fractions of the crude oil odor profile were separated and collected onto sorbent materials, which were then used as canine testing probes in a series of trials. These probes, along with negative and positive controls were presented to three previously-trained and operational crude oil detection canines. Three eluent fractions of both fresh and weathered samples were presented, resulting in a 100% response rate from the canines on all three fractions from both the fresh and weathered samples. These results indicated that canines are capable of detecting crude oil from any fraction of the odor profile demonstrating the potential of the canines to generalize across a variety of crude oils and stages of weathering. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: National biosecurity efforts provide a set of precautions that aim to prevent the introduction and spread of harmful organisms, including non-native tree pests such as insects and disease-causing organisms. The spotted lanternfly is an example of a current biosecurity threat, which, while native to China, was discovered in US territory in 2014. Canine detection is an emerging tool in this pest detection effort; however, an important aspect of further eradication developments is to understand the odor chemistry of this insect. The goal of this study is to evaluate the headspace of lanternfly eggs via the instrumental approach of solid-phase microextraction with gas chromatograph-mass spectrometry (SPME-GC/MS). This study presents samplings of cold-killed spotted lanternfly eggs and relevant distractor samples to compare odor profiles. The developed method is a feasible approach for VOC analysis. The results indicate that lanternfly egg and cricket samples share a common VOC, dodecane, while the lanternfly egg and bark samples share anisole as a common odor volatile. This study provides an initial snapshot of the VOC makeup of L. delicatula, as well as implications for long-term storage, that can aid in the development of a canine training aid for early detection and mitigation strategies. The spotted lanternfly (SLF) is an invasive species native to China. It was first discovered in the United States in Pennsylvania in 2014. It is known to cause great economic damage by destroying various crops, specifically grape vines, and therefore, several efforts have been made to control and mitigate its spread from the Northeast. Canine detection is a useful detection tool; however, it is crucial to understand the volatile organic compounds emitting by this pest to better direct canine training paradigms to prevent false alerts and to understand potential volatile markers of importance indicative of this species. The purpose of this study is to address the gap in research regarding the volatile organic compound (VOC) profile of SLF to better inform pest control mitigation strategies. Instrumental analysis was performed utilizing SPME-GC/MS on cold-killed SLF eggs, dried crickets, and tree bark. Differences in detected VOCs within each sample set depicted distinctive odor profiles for each matrix tested. Storage of these samples also depicted VOC accumulation variation as a function of time, thereby providing implications for long-term storage and sample handling for these types of training aids in canine applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We investigated plume dispersion for neutrally-buoyant and dense scalars diffusing from the free end of a low-aspect ratio, bed-mounted cylinder in laminar crossflow. We were motivated by the need to understand dispersal patterns in controlled flow environments for odors emanating from the Training Aid Delivery Device (TADD), a commonly used device in canine scent-detection training. We evaluated the effects of crossflow velocity (Reynolds numbers, Re from 0 to 255) and scalar density (specific gravities, SG from 1 to 1.29) using complimentary numerical and experimental approaches and found a persistent bimodal plume structure in the far-field with symmetrical off-centerline concentration peaks. The bimodality is driven by near-field scalar entrainment in the downwash over the free end of the cylinder and its subsequent far-field evolution in near-bed horseshoe vortices. In dense plumes, local body forces alter dispersion characteristics further by directly modifying the global wake structure. Lateral dispersion is significantly enhanced across all Re and SG relative to pure diffusion; density effects, however, produce opposing trends in the effective lateral diffusivity with increasing Re. The lateral spread of neutrally-buoyant scalars is enhanced with increasing Re while it diminishes for dense scalars, highlighting the nuanced connection between Re, scalar density, and lateral plume dispersion. Given the centrality of the horseshoe vortex in far-field dispersion characteristics seen here, and its ubiquity in environmental flows around bed-mounted obstacles, the present investigations provide a valuable contribution in a relatively understudied regime with a diffusive end source on a low aspect-ratio cylinder in crossflow. Plain Language Summary: Numerical and experimental study of passive and dense plume dispersion around low-aspect ratio, bed-mounted cylinders in laminar crossflow. Persistent bimodal plume structures are driven by near-field entrainment in cylinder downwash and far-field evolution in nearbed horseshoe vortices. At fixed Reynolds number, local body forces in dense plumes enhance lateral dispersion by modifying the strength and structure of the downwash and horeshoe vortex. Lateral disperion is enhanced with increasing Reynolds numbers for neutrally-buoyant scalars while it is diminished for dense scalars. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: The use of electronic shock collars ("e-collars") is one of the most controversial topics in dog training. In this study, we compared e-collars to methods relying entirely on food rewards in order to stop dogs running after a lure. We found that dogs receiving shocks from e-collars stopped chasing a lure within two sessions of ten minutes of lure running per session. These dogs also refrained from chasing the lure in three out of four test sessions. Two groups of dogs trained with food reward did not refrain from chasing the lure across five training sessions and failed all four test sessions. Aside from presumably pain-induced yelps in the dogs with e-collars when they received shocks, none of the dogs in any groups showed any signs of stress or distress. E-collars may be an appropriate tool in the hands of expert trainers training behaviors that have important welfare impacts, such as running after cars or other animals. Future studies should investigate the levels of expertise needed to use e-collars effectively, the kinds of behavioral problems for which they are best suited, and the longer-term implications of their use. Controversy surrounds the efficacy and welfare implications of different forms of dog training with several studies asserting that electronic shock collars have negative welfare impacts while not being more effective than non-aversive methods. However, these studies did not specify the schedule and intensity of punishment used or the effectiveness of the training method. In the current study, we attempted to train dogs across six sessions to desist from chasing a fast-moving lure in one of three randomly assigned conditions and then tested for retention and generalization in four further test trials. Group A was trained with e-collars; Group B was trained with non-aversive methods and the lure moving as with Group A; and Group C was trained as for Group B but with the lure initially moving slowly before its speed was progressively increased. All dogs in Group A stopped running towards the lure after one or two sessions, and none chased the lure in the first three tests: 67% of these dogs chased the lure in the final test in a novel arena. None of the dogs in the either Group B or C successfully refrained from chasing the moving lure in training or any test. Video behavior coding indicated few stress-related behaviors across the training groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using an ethnomethodological approach, we