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Adam Miklosi - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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social learning in dog Training the effectiveness of the do as i do method compared to shaping Clicker Training
Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 2015Co-Authors: Claudia Fugazza, Adam MiklosiAbstract:Abstract Dog Training methods traditionally rely on individual learning (mainly operant conditioning). Yet dogs are adept in acquiring information socially and are able to imitate humans. Dogs’ predisposition to learn socially has been recently introduced in dog Training with the Do as I do method. With this method dogs first learn to match their behaviour to a small set of actions displayed by a human demonstrator on command ‘Do it!’ and later are able to generalise this rule to use it to learn novel actions. In the present study, we compare the effectiveness of the Do as I do method with that of shaping/Clicker Training, a method that relies on individual learning, for teaching dogs two different kinds of actions: a body movement and an object-related action. As measures of effectiveness, we use the number of dog-trainer pairs experienced with either method, that succeed in obtaining five performances in a row of the predetermined action within 30 min and the latency to the fifth performance. Additionally, we assess the effect of these Training methods on dogs’ memory of the trained action and its verbal cue in different contexts. Our results show that the Do as I do method is more effective than shaping/Clicker Training to teach dogs object-related actions within a relatively short time and suggest that this method might be also applied for Training body-movements. Importantly, the use of social learning enhances dogs’ memory and generalisation of the learned action and its verbal cue.
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Social learning in dog Training: The effectiveness of the Do as I do method compared to shaping/Clicker Training
Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 2015Co-Authors: Claudia Fugazza, Adam MiklosiAbstract:Abstract Dog Training methods traditionally rely on individual learning (mainly operant conditioning). Yet dogs are adept in acquiring information socially and are able to imitate humans. Dogs’ predisposition to learn socially has been recently introduced in dog Training with the Do as I do method. With this method dogs first learn to match their behaviour to a small set of actions displayed by a human demonstrator on command ‘Do it!’ and later are able to generalise this rule to use it to learn novel actions. In the present study, we compare the effectiveness of the Do as I do method with that of shaping/Clicker Training, a method that relies on individual learning, for teaching dogs two different kinds of actions: a body movement and an object-related action. As measures of effectiveness, we use the number of dog-trainer pairs experienced with either method, that succeed in obtaining five performances in a row of the predetermined action within 30 min and the latency to the fifth performance. Additionally, we assess the effect of these Training methods on dogs’ memory of the trained action and its verbal cue in different contexts. Our results show that the Do as I do method is more effective than shaping/Clicker Training to teach dogs object-related actions within a relatively short time and suggest that this method might be also applied for Training body-movements. Importantly, the use of social learning enhances dogs’ memory and generalisation of the learned action and its verbal cue.
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should old dog trainers learn new tricks the efficiency of the do as i do method and shaping Clicker Training method to train dogs
Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 2014Co-Authors: Claudia Fugazza, Adam MiklosiAbstract:Abstract Despite evidence that dogs are skilful in acquiring information socially from humans and are able to copy the actions of a human demonstrator, formal dog-Training methods have traditionally relied only on individual learning (operant and classical conditioning). We compared the efficiency of the ‘Do as I do’ method ( Topal et al., 2006 ), which relies on social learning, with that of a Training method that relies on individual learning (shaping/Clicker Training, Skinner, 1951 ) to teach dogs three different kinds of object-related actions. In order to control for the comparability of the previous Training experiences of our subjects, we tested experienced dog-owner dyads that had previously achieved a certificate for either type of Training (Do as I do and shaping/Clicker Training). They were tested upon Training three different novel actions: simple, complex and sequences of two actions, in three separate sessions, using the Training method they were certified for. In each case the owners had 15 min for accomplishing the task of Training the dogs to perform the predetermined action. We used the latency of first occurrence and the number of dyads that were successful within 15 min as measures of Training success. While we did not find a significant difference between the two Training methods with regard to simple actions, we found that subjects using the Do as I do method outperformed those using shaping/Clicker Training in the case of complex actions and sequences of two actions. This study is the first to formalize a method based on the Do as I do protocol for Training dogs and to assess its efficiency by comparing it with shaping/Clicker Training. We acknowledge that many factors can influence the success of different Training paradigms; however, these results provide new insights for the applied dog Training techniques by suggesting the usefulness of social learning in addition to the widely used methods that rely on individual associative learning.
