Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
Efficient Use of Time
Withoutexception,dogsareabletoperformfasterintheieldthenhumansurveyors.
Studies have demonstrated dogs are able to perform 4-12 times faster than humans
(Nussear et al.
2008
; Paula et al.
2011
; Mathews et al.
2013
). In my experience there
is little doubt that dogs are much more efficient then human surveyors. There are
many advantages of reducing the time spent by human searchers in the field includ-
ing reduced exposure to risk, lower costs and a reduction in the boredom and fatigue
which often plagues human searchers. Dogs which are intensively trained are often
able to work long days with few breaks, in contrast dogs with less intensive training
and therefore less expensive, may require more breaks to maintain enthusiasm. This
may be overcome through the use of two dogs per handler. Generally, based on
searcher efficiency alone, a dog will be able to survey an area in 1 day, equal to that
which could take a human a full week (or longer).
Considerations and Limitations of Using Dogs
WhilstIhaveoutlinedthenumerousadvantagesofusingdogsoverhumansearch-
ers, there are a number of factors which may limit or impede their usefulness. The
main consideration is finding dogs which are both affordable and able to undertake
the task reliably and effectively. Handlers and dogs need between 3 and 6 months of
training to ensure they are able to meet accuracy expectations and an ongoing com-
mitment of work is required to justify initial and ongoing training costs for the dog.
Following this commitment of work, dog and handler teams would still need to
demonstrate their abilities through a series of detectability trials. This would make
its application more expensive at small wind facilities except in regions where there
are opportunities to work a dog at multiple sites or where studies are intensive
enough to require regular surveys (at least fortnightly).
There is also a need to undertake detectability trials on a regular basis. The main
purpose of this is to provide the dog and handler with an opportunity to succeed at
their task, however it also provides ongoing quality assurances that the team are
maintaining expected performance levels. There are a high proportion of surveys
with no finds to be recorded and regular baiting of the site enables the handler to
monitor the dogs' efficiency whilst providing the dog with a positive result and the
opportunity for reward. This can be done as part of formal detection trials (where
the handler does not know where the carcasses are located) or as a regular exercise
by the handler to stimulate the dogs continued interest. This is particularly impor-
tant for dogs with less intensive training as it reinforces the job they are undertaking
and assists with maintaining good detection rates.
As any experienced dog trainer will tell you, there are times when dogs may get
distracted. Depending upon the level of training and the enthusiasm of the dog, this
may only be for short periods and a can usually be rectified by a rest or a chance to
