TM
GERMAN SHEPHERD DOGS
(Working Lines)
"The breeder on a small scale, one who works with one or two bitches, is the most suitable breeder for working dogs because he can care for his breeding animals and their progeny… and can produce sound strong animals that can be trained."
Captain Max von Stephanitz
(Founder of German Shepherd Dogs)
A.N.K.C. - Dogs Victoria (Registration# 3100034530)
Animal Welfare Victoria (Source Number# RB100917)
1ST PERIOD (Neurological Stimulation) Birth to 21 Days
1) Neonatal sub period 0-13 days
Characters: Puppies at birth can not see, hear, regulate their own body temperature, or aclimate without stimulation and are totally dependant upon their mother.
No emotional development, social attachment, or learning takes place during this period. Puppies brain waves remain constant whether sleeping or awake. Puppies do, however, exhibit reflex reactions to hunger, cold, touch. They pile together for warmth or spread out if too hot but cannot regulate their own temperature by shivering or panting. Using a whelping heat pad does help with keeping the puppies warm, which is an important necessity for such young puppies.
During this neonatal period puppies will crawl backward and forward and will swing their heads from side to side, often repetitively while making a high pitched crying noice trilling. These movements appear to be involuntary and prepare pups muscles, nervous system, and inner ear for further development.
Breeder Do's: Keep bitch happy, healthy and well-fed. Her physical and emotional well being will supply everything the puppies need during this stage.
Handle puppies very gently with very slow massaging movements. Very light stimulation of the nervous system ("called pre-stressing") may be beneficial when applied during the second week of life. This could involve rotating the pups gently in your hands, applying light pressure to the ear leather, and holding each pup gently on its back for a few seconds each day.
Pups should, of course, be weighed daily, though I prefer twice daily, to monitor and manage growth and this would be a good time to handle each pup. THIS IS NOT SOCIALISATION OR TRAINING. Pre-stress does, however, assist in developing brain cells.
Breeder Don'ts: Don't allow visitors (human or canine) during this period. Avoid anything that will stress the bitch (house guest, parties, home repairs, etc. Try not to move puppies or remove mother from the litter at this time. If the pups or dam need to see a Veterinarian, arrange for a home visit. Despite the common practice, this is not a good age to take a litter to a dog show in your Van, Trailer, Motor Home, etc.
EARLY NEUROLOGICAL STIMULATION ("BIO-SENSOR") EXERCISES
DAY 3 TO DAY 16 (See Video opposite) >>>>>
The USA Military created a canine development program to improve
the performance of military dogs.The program uses what is known as the "Bio Sensor" method, which later became more widely known as the "Super Dog" Program.
It should be noted that many Canine Researchers over the years have come up with similar results and commend the series of stimulation exercises used in the Video (on the right).
Such studies confirmed that undertaking neurological stimulation exercises ("Bio-Sensor") during Day 3 to Day 16 (inclusive) in the life of a puppy, can provide optimal benefits.
The video on the right illustrates the techniques used.
The "Bio Sensor" program was concerned with early neurological stimulation in order to give the dog a superior advantage. Its development utilised five exercises (those six dev eloped) which were designed to stimulate the neurological system. Each exercise involved handling puppies once each day, generally around the same time when weighing the puppies.
The exercises required handling them one at a time while performing a the five exercises. Listed in order of preference, the handler starts with one pup and stimulates it using each of the 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:
1. Tactical stimulation (between toes)
2. Head held erect
3. Head pointed down
4. Supine position
5. Thermal stimulation.
a high pitched crying noice trilling. These movements appear to be involuntary and prepare pups muscles, nervous system, and inner ear for further development.
Breeder Do's: Keep bitch happy, healthy and well-fed. Her physical and emotional well being will supply everything the puppies need during this stage.
Neurological Stimulation exercises (also known as "Bio Sensor" stimulation), are undertaken by many Breeders during the period Day 3 to Day 16, to develop the puppies brains
1. Tactical stimulation
2. Head held erect
3. Head pointed down
4. Supine position
5. Thermal stimulation.
Observed benefits for canines exposed to Neurological Stimulation exercises ("Bio Sensor") being -
a) Cardio Vascular and Heart Rate performance improvements;
b) Adrenal Gland strengthening;
c) Stress tolerance improvements; and
d) Desease resistence enhancement.
Dr. Carmelo Battaglia.has written articles on the subject of "Bio-Sensor" benefits. Click on his name to download an article (PDF) on the matter.
Handle puppies very gently with very slow massaging movements. Very light stimulation of the nervous system ("called pre-stressing") may be beneficial when applied during the second week of life. This could involve rotating the pups gently in your hands, applying light pressure to the ear leather, and holding each pup gently on its back for a few seconds each day.
Pups should, of course, be weighed daily, though I prefer twice daily, to monitor and manage growth and this would be a good time to handle each pup. THIS IS NOT SOCIALISATION OR TRAINING. Pre-stress does, however, assist in developing brain cells.
2) Transition Sub Period 13-21 days.
Characteristics; Eyes and ears open and pups slowly begin responding to light, movement and sound. Puppies become more mobile as they gain awareness of their surroundings, their mother,litter mates, and objects. Pups may also begin to alert to human presence during this period. This is still a reaction to stimuli rather than a social bond or emotional attachment.
Pups will attempt to get up on their feet, but continue crawling backward and forward. They may begin trying to get out of whelping box toward the end of this period.
Breeder Do's: Introduce toys as obstacles to climb over or bump into.
This helps pups develop spatial awareness. Some pups may begin briefly interacting with toys near the end of the third week. Continue handling pups daily using slow, massaging movements. Pups are growing fast and need frequent nail trimming. Introducing brushing with soft brush. Again, this is not training, but stimulation.
Breeder Don'ts; Avoid startling pup with loud noises or sudden movements while hearing and eye sight are developing. If you must move or change puppies environment, this is the time to do so. Do not remove dam.