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Should old dog trainers learn new tricks? The efficiency of the Do as I do method and shaping/Clicker Training method to train dogs.
Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 2014Co-Authors: Claudia Fugazza, Adam MiklosiAbstract:Abstract Despite evidence that dogs are skilful in acquiring information socially from humans and are able to copy the actions of a human demonstrator, formal dog-Training methods have traditionally relied only on individual learning (operant and classical conditioning). We compared the efficiency of the ‘Do as I do’ method ( Topal et al., 2006 ), which relies on social learning, with that of a Training method that relies on individual learning (shaping/Clicker Training, Skinner, 1951 ) to teach dogs three different kinds of object-related actions. In order to control for the comparability of the previous Training experiences of our subjects, we tested experienced dog-owner dyads that had previously achieved a certificate for either type of Training (Do as I do and shaping/Clicker Training). They were tested upon Training three different novel actions: simple, complex and sequences of two actions, in three separate sessions, using the Training method they were certified for. In each case the owners had 15 min for accomplishing the task of Training the dogs to perform the predetermined action. We used the latency of first occurrence and the number of dyads that were successful within 15 min as measures of Training success. While we did not find a significant difference between the two Training methods with regard to simple actions, we found that subjects using the Do as I do method outperformed those using shaping/Clicker Training in the case of complex actions and sequences of two actions. This study is the first to formalize a method based on the Do as I do protocol for Training dogs and to assess its efficiency by comparing it with shaping/Clicker Training. We acknowledge that many factors can influence the success of different Training paradigms; however, these results provide new insights for the applied dog Training techniques by suggesting the usefulness of social learning in addition to the widely used methods that rely on individual associative learning.
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Can robots replace dogs? Comparison of Temporal Patterns in Dog-Human and Robot-Human Interactions
Human Robot Interaction, 2007Co-Authors: Andrea Kerepesi, Eniko Kubinyi, Gudberg K. Jonsson, Adam MiklosiAbstract:Interactions with computers are part of our lives. Personal computers are common in most households, we use them for work and fun as well. This interaction became natural to most of us in the last few years. Some predict (e.g. Bartlett et al 2004) that robots will be as widespread in the not too distant future as PCs are today. Some robots are already present in our lives Some have no or just some degree of autonomy, while others are quite autonomous. Although autonomous robots were originally designed to work independently from humans (for examples see Agah, 2001), a new generation of autonomous robots, the socalled entertainment robots, are designed specially to interact with people and to provide some kind of "entertainment" for the human, and have the characteristics to induce an emotional relationship ("attachment") (Donath 2004, Kaplan 2001). One of the most popular entertainment robots is Sony’s AIBO (Pransky 2001) which is to some extent reminiscent to a dog-puppy. AIBO is equipped with a sensor for touching, it is able to hear and recognize its name and up to 50 verbal commands, and it has a limited ability to see pink objects. It produces vocalisations for expressing its ‘mood’, in addition it has a set of predetermined action patterns like walking, paw shaking, ball chasing etc. Although it is autonomous, the behaviour of the robot depends also on the interaction with the human partner. AIBO offers new perspectives, like Clicker Training (Kaplan et al. 2002), a method used widespread in dogs’ Training. Based on the use of questionnaires Kahn et al (2003) suggested that people at online AIBO discussion forums describe their relationship with their AIBO to be similar to the relationship people have with live dogs. However we cannot forget that people on these kind of on-line forums are actively looking for these topics and the company of those who have similar interests. Those who participated in this survey were probably already devoted to their AIBOs. It is also interesting how people speak about the robot. Whether they refer to AIBO as a nonliving object, or as a living creature? When comparing children’s attitudes towards AIBO
Pauleen C. Bennett - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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is Clicker Training Clicker food better than food only Training for novice companion dogs and their owners
Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 2018Co-Authors: Lynna C. Feng, Naomi H. Hodgens, Jessica K. Woodhead, Tiffani J. Howell, Pauleen C. BennettAbstract:Abstract Clicker Training is a Training technique whereby a signal (e.g. the ‘click’ of a Clicker) is emitted by the trainer immediately after an animal offers a desirable behavior, following which a reward is delivered. Beyond improvements in Training time, dog owners report that Clicker Training can make Training more fun and strengthen the relationship between dog and handler. However, it can also be challenging for beginners and make some dogs overly excited or frightened. The aim of this study was to evaluate benefits and disadvantages of Clicker Training novice pet dogs. Local community members and their dogs (N = 45) volunteered for a 6-week trick Training program in a randomized, waitlist-controlled, treatment design with pre- and post-intervention assessments conducted by blinded experimenters. There were three groups: Clicker + food Training, Food-only Training (without a deliberate signal), and Waitlist Control. Survey-based and behavioral data were collected, measuring the dog-owner relationship, dog impulsivity, and owner-reported Training session experiences. Repeated measures mixed effects models were used to evaluate group differences. The Clicker + food and Food-only groups reported improved performance relative to the Control group on tasks included in the Training course (F(20, 68) = 2.960, p
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Is Clicker Training (Clicker + food) better than food-only Training for novice companion dogs and their owners?
Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 2018Co-Authors: Lynna C. Feng, Naomi H. Hodgens, Jessica K. Woodhead, Tiffani J. Howell, Pauleen C. BennettAbstract:Abstract Clicker Training is a Training technique whereby a signal (e.g. the ‘click’ of a Clicker) is emitted by the trainer immediately after an animal offers a desirable behavior, following which a reward is delivered. Beyond improvements in Training time, dog owners report that Clicker Training can make Training more fun and strengthen the relationship between dog and handler. However, it can also be challenging for beginners and make some dogs overly excited or frightened. The aim of this study was to evaluate benefits and disadvantages of Clicker Training novice pet dogs. Local community members and their dogs (N = 45) volunteered for a 6-week trick Training program in a randomized, waitlist-controlled, treatment design with pre- and post-intervention assessments conducted by blinded experimenters. There were three groups: Clicker + food Training, Food-only Training (without a deliberate signal), and Waitlist Control. Survey-based and behavioral data were collected, measuring the dog-owner relationship, dog impulsivity, and owner-reported Training session experiences. Repeated measures mixed effects models were used to evaluate group differences. The Clicker + food and Food-only groups reported improved performance relative to the Control group on tasks included in the Training course (F(20, 68) = 2.960, p
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Practices and perceptions of Clicker use in dog Training: A survey-based investigation of dog owners and industry professionals
Journal of Veterinary Behavior, 2018Co-Authors: Lynna C. Feng, Tiffani J. Howell, Pauleen C. BennettAbstract:Abstract Clicker Training is an animal Training technique derived from mechanized laboratory-based studies of animal learning. However, Clicker Training in the real world often takes place with a human trainer in an environment that is not as well controlled as a laboratory. Attempts to empirically evaluate applied Clicker Training techniques using testing protocols adapted from laboratory-based studies have been largely unsuccessful in replicating the learning benefits seen in laboratory animals. One proposed explanation for these inconsistencies is that methods used in the scientific evaluation of Clicker Training, and methods used by trainers in the industry, are not the same. The purpose of the present study was to determine what Clicker Training is, why people use it, and what methods are considered best practice in the context of applied dog Training. A total of 586 dog owners and dog Training professionals completed an online questionnaire. The results suggest that individuals do neither restrict the definition of Clicker Training with Training using a Clicker device but also include alternative signals such as verbal markers. Overall, individuals reported that Clicker Training was successful but acknowledged that certain handler skills need to be mastered before a person should begin Clicker Training with a dog. Survey respondents also showed substantial methodological variety in how they believed Clickers should ideally be used. Systematic investigation into these methodological differences, along with empirical assessment of purported benefits, is now required so that evidence-based best practice recommendations in Clicker Training can be developed. Closer alignment between scientists and practitioners is likely to benefit both groups and the many animals that are currently trained for companion and working roles.