examine a particular case of a dog and its handler learning the 'lean' command. In this scene of instruction, we come upon a place where the uses of a word are taught to both dog and human. Revisiting Vicki Hearne's influential book on animal training, we reflect on animals in conversation with their trainers, and the interconnected problems of understanding and of a dog's specific rights. We describe the establishing of a new command as a body position, location and duration. The opening and closing of a door, as part of learning the new command, poses a puzzle of both instruction and rights for the dog as pupil. Our findings begin to contribute to the 'missing what' of dog training and question the limits of animal geographies in relation to the ethics in, and of, training and education with animals. In addition, we show how animal geographers can learn from and describe the public availability of intersubjective practices. Specifically, we describe the witnessable organisation of learning new commands, as part of which, we acknowledge and are attentive to the dog's work, thereby contributing to studies of animal training, cross-species communication and classrooms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Contamination of trace levels of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in enclosed spaces is not usually a significant cause for concern; however, it can be relevant in the case of canine scent detection training as a canine's superior sense of smell makes them highly likely to detect low levels of contamination, contributing to inefficient training. Thus, herein, we address the need for a simple, low-cost, robust, vapochromic sensor to determine the cross-contamination of VOCs within closed containers, such as canine training aid kits. This study focuses on the development of a vapor sensor, which produces a rapid colorimetric change when a target chemical vapor is present. A pH indicator is used as the colorimetric dye and its incorporation into a sol–gel matrix on a paper substrate is confirmed via SEM characterization. The sensor's stability and performance is tested against exposure to various levels of sunlight and temperature. The design allows the sensor to present a clear and unambiguous visible response to the release of the volatile target within a closed container. It can be readily incorporated into existing training kits and functions as a straightforward reminder of when training aids need to be changed or a new containment system should be considered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Campus-based dog programs can reduce stress and enhance wellbeing in university students and staff. However, most research has focused on adult dogs, who are well-trained and accompanied by a handler. In our study, participants came to the university campus for 20 min interactions with an assistance dog puppy in training and their handler during one visit, and the handler alone in another visit. We asked participants about their stress and vitality levels before and after each interaction. Stress was lower after the interaction with the puppy and handler compared to the handler alone. Vitality was greater after both visits among participants who had their session with the puppy and handler first. This study indicates that assistance dog puppies in training, with knowledgeable handlers, can be effective in campus-based visitation dog programs. Brief interactions with a well-behaved dog can enhance wellbeing, but most campus-based dog visitation programs employ adult, trained dogs. There is little research about the impact of puppies on wellbeing or stress in this context. The aim of this study was to examine changes in perceived stress and vitality after interacting with a puppy. Staff and students (N = 32) at an Australian university attended the campus on two occasions, one week apart, as part of a crossover design. Participants were pseudo-randomly allocated to a group whereby they spent 20 min interacting with a handler alone at Visit 1 and interacted with a puppy and handler at Visit 2, or another group which reversed the interaction order. Perceived stress and subjective vitality were measured before and after each interaction. The increase in vitality was greater in the group experiencing the puppy and handler interaction first (significant main effect, F(1,49) = 646.89, p = 0.024, η2p = 1.00), regardless of the visit, possibly due to a social lubricating effect by the puppy, which carried over to the 'handler alone' second visit. Reductions in perceived stress were greater after the interaction with the puppy, for both groups (significant interaction effect, F(1,49) = 5.13, p = 0.029, η2p = 0.11), indicating that the puppy's presence can reduce stress more than the handler alone. This extends the evidence for university-based dog-facilitated wellbeing programs, by showing that interactions with puppies can also be effective. This is important as it may mean that puppies already on campus as part of a socialization/training program can be incorporated into wellbeing programs for staff and students. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Stray animals are one of the contributors to animal welfare issues worldwide. They endanger the health of both animals and humans as spreaders of infectious diseases. Many stray dogs end up in shelters. Despite increasing public education about dog welfare and the importance of adoption, the number of dogs in animal shelters is not decreasing. Therefore, it is important to find suitable methods of training dogs so that they are more desirable for adoption, thus improving both dogs and people welfare. A total of three obedience training experiments with shelter dogs were carried out using modified methodologies from international scientists. The results reveal that shelter dogs respond better to treats, verbal praise, and stroking as opposed to clicker training alone. After applying these methods, dogs living in shelters were trained to sit on cue after a brief period of time. The learned "sit" request was found to be retained by the dog even after a change of training location and/or trainer. These findings might help train dogs faster and increase adoptability as basic obedience is shown to be a highly desirable behavior among potential pet guardians. By training canines with positive behavior traits like obedience and composure, in animal shelters, adoption rates can be increased. • Stray animals are one of the biggest contributors to animal welfare issues worldwide. • To reduce the number of stray dogs in shelters and encourage their faster adoption, shelter dogs are being trained and socialized. • Current research suggests that, when training dogs in animal shelter, verbal praise and treat reward methods were more effective and less anxiety-provoking than using a clicker. • Research findings support the use of verbal stimulation paired with food rewards when conducting obedience training with shelter dogs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chronic wasting disease (CWD) has become a major concern among those involved in managing wild and captive cervid populations. CWD is a fatal, highly transmissible spongiform encephalopathy caused by an abnormally folded protein, called a prion. Prions are present in a number of tissues, including feces and urine in CWD infected animals, suggesting multiple modes of transmission, including animal-to-animal, environmental, and by fomite. CWD management is complicated by the lack of practical, non-invasive, live-animal screening tests. Recently, there has been a focus on how the volatile odors of feces and urine can be used to discriminate between infected and noninfected animals in several different species. Such a tool may prove useful in identifying potentially infected live animals, carcasses, urine, feces, and contaminated environments. Toward this goal, dogs were trained to detect and discriminate CWD infected individuals from non-infected deer in a laboratory setting. Dogs were tested with novel panels of fecal samples demonstrating the dogs' ability to generalize a learned odor profile to novel odor samples based on infection status. Additionally, dogs were transitioned