How dogs learn to detect colon cancer—Optimizing the use of training aids

The use of dogs in the detection of cancer is booming. Many dedicated dog trainers have begun to pursue this field, helped by doctors that provide them with samples. Unfortunately, samples are usually from a very limited number of patients, and matched controls are usually lacking. Testing is not always as rigorous as it should be. In this study, training and testing has been integrated to optimally use a limited number of samples. Two groups of dogs (5 and 3) have been trained at the Royal Dutch Guide Dog Foundation (KNGF Geleidehonden) using stool samples in a carousel setup. By routinely testing samples from new patients and controls before including them in the training odor set, valuable information on how the dogs learn has been gathered, especially that pertaining to how they generalize and develop an odor concept. Using such a strategy provides insight into conditions that need to be monitored for the training of dogs to become successful as a diagnostic tool.