Australian Shepherd Dog Goes Viral for Her Impressive Allergen Detection Skills, Stuns Internet
If we had to list all the things that make our furry friends super amazing, we wouldn’t fail to mention that they can be trained to perform a wide variety of complex tasks. One of these tasks? Being able to detect the presence of food allergens in products.
One Australian Shepherd service dog named Ivy has found fame on TikTok for her exceptional allergen detection skills, and we have a feeling she’ll leave you impressed. In a video posted by Ivy’s owner on TikTok account @lavendersdteam, Ivy has been trained to sniff out coconut in food products, which is what her owner is allergic to.
“She is specifically trained to pick up on my allergens in products to be sure it’s safe for me. The allergen she is currently taught to alert me to coconut, which can occasionally be cross-contaminated even in a coconut-free smoothie,” reads part of the lengthy caption accompanying the video.
The viral clip captures Ivy sniffing her owner’s smoothie before giving the green light that it’s safe to drink. As revealed in the video, Ivy is trained to stretch out her paw if the product contains an allergen or sit if it’s allergen-free. One word: Scent-sational!
Since its uploading, the video has garnered 2.2 million views, with thousands of TikTok users taking to the comments section to express their amazement with Ivy’s life-saving role.
“An allergen detection dog is fantastic! In all these years of knowing about dogs, I don’t know how it never occurred to me to have an SD for food allergies,” wrote one user.
“I will never be able to understand how this can work but regardless it’s awesome,” another added
“How do you even teach a dog this? I can’t wrap my mind around it at all. It’s amazing,” reads a third comment
Watch the viral video below:
@lavendersdteam while ivy does a variety of tasks for a variety of reasons one of the things that are solely on her and not oakley is allergen detection! she is specifically taught to pick up on my allergens in products to be sure its safe for me. the allergen she is currently taught to alert to is coconut which can occasionally be cross contaminated even in a coconut free smoothie. Ivy gave me 3 negatives (this video is #2 of 3) which gave me reassurance that it was safe for me to drink. some allergen detection dogs simply sniff however on some products I do allow Ivy to lick to confirm. did you know allergen detection dogs play a vital role in keeping their handler safe as most allergens aren’t required to be listed on products as an “allergen” in the US? || #lavendersdteam #servicedogsoftiktok #servicedogtraining #ivytheservicedog #servicedogintraining #allergendetectionservicedog #allergendetectiondog #coconutallergy #allergyawareness #severeallergy #allergy #allergen #servicedogalert #workingdog #workingservicedog #aussie #aussiesdoingthings #australianshepherd ♬ Save My Soul – noahrinker
Allergen Detection Dogs: Here’s Everything You Need to Know
From sniffing out explosives to detecting pregnancies, chronic conditions like cancer, and much more, there are several surprising things that a dog’s nose can do.
Thanks to their superior sense of smell — estimated to be up to 100,000 stronger than ours — dogs can also be trained to accurately sniff out common food allergens such as nuts and gluten. Allergen detection dogs, sometimes referred to as allergy-alert service dogs, are trained to detect and interpret the signature odor of specific food allergens that their owners are allergic to.
Interestingly, allergy alert dogs are also vigorously trained to sniff out the slightest traces of allergen in the air or on surfaces to protect their owners from developing life-threatening allergy symptoms.
“Allergen detection dog training involves multiple phases of training. It is extremely difficult because the dog must smell amounts of allergen that are virtually undetectable. For example, if I cut a piece of bread with a knife, with a gluten allergy, even if the knife was fully wiped off, the dog would still have to smell that there was bread cut with it,” explains certified service dog trainer Jasmine Kelem of DogsWithJas.
Allergen detection dogs are trained to alert their owners using specific signals, including but not limited to pawing, jumping, nudging, laying down, or backing away from the allergen source.
Breeds are Most Common For Allergen Detection Tasks
While any dog breed can be trained to detect food allergens, certain breeds are preferred due to their intelligence and trainability. According to the US Service Animals organization, Poodles and Labradoodles are among the top choices for allergen detection tasks. These breeds have a reputation for being highly responsive to training, making them effective partners in this specialized role.
How Do They Do Their Job?
