You know Dixie Rose is trained to detect birch, clove, and anise essential oils. Her search is for sport, but it’s the same principle used to train scent detection for work. Our scent teacher often reminds us that the dog already detects the odor; it’s the handler who has to be trained to recognize the dog’s detection! With Dixie Rose in her second year of training for sport, I know the tremendous amount of work that goes into building this relationship with your dog. I really admire those who do that hard work!
Cancer
Dogs can detect the odor signatures of various types of cancers. Like many diseases, cancer leaves an odor signature dogs can detect, depending on the type of cancer. Dogs are known to be able to detect these types of cancers:
- Melanoma (skin)
- Colorectal
- Ovarian
- Breast
- Bladder
- Lung
- Prostrate
Diabetic Crisis
Dogs are currently working as trained companions for diabetics. They are able to detect both high and low blood sugar events before they become dangerous.
Intriguingly, Diabetic Alert Dogs are trained to smell a chemical change at a precise level. The dogs detect isoprene, a common natural chemical found in human breath that rises significantly during an episode of low blood sugar. Humans can’t detect it, but researchers believe dogs are particularly sensitive to it.
Covid-19
Research conducted in a pilot study at the University of Helsinki found dogs are able to recognize the signature scent of coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, the virus known as COVID-19. The dogs were able to accurately distinguish urine samples of COVID-19 infected adults from samples of healthy individuals, almost as accurately as a standard polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test.
Truffles
Truffles are considered a culinary delicacy. They grow underground near certain types of trees. For centuries, pigs were used to hunt these pungent fungi. Unfortunately, pigs not only can locate truffles, they also like to eat them, making them less-than-ideal truffle hunters. Dogs, on the other hand, show no inclination of wanting to eat their find.
Wine
Wine-growers all over the world depend on dogs to find potentially tainted wine by identifying 2,4,6-trichloroanisole (TCA). The TCA molecule imparts a musty odor and flavor to wine, making it unpalatable.
Bed Bugs
Bed bugs are a growing problem in many major cities. One way to combat a bed bug infestation is to used trained canines who can sniff out the little creatures with a 98 percent accurate detection rate. Many people have benefitted from dogs who are able to find bed bugs before they become a serious problem.
Gas Leaks
I recently learned that dogs were being trained to detect pinhole leaks in pipelines! I went down the internet rabbit hole and discovered this amazing company that trains dogs in this field. I wonder if this would make a nice winter activity this year?
Golden Retriever Puppies 