The biggest problem with using animals as early warning, earthquake or medical crisis, is their lack of language skills. Strange behavior might have any number of explanations. Indigestion, a potential mate next-door or outside, the Big One, even a reaction to you having a bad day.

It has been noted that police dogs can often be triggered to 'alert' as a response to their handlers body language. People see this with their dag when they note that their dog likes and dislikes pretty much the same people their master does. Careful study shows that the dogs aren't analyzing the people. Rather, the dog is cluing off the masters reaction. If master is relaxed and happy the dog is relaxed and happy. If master is tense and suspicious the dog follows suit. The point being that animals often use their handlers as their main input. The results you get from your detector animal may just end up being its reaction to you.