Heart rate variability and behaviour in dogs during and after scent work

Scent work is a scent-based activity for companion dogs, derived from working detection dogs. The aim is to provide an enriching activity where dogs use their olfactory abilities to locate odours, which many dog caregivers and trainers believe benefits their dogs mental, emotional, and physical well-being. Little is known about changes in heart rate during scent-based detection in companion dogs. Our study aimed to assess changes in behaviour, heart rate and heart rate variability measures during a scent-based task in companion dogs. Twenty-one dogs were fitted with Televet ECG halters. Dogs were randomised into two groups, with the protocol including: 1) a 10 min baseline waiting room, 2) a 5-minute search condition, 3) 10 min in the same waiting room, 4) a 5-minute control condition walking around a neutral room, and 5) a final 10 min in the waiting room. In the second group the order of the scent room and control room were reversed. Heart rate increased during the search and control conditions relative to the wait room but was highest during the search. There was no difference in heart rate variability measures between conditions. Scent work in dogs is likely to be associated with increased arousal and activation of the sympathetic nervous system. Dogs showed higher rates of higher tail carriage in the search task compared to the control, and did not display any stress-related behaviours during the search. Further research in this area may provide valuable insights into how dogs perceive scent-based tasks and the potential effects these activities have on their overall welfare. • Heart rate was highest during goal-directed searching • Heart rate decreased at similar rates in wait rooms following search and control • There were minimal differences in HRV measures between conditions • Dogs had significantly higher tail carriage during the search condition