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Comparing trainers’ reports of Clicker use to the use of Clickers in applied research studies: methodological differences may explain conflicting results
Pet Behaviour Science, 2017Co-Authors: Lynna C. Feng, Tiffani J. Howell, Pauleen C. BennettAbstract:Clicker Training refers to an animal Training technique, derived from laboratory-based studies of animal learning and behaviour, in which a reward-predicting signal is delivered immediately following performance of a desired behaviour, and is subsequently followed by a reward. While Clicker Training is popular amongst dog Training practitioners, scientific evaluation in applied settings has been largely unsuccessful in replicating the benefits of reward-predicting signals seen in laboratory animal studies. Here we present an analysis of dog trainers’ advice and perceptions, conducted to better understand Clicker Training as it occurs in the dog Training industry. Twenty-five sources (13 interviews with dog trainers, 5 websites, and 7 books) were analysed using a deductive content analysis procedure. We found that, for many sources, “Clicker Training” referred not only to the technique, but also to a philosophy of Training that emphasises positive reinforcement and the deliberate application of Learning Theory principles. Many sources reported that Clicker Training was fun, for both dog and handler, but that it could be frustrating for handlers to learn and sometimes cumbersome to juggle the extra equipment. In addition, while most sources recommended Clicker Training particularly when Training new behaviours, many stated that it was no longer needed once the dog had learned the desired behaviour. When comparing industry recommendations to methods used in applied studies, different criteria were used for predictor signal conditioning. Inadequate conditioning of the predictor signal in empirical evaluations could partly explain the lack of learning benefits in applied studies. While future research is needed to verify the practitioner beliefs in a wider population, these results provide an in-depth description of what Clicker Training is, at least for the sources analysed, and a potential starting point for understanding methodological factors that could contribute to previous studies’ failure to demonstrate the benefits purported to exist by industry practitioners.
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How Clicker Training works: Comparing Reinforcing, Marking, and Bridging Hypotheses
Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 2016Co-Authors: Lynna C. Feng, Tiffani J. Howell, Pauleen C. BennettAbstract:Abstract Clicker Training is a popular technique used in companion animal Training. It employs a handheld signalling device called a Clicker, which emits an audible “click” noise when pressed. Trainers press the Clicker when an animal performs a desired behaviour, usually following the click with presentation of a food reward. The Clicker is purported to facilitate learning, but scientific evidence to support this claim is limited. Of five studies comparing a Clicker-type signal + food group with a food-only control group, only one found that animals in the signal + food group learned faster. Further investigation is therefore required to better understand the circumstances under which Clickers might help or hinder learning. To inform future studies, it is important to consider mechanisms by which the Clicker may function. In this paper three proposed mechanisms are presented, which we term the Reinforcing Hypothesis, Marking Hypothesis, and Bridging Hypothesis. To begin understanding which (if any) of these three mechanisms is the means by which Clickers may operate, we evaluate relevant laboratory animal studies. Based on available behavioural and neuropsychological evidence, it is concluded that Clickers and other Clicker-like stimuli likely function as conditioned reinforcers, but may also have marking and bridging properties. Ways to investigate how this translates to Clicker use in applied settings are identified.
Frédéric Kaplan - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Robotic Clicker Training
Robotics and Autonomous Systems, 2002Co-Authors: Frédéric Kaplan, Pierre Yves Oudeyer, Eniko Kubinyi, Adam MiklosiAbstract:Abstract In this paper, we want to propose the idea that some techniques used for animal Training might be helpful for solving human–robot interaction problems in the context of entertainment robotics. We present a model for teaching complex actions to an animal-like autonomous robot based on “Clicker Training”, a method used efficiently by professional trainers for animals of different species. After describing our implementation of Clicker Training on an enhanced version of AIBO, Sony’s four-legged robot, we argue that this new method can be a promising technique for teaching unusual behavior and sequences of actions to a pet robot.
