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Methods of Stimulation
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 nor order of preference the handler
starts with one put 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
upwards 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 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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