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From: "Developing High Achievers"
by Dr. Carmen Battaglia
May 1995 AKC Gazette
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 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 - 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.
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
upward position. Time of stimulation 3 - 5 seconds
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
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.
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.
These five exercises will produce neurological stimulations, none of which
naturally occur during this early period of life. Experience shows that while
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:
1. Improved cardio vascular performance (heart rate)
2. Stronger heart beats,
3. Stronger adrenal glands,
4. More tolerance to stress
5. 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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