from alerting to fecal samples to an odor profile that consisted of CWD infection status with a different odor background using different sections of gastrointestinal tracts. These results indicated that canine biodetectors can discriminate the specific odors emitted from the feces of non-infected versus CWD infected white-tailed deer as well as generalizing the learned response to other tissues collected from infected individuals. These findings suggest that the health status of wild and farmed cervids can be evaluated non-invasively for CWD infection via monitoring of volatile metabolites thereby providing an effective tool for rapid CWD surveillance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tick‐borne pathogens (TBPs) are an emerging concern to humans and animals in the Republic of Korea, especially within the military zones of Gangwon Province, a mountainous region abundant with wild fauna and ticks. This study aimed to detect six TBPs in military working dogs (MWDs) and ticks in this region using Nested polymerase chain reaction (nested PCR) and sequencing. The targeted pathogens included Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Bartonella henselae, Borrelia spp., Orientia tsutsugamushi, Severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome virus (SFTSV) and tick‐borne encephalitis virus (TBEV). A total of 164 serum samples from MWDs were collected at the Korean Army Military working dog training center and 1418 ticks were collected at various training sites between June 2021 and August 2022. Haemaphysalis longicornis was identified as the predominant species (98.3%, n = 1394), followed by Haemaphysalis flava (1.6%, n = 22) and Ixodes nipponensis (0.1%, n = 2). This study detected A. phagocytophilum and Borrelia theileri in 1.4% (1/72) of the tick pools and detected SFTSV in 0.6% (1/164) of MWD serum samples. The MWD found to be infected with SFTS was a German Shepherd, but showed no significant clinical signs, with a normal complete blood count (CBC). In the phylogenetic analysis, three sequences were acquired. One sequence (OR865211) exhibited 100% homology with 16S rRNA of A. phagocytophilum identified from animals and human patients in the Republic of Korea. Another sequence (OR865152) displayed 99.34%–100% sequence similarity with 16S rRNA of B. theileri fragments. The third sequence (OR865115), which belongs to the SFTS B‐1 genotype, showed 94.7% sequence similarity to a strain identified in the Republic of Korea (KY789441). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Serial dependence is a recently described phenomenon by which the perceptual evaluation of a stimulus is biased by a previously attended one. By integrating stimuli over time, serial dependence is believed to ensure a stable conscious experience. Despite increasing studies in humans, it is unknown if the process occurs also in other species. Here, we assessed whether serial dependence occurs in dogs. To this aim, dogs were trained on a quantity discrimination task before being presented with a discrimination where one of the discriminanda was preceded by a task-irrelevant stimulus. If dogs are susceptible to serial dependence, the task-irrelevant stimulus was hypothesized to influence the perception of the subsequently presented quantity. Our results revealed that dogs perceived the currently presented quantity to be closer to the one presented briefly before, in accordance with serial dependence. The direction and strength of the effect were comparable to those observed in humans. Data regarding dogs' attention during the task suggest that dogs used two different quantity estimation mechanisms, an indication of a higher cognitive mechanism involved in the process. The present results are the first empirical evidence that serial dependence extends beyond humans, suggesting that the mechanism is shared by phylogenetically distant mammals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Enhancing Canine–Human communication during training is an important research. We aim to strengthen the communication between canines and humans during the training of canine remote control using robotic technology. Training using rewards is a widely known technique to boost canine ability. So far, this method has consisted of giving rewards from humans, thus creating a strong connection between humans and canines; however, this method can also cause canines to become overly fixated on the people who feed them. Fixation prevents canines from performing behaviors away from people. For that reason, this study explores the possibility of using robotic technology to reduce canine fixation on their trainer. This paper evaluates dog behavior during training with reduced human intervention using a backpack-like device, which provides food as a reward. This method of training is assessed in two dogs by comparing the training time, number of feedings, and number of times the dog looks at nearby humans, as compared to the traditional method. The suit-mounted feeder was used to train the two dogs to follow a spot-light, achieving a success rate of 96.4% in feeding during training. There was no significant difference in training time or number of feedings required for training with this method compared to traditional human-rewarded training methods. On the other hand, it was suggested that the device could reduce the number of times the dogs looked at their trainer by up to 84.7%. Changes in gait caused by the suit and feeder were also evaluated based on the percentage of the swing phase of gait. The results indicate that the presence or absence of the feeder device does not affect the dog's gait. Continued canine training without fixation on the feeder or the trainer could allow the working dogs to demonstrate its abilities in remote areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Epidural anesthesia in dogs is a locoregional anesthesia technique used in veterinary medicine, becoming an important integrated application in the anesthetic protocol to provide safer and more effective analgesia to patients. For this, professionals must adhere to rigorous guidelines and possess technical skills. In this context, in veterinary education, the development of practical clinical skills represents a crucial aspect in the training of these professionals. However, traditional teaching methods have proven insufficient to ensure a consistent level of competence among recent graduates. The introduction of non-animal alternatives for educational purposes has contributed to the development of simulation-based teaching, an innovative and accessible field capable of enhancing pre-clinical proficiency in students and reducing the use of live animals and cadavers. Despite its application in various areas of veterinary education, there are no conclusive results regarding the development of accessible simulators capable of effectively enhancing training in epidural anesthesia in dogs. Therefore, this article represents a pioneering study aimed at sharing a method for creating SimuVet, a realistic simulator for training epidural anesthesia in dogs. The simulator was fully developed by veterinary researchers with limited experience in 3D printing and, after preliminary analysis, demonstrated excellent performance and ultrasonographic anatomy. Future work will focus on the formal validation of this simulator with the aim of improving the teaching and learning process for students and experts in performing epidural anesthesia in companion animals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a prevalent neurodevelopmental disorder in humans, characterised by inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. Evidence suggests that family dogs can exhibit behaviours similar to symptoms of ADHD seen in humans. While past research mainly used questionnaires to assess ADHD-like behaviours in dogs, we aimed to create a simple behavioural test battery covering key ADHD symptom dimensions: inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. Using our previously validated questionnaire (Dog ADHD and Functionality Rating Scale–DAFRS; 2024) in a study involving 59 dogs, we correlated owner-rated DAFRS scores with behavioural test outcomes to further validate