The Bio
Sensor/Super Dog Program
The U.S. Military in their canine program developed a method that
serves as a guide for assisting development in dogs. In an effort to improve the performance of canines 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 five 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 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 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.
The Benefits of Stimulation
Five benefits have been observed in canines that were exposed
to the Bio Sensor stimulation exercises. The benefits noted were:
Ø Improved cardio vascular performance (heart rate)
Ø Stronger heart beats
Ø Stronger adrenal glands
Ø More tolerance to stress
Ø 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.
Secondary effects were also noted regarding test performance. In simple problem solving
tests using detours in a maze, the non-stimulated pups became extremely aroused, whined a great deal, and made many errors.
Their stimulated littermates were less disturbed or upset by test conditions and when comparisons were made, the stimulated
littermates were calmer in the test environment, made fewer errors and gave only an occasional distress when stressed.
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