Allergy alert service dogs are specifically trained to recognize when their owner is experiencing an anaphylactic reaction. When they detect this, they respond by seeking help or performing tasks to assist their owner. Importantly, these dogs are taught not to interact directly with the allergen, such as licking the product, to avoid the risk of transferring the allergen through their saliva.
It’s essential to note the difference between allergy alert dogs and allergen detection dogs. While allergen detection dogs are trained to sniff out specific allergens in food or the environment, they are not trained to detect the onset of an anaphylactic reaction. These dogs can be trained to identify multiple food allergens, depending on the needs of their handler.
How Much Training do They Need?
The length of training for an allergen detection dog varies. Factors such as the dog’s intelligence, trainability, and the number of allergens they need to detect all influence the duration of their education.
Like other service dogs, allergen detection dogs are legally allowed to accompany their handlers in public spaces where pets are typically restricted. This ensures that individuals with severe allergies can have their vital support system with them at all times.
How to Get An Allergy Detection Service Dog
The best place to find a reliable allergy service dog is from an organization specializing in training allergen detection dogs. A good example of such an organization is the Allergen Detection Service Dogs in Colorado or the Nosey Dog Detection Partners based in Aladdin, WY.
Alternatively, consider reaching out to a professional service dog trainer who specializes in training dogs to detect food allergens.
“I’d get in touch with a trainer who’s experienced in nose work and scent training. Allergen training is something that you need to be extremely precise and careful about because you’re relying on the dog training to keep you safe. So, I definitely wouldn’t go about it without the help of a professional,” shared one allergen detection service dog owner in a Reddit discussion post on how to train an allergy detection dog.
Allergen Detection Service Dogs FAQs
Which are the best allergy detection dog breeds?
As mentioned earlier, experts recommend dog breeds known for their high intelligence and trainability, such as Poodles, and Labradoodles.
How to train an allergy detection dog?
Given the sensitive nature of allergen detection, it’s best to work with a professional dog trainer who specializes in training dogs to detect food allergens.
What are peanut allergy detection dogs?
These are dogs that have been specifically trained to sniff out peanut allergens in food products or surfaces and alert their owners. Peanut allergies are among the most severe types of allergies. When someone with a severe peanut allergy consumes peanuts, they can go into anaphylactic shock almost immediately, leaving just minutes to an hour to seek emergency help, such as using an EpiPen or getting to the ER.
Lorna Ladd, Marketing Director at Rocky Kanaka Media, understands this danger all too well. “I had never heard of an allergen detection dog before,” she says. “I would love to train one of my dogs for this skill. It’s terrifying when I accidentally eat something that contains peanuts.”
What is a food allergen detection dog?
This is a dog trained to sniff out specific food allergens (present in food products) such as peanuts, gluten, eggs, or milk.
What is a nut allergy detection dog?
A nut allergy detection dog is specially trained to sniff out nut allergens such as peanuts, cashew nuts, and walnuts, in food products.
What breeds are best suited for allergen detection tasks?
While any breed can be trained to detect food allergens, the most preferred breeds are those known for their high intelligence and trainability. According to the US Service Animals organization, Poodles and Labradoodles are commonly chosen for these tasks.
What is an allergy alert service dog?
An allergy alert service dog is trained to recognize when their owner is experiencing an anaphylactic reaction and to respond by seeking help or performing tasks to assist their handler.
How are allergen detection dogs trained to avoid contact with allergens?
Allergen detection dogs are trained not to interact directly with allergens (e.g., licking the product). This prevents them from potentially transferring allergens to their handler through saliva.
What is the difference between allergy alert dogs and allergen detection dogs?
–Allergy alert dogs are trained to detect when their owner is having an anaphylactic reaction and to respond accordingly.
–Allergen detection dogs are trained to sniff out allergens in food or the environment but cannot detect the onset of an anaphylactic reaction.
Can an allergen detection dog identify multiple allergens?
Yes, allergen detection dogs can be trained to identify multiple food allergens depending on their handler’s specific needs.
s it take to train an allergen detection dog?
The duration of training varies based on factors like the dog’s intelligence, trainability, and the number of allergens they need to detect.
Are allergen detection dogs allowed in public spaces?
Yes, like other types of service dogs, allergen detection dogs are legally allowed to accompany their handlers in public spaces where pets are typically not allowed.
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