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Robotic Clicker Training
Robotics and Autonomous Systems, 2002Co-Authors: Frédéric Kaplan, Pierre Yves Oudeyer, Eniko Kubinyi, Adam MiklosiAbstract:In this paper, we want to propose the idea that some techniques used for animal Training might be helpful for solving human-robot interaction problems in the context of entertainment robotics. We present a model for teaching complex actions to an animal-like autonomous robot based on "Clicker Training", a method used efficiently by professional trainers for animals of different species. After describing our implementation of Clicker Training on an enhanced version of AIBO, Sony's four-legged robot, we argue that this new method can be a promising technique for teaching unusual behavior and sequences of actions to a pet robot. © 2002 Published by Elsevier Science B.V.
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Robotic Clicker Training (draft)
2002Co-Authors: Frédéric Kaplan, Pierre Yves OudeyerAbstract:In this paper we want to propose the idea that some techniques used for animal Training might be helpful for solving human robot interaction problems in the context of entertainment robotics. We present a model for teaching complex actions to an animal-like autonomous robot based on ”Clicker Training”, a method used efficiently by professional trainers for animals of different species. After describing our implementation of Clicker Training on an enhanced version of AIBO, Sony’s four-legged robot, we argue that this new method can be a promising technique for teaching unusual behavior and sequences of actions to a pet robot.
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Taming robots with Clicker Training: A solution for teaching complex behaviors
Proceedings of the European Workshop on Learning Robots, 2001Co-Authors: Frédéric Kaplan, Pierre Yves Oudeyer, Eniko Kubinyi, Adam MiklosiAbstract:In this paper we want to propose the idea that some techniques used for animal Training might be helpful for solving human robot interaction problems in the context of entertainment robotics. We present a model for teaching complex actions to an animal-like autonomous robot based on "Clicker Training", a method used efficiently by professional trainers for animals of different species. After describing our implementation of Clicker Training on an enhanced version of AIBO, Sony's four-legged robot, we argue that this new method can be a promising technique for teaching unusual behavior and sequences of actions to a pet robot.
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Taming robots with Clicker Training A solution for teaching complex behaviors
2001Co-Authors: Frédéric KaplanAbstract:In this paper we want to propose the idea that some techniques used for animal Training might be helpful for solving human robot interaction problems in the context of entertainment robotics. We present a model for teaching complex actions to an animallike autonomous robot based on ”Clicker Training”, a method used efficiently by professional trainers for animals of different species. After describing our implementation of Clicker Training on an enhanced version of AIBO, Sony’s four-legged robot, we argue that this new method can be a promising technique for teaching unusual behavior and sequences of actions
Claudia Fugazza - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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social learning in dog Training the effectiveness of the do as i do method compared to shaping Clicker Training
Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 2015Co-Authors: Claudia Fugazza, Adam MiklosiAbstract:Abstract Dog Training methods traditionally rely on individual learning (mainly operant conditioning). Yet dogs are adept in acquiring information socially and are able to imitate humans. Dogs’ predisposition to learn socially has been recently introduced in dog Training with the Do as I do method. With this method dogs first learn to match their behaviour to a small set of actions displayed by a human demonstrator on command ‘Do it!’ and later are able to generalise this rule to use it to learn novel actions. In the present study, we compare the effectiveness of the Do as I do method with that of shaping/Clicker Training, a method that relies on individual learning, for teaching dogs two different kinds of actions: a body movement and an object-related action. As measures of effectiveness, we use the number of dog-trainer pairs experienced with either method, that succeed in obtaining five performances in a row of the predetermined action within 30 min and the latency to the fifth performance. Additionally, we assess the effect of these Training methods on dogs’ memory of the trained action and its verbal cue in different contexts. Our results show that the Do as I do method is more effective than shaping/Clicker Training to teach dogs object-related actions within a relatively short time and suggest that this method might be also applied for Training body-movements. Importantly, the use of social learning enhances dogs’ memory and generalisation of the learned action and its verbal cue.