our questionnaire. In a subsample of 38 dogs, we also determined whether there is a difference in how owner- and trainer-rated ADHD scores are linked with the test variables. Our test battery included attention, plush dog, leash, and sit tests, all showing significant correlations with the relevant questionnaire scores in an expected direction. Both owner- and trainer-rated ADHD questionnaire factor scores showed correspondence with the relevant behavioural test variables. Dogs' training status only showed association with the sit test. The test battery proved to be consistent in time; test–retest analyses demonstrated moderate-to-excellent agreement across all tests. Our findings endorse the validity of our questionnaire and behavioural tests, providing valuable tools for assessing inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity in dogs. Family dogs exhibit neuropsychological deficits similar to attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms in humans. Questionnaire methods have mostly been used to assess ADHD-like behaviours in dogs. In addition to our validated questionnaire (Dog ADHD and Functionality Rating Scale–DAFRS; 2024), we developed a simple behavioural test battery covering the ADHD symptom domains (i.e., inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity) in dogs. Our main aim was (i) to provide a final external validation step to the DAFRS by examining its associations with the test variables (N = 59); and (ii) to compare owner- and trainer-rated factor scores' associations with the test variables (n = 38). We developed four tests covering the ADHD symptom domains: the attention test (inattention), the plush dog test (impulsivity), the leash test, and the sit test (hyperactivity). All four behavioural variables correlated with their respective questionnaire scores, i.e., the strongest for hyperactivity, and the least strong for inattention. Both owner- and trainer-rated scores (n = 38) correlated with the relevant test variables in an expected direction. Dogs' training status was linked only to the sit test results. Test–retest analyses (n = 34) indicated moderate-to-excellent agreement across all behavioural variables. Our findings support the validity of our novel human-analogue questionnaire for dogs as the behavioural tests strongly correlate with the relevant questionnaire scores, indicating that the two constructs together can effectively assess inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity in dogs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dr. Sophia Yin, a veterinarian, became involved in dog training after experiencing difficulties with her own dog's aggressive behavior. She discovered positive reinforcement training, which greatly improved her dog's behavior. Dr. Yin went on to publish a popular veterinary book and founded CattleDog Publishing, authoring several books on dog behavior. She focused on promoting humane and effective training methods for dogs. Despite her success, Dr. Yin tragically died by suicide in 2014. Her legacy lives on through the trainers and veterinarians she inspired, and the VIN Foundation has established a memorial fund in her honor to support colleagues facing similar challenges. [Extracted from the article]

Even though a large amount of research has focused on testing cognitive traits of dogs, we still know almost nothing about whether these traits associate with dogs' daily behaviour outside the test situation. For these tests to have applied value it would be beneficial that they reflect dogs' behaviour in a broader sense rather than simply during the test situation. Our aim was to deepen our understanding of what cognitive traits can tell us about dogs' behaviour in their daily lives with their owners. We used two validated owner-completed questionnaires, the Canine Behavioural Assessment and Research Questionnaire (C-BARQ) and the Dog Impulsivity Assessment Scale (DIAS), to determine daily behavioural traits of dogs. A cognitive test battery was used to measure cognitive traits. We used linear mixed models for analysis (N = 987) and accounted for control variables such as sex, breed, age and training level of dogs. We found that high inhibitory control in the Cylinder Test was positively associated with trainability and negatively associated with impulsivity (DIAS). A shorter latency to solve the V-detour task was positively associated with management problems, and dogs that were unsuccessful at the Logical Reasoning task were rated as slower at learning new tasks. Human-directed behaviour during the Unsolvable Task was associated positively with trainability and stranger-directed fear, and negatively with impulsivity (DIAS) and management problems. Our findings suggest that cognitive tests can help us to predict and explain dogs' behaviour, personality and behaviour problems. These results provide important information on dogs' behaviour both in cognitive tests and in their daily lives with their owners. • Dogs' cognitive test results were associated with owner-reported behaviour. • Tests measured social cognition, inhibitory control and logical reasoning ability. • Results were linked to trainability, learning, impulsivity and behaviour problems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: The proximodistal patellar position in canine pathologies, including patella luxation, cruciate ligament rupture, and osteoarthrosis, is not fully understood, while this topic is much better understood in human medicine. Various methods are used to confirm the proximodistal patellar position, but they all require calculations and are infrequently used in everyday practice. In a two-step study with three observers, we investigated, for the first time in veterinary medicine, the applicability of a new, simple method derived from human medicine called the tibial plateau–patella angle (TPPA). This method is independent of the knee angle and magnification, does not require any calculations, and consists of just two lines. This study started with cadavers at different stifle angles. Subsequently, we used 100 X-rays at the optimal stifle angle based on these findings. In both study phases, our results revealed strong agreement among observers. The TPPA varied with the stifle angle but remained consistent across the different weight groups. We concluded that the TPPA is directly dependent on the stifle angulation and tends to be lower with a higher stifle extension angle. It could be difficult for some observers to establish the exact caudal border of the tibial plateau while measuring the TPPA. While the TPPA method shows promise, further evaluation, including breed-specific and pathological considerations, is necessary. Estimating a dog's patellar position involves various methods, which categorize it as norma, alta (high), or baja (low). However, they require various calculations. We aimed to evaluate the clinical applicability of a new method, the tibial plateau–patella angle (TPPA). This could aid in planning patella luxation surgery, estimating the patella position after TPLO and various osteotomies. We conducted a two-step study: first, on 15 stifles without pathologies from nine canine cadavers, and second, using 100 patient X-rays from the archive. Three stifle angle positions (45 ± 5°, 90 ± 5°, and 135 ± 5°) and three weight groups (S, M, and L) were evaluated in the first part of this study. Based on these results, the second part of this study was conducted using 100 pathology-free radiographs at the optimal stifle angle (90 ± 5°) from the archive. All radiographs were measured by three observers with varying levels of experience. Our results indicate that the stifle angle significantly impacted the TPPA, whereby lower values were detected with higher stifle angles, which remained consistent within the weight groups. High inter- and intra-observer agreement was achieved. The physiological TPPA values ranged from 26.7° to 48.8°, remaining consistent within the various weight groups. Observer 3 in Group S exhibited a 20% (insignificant) deviation, possibly due to challenges in determining the caudal point of the tibial plateau. In contrast with humans, TPPA values in dogs are negatively correlated with stifle angles, independent