Tracking (dog)

Possessing heightened olfactory abilities, dogs, especially scent hounds, are able to detect, track and locate the source of certain odours.

[1] A deeper understanding of the physiological mechanisms and the phases involved in canine scent tracking has allowed humans to utilize this animal behaviour in a variety of professions.

[2] Through domestication and the human application of dog behaviour, different methods and influential factors on tracking ability have been discovered.

According to zoosemiotics animal communication involves an exchange of information between a sender and a receiver through a transfer of chemical signs.

[4] Equipped with enhanced physical and neurological olfactory structures, a dogs sense of smell is much more advanced compared to that of humans.

[5] Specialized turbinate bones in the canine nasal cavity allows for increased exposure of chemical receptor cells to the air.

[6] This, paired with a proportionally large segment of brain devoted to olfaction processing, results in the enhanced smelling ability of canines.

[6] The bacteria attached to fallen skin cells provide dogs with odorous by-products that enhance the individuality of a trail.

[6] A ground scent is the combined permeations of trampled vegetation, bugs, mud, and soil disturbed by an individual's footprints.

[6] The disturbed soil releases moisture and kills plant life which results in a different odorous by-product.

[10] However, there has been research conducted where dogs have been shown to rely on visual, social or cognitive cues to identify the tracks of an individual.

Male olfactory ability of canines is superior to that of females because historically it was their duty to find mates and mark territory.

[14] Adaptations of social tolerance and attentiveness has enabled dogs to participate in cooperative problem solving with their human counterparts.

Pointing, gaze shifting, and facial expressions demonstrated by the handler can be used by the canine to locate objects and follow a certain direction.

Therefore, handlers are trained to be cautious of their actions when working with their canine in order to ensure their demands are being properly perceived by the dog.

Because of this, the tracks laid are straightforward, not the wanderings that may characterize a lost person, nor do they include deliberate attempts by the tracklayer to deceive the dog.