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Social learning in dog Training: The effectiveness of the Do as I do method compared to shaping/Clicker Training
Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 2015Co-Authors: Claudia Fugazza, Adam MiklosiAbstract:Abstract Dog Training methods traditionally rely on individual learning (mainly operant conditioning). Yet dogs are adept in acquiring information socially and are able to imitate humans. Dogs’ predisposition to learn socially has been recently introduced in dog Training with the Do as I do method. With this method dogs first learn to match their behaviour to a small set of actions displayed by a human demonstrator on command ‘Do it!’ and later are able to generalise this rule to use it to learn novel actions. In the present study, we compare the effectiveness of the Do as I do method with that of shaping/Clicker Training, a method that relies on individual learning, for teaching dogs two different kinds of actions: a body movement and an object-related action. As measures of effectiveness, we use the number of dog-trainer pairs experienced with either method, that succeed in obtaining five performances in a row of the predetermined action within 30 min and the latency to the fifth performance. Additionally, we assess the effect of these Training methods on dogs’ memory of the trained action and its verbal cue in different contexts. Our results show that the Do as I do method is more effective than shaping/Clicker Training to teach dogs object-related actions within a relatively short time and suggest that this method might be also applied for Training body-movements. Importantly, the use of social learning enhances dogs’ memory and generalisation of the learned action and its verbal cue.
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should old dog trainers learn new tricks the efficiency of the do as i do method and shaping Clicker Training method to train dogs
Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 2014Co-Authors: Claudia Fugazza, Adam MiklosiAbstract:Abstract Despite evidence that dogs are skilful in acquiring information socially from humans and are able to copy the actions of a human demonstrator, formal dog-Training methods have traditionally relied only on individual learning (operant and classical conditioning). We compared the efficiency of the ‘Do as I do’ method ( Topal et al., 2006 ), which relies on social learning, with that of a Training method that relies on individual learning (shaping/Clicker Training, Skinner, 1951 ) to teach dogs three different kinds of object-related actions. In order to control for the comparability of the previous Training experiences of our subjects, we tested experienced dog-owner dyads that had previously achieved a certificate for either type of Training (Do as I do and shaping/Clicker Training). They were tested upon Training three different novel actions: simple, complex and sequences of two actions, in three separate sessions, using the Training method they were certified for. In each case the owners had 15 min for accomplishing the task of Training the dogs to perform the predetermined action. We used the latency of first occurrence and the number of dyads that were successful within 15 min as measures of Training success. While we did not find a significant difference between the two Training methods with regard to simple actions, we found that subjects using the Do as I do method outperformed those using shaping/Clicker Training in the case of complex actions and sequences of two actions. This study is the first to formalize a method based on the Do as I do protocol for Training dogs and to assess its efficiency by comparing it with shaping/Clicker Training. We acknowledge that many factors can influence the success of different Training paradigms; however, these results provide new insights for the applied dog Training techniques by suggesting the usefulness of social learning in addition to the widely used methods that rely on individual associative learning.
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Should old dog trainers learn new tricks? The efficiency of the Do as I do method and shaping/Clicker Training method to train dogs.
Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 2014Co-Authors: Claudia Fugazza, Adam MiklosiAbstract:Abstract Despite evidence that dogs are skilful in acquiring information socially from humans and are able to copy the actions of a human demonstrator, formal dog-Training methods have traditionally relied only on individual learning (operant and classical conditioning). We compared the efficiency of the ‘Do as I do’ method ( Topal et al., 2006 ), which relies on social learning, with that of a Training method that relies on individual learning (shaping/Clicker Training, Skinner, 1951 ) to teach dogs three different kinds of object-related actions. In order to control for the comparability of the previous Training experiences of our subjects, we tested experienced dog-owner dyads that had previously achieved a certificate for either type of Training (Do as I do and shaping/Clicker Training). They were tested upon Training three different novel actions: simple, complex and sequences of two actions, in three separate sessions, using the Training method they were certified for. In each case the owners had 15 min for accomplishing the task of Training the dogs to perform the predetermined action. We used the latency of first occurrence and the number of dyads that were successful within 15 min as measures of Training success. While we did not find a significant difference between the two Training methods with regard to simple actions, we found that subjects using the Do as I do method outperformed those using shaping/Clicker Training in the case of complex actions and sequences of two actions. This study is the first to formalize a method based on the Do as I do protocol for Training dogs and to assess its efficiency by comparing it with shaping/Clicker Training. We acknowledge that many factors can influence the success of different Training paradigms; however, these results provide new insights for the applied dog Training techniques by suggesting the usefulness of social learning in addition to the widely used methods that rely on individual associative learning.
