Dynamic canine tracking method for hazardous and illicit substances

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-8959982-B2
Application number	US-201314141199-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Dec 26, 2013
Priority date	Sep 4, 2009
Publication date	Feb 24, 2015
Grant date	Feb 24, 2015

Abstract

Vapor wake detection is a highly advantageous method and system for detecting explosives and other illicit substances. With vapor wake detection, a canine and a handler are used; however, unlike other detection schemes, the canine leads the handler. After the handler positions the canine in a desired location, the canine detects scents in the air that come to the canine. When the canine detects a trained scent, the canine leads the handler to or follows behind the carrier of the item with the scent. Once the carrier is identified by the handler, the proper personnel are contacted. To implement vapor wake detection effectively, specific rigorous training is utilized.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A method of training a canine for detection, the method comprising:
choosing a detector canine that demonstrates a high level of independent search behavior;
teaching the detector canine that a source of a target odor is not limited to stationary objects, and teaching the detector canine to not search stationary objects, wherein the source of the target odor is a hazardous or illicit substance;
teaching the detector canine to follow a vapor-wake of a moving target, wherein the vapor-wake includes the target odor of the moving target;
teaching the detector canine to sample air currents; and
teaching the detector canine to follow the vapor-wake to the target and give a final response.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the choosing of the detector canine that demonstrates a high level of independent search behavior further includes choosing the canine that is motivated, to sniff and search independently in a manner to disguise a handlers.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the choosing of the detector canine that demonstrates a high level of independent search behavior further includes choosing the canine that is not overly sociable.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the method further includes teaching the detector canine to search the air for a vapor trail or a scent pool of the target odor generated by the moving or stationary target.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the method further includes teaching the detector canine to accommodate dissipation of the target odor over time.

6. The method of claim 1 , further comprising teaching the detector canine to lead a handler to the source of the target odor, where the source of the target odor comes within a detectable range of the detector canine.

7. The method of claim 1 , further comprising documenting the detector canine's sniffing capabilities.

8. The method of claim 7 , further comprising choosing the detector canine that passes a medical examination.

9. The method of claim 8 , wherein the medical examination includes testing for dexterity and freedom from bone, joint and musculature pathologies.

10. A method of training a detector canine that is not overly sociable and demonstrates a high level of independent search behavior, the method comprising:
teaching the detector canine that a source of a target odor is not limited to stationary objects, and teaching the detector canine to not search stationary objects, wherein the source of the target odor is a hazardous or illicit substance;
teaching the detector canine to follow a vapor-wake of a moving target, wherein the vapor-wake includes the target odor of the moving target;
teaching the detector canine to sample air currents; and
teaching the detector canine to search the air for vapor trails or scent pools of the target odor generated by a moving or stationary target.

11. The method of claim 10 further comprising teaching the detector canine to lead a handler to the source of the target odor, where the source of the target odor comes within a detectable range of the detector canine, and give a final response.

12. The method of claim 10 further comprising teaching the detector canine to follow the vapor-wake to the target and give a final response.

Assignees

• Univ Auburn

Inventors

• Pearce John
• Waggoner L Paul
• Brock Jeanne S
• Baird Timothy
• Baffa David A
• Mcafee Daniel
• Leonard Robert E

Classifications

• F41H11/132

  Biological systems, e.g. with detection by animals or plants · CPC title

• A01K15/02 Primary

  Training or exercising equipment, e.g. mazes or labyrinths for animals (A01K15/04 takes precedence) {; Electric shock devices; Toys specially adapted for animals} · CPC title

• A01K15/00 Primary

  Devices for taming animals, e.g. nose-rings or hobbles; Devices for overturning animals in general; Training or exercising equipment; Covering boxes · CPC title

• F41H13/00

  Means of attack or defence not otherwise provided for {(details of radar or sonar systems G01S7/00)} · CPC title

• A01K27/003

  Leads, leashes · CPC title