of weight. Our reliable and reproducible protocol suggests the potential benefits of training on small-breed dogs stifles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: There is an increasing number of dogs in rescue shelters, and they require rehoming. These dogs may have behavioural issues and lack training, both of which present barriers to their successful rehoming. There is evidence that prison-based dog training programmes may benefit those in custody as they learn skills and gain companionship. Less is known about how dog training programmes impact the dogs. We studied the behaviour and training performance of dogs in a prison-based programme for rescue dogs in which the prisoners find value in helping the dogs find permanent homes. Dogs attended the prison 1–3 times per week, under staff supervision and instruction. Our results showed that the rescue dogs had improved performance on training tasks. Their behaviour also changed; dogs rested or relaxed more in their kennels after the dog training programme than before it started, although other behaviours were not affected. Kennel staff rated the dogs' behaviour as becoming more desirable and less undesirable after the dog training programme. However, some behaviour and welfare issues associated with relinquishment persisted. We conclude that prison-based dog training programmes can contribute to positive outcomes for dogs, as well as for humans, if conducted appropriately. Dogs are often relinquished because of behavioural issues which may be exacerbated in rehoming centres. Prison-based dog training programmes (DTPs) may enhance outcomes for rescue dogs by providing socialisation and training opportunities to improve behaviour, welfare and likelihood of rehoming. We assessed whether dogs benefitted from participation, 1–3 times per week, in a prison-based DTP in which male young offenders learn how to train and care for dogs waiting to be rehomed. Within DTP sessions, there was significant improvement on a range of training tasks (n = 42 dogs). Analyses of videos (n = 17 dogs) in the kennels and a training barn pre- and post-DTP participation showed improvement in some positive behaviours, but no significant change in other behaviours. Subjective ratings by staff of the dogs' behaviour were made (n = 20 dogs). Desirable behaviours (e.g., playful/friendly) increased, and most undesirable behaviours (e.g., frustrated and noisy) decreased. Participation in the DTP did not mitigate all negative behaviours. However, improvements are consistent with enhanced welfare and likelihood of successful rehoming. Prison-based DTPs can be effective in supporting the work of animal rescue organisations to improve outcomes for dogs, while offering people in custody an opportunity to engage in purposeful activity and provide a community service. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There are many factors that may affect the longevity of or guide the use of canine training aids. Literature to date has mainly focused on identifying the headspace volatiles associated with training aids or odors and only minimal research exists into how different variables may alter those volatiles. The current study examines several factors affecting canine training aids: humidity, air flow, transportation, and operational deployment, using the triacetone triperoxide polymer odor capture-and-release canine training aid (TATP POCR) as the target. The TATP POCR is an absorption-based canine training aid developed to be used to safely train canines to detect the odor of the explosive TATP in operational settings. Comparisons of the TATP POCR to neat TATP are made throughout the manuscript. First, humidity increased the background components of the POCR matrix, as well as the amount of TATP recovered was above the POCR. Humidity thus affected the amount of TATP detected but did not prevent detection. Second, air flow lessened the lifetime of the TATP POCR. Third, the practice of using primary and secondary containment successfully prevented contamination, cross-contamination, and significant target loss, thereby maintaining kit integrity. Finally, the absorption of background odors from training environments was not observed. TATP headspace concentrations between a Deployed and Control POCR kit were not significantly different at time 0 (i.e., upon opening), which suggests that the operational use does not affect the function of the TATP POCR system. This information provides pivotal evidence for explosives detection canine handlers or trainers who utilize the TATP POCR. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Recent research has focused on the welfare implications of differing dog training methodologies, but there is less insight into how dog guardians may train their dogs. The aim of this survey study was to gain insight into what training methods dog guardians use, particularly the use of aversive methods, and where they received their recommendations. While there has been recent attention in the scientific community on the ethical and welfare implications of different dog training methods, less research has investigated what methods and training tools United States dog guardians use, where they obtain information about dog training, and the reasons they give for their choices of method. We conducted two surveys with nearly 800 Arizona State University undergraduate students to gain a more realistic look into how dog guardians in the United States train their dogs and where they are receiving their training information. Only 5% of respondents reported utilizing a trainer when they had concerns regarding their dog's behavior; 60% would ask a friend or family member or seek advice online. Few reported taking their dog to any training classes; 70% reported either training the dog themselves or not implementing any formal training. When asked general questions, most respondents reported using rewards-based methods but, when asked about specific problem behaviors, 57% of respondents noted that they would use auditory or physical corrections. Respondents who trained with rewards-based methods reported that these methods of training were more effective significantly more frequently than those who trained with mixed methods reported that those methods were most effective (Fisher's Exact Test, p < 0.01). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Explosives detection dog (EDD) teams are deployed at mass events such as concerts, annual general meetings of large listed companies or in air cargo security. However, outside of EU-regulated air cargo, there is no common quality standard for commercial EDD in Germany and many neighboring countries. While law enforcement agencies have access to experienced chemists and can conduct dog training with homemade explosives, small commercial security services do not have comparable capabilities and face additional legal hurdles. The DIN SPEC 77201 was developed within the project to fulfil the need for a generally accepted quality standard. A training workshop was developed and transferred from the academic sector to commercial partners in order to improve training opportunities with home-made explosives, providing new insights for training EDD teams with TATP, HMTD or training aids. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, dogs that appear to communicate with people by pressing buttons on soundboards that replay pre-recorded English words have become very popular on social media online. We explore how these dogs belong to a historical tradition that dates back at least to the Middle Ages and peaked in the early twentieth century. Through analyses of short videos, books, and training manuals, we identify several paradoxes inherent in this phenomenon. These include how the dogs appear to provide unmediated access to their thoughts, and yet, their button presses are typically incoherent and require interpretation. They also require months of training to “spontaneously” express themselves. There is also an anthropomorphism and -centrism in claiming that a human skill—language—is required for a dog to express mental states that it already possesses. This approach to communicating with dogs quiets canine forms of expression such as barking, whining, bodily postures, and odors and replaces them with endearing but infantile human voices. We suggest that, while this endeavor may be well intentioned and often playful, it runs the risk of skewing people’s perception of dogs towards fur-clad infants rather than adult members of a different species and of making people less attentive to canine nonverbal communication.

