Amore Cane Corso
Striving to Breed Better Dogs
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"DEVELOPING HIGH ACHIEVERS" by Carmen L. Battaglia, Ph.D.
[ Article has been reproduced in a condensed format with permission from publisher]
Surprising as it may seem, it isn't capacity that explains the differences that exist between individuals because most seem to have far more
capacity than they will ever use. The differences that exist between individuals seem to be related to something else. The ones who achieve
and out perform others seem to have within themselves the ability to use hidden resources. In other words, it's what they are able to do with
what they have that makes the difference.
Introduction
Man for centuries have tried various methods to improve performance. Some of the methods have stood the test of time, others have not.
Those who first conducted research on this topic believed that the period of early age was a most important time for stimulation because of
its rapid growth and development. Today, we know that early life is a time when the physical immaturity of an organism is susceptible and
responsive to a restricted but important class of stimuli. Because of its importance many studies have focused their efforts on the first few
months of life.
Newborn pups are uniquely different than adults in several respects. When born their eyes are closed and their digestive system has a
limited capacity requiring periodic stimulation by their dam who routinely licks them in order to promote digestion. At this age they are only
able to smell, suck, and crawl. Body temperature is maintained by snuggling close to their mother or by crawling into piles with other
littermates. During these first few weeks of immobility researchers noted that these immature and under-developed canines are sensitive to
a restricted class of stimuli which includes thermal, and tactile stimulation, motion and locomotion.
Other mammals such as mice and rats are also born with limitations and they also have been found to demonstrate a similar sensitivity to
the effects of early stimulation. Studies show that removing them from their nest for three minutes each day during the first five to ten days
of life causes body temperatures to fall below normal. This mild form of stress is sufficient to stimulate hormonal, adrenal and pituitary
systems. When tested later as adults, these same animals were better able to withstand stress than littermates who were not exposed to the
same early stress exercises. As adults, they responded to stress in "a graded" fashion, while their non-stressed littermates responded in an
"all or nothing way."
Data involving laboratory mice and rats also shows that stress in small amounts can produce adults who respond maximally. On the other
hand, the results gathered from non-stressed littermate show that they become easily exhausted and would near death if exposed to intense
prolonged stress. When tied down so they were unable to move for twenty-four hours, rats developed severe stomach ulcers, but litter
mates exposed to early stress handling were found to be more resistant to stress tests and did not show evidence of ulcers. A secondary
affect was also noticed.
Sexual maturity was attained sooner in the littermates given early stress exercises. When tested for differences in health and disease, the
stressed animals were found to be more resistant to certain forms of cancer and infectious diseases and could withstand terminal starvation
and exposure to cold for longer periods than their non-stressed littermates. In these studies, the Electrical Encephalogram (EEG) was found
to be ideal for measuring the electrical activity in the brain because of its extreme sensitivity to changes in excitement, emotional stress,
muscle tension, changes in oxygen and breathing. EEG measures show that pups and kittens when given early stimulation exercises mature
at faster rates and perform better in certain problem solving tests than non-stimulated mates.
While experiments have not yet produced specific information about the optimal amounts of stress needed to make young animals
psychologically or physiologically superior, researches agree that stress has value. What also is known is that a certain amount of stress for
one may be too intense for another, and that too much stress can retard development.
Methods of Stimulation
The U.S. Military in their canine program developed a method that still serves as a guide to what works. In an effort to improve the
performance of dogs used for military purposes, a program called "Bio Sensor" was developed. 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. 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 six 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:
Tactical stimulation (between toes)
Head held erect
Head pointed down
Supine position
Thermal stimulation
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.
Benefits of Stimulation
Five benefits have been observed in canines that were exposed to the Bio Sensor stimulation exercises. The benefits noted were:
Improved cardio vascular performance (heart rate)
Stronger heart beats
Stronger adrenal glands
More tolerance to stress and
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 more calm in the test environment, made fewer errors and gave only an occasional distress when stressed.
Socialization
As each animal grows and develops three kinds of stimulation have been identified that impact and influence how it will develop and be
shaped as an individual. The first stage is called early neurological stimulation, and the second stage is called socialization. The first two
(early neurological stimulation and socialization) have in common a window of limited time.
One of the earliest efforts to investigate and look for the existence of socialization in canines was undertaken by Scott-Fuller (1965). In their
early studies they were able to demonstrate that the basic technique for testing the existence of socialization was to show how readily adult
animals would foster young animals, or accept one from another species. Most researchers agree that among all species, a lack of
adequate socialization generally results in unacceptable behavior and often times produces undesirable aggression, excessiveness,
fearfulness, sexual inadequacy, and indifference toward partners.
Socialization studies confirm that the critical periods for canines is between the fourth and sixteenth week of age. During these critical time
periods two things can go wrong. First, insufficient social contact can interfere with proper emotional development which can adversely
affected the development of the human bond. The lack of adequate social stimulation, such as handling, mothering and contact with others,
adversely affects social and psychological development.
Enrichment
As canines are growing they are learning because their nervous systems are developing and storing information that may be of inestimable
use at a later date. Studies by Scott and Fuller confirm that non-enriched pups when given free choice preferred to stay in their kennels.
Other litter mates who were given only small amounts of outside stimulation between five and eight weeks of age were found to be very
inquisitive and very active. When kennel doors were left open, the enriched pups would come bounding out while littermates who were not
exposed to enrichment would remain behind. The non-stimulated pups would typically be fearful of unfamiliar objects and generally
preferred to withdraw rather than investigate. Even well bred pups of superior pedigrees would not explore or leave their kennels and many
were found difficult to train as adults.
Conclusion
Both experience and research have dominated the beneficial effects that can be achieved via early neurological stimulation, socialization
and enrichment experiences. Each has been used to improve performance and to explain the differences that occur between individuals,
their trainability, health and potential. The cumulative effects of the three stages have been well documented. They best serve the interests
of owners who seek high levels of performance when properly used. Each has a cumulative effect and contributes to the development and
the potential for individual performance.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Carmen L Battaglia holds a Ph.D. and Masters Degree from Florida State University.
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