Verónica Sánchez-albor - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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A non-invasive tool for detecting cervical cancer odor by trained scent dogs
BMC Cancer, 2017Co-Authors: Héctor Guerrero-flores, Teresa Apresa-garcía, Ónix Garay-villar, Alejandro Sánchez-pérez, David Flores-villegas, Artfy Bandera-calderón, Raúl García-palacios, Teresita Rojas-sánchez, Pablo Romero-morelos, Verónica Sánchez-alborAbstract:Background Cervical Cancer (CC) has become a public health concern of alarming proportions in many developing countries such as Mexico, particularly in low income sectors and marginalized regions. As such, an early detection is a key medical factor in improving not only their population’s quality of life but also its life expectancy. Interestingly, there has been an increase in the number of reports describing successful attempts at detecting cancer cells in human tissues or fluids using trained (sniffer) dogs. The great odor detection threshold exhibited by dogs is not unheard of. However, this represented a potential opportunity to develop an affordable, accessible, and non-invasive method for detection of CC. Methods Using Clicker Training, a male beagle was trained to recognize CC odor. During Training, fresh CC biopsies were used as a reference point. Other samples used included cervical smears on glass slides and medical surgical bandages used as intimate sanitary pads by CC patients. A double-blind procedure was exercised when testing the beagle’s ability to discriminate CC from control samples. Results The beagle was proven able to detect CC-specific volatile organic compounds (VOC) contained in both fresh cervical smear samples and adsorbent material samples. Beagle’s success rate at detecting and discriminating CC and non-CC odors, as indicated by specificity and sensitivity values recorded during the experiment, stood at an overall high (>90%). CC-related VOC in adsorbent materials were detectable after only eight hours of use by CC patients. Conclusion Present data suggests different applications for VOC from the uterine cervix to be used in the detection and diagnosis of CC. Furthermore, data supports the use of trained dogs as a viable, affordable, non-invasive and, therefore, highly relevant alternative method for detection of CC lesions. Additional benefits of this method include its quick turnaround time and ease of use while remaining highly accurate and robust.
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A non-invasive tool for detecting cervical cancer odor by trained scent dogs.
BMC cancer, 2017Co-Authors: Héctor Guerrero-flores, Teresa Apresa-garcía, Ónix Garay-villar, Alejandro Sánchez-pérez, David Flores-villegas, Artfy Bandera-calderón, Raúl García-palacios, Teresita Rojas-sánchez, Pablo Romero-morelos, Verónica Sánchez-alborAbstract:Cervical Cancer (CC) has become a public health concern of alarming proportions in many developing countries such as Mexico, particularly in low income sectors and marginalized regions. As such, an early detection is a key medical factor in improving not only their population’s quality of life but also its life expectancy. Interestingly, there has been an increase in the number of reports describing successful attempts at detecting cancer cells in human tissues or fluids using trained (sniffer) dogs. The great odor detection threshold exhibited by dogs is not unheard of. However, this represented a potential opportunity to develop an affordable, accessible, and non-invasive method for detection of CC. Using Clicker Training, a male beagle was trained to recognize CC odor. During Training, fresh CC biopsies were used as a reference point. Other samples used included cervical smears on glass slides and medical surgical bandages used as intimate sanitary pads by CC patients. A double-blind procedure was exercised when testing the beagle’s ability to discriminate CC from control samples. The beagle was proven able to detect CC-specific volatile organic compounds (VOC) contained in both fresh cervical smear samples and adsorbent material samples. Beagle’s success rate at detecting and discriminating CC and non-CC odors, as indicated by specificity and sensitivity values recorded during the experiment, stood at an overall high (>90%). CC-related VOC in adsorbent materials were detectable after only eight hours of use by CC patients. Present data suggests different applications for VOC from the uterine cervix to be used in the detection and diagnosis of CC. Furthermore, data supports the use of trained dogs as a viable, affordable, non-invasive and, therefore, highly relevant alternative method for detection of CC lesions. Additional benefits of this method include its quick turnaround time and ease of use while remaining highly accurate and robust.
