A different test

For this test I added a single dental roll into the target container. The target container already holds one fresh Earl Grey teabag. I placed a dental roll cotton inside the shaker with the teabag. This presented a challenge to Syn.






We used this wheel for our final test. Another test of residual odor.

I removed the Earl Grey tea bag from the target shaker and only left theh dental cotton roll inside. That was not a problem for Syn. She knows Earl Grey when she smells it.

Learning about residual odor

Letting Syn tell us about residual odor.

This first trial has six empty containers. There is nothing at all inside the cans.  What we expected and what Syn told us are two entirely different things.

Syn indicated on container # 6. In the three previous trials the target order was placed in container #6.



Notice how on the next trial she hesitates at container # 6, and looks to Sue for acknowledgment. When none is forthcoming she moves on to what we considered to be a false positive on container # 5.




Then, Syn indicates container # 4. False positive? Or residual scent from an earlier test?





Before leaving this wheel, we asked Lily  " Which one?"  Lily indicates container # 6.

Blind Tests 1 and 2 Day 1

This evening we decided to test Test 1 and Test 2.

Test 1

Test 1 contains only one single odor on the wheel. The odor was a fresh tea bag of Twinings Earl Grey tea and it was placed into a film canister with five holes in the lid.

When Syn indicated during the first run through of Test 1, Sue asks, "yes or no?" After this test we decided to use a single word marking an indication. Sue chose "rat". ("Rat" is the indication word used in AKC Barn Hunting competition.)

Test 2

In Test 2 each container held an empty plastic film canister.

OBSERVATIONS and CONCLUSIONS

• Each test should be preceded by a ritual, to introduce the target oater to the dog. 
• Syn had not been exposed to Twinings Earl Grey tea prior to these two tests. 
• Syn had never been exposed to film canisters prior to these two tests. 
• Since this is a test of the scent and not the dogs ability to indicate and locate the scent we will repeat these two tests using only glass shakers.

Blind and Double Blind Tests

Test 1:

• one container contains odor
• all equipment handled and placed by Trainer 1

Test 2:

• all containers hold a shaker
• one shaker holds the target odor
• remaining shakers empty
• all equipment handled by Trainer 1 

Test 3:

• one shaker contains odor
• remaining containers contain neutral variables; same material as target odor
• all equipment handled and placed by Trainer 1
• Trainer 1 alone knows
• the test
• where the target odor is located
• Trainer 2
• brings dog into testing area
• delivers the search cue
• calls the indication

Test 4:

• same set up as Test 3 EXCEPT
• original target shaker lid has been switched
• Trainer 1 alone knows......same as Test

Test 5:

• one shaker contains odor
• remaining containers contain a variety of variables
• all equipment handled and placed by Trainer 1
• Trainer 1 alone knows
• the test
• where the target odor is located
• Trainer 2
• brings dog into testing area
• delivers the search cue
• calls the indication

Blind and Double Blind Trials

Introduction to the Scent Wheel

• All containers empty
• First time Syn was directed to sniff the scent wheel by another person
• Syn remembers her indicating behavior; she just was not indicating anything

Trial Test 1:

• empty containers on the wheel
• all containers placed on wheel by Trainer 1
• (a) dog cued by Trainer 1
• (b) dog cued by Trainer 2

Trial Test 2:

• one shaker contains odor; other containers empty
• all equipment handled by Trainer 1
• (a) dog cued by Trainer 1 
• (b) dog cued by Trainer 2

1(a)

Syn reacts the same way that Lily did....circled the wheel once, then began sniffing elsewhere in the room.

2(a)

Guessing?  Or False Positive?

CONCLUSIONS:

1. Disinfectant wipes contain too strong an odor and are aversive to one of the two dogs.  We will not use them to clean containers between dogs.
2. Dogs have not been trained to work the scent wheel for trainers other than their own.  We will have dogs cued by their own trainers and have other trainers set up testing scenario,  Owner will deliver search cue but will be "blind" to the test.
3. Search cue is to be given once.
4. The first test will always contain an odor.