Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

Physiology of Smell and Olfactory Pathway01:20

Physiology of Smell and Olfactory Pathway

12.4K
Humans detect odors with the help of specialized cells located in the upper part of the nasal cavity, called olfactory receptor neurons (ORNs). ORNs possess hair-like structures called cilia, which are receptive to sensations from the inhaled air. When an odorant molecule binds to a specific receptor on the cell of the cilia, it leads to a series of events that ultimately cause the ORN to send electrical signals to the olfactory bulb in the brain through the olfactory nerves.
The olfactory...
12.4K
Olfaction01:25

Olfaction

48.2K
The sense of smell is achieved through the activities of the olfactory system. It starts when an airborne odorant enters the nasal cavity and reaches olfactory epithelium (OE). The OE is protected by a thin layer of mucus, which also serves the purpose of dissolving more complex compounds into simpler chemical odorants. The size of the OE and the density of sensory neurons varies among species; in humans, the OE is only about 9-10 cm2.
The olfactory receptors are embedded in the cilia of the...
48.2K
Olfactory Receptors: Location and Structure01:03

Olfactory Receptors: Location and Structure

11.2K
The process of olfaction, also known as the sense of smell, is a sophisticated chemical response system. The specialized sensory neurons that facilitate this process, known as olfactory receptor neurons, are situated in an upper segment of the nasal cavity, known as the olfactory epithelium. Olfactory sensory neurons are bipolar, with their dendrites extending from the epithelium's apex into the mucus that lines the nasal cavity. Airborne molecules, when inhaled, traverse the olfactory...
11.2K
Generalization, Discrimination, and Extinction01:24

Generalization, Discrimination, and Extinction

1.4K
Generalization, discrimination, and extinction are key concepts in operant conditioning that influence how behaviors are learned and maintained.
Generalization occurs when a behavior reinforced in one context is performed in similar situations. For instance, a student who studies diligently for calculus and receives excellent grades might apply the same study habits to psychology and history, expecting similar results. Generalization shows how learning in one setting can influence behavior in...
1.4K

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Not bird-brained: Chickens use prior experience to solve novel timing problems.

PloS one·2023
Same author

Defining the Characteristics of Successful Biosecurity Scent Detection Dogs.

Animals : an open access journal from MDPI·2023
Same author

A Systematic Review of Emergent Learning Outcomes Produced by Foreign language Tact Training.

The Analysis of verbal behavior·2023
Same author

Use of a habituation-dishabituation test to determine canine olfactory sensitivity.

Journal of the experimental analysis of behavior·2022
Same author

Causal Loop Analysis Can Identify Solutions to Complex Dog Management Problems in Remote Australian Aboriginal Communities.

Animals : an open access journal from MDPI·2021
Same author

Frame Analysis: An Inclusive Stakeholder Analysis Tool for Companion Animal Management in Remote Aboriginal Communities.

Animals : an open access journal from MDPI·2021
Same journal

Correction: Gernhardt et al. Ex Vivo Computed Tomographic Morphometry and Motion of the Native and Fractured Equine Accessory Carpal Bone. <i>Animals</i> 2026, <i>16</i>, 1132.

Animals : an open access journal from MDPI·2026
Same journal

Camera-Trap Assessment of Terrestrial Mammals and Ground-Dwelling Birds in the Zhangjiajie Chinese Giant Salamander National Nature Reserve, China.

Animals : an open access journal from MDPI·2026
Same journal

Beyond the Mission: Long-Term Endocrine Dynamics in Search and Rescue Dog-Handler Teams.

Animals : an open access journal from MDPI·2026
Same journal

Phenotypic Characterisation of the Abruzzo Donkey (<i>Equus asinus</i>), an Endangered Italian Genetic Resource: Body Measurements.

Animals : an open access journal from MDPI·2026
Same journal

Assessment of Maternal Genetic Diversity and Mitochondrial Population Structure of Endangered Indigenous Chicken Breeds in China.

Animals : an open access journal from MDPI·2026
Same journal

Effects of Expected Progeny Difference and Feeding Systems on Carcass Characteristics in Hanwoo Steers.

Animals : an open access journal from MDPI·2026
See all related articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jan 19, 2026

Controlled Odor Mimic Permeation Systems for Olfactory Training and Field Testing
05:54

Controlled Odor Mimic Permeation Systems for Olfactory Training and Field Testing

Published on: January 28, 2021

5.0K

Olfactory Generalization in Detector Dogs.

Ariella Y Moser1, Lewis Bizo2, Wendy Y Brown3

  • 1Canine and Equine Research Group, School of Environmental and Rural Science, University of New England, Armidale, NSW 2351, Australia. ariellamoser0@gmail.com.

Animals : an Open Access Journal From MDPI
|September 25, 2019
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Detector dogs need to generalize to target odor variations while staying specific to non-targets. Training strategies must consider olfactory generalization to improve detection outcomes.

Keywords:
caninedetectiondiscriminationodorscentsniffer dogtargettrainingvariation

More Related Videos

Training Dogs for Awake, Unrestrained Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging
07:59

Training Dogs for Awake, Unrestrained Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Published on: October 13, 2019

8.0K
Using Insect Electroantennogram Sensors on Autonomous Robots for Olfactory Searches
07:23

Using Insect Electroantennogram Sensors on Autonomous Robots for Olfactory Searches

Published on: August 4, 2014

23.8K

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jan 19, 2026

Controlled Odor Mimic Permeation Systems for Olfactory Training and Field Testing
05:54

Controlled Odor Mimic Permeation Systems for Olfactory Training and Field Testing

Published on: January 28, 2021

5.0K
Training Dogs for Awake, Unrestrained Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging
07:59

Training Dogs for Awake, Unrestrained Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Published on: October 13, 2019

8.0K
Using Insect Electroantennogram Sensors on Autonomous Robots for Olfactory Searches
07:23

Using Insect Electroantennogram Sensors on Autonomous Robots for Olfactory Searches

Published on: August 4, 2014

23.8K

Area of Science:

  • Animal behavior
  • Olfactory processing
  • Canine cognition

Background:

  • Detector dog success relies on generalizing to target odor variations while maintaining specificity to non-targets.
  • Understanding olfactory generalization is key for developing effective training strategies for working dogs.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate olfactory generalization in dogs, specifically from singular compounds to complex odor mixtures.
  • To elucidate canine olfactory generalization tendencies and inform methods to modify the generalization gradient.

Main Methods:

  • Examined olfactory generalization by varying odor complexity (singular compounds to mixtures).
  • Considered intrinsic odor factors (e.g., concentration) and behavioral/cognitive factors (training, experience).

Main Results:

  • Training with multiple target exemplars broadens the generalization gradient, promoting elemental processing.
  • Increasing training instances with fewer exemplars narrows the gradient, enhancing discrimination.

Conclusions:

  • Olfactory generalization in dogs is influenced by odor properties and training methods.
  • Further research is needed to optimize training strategies for detector dogs based on olfactory generalization principles.