| The U.S. Military Bio-Sensor "Super Dog" Program |
| In the first two weeks, or the neonatal stage, the dam is the puppies' primary influence. While able to smell, taste, and feel tactilely, their other senses are not yet fully developed and movement is limited. Even though somewhat limited in the sensory department, puppies can still be influenced during this time. The U.S. Military spent years researching and honing an early canine training method known as the Bio-Sensor, or "Super Dog" program. This program consists of 5 exercised performed daily from three to five seconds each when puppies are from 3 days to 16 days old. These simple exercises resulted in dogs that were more confident, less affected by stress, generally more interested in their environment, easier to train, and in better health. The Super Dog Exercises are: ~Tactical stimulation by being tickled between the toes with a Q-tip ~Head held erect stimulation in which a pup is held in both hands perpendicular to the ground so the head is directly about the tail in an upward position ~Head pointed down stimulation in which a pup is held in both hands with the head pointed downward toward the ground ~ Supine position stimulation in which the pup is held on its back in the palm of both hands, with the muzzle facing the ceiling ~Thermal stimulation in which a pup is placed feet down on a cool damp towel. |
