Our litters follow an early pre-natal and new born stimulation program, as well as

to environmental enrichment!

 

What does this mean? What is it for? Some of the stimulation we perform comes from the

American "Bio Sensor" program, which I supplemented with directions from the "Senso Puppy" method

created by Carlo Colafranceschi, whose many courses I have taken on the subject.

 I have previously successfully tested the effectiveness of these stimulations on my Australian

Sheperd and their litters, and the more than positive experience could only spur me to do

likewise, on the Yakutian Laika.

 

I try to explain the topic better:

 

"Bio sensor" is a new born sensory stimulation program based on the assumption that

minimal stress experienced in the early period of life, such as s thermal, tactile and

movement situations are able to stimulate the endocrine system, the adrenal glands and the

pituitary, more commonly known as the hypophysis gland.

 

Studies done by several U.S. researchers and developed by the Army, showed that those

subjects exposed to mild stress in the first weeks of life, resulted to be as adults, more resistant to cold and to certain diseases (infectious diseases, cancers); they also matured faster and performed better on problem-solving tests. Summing up, they were more robust and intelligent.

 

The U.S. Army has therefore developed, in its breeding program, a series of exercises that are to begin on the third day of life and end around the 16th.

The 5 exercises designed to stimulate the nervous system, to be applied once a day to each puppy, are as follows:

 

1. Tactile stimulation (between the fingers)

2. Head held upright

3. Head pointed downward

4. Supine position

5. Thermal stimulation

This early stimulation program (anticipated, through the mother from the 45th day of pregnancy, by tactile, auditory and olfactory stimulation) we follow up with a program of environmental enrichment, which consists of presenting the puppy (again early) with a series of interesting and ever-changing experiences and situations, giving him the opportunity to interact freely with each of them.

Environmental enrichment has no set time deadlines, but you must absolutely be sure that the new experience is always stimulating and interesting, and never stressful, for the puppy.

These moments should continue throughout the dog's life, as the goal for new owners. Obviously, we will always be available for advice, suggestions and generally for help in the growth of our puppies.

These environmental experiences include noises (to achieve a desensitizing effect to

thunder, gunfire, barrels and other noises that often end up intimidating dogs),  tactile sensations

(different objects and surfaces on which puppies will learn to walk on and move) and experiences

generated by having to overcome small obstacles, thus activating mental mechanisms that may

be valuable in the adult dog's life.

 

For easier handling by new owners, we accustom puppies to the car, the

carrier and to the presence, outdoors and indoors, of unfamiliar people and situations.

 

At the end of the "journey" , evaluation tests are also done to get a more

complete picture of each puppy's character and predisposition, in order to try to place it in the

most suitable family!

 

Why do we consider this early stimulation extremely important?

Because according to multiple scientific studies, to name a few, by Greenough, Coren, M. Fox, and so on, countless benefits have been found from the application of this program, both at the physical and mental level: the puppies involved in the program were found to have : more developed and larger brain than under-stimulated peers, a thicker cerebral cortex, a higher concentration of brain enzymes (those that are critical for the transmission of information to the brain) and especially an increased number of nerve cells and synapses brain, as well as an increased capacity for adaptation and problem solving.

 

And what implication does all this have on our dogs?

Greater serenity in every situation, easier trainability/educability, a greater desire to collaborate with humans so to build a deeper partnership, and, last but not least, a greater self-confidence!