Death is a multifaceted process wherein each individual cell and tissue has a metabolic homeostasis and a time of functional cessation defined by the dying process as well as by intrinsic and extrinsic factors. Decomposition is physiologically associated with the release of different types of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and these form volaboloma mortis. The main purpose of this study was to record the volabolomic fingerprint produced by volatile molecules during the physiological decomposition process of human tissue and muscle cells. The volatile chemical signature has important implications for an open issue in forensics and pathology, namely the estimation of the postmortem interval (PMI), which decreases in accuracy with the passage of time. Volatile metabolites emitted from human tissues and muscle cells at 0, 24, 48, and 72 h were recorded in real time with an electronic nose sensor device. The key findings were the continuous sampling of VOCs emitted from tissues and cells. These showed a common behavior as time progressed; particularly, after 48 h the distributions became dispersed, and after 72 h they became more variable. Volabolomic fingerprinting associated with time progression relevant to the study of PMIs was reconstructed. Additionally, there may be broader applications, such as in dog training procedures for detecting human remains, and perhaps even for studying scavenger and insect attractants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Working Dogs have shown an extraordinary ability to utilize olfaction for victim recovery efforts. Although instrumental analysis has chemically characterized odor volatiles from various human biospecimens, it remains unclear what perceptually constitutes human scent (HS) for dogs. This may be in part due to the lack of methodology and equipment to train and evaluate HS perception. The aims of this research were 1) to develop an automated human scent olfactometer (AHSO) to present HS to dogs in a controlled setting and 2) use the AHSO to evaluate dogs' response to different scented articles and individual components of HS. A human volunteer was placed in a clear acrylic chamber and using a vacuum pump and computer-controlled valves, the headspace of this chamber was carried to one of three ports in a different room. Dogs were trained to search all three ports of the olfactometer and alert to the one containing HS. In Experiment 1 and 2, the AHSO was validated by testing two dogs naïve to HS (Experiment 1) and five certified Search and Rescue (SAR) teams naïve to the apparatus (Experiment 2). All dogs showed sensitivity and specificity to HS > 95% in the apparatus. In Experiment 3, we used a spontaneous generalization paradigm to evaluate generalization from the HS chamber to different scented articles exposed to the same volunteer and to a breath sample. Dogs' response rate to the different scented articles was < 10% but exceeded 40% for the breath sample. In Experiment 4, we replicated this result by re-testing spontaneous generalization to breath and when the volunteer had breath exhausted/removed from the chamber. Dogs' response rate to breath alone was 88% and only 50% when breath was removed. Altogether, the data indicate that exhaled breath is an important and salient component of HS under these conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Canines are one of the best biological detectors of energetic materials available; however, canine detection of explosives is impacted by a number of factors, including environmental conditions. The objectives of this study were: 1) determine how canine detection limits vary when both the canine and odorant are tested in varying temperature and humidity conditions (canine and odor interactive effects); and 2) determine if an acclimatization plan can improve detection limits in an adverse environmental condition. Eight working line canines were trained to detect four energetics: prill ammonium nitrate (AN), Composition 4 (C4), trinitrotoluene (TNT) and double base smokeless powder (SP). In Experiment 1, canines completed a 3-alternative forced choice 3-down-1-up staircase threshold assessment in five environmental conditions: 40°C and 70% relative humidity (RH), 40°C and 40% RH, 0°C and 90% RH, 0°C and 50% RH and 21°C and 50% RH. Canines showed a 3.5-fold detection limit increase (poorer detection) for C4 in 40°C and 70% RH compared to their detection limit at 21°C and 50% RH. In Experiment 2, the eight canines were split into two groups (n = 4), control and acclimation groups. The control group completed the threshold assessment for C4 at 21°C and 50% RH each day for 20 days, with 5 minutes of petting prior to testing. The acclimation group completed the same assessment daily starting at 21°C and 50% RH but temperature and RH were incremented daily over the course of 6 days to the 40°C and 70% RH condition. After the initial six days, the acclimation group completed daily assessments at 40°C and 70% RH condition for the remainder of the experiment. All acclimatization group canines started their session with 5 minutes of toy or food retrieves. Detection limits for C4 for all dogs were tested in 40°C and 70% RH on day 11 and day 22. The acclimatization plan improved detection limits in the 40°C and 70% RH condition for C4 compared to the non-acclimated group. In this set of experiments, canine detection limits for four explosive odorants were found to vary based on environmental condition and were mostly driven by impacts on the canine rather than odor availability. The acclimatization plan did result in lower detection limits (i.e., increased performance). Future work should determine what factor (exercise or environmental exposure) is more effective in acclimatization for odor detection work. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Training experience has been shown to have positive impacts on the behaviour of dogs when solving cognitive tasks, but previous work has focused on comparing highly trained working and sporting dogs with untrained pet dogs. Here, we assessed whether training a pet dog in scent work, agility, and obedience can also improve the dog's ability in two tasks: (1) the A-not-B task, in which a dog first learns to go to a pot on one side of a three-pot lineup to obtain a reward and then must change this behaviour to go to the pot on the opposite side; and (2) the detour task, in which a dog must navigate around a transparent barrier to obtain a visible reward. Dogs that performed better on the A-not-B task were also more likely to be successful in the detour task, showing that there is a relationship between the skills required to perform well in both tasks. Training did not affect overall performance in either task, but dogs trained in scent work showed better inhibitory control across the two tasks. This indicates that scent training for pet dogs may be beneficial in improving behaviours that require inhibition. Training experience has been shown to enhance a dog's cognitive performance when comparing highly trained working or sporting dogs with untrained dogs. However, whether the type or level of training a pet dog receives can alter their performance in cognitive tasks requiring inhibitory control has not been assessed. Here, we tested whether pet dogs trained in scent work, agility, and obedience differ in cognitive performance. The impact of primary training discipline and combined training experience was assessed using two well-defined tasks that require inhibitory control: (1) the A-not-B task, in which dogs must inhibit a previously learned response in favour of an alternative response; and (2) the detour task, in which dogs must inhibit a direct approach to food to gain a reward. Dogs trained in scent work demonstrated higher levels of inhibitory control and persistence