Determination of canine olfactory thesholds using operant laboratory methods

J. M. Johnston; Lawrence J. Myers; L. Paul Waggoner; Marc Williams

doi:10.1117/12.171244

28 March 1994 Determination of canine olfactory thesholds using operant laboratory methods

J. M. Johnston, Lawrence J. Myers, L. Paul Waggoner, Marc Williams

Proceedings Volume 2092, Substance Detection Systems; (1994) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.171244
Event: Substance Identification Technologies, 1993, Innsbruck, Austria

Abstract

This paper reports the results of a study using operant conditioning methods under laboratory conditions to determine the absolute threshold of dogs to an explosive compound. Testing was conducted in a behavioral laboratory setting consisting of a fully enclosed experimental chamber in which each dog worked, an olfactometer permitting the presentation of odors in precise concentrations expressed in terms of dilution of saturated vapor, and a computer that controlled all stimuli presented to the dog and recorded data. A series of daily sessions consisting of repeated trials of this procedure were conducted with 10 dogs. Throughout each session, the dilution of a saturated vapor in the air stream was systematically varied among dilutions above and below threshold, randomly alternating with clear air, until a threshold was determined. These procedures permitted the determination of absolute olfactory thresholds for a number of compounds. Data are reported regarding the variability of threshold performance across dogs for a single compound. Possible application of this testing technology to other questions are also discussed.

Citation Download Citation

J. M. Johnston, Lawrence J. Myers, L. Paul Waggoner, and Marc Williams "Determination of canine olfactory thesholds using operant laboratory methods", Proc. SPIE 2092, Substance Detection Systems, (28 March 1994); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.171244

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