Impact of variations in training schedules on dogs’ acquisition and retention of an odor detection task

Abstract

Detection dogs are typically required to learn a wide variety of target odors which is often time consuming and costly. Therefore, determination of factors that could maximize efficiency of training while maintaining accuracy in performance is crucial. Greater spacing, both within and between training sessions, has been shown to improve task acquisition in dogs and other species, but this variable has not been evaluated during training for an odor detection task. Thus, 48 labrador retrievers from a purpose-bred working dog population were divided into four groups to determine how spacing of training sessions (i.e., concentrated across 5 days or dispersed across 10 days) and the use of intra-session breaks (i.e., break mid-session or entire session completed without a break) would impact acquisition of initial detection training and retention of training after one week. Contrary to previous findings, concentrated training improved acquisition of an odor detection task. Intra-session breaks did not influence task acquisition but did improve retention of learning, although this difference was only observed in dogs that received a concentrated training schedule. However, other factors related to temperament traits appear to be influencing the effects of learning schedules on task acquisition and overall training proficiency in this population of dogs. The findings of this study provide insight into how training schedules may be structured to promote both task acquisition and training efficiency during initial detection training.