across the two tasks, but this did not affect individual task performance. Increased combined training experience improved learning in the A-not-B task training phase, but did not alter performance during the test phase, whereas it had no effect on success in the detour task. Overall, dogs that performed better in the A-not-B task were also more likely to succeed in the detour task, showing a relationship in the cognitive ability underpinning performance in the two tasks. The effect of the primary discipline on the behavioural phenotype shows that this should be accounted for in future studies, rather than applying the practice of partitioning dogs into highly trained vs. untrained groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Problem behaviours are a leading cause of relinquishment and euthanasia of young dogs. Previous research has identified associations between owner-reported problem behaviours and risk factors, including how dogs were acquired as puppies, early socialisation experiences, and owners' experience levels. Puppies acquired during the UK COVID-19 pandemic ("Pandemic Puppies") were exposed to many of these risk factors; however, consequences for their adult behaviours are, as yet, unexplored. This study aimed to explore the impact of these early-life risk factors, in addition to owner management strategies (including training methods), upon owner-reported problem behaviours in a UK cohort of n = 985 Pandemic Puppies aged 21 months. Overall, 96.7% of owners reported their dog exhibited at least one problem behaviour by this age, and almost one third had displayed separation-related behaviours. Owners reporting more problem behaviours were more likely to use aversive training techniques (e.g., physical punishment), the use of which was high in this population (82.3%). Almost one third of owners had underestimated how hard training their dog would be; this view was more likely among first-time owners. Urgent efforts are required to support this vulnerable population of dogs, including providing owner education regarding humane training techniques, to improve their emotional health and avoid future relinquishment and/or behavioural euthanasia. Problem behaviours are a leading cause of relinquishment and euthanasia of young dogs. Previous research has identified associations between owner-reported problem behaviours and risk factors, including how dogs were acquired as puppies, early socialisation experiences, and owners' experience levels. Puppies acquired during the 2020 phase of the UK COVID-19 pandemic ("Pandemic Puppies") were more likely to be exposed to many of these risk factors compared to puppies acquired in 2019; however, consequences for their adult behaviour are, as yet, unexplored. This study aimed to investigate the impact of these early-life and provenance-based risk factors, in addition to owner management strategies (including training methods) into early adulthood, upon adult dog behaviour aged 21 months. An online longitudinal cohort study of n = 985 Pandemic Puppies was conducted, recruited from a cohort of n = 4369 puppies originally surveyed in November–December 2020, which included data on how and why they were acquired and their socialisation/habituation experiences <16 weeks of age. Nearly all owners (96.7%) reported that their dog had exhibited at least one problem behaviour up to 21 months of age (median: 5; IQR: 3–7). Almost one third of dogs (30.9%) were reported to have displayed separation-related behaviours. Multivariable linear regression modelling revealed that owners reporting more problem behaviours were more likely to use multiple aversive training techniques (e.g., physical punishment), the use of which was notably high in this population (82.3%) compared to previous studies. Attendance at online puppy classes was the sole protective factor against owner use of aversive training methods. Almost one third of owners had underestimated how hard training their dog would be; this view was more likely among first-time owners. Urgent efforts are required to support this vulnerable population of dogs, including providing owner education regarding humane training techniques, to improve canine emotional health and avoid future relinquishment and/or behavioural euthanasia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dogs (Canis familiaris) were the first domesticated species and today, they still have a central role in our societies. Integrated in the post-humanistic approach, we aimed to understand the evolution of the different social roles assumed by dogs, specifically, aid therapy dogs (ATD) that warn human diabetics of the changes that occur in their blood glycemia. Our main objective was to see if at some point in these shared paths, ATD would start being seen in a different way by their tutors and families. Specifically, we looked for: i) Exploring according to the perceptions of the tutors and family members (FM) how an ATD can improve the wellbeing and quality of life of diabetics (both dogs, and humans with diabetes were part of a medical association named Associação Pata d'Açúcar -- Medical Dogs for Diabeties (from now onwards Pata d'Açúcar) on which dogs are trained to be ATD to latter be attributed to patients with diabetics and ii) To understand how ATD may occupy different roles throughout the time: from ATD to companion animals (CA) or even family members (FM). Our methodological approach was a qualitative one, centred in observation and semi-structures interviews applied to patients from Pata d'Açúcar. All Humans that accepted to be part for this study were interviewed and observed in different phases of shared coexistence with ATD's: those who lived with an ATD for more than 5 years, more than 2 years and finally, just for a few months. Our sample was probabilistic and stratified. The main conclusion of our study is that for most of the interviewees, ATD's started to being CA and simultaneously FM. Furthermore, ATD's did also work as true ice-breakers in the case of children with difficulties in socializing with peers, facilitating the interactions between individuals of the same or similar age groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Some visually impaired individuals will attach a small bell to their guide dog's collar to locate them acoustically, yet existing literature on this topic is lacking. This paper analyzes how bells can affect the wellbeing, welfare, and safety of guide dog teams. The ways in which bells alter personal, social, and collective identities are also explored. Results are based on autoethnographic data from the researcher's six years as a professional guide dog mobility instructor and 12 anonymous online survey responses from participants who have lived with a guide dog. This paper concludes that although bells can offer benefits, they are not a solution for all guide dog teams. Alternatives such as collar tags, GPS devices, walking with sighted volunteers, or training guide dogs to nudge their human partner's hand when called are addressed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Scent-detection dogs have been used for decades to locate drugs, explosives, toxic waste, and more. Scent dogs have been trained to alert for seizures and hypoglycemia, locate cadavers, and screen for viruses, bacterial infections, and numerous cancers. These capable dogs warrant a more significant role in public health protection. The purpose of this preliminary study was to determine whether dogs could be trained to accurately identify coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infections in humans. In previously published studies, dogs were trained to identify the scent of COVID-19 in inert samples with high sensitivity and specificity. In this study, 2 dogs were trained to identify the scent in live individuals (vs inert samples, as used in previous studies), a faster and more efficient screening method. These dogs tested out at 94% to 96% positive and negative agreement compared to PCR testing. These results recommend the use of scent dogs for public health applications and warrant investigation for other applications beyond COVID-19. This study is included as part of the Currents in One Health series . A partner article by Pellin et al, AJVR, January 2024, describes and evaluates the current research on the utilization of trained scent-detection dogs for the detection of disease within human and veterinary patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As the literature review has shown, the legal debate for the use of scent detection canines is ongoing in all areas of life. There are no blanket acceptances for warrantless detection in public, such as vehicles or personal odor, as there are no blanket denials of regarding homes. Science is also an ongoing process to understand how the canine olfactory system works in detecting VOCs (volatile organic compounds) and how the canines discriminate odors. Human technology is currently not as sensitive as canines in detecting weathered traces of blood after long periods of time, so reliability questions will still arise. Studies and statistics on canine training and performance will need improvement to consistently stand up to Fry and Daubert reliability challenges. