Handler Knowledge Impacts Detection Dog Search Behavior

Handler mindset matters: Detection teams often operate in environments where the handler either knows or doesn’t know how many scent targets are present. This study compared both situations and discovered striking behavioural differences.

Behaviour shifts with information: Dogs working with handlers who were told how many hides were present spent less time searching in areas without targets. These dogs also looked back to their handlers less often, suggesting increased confidence or reduced uncertainty.

Accuracy holds steady: Despite behavioural changes, false alert rates were not affected. Whether single- or double-blind, the detection accuracy remained the same. The findings underscore that handler information can shape team dynamics without compromising performance.