Factors Influencing Odor Sensitivity in the Dog

Abstract

A technique has been developed for the quantitative analysis of the relation between odor detection and sniff parameters. Thirsty dogs are rewarded with water for identifying which of two ports is associated with an odor. Sniff flow rate, frequency and amplitude are recorded from the output of a pneumotachometer behind one port. When dogs are engaged in an odor detection task the normal pattern of respiration is interrupted and replaced by trains of rapid sniffs usually structured around 1-3 trains consisting of 3-7 sniffs per train. In contrast, when dogs are sitting alert but not engaged in odor detection, presentation of a novel odor may disrupt the normal breathing pattern only momentarily and the integrated volume shows little change.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Mar 01, 1975
Accession Number
ADA008942

Entities

People

  • D. G. Moulton

Organizations

  • University of Pennsylvania

Tags

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Air Force
  • Amplitude
  • Animals
  • Detection
  • Elements
  • Errors
  • Ethylene Glycol
  • Flow Rate
  • Frequency
  • Intervals
  • Measurement
  • Molecules
  • Pressure Transducers
  • Respiration
  • Sampling
  • Sensitivity
  • Strain Gages

Fields of Study

  • Biology

Readers

  • Cardiovascular Physiology
  • Circadian Sleep-Wake Regulation and Chronobiology
  • Educational Psychology