Scent-sational Creatures: Food Allergen Detection Dogs
We know dogs are trained to seek out drugs and explosives, find crime scene evidence, locate missing people, and more. But did you know some dogs are trained to detect food allergens?
It’s not surprising when you consider that a dog’s nose has ~300 million olfactory receptors to a human nose’s ~6 million! In fact, the part of a dog’s brain dedicated to smells is 40 times larger than that of a human brain, proportionally speaking.
At Amulet, our goal is to equip our community with tools to better manage food allergies, and the more options the better in our book! So, with this post, we’re hot on the scent of these extraordinary canines. We also interviewed a member of the Amulet community who was kind enough to share her experience with her food allergen detection dog.
Let’s learn more together!
What is an allergen detection dog?
Allergen detection dogs are trained to detect food allergens—not the onset of an anaphylactic reaction. They come in many breeds, but their distinguishing characteristics are a blend of smarts, patience, temperament, and lots of focus! They’re trained to search countless smells to identify the odor(s) they’re looking for.
Allergen detection dogs are a type of service dog, so they’re typically granted access to anywhere the general public can go. The cost of a food allergen detection dog varies depending on the route you take—buying a dog already trained versus getting a dog and paying a trainer. Either way, it can cost an owner thousands of dollars. And unfortunately, at this time, the majority of insurance companies don’t cover the cost.
Things to consider before getting an allergen detection dog
First, do you have food allergies and dog dander allergies? You’ll want to ensure you or your loved ones are not allergic to the breed you’re considering before investing time and money into training. For this reason, a hypoallergenic breed (such as a poodle or labradoodle) may be a good option.
Second, even the best allergen detection dogs are not 100% accurate! Researchers have shown dogs possess a lower limit of detection at concentrations of one part per trillion—or three orders of magnitude more sensitive than sophisticated detection instruments, which can detect at ranges in the low parts per million or billion (including the Amulet!). But that doesn’t mean they can be relied upon to always get it right!
Third, dog training needs to be maintained after initial training is complete, which means the primary handler needs to be ok handling the allergen regularly, especially in the early years. The frequency of exposure will depend on the dog, but training with the allergen is generally maintained throughout the dog’s life.
A word from an allergen detection dog owner
One of our awesome Amulet community members, Diane, owns a food allergen detection dog for gluten. She offered to share more information about her personal experience!
Q: Diane, tell us your story—what foods do you avoid, and how did you first learn about allergen detection dogs?
After being sick since childhood, I tested positive for celiac disease in 2012. My son was three years old at the time and also tested positive. I first heard about gluten detection dogs in a celiac Facebook group and was immediately curious to learn more.
Q: How are allergen detection dogs different from most dogs? How are they chosen?
A scent detection dog has to have a good sense of smell, of course, but it also has to have the right temperament. Not all dogs are a fit, and there are different ways they are chosen. Some people look at the breed, but sometimes, even purebreds get washed out of training. I’ve heard of trainers walking through a shelter and observing how active a dog’s attention and nose are to find a good candidate!
Q: What does the process look like for getting an allergen detection dog? How long did it take you?
First, you can buy a dog through an organization specializing in food allergen detection service dogs. Or you can buy a puppy and hire a trainer. We got a puppy in 2020 and immediately started working with a scent detection trainer. Our dog was fully trained and ready to serve by the time she was three years old.
Q: What amount of training is required for both the dog and the owner?
In my experience, it took about two years for our dog to be fully trained. It’s important to keep in mind training needs may vary by dog, and training is ongoing throughout the lifetime of the dog. And of course, the owner will need training to learn how to work with the dog too. 🐶 🙂
Q: Are allergen detection dogs only trained on one allergen, or can they be trained for multiple?
Allergen detection dogs can be trained for more than one scent. Think of it this way—many service dogs provide more than one task for their owner!
Q: What has been your experience with access for your service dog? Is she allowed access to the same spaces other service dogs are?
We travel with our service dog and take her to restaurants. We’ve never had a problem with her having access to the same public areas that our family does.
Q: What’s been your experience with her accuracy at detecting gluten? Has she ever made a mistake?
As long as my dog is focused and has an opportunity to thoroughly sniff something, she has never given me an incorrect assessment. However, I watch her closely when I ask her to sniff something—is she distracted or focused? Did she really sniff it or was she being lazy? 😉 It’s important to keep in mind these dogs are animals—not robots—and they can be unpredictable, no matter how well trained.
Q: What do you wish you had known before getting an allergen detection dog that you now know?
Legally, an allergen detection dog can only serve one person, so if you have multiple people in your home with food allergies, you’d need to consider multiple dogs. I’ve also learned it’s a good idea to have a backup plan for detecting your allergens in case something happens—e.g., your dog gets sick, she needs to retire suddenly, etc.
Thank you, Diane! We are so grateful.
And there you have it—the allergen detection dog. As if dogs couldn’t get any better! If you have an allergen detection dog, please drop a note in the comments, we would love to hear from you!
— The Amulet Team
Diane Buendia has multiple autoimmune issues, including celiac disease. Her family manages other dietary restrictions as well. She is a registered nurse who is passionate about natural/holistic medicine, enjoys many hobbies, and is a homeschool mom living in Southern California.