Longitudinal stability of detection dog behavioral assessment: A follow-up study of long-term working success

Abstract

Detection dogs are a critical asset to homeland security, law enforcement, conservation efforts, and more. However, due to the challenges faced in operational working roles and the behavioral requirements to succeed in such roles, many dogs bred and trained for detection tasks are ultimately deemed unsuitable. Therefore, reliable methods for selecting dogs with the highest chances of success are needed. Studies aiming to identify the behavioral traits associated with success and methods for assessment have focused on short-term outcomes related to completion of training or selection for working roles. However, intervening factors may emerge leading to attrition once in service. The goal of the current study was to determine the longitudinal stability of performance on a detection dog behavioral suitability test as well as its predictive validity in determining working success. We followed a cohort of candidate detection dogs (n = 61) to determine changes in number of dogs successfully completing training and still working two years later, as well as determine the long-term predictive validity of the behavioral test. We also repeated the test in a subset of dogs (n = 34) to determine the longitudinal stability of performance on the test from puppy to mature adult. We found that training completion success rates were similar to current working success rates (i.e., minimal attrition). Additionally, performance on aspects of the puppy test such as emotional reactivity conducted at 3 months was predictive of current status (p = .008, OR =.246), and significantly correlated with performance at 3 years (r = .330, p = .028). These findings demonstrate longitudinal stability in behavioral traits considered important for detection dog success, which will be valuable for improving behavioral assessment and selection measures.