The
U.S. Military in their canine program developed a method that still
serves as a guide to what works. In an effort to improve the
performance of dogs used for military purposes, a program called "Bio
Sensor" was developed.
Later, it became known to the public as the "Super Dog" Program.
Based
on years of research, the military learned that early
neurological stimulation exercises could have important and lasting
effects. Their studies confirmed that there are specific time
periods early in life when neurological stimulation has optimum
results.
The
first period involves a window of time that begins at the third day of
life and lasts until the sixteenth day. It is believed that
because this interval of time is a period of rapid
neurological growth and development, and therefore is of great
importance to the individual.
The
"Bio Sensor" program was also concerned with early neurological
stimulation in order to give the dog a superior advantage. Its
development utilized six exercises, which were designed to stimulate
the neurological system. Each workout involved handling puppies
once each day. The workouts required handling them one at a time
while performing a series of five exercises.
Listed
in no order of preference the handler starts with one pup and
stimulates it using each of the five exercises. The handler
completes the series from beginning to end before starting with the
next pup. The handling of each pup once per day involves the
following exercises:
1. Tactile stimulation
2. Head held erect
3. Head pointed down
4. Supine position
5. Thermal stimulation
1.
Tactile stimulation
Holding the
pup in one hand, the handler
gently stimulates (tickles) the pup between the toes on any one foot
using a Q-tip. It is not necessary to see that the pup is feeling the
tickle. Time of stimulation 3 - 5 seconds.
(Figure 1) |
Figure 1
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2. Head held erect
Using both hands, the pup is held
perpendicular to the ground, (straight up), so that its head is
directly above its tail. This is an upwards position. Time of
stimulation 3 - 5 seconds.
(Figure 2) |
Figure 2
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3.
Head pointed down
Holding the pup firmly with both hands the
head is reversed and is pointed downward so that it is pointing towards
the ground. Time of stimulation 3 - 5 seconds.
(Figure 3) |
Figure 3
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4.
Supine position
Hold the pup so that its back is resting
in
the palm of both hands with its muzzle facing the ceiling. The pup
while on its back is allowed to sleep struggle. Time of stimulation 3-5
seconds.
(Figure 4) |
Figure 4
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5.
Thermal stimulation
Use a damp towel that has been cooled
in a refrigerator for at least five minutes. Place the pup on the
towel, feet down. Do not restrain it from moving. Time of stimulation
3-5 seconds.
(Figure 5) |
Figure 5
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These five exercises will produce neurological stimulations,
none of which naturally occur during this early period of life.
Experience shows that sometimes pups will resist these exercises,
others will appear unconcerned.
In either case a caution is offered to those who plan to use
them. Do not repeat them more than once per day and do not extend
the time beyond that recommended for each exercise. Over stimulation of
the neurological system can have adverse and detrimental results.
These exercises impact the
neurological system by kicking it into action earlier than would be
normally expected. The result being an increased capacity that later
will help to make the difference in its performance. Those who play
with their pups and routinely handle them should continue to do so
because the neurological exercises are not substitutions for routine
handling, play socialization or bonding.
Five benefits have been observed
in canines that were exposed to the Bio Sensor stimulation exercises:
- Improved cardio vascular
performance (heart rate)
- Stronger heart beats
- Stronger adrenal glands
- More tolerance to stress
- Greater resistance to disease
In tests of learning, stimulated
pups were found to be more active and were more exploratory than their
non- stimulated littermates over which they were dominant in
competitive situations.
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