WorkIndex
The WorkIndex is a self-service metric that helps you assess whether conditions are suitable for your dog based on weather and canine factors.
Background
K9 teams need an objective decision tool to determine, under varying weather and individual dog parameters, if a deployment is advisable. The WorkIndex combines weather data and personal dog values into one formula for a clear recommendation.
Personal Dog Values
Before applying, set two parameters: – Work Drive (1 = calm, 2 = normal, 3 = high drive) – Heat Tolerance (1 = good, 2 = normal, 3 = poor) These reflect your dog’s resilience to heat and workload.
Formula
1. Feels-Like Temp (°C) from weather data\n2. Wind effect: effectiveTemp = feels_like - 0.7 × windSpeed (m/s) 3. Cloud factor: factor = 1 - 0.3 × (cloudCoverage % / 100) 4. adjustedTemp = effectiveTemp × factor 5. personalScore = workDrive × heatTolerance 6. WorkIndex = (0.8 × adjustedTemp) + (0.2 × personalScore)
Interpretation
- Green: WorkIndex < 17 – Deployment recommended
- Yellow: 17 ≤ WorkIndex ≤ 22 – Deploy with caution
- Red: WorkIndex > 22 – Deployment not recommended