Housing and Husbandry of Canines

The importance of canine detection, the investment in training, and the close relationships developed between dogs and handlers call for careful attention to animal welfare before, during, and after detection training. This study identified appropriate definitions of animal welfare for detection dogs, factors causing stress in kenneled dogs, means of measuring canine stress, and the effects of stress on canine performance. It also includes simple improvement measures, such as providing raised sleeping platforms for kenneled dogs. A previous study provided metrics that may be used to select dogs for bomb detection training. Results of both studies will be included in mandatory training manuals for service dogs in the United Kingdom. These projects have provided a practical scientific basis for this keystone of canine detection and are useful for both existing and new programs. Requests from government agencies for these reports should be sent to edsubgroup@tswg.gov.