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Freestyle disc dog is a sport in which a human handler throws frisbees for their dog to catch as part of a choreographed routine to music. In this article, we examine how different representations of ideal dog-human relations in media produced and consumed by American disc-dog players correspond to concepts of harmony. Drawing on philosophical writing about dog-human relations in the works of Vicki Hearne and Donna Haraway, the article argues that ideal ways of "fitting together," both on and off the disc-dog field, navigate competing visions of dog-human harmony in the US. An analysis of training handbooks, competition rules, online video interviews with American handlers, and footage of disc-dog training sessions and competitions identifies the best interspecies players harmoniously interacting both as predesigned, routinized parts of a predetermined whole and as entities who are open to being transformed by one another in the emergence of dynamic, unpredictable play. However, ways of experiencing and evidencing a successful partnership in disc dog--which includes "connecting" with one's dog, performing a difficult routine, and having fun with both one's canine partner and the audience--are not so easily aligned and often rub up against one another. This navigation of different concepts of harmony, we conclude, underpins a particular vision of dogs as straddling various forms of ideal canine-ness for American handlers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Controversy surrounds the efficacy and welfare implications of different forms of dog training with several studies asserting that electronic shock collars have negative welfare impacts while not being more effective than non-aversive methods. However, these studies did not specify the schedule and intensity of punishment used or the effectiveness of the training method. In the current study, we attempted to train dogs across six sessions to desist from chasing a fast-moving lure in one of three randomly assigned conditions and then tested for retention and generalization in four further test trials. Group A was trained with e-collars; Group B was trained with non-aversive methods and the lure moving as with Group A; and Group C was trained as for Group B but with the lure initially moving slowly before its speed was progressively increased. All dogs in Group A stopped running towards the lure after one or two sessions, and none chased the lure in the first three tests: 67% of these dogs chased the lure in the final test in a novel arena. None of the dogs in the either Group B or C successfully refrained from chasing the moving lure in training or any test. Video behavior coding indicated few stress-related behaviors across the training groups.

Simple Summary: Working dogs are at high risk of heat stress and heat stroke, as they often are required to perform physically demanding tasks for long periods of time. Handlers' intervention upon noticing signs of heat stress can prevent more serious consequences for the dog. This study assessed the effectiveness of two different, easily implementable cooling interventions that handlers could use with their dogs: partial water immersion and isopropyl alcohol application to paw pads. While both interventions were more effective than no intervention at all, partial water immersion cooled dogs faster and led to an overall cooler temperature in dogs post-exercise than isopropyl alcohol application. Isopropyl alcohol additionally raised dogs' heart rates significantly more than partial water immersion or no intervention, which may be due to its aversive odor and potential for topical irritation. As such, partial water immersion is preferred over isopropyl alcohol for cooling dogs after exercise. Further studies are required to explore the extent to which dogs must be immersed in water and the effectiveness of other water-assisted cooling methods like cooling towels. Working dogs are at a high risk of canine non-pyrogenic hyperthermia, a life-threatening condition that can occur due to physical exertion or environmental factors that inhibit dogs' ability to cool themselves. Two frequently recommended cooling methods to reduce body temperature are water immersion and the application of isopropyl alcohol to paw pads. This cross-over study compared the relative efficacy of these methods in 12 working-dogs-in-training with post-exertional heat stress. On each study day, dogs had a physical exam and performed a warm-up exercise followed by sequential recalls in which dogs ran approximately 25 m between two designated handlers for 10 min until they showed multiple signs of heat stress or their core temperature reached 105 °F (40.6 °C). Dogs' temperature and heart rate were collected after each recall. Dogs completed three study days, and each day, randomly received one of three interventions: passive cooling (no intervention), partial water immersion, or isopropyl alcohol. Post-intervention dogs rested for 20 min. Partial water immersion and isopropyl alcohol both cooled dogs more than no intervention, and water immersion cooled dogs more efficiently than isopropyl alcohol. Additionally, the application of isopropyl alcohol raised dogs' heart rates more than water immersion or no intervention, suggesting that the process of applying isopropyl alcohol is potentially stressful to dogs. Thus, partial water immersion is preferred to cool dogs post-exertion due to its more efficient cooling and better tolerance of use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While canines are most commonly trained to detect traditional explosives, such as nitroaromatics and smokeless powders, homemade explosives (HMEs), such as fuel–oxidizer mixtures, are arguably a greater threat. As such, it is imperative that canines are sufficiently trained in the detection of such HMEs. The training aid delivery device (TADD) is a primary containment device that has been used to house HMEs and HME components for canine detection training purposes. This research assesses the odor release from HME components, ammonium nitrate (AN), urea nitrate (UN), and potassium chlorate (PC), housed in TADDs. Canine odor recognition tests (ORTs) were used with analytical data to determine the detectability of TADDs containing AN, UN, or PC. Headspace analysis by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) with solid‐phase microextraction (SPME) or online cryotrapping were used to measure ammonia or chlorine, as well as other unwanted odorants, emanating from bulk AN, UN, and PC in TADDs over 28 weeks. The analytical data showed variation in the amount of ammonia and chlorine over time, with ammonia from AN and UN decreasing slowly over time and the abundance of chlorine from PC TADDs dependent on the frequency of exposure to ambient air. Even with these variations in odor abundance, canines previously trained to detect bulk explosive HME components were able to detect all three targets in glass and plastic TADDs for at least 18 months after loading. Detection proficiency ranged from 64% to 100% and was not found to be dependent on either age of material. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]