National Parks Litter

The US Military developed a program called “Bio Sensor”, later known as “Super Dog”, based on their research of early neurological stimulation exercises and their long-lasting results. Their research concludes that there is an optimum window of opportunity for performing ENS. This window is from Day 3 to Day 16.

Dr. Carmen L Battaglia Ph.D- an AKC judge, breeder of German Shepherds, and researcher/writer- brought this to dog breeders’ attention in his article Early Neurological Stimulation.

ENS consists of 5 3-5 second exercises that induce stress in a controlled fashion.

1. Tactical stimulation (between toes)

2. Head held erect

3. Head pointed down

4. Supine position

5. Thermal stimulation

Dr. Battaglia claims that doing these exercises will results in these life-long benefits:

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

This sounds fantastic, right? However, there is a balance between the optimal amount of stimulation and too much stimulation. In the same way that optimal stimulation is beneficial for growth, too much stimulation and stress is detrimental.

Puppy Culture and AviDog protocols balance the need for early stimulation by urging breeders to skip ENS on days that are otherwise stressful. (Or skip ENS entirely for litters born under extremely stressful conditions, i.e. rescue or abandonment) I opt to pass on ENS on tail dock day and nail trim days.

Newborn puppy nails are kept shortened for the dam’s comfort. Long nails make the kneading action during nursing quite painful for the mother and she may avoid letting puppies nurse.

On Day 5, we get the ball rolling on the Enrichment Effect.

Rolled up towels are placed under the whelping fleece and safe, stuffed toys are added to the whelping box. The rolled towels create small hills and valleys for the puppies to crawl over. The toys also serve to add varied texture and terrain to the environment.

Puppies raised in enriched environments display more curiosity and engagement with their surroundings and greater interest in people. Though the research does not indicate huge long-term gains, enrichment is easy to achieve and increases quality of life for the puppies.

The rolled towels are placed in a different direction and a new toy is introduced. Irene prefers this arrangement; she’s already nestled herself between the new “valley”.

The object in the corner on the pig-rails is a thermometer for monitoring temperature in the whelping box. Ideally, we want the temperature warm enough that the puppies are not chilled but cool enough that they are encouraged to cuddle up with mom or each other. This week, that magic range has been 71-72 degrees F.