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April 12, 2011 - PRLog -- Direction of Odours

The primary function of olfaction in dogs is to detect and locate odours emanating from the surrounding environment. Evidence suggests that a gradient is formed from which a dog can calculate the approximate direction of the origin of the scent by differences in
concentration entering the respective nostrils.

Researchers Steen and Wilson have found that directional tracking involves three distinct phases:

1. A search phase during which the dog moves and sniffs rapidly. A dog sniffs at a rate six times per second during all phases.

2. A deciding phase characterised by slower movement and longer sniffing periods with the dog’s nose placed closer to the ground. The deciding phase lasts three to five seconds and involves the dog sniffing two to five footprints before choosing a direction.

3. A tracking phase involves more active movement and sniffing, similar to those observed during the searching phase.

There is also an intensity-gradient hypothesis that presumes dogs can detect a difference of polarity/intensity existing between successive steps made by a tracklayer. This is possibly because the scent associated with the preceding step has undergone perceptible
diminishment relative to the scent adhering to the succeeding step.

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