Dear all,
While exploring the ways of clicker training pups, I came across this site:
Clicker Puppy
Amongst all the rest of the stuff (most of which is only interesting if you're a clicker trainer, I think) was a bit on the "Bio-Sensor" method of stimulating neonatal pups. This is done in the first days of life and, for those who don't want to trawl through the site, I'll replicate the cogent bits in blue below.
It seems fascinating, if very mechanistic and I wondered
a) if anyone here is using it?
b) if any of our American posters (I'm thinking particularly of Karen of SeaSpotRun) knows if it's in widespread use in the US
c) if anyone who has used it on either side of the Atlantic has any experience of whether it genuinely makes a difference. Just because the military uses it doesn't convince me much and I'm interested in where they find their science - how, for instance, one might measure an 'increased strength' of adrenal glands? (? their little muscles squeeze harder?!? - the can't, no muscles, so I'm wondering if there's a higher circulating adreno-cortical base level, or a higher output when under stress, or something else?)
I have a clicker-friend visiting so haven't done huge amounts of googling, and in any case, am more interested in the personal experiences - and figured they'd be here if anywhere
This is the relevant bit:
October 12, 2001
We have adopted the Bio Sensor method to start our new pups off. 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.
thanks all
Manda (edited in an effort to re-spell the title - failed - sorry)
While exploring the ways of clicker training pups, I came across this site:
Clicker Puppy
Amongst all the rest of the stuff (most of which is only interesting if you're a clicker trainer, I think) was a bit on the "Bio-Sensor" method of stimulating neonatal pups. This is done in the first days of life and, for those who don't want to trawl through the site, I'll replicate the cogent bits in blue below.
It seems fascinating, if very mechanistic and I wondered
a) if anyone here is using it?
b) if any of our American posters (I'm thinking particularly of Karen of SeaSpotRun) knows if it's in widespread use in the US
c) if anyone who has used it on either side of the Atlantic has any experience of whether it genuinely makes a difference. Just because the military uses it doesn't convince me much and I'm interested in where they find their science - how, for instance, one might measure an 'increased strength' of adrenal glands? (? their little muscles squeeze harder?!? - the can't, no muscles, so I'm wondering if there's a higher circulating adreno-cortical base level, or a higher output when under stress, or something else?)
I have a clicker-friend visiting so haven't done huge amounts of googling, and in any case, am more interested in the personal experiences - and figured they'd be here if anywhere
This is the relevant bit:
October 12, 2001
We have adopted the Bio Sensor method to start our new pups off. 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.
thanks all
Manda (edited in an effort to re-spell the title - failed - sorry)
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