La Marka-Bellice Super Dog – Bio-Sensor Program
The U.S. Military developed a program in the 1970’s called “Bio Sensor.” (Became publicly know and is often referred to as the “Super Dog” Program.) The program was developed to improve the performance of dogs used for military purposes.
The basic premise of the program is that early neurological stimulation exercises could affect the performance of the dog. The Army’s research revealed that early stimulation of the puppy from the 3rd day through the 16th day influence rapid neurological growth and development.
Bio-Sensor is practiced by La Marka Standard Poodles and Bellice Standard Poodles. We incorporate the Bio-Sensor or Super Dog Program into our Standard Poodle socialization and temperament development regimen. The Bio Sensor program easily fit into our established Standard Poodle puppy rearing process and supports our Values.
Kathy and Alice have always believed that handling dogs at an early age helps with the physical and social development of the puppy.
1. Improved cardiovascular performance
2. Stronger heart beats
3. Larger adrenal glands
4. More tolerance to stress
5. Greater resistance to disease
6. Desire to learn and
“Think out side the box”
Below are several Bio Sensor exercises designed to stimulate the neurological system of each puppy. We have incorporated the exercises below into our daily puppy routine. Each puppy is put through the following exercises once daily:
1. VIGOR OF LIFE (Biotinus TestEST) – We start getting to know our puppies in the immediate moments after their birth by cutting the cord, and drying them off and then performing the Vigor of Life test. Puppy is ready for his first meal. We place the puppy about two puppy lengths away from the nipples, heading away from mom. Once placed in this position, we time how long it takes the puppy to turn itself around, orient properly and get to its first meal. We use the results of the Biotinus test combined with the progress in weight 48 hours after birth to determine a pup’s degree of vigor. We combine these results with all our other exercises, overall condition, observations, etc to get a better understanding of each individual puppy and their potential future. Time: Biotinus test is only done once at birth. KH
FIGURE 1. VIGOR OF LIFE (BIOTINUS TEST) KH
2. TACTILE STIMULATION – Hold the Standard Poodle puppy 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. KH
FIGURE 2. TACTILE STIMULATION KH
3. HEAD HELD ERECT – Using both hands, the Standard Poodle 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. KH
FIGURE 3. HEAD HELD ERECT
4. HEAD POINTED DOWN – Hold the Standard Poodle puppy 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. KH
FIGURE 4. HEAD POINTED DOWN KH
5. SUPINE POSITION – Hold the Standard Poodle puppy 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. KH
FIGURE 5. SUPINE POSITION KH
6. STRESS LEVEL – Use a cold glass pie plate that has been cooled in the refrigerator for at least five minutes. Place the pup on the pie plate, feet down. Do not restrain it from moving. Time of stimulation 3-5 seconds. KH
FIGURE 6. STRESS LEVEL KH
7. WARM THERMAL STIMULATION – Use a warm towel that has been warmed in the clothes dryer or sun 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. KH
FIGURE 7. WARM THERMAL STIMULATION KH
#8. OLFACTORY (SMELL) STIMULATION & CONDITIONING
Not all senses are functioning in a puppy when born, but the olfactory sense is, so we begin acclimating the puppies to smells they are likely to encounter as an adult. This is also a time when scent conditioning for future work in scent detection is introduced and exercises are performed on a daily basis. We start by putting milk on finger tips to have puppy follow the familiar scent. Later other odors are introduced. Lemons, foods, spices, perspiration and other odd odors. Time of stimulation 3-5 seconds. KH
FIGURE 8. SENSE OF SMELL KH
9. VISUAL STIMULI
Puppies can be exposed to visual stimuli while still in the whelping pen. Vivid color and patterns on blankets and towels. Bright colored toys can have a visual effect as they stumble or walk over them. Mirrors can be hung on the whelping pen. To teach puppies to look up, toys can be hung from the top of the pen, ceiling, and trees outside. Once outside they can see and chase bugs, leaves, seed, bright colored balls and toys and each other. is born with his eyes closed and is isolated from visual stimuli. From birth and continually. KH
FIGURE 9. VISUAL STIMULI KH
10. SOUND CONDITIONING & DESENSITIZATION
A puppy is born with his ears closed and is isolated from sound during the first couple weeks. Once his ears open he can respond to sound indiscriminately. We provide sound conditioning and desensitization in a gradual fashion, slowly introducing various sounds in different locations. This is done during the critical period when the puppy’s central nervous system is developing. This activity conditions the puppy to have appropriate startle responses followed by quick recovery. In addition, because the puppies are conditioned from an early age, they often develop more confidence and lower noise sensitivity. From birth and continually. KH
FIGURE 10. SOUND CONDITIONING & DESENSITIZATION KH