Research suggests that the timing of meals can impact how accurately dogs detect scents. A study led by researchers from the University of Waikato and Adelaide University found that hungry dogs are more likely to mistakenly identify non-target scents as the target. The study, published in the journal Learning and Motivation, involved six dogs trained to identify a specific mix of four odors using an automated scent-detection system. The dogs performed scent-detection tasks either before or after their morning meal. In both cases, their average accuracy in identifying the correct scent was about 90%. However, when the dogs were hungry, they were less able to ignore incorrect scents, leading to more false alarms. According to Associate Professor Tim Edwards from the University of Waikato, the study shows that hunger may influence how dogs react to smells when searching for a target. "What we found is that hunger appears to change the likelihood of a dog thinking a target scent is present, rather than making them better or worse at smelling," Edwards explained. "When dogs hadn’t eaten, they were more likely to respond to non-target smells as if they were the target when they were working for treats. After breakfast, they were better at ignoring those non-target smells." Co-author Dr. Jade Fountain, who was involved in the study during her Ph.D. at Adelaide University, said the findings could affect how working dogs are managed in situations where scent accuracy is crucial. "For working dogs, a false alarm can be just as important as missing the target, especially in environments where people rely on them to distinguish between different scents," Fountain noted. This research highlights the importance of considering factors like hunger in the training and deployment of working dogs. The researchers caution that the study does not suggest working dogs should be fed large meals immediately before every task. Instead, feeding strategies should take into account the type of work, the intensity of the task, and individual differences among dogs. "Our results suggest that feeding strategies could be one factor worth considering when planning scent-detection work, although more research is needed to understand how these findings apply in real-world situations," Edwards said. The study also found that individual differences among dogs were significant, emphasizing the need for further research into how factors like diet, training, and working conditions affect scent-detection performance. Another study published in Behavioural Processes showed that dogs who skipped breakfast were more likely to whine and focus on the food dispenser, yet they remained engaged in the scent tasks. Fountain emphasized that even highly trained dogs can be affected by factors that seem unrelated to their work. "Dogs are incredibly capable scent detectors, but their performance is influenced by more than just their sense of smell," she said. "Understanding how factors like hunger and motivation affect their decisions could help us achieve the best possible performance from working dogs."