Detective Dogs’ Amazing Noses Can Sniff Out Invasive Species

Handler Josh and detective dog Dia inspect a rock wall for spotted lanternfly egg masses.

Source: Alison Pearce Stevens.

Invasive, or aggressively spreading non-native animal and plant species, present a major problem in ecosystems all over the world. Unfortunately, some attempts to locate and then remove these animals involve the use of different chemicals, including 1080 and others that also destroy ecosystems.

One solution is to take advantage of the amazing olfactory abilities of dogs and have them use their highly evolved, keen sense of smell to locate the unwanted intruders. These are among the reasons I found award-winning writer and behavioral ecologist Dr. Alison Pearce Stevens’s highly acclaimed new book Detective Dogs: How Working Dogs Sniff Out Invasive Species to be a fascinating read. Written for youngsters, it’s really a book for all ages.

Marc Bekoff: Why did you write Detective Dogs, and how did you come up with the title?

Alison Pearce Stevens: I’ve been concerned about the state of our natural spaces for a long time, so I’m drawn to topics that feature ways we can help the natural world. That’s especially true because I write for young people, and I want them to have hope for our future on this incredible planet.

A few years ago, I wrote an article about the role of dogs in conservation efforts. That story looked at how we can train dogs to sniff out all kinds of organisms that are otherwise difficult for people to find, from invasive species we’re trying to eradicate to elusive species we’re trying to protect. Dogs have even been trained to sniff out orca scat (not sure if scat is the right word—it’s a huge cloud of goop!) to help researchers study wild pods of orcas.

When the opportunity to write a book about these incredible canines arose, I jumped at it. I focused on invasive species, since they can wreak havoc on an ecosystem but are a group of organisms most young people don’t know much about. A book about invasive species probably wouldn’t grab most kids’ attention, but a book about those organisms told through the lens of sniffer dogs? That’s a completely different story.

As for the title, I’ve always loved mysteries. Science is a process of unraveling mysteries, and the subject matter seemed to fit within that framework, since it features dogs that are sniffing out conservation clues.

Source: Holiday House/with permission.

MB: How does your book relate to your background and general areas of interest?

APS: My background is in animal behavior and ecology, so this was a fun way to feature both of those things. Training the dogs requires a lot of positive reinforcement and playtime. Later, when dogs and their handlers are in the field, the dogs work hard to earn a few minutes of playtime with their favorite toy. Handlers have to pay close attention to their dog’s behavior, so they can pick up on subtle changes that indicate their dog has picked up a scent. And these teams are working to protect ecosystems that we rely on, so it all ties together.

MB: Who do you hope to reach?

APS: This book is for everyone: kids, adults, nature-lovers, dog-lovers. It’s written for upper elementary students, but it’s for adults, too. Animal lovers will enjoy learning about working dogs. People concerned about conservation will be interested to know how these dog-handler teams help protect those natural spaces. If you’ve ever had a boat checked for zebra mussels or dealt with a spotted lanternfly invasion, Detective Dogs provides information on why those animals pose a problem when they show up in new places and what people are doing about them.

MB: What are some of the topics you consider, and what are some of your major messages?

APS: I wanted to showcase the incredible relationships between the dogs and their handlers. They form tight bonds, and each relationship is unique (as are the dogs’ personalities!). That’s at the forefront of the story, which takes readers into the field with three different groups of dog-handler teams, each working in a unique location and environment.

I also wanted to provide deeper dives into some of the science behind conservation dog detective work. There are quite a few sidebars about invasive species: what makes them invasive, why the species featured in the book are problematic, and how humans play a role in both introducing species to new locations and stopping their spread. I always want my readers to feel empowered when they finish one of my stories, so the ending has information on what you need to know if you want to work with conservation dogs.

MB: How does your book differ from others that are concerned with some of the same general topics?

APS: I think a lot of people are familiar with sniffer dogs for search and rescue and other human-focused purposes. But in my experience, conservation dogs are less well-known. There are some other books written for the same age range that feature conservation dogs, but those tend to give an overview of all the various types of projects they work on. No other book takes an in-depth look at invasive species and why they cause so much trouble.

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After a long day checking Snake River islands for invasive plants, Frost waits in the raft for the team to head home.

Source: Alison Pearce Stevens.

I accompanied each of the dog-handler teams profiled in the book, so I was able to drop readers into the field alongside the dogs. That allows readers to experience what it’s like to work in this area. For kids who are trying to figure out what they want to do when they grow up, it’s one more piece of information they can use to help make those decisions.

MB: Are you hopeful that as youngsters (and adults) learn more about these amazing dogs, they will come to appreciate how important they are for the ecological services they perform?

APS: Yes! Our ecosystems are really struggling, but they don’t get nearly as much attention as other pressing issues. I hope this book helps people understand how important these natural systems are. We are completely reliant on them, so it’s critical to protect them from additional damage and help them recover as much as we can.

The dogs play an essential role in that process. Their keen sense of smell allows them to find things people just can’t. Dogs’ abilities complement our own in some really extraordinary ways. We’re lucky to have such hard-working, loving, and dedicated companions!