Early Neurological Stimulation (ENS)

In the words of Dr. Carmen Battaglia himself:

In an effort to improve the performance of dogs used for military purposes, a program called “Bio Sensor” was developed; later, it became known to the public as the “Super Dog Program”. 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. The first period involves a window of time that begins at the third day of life and lasts until the sixteenth day. It is believed that this interval of time is a period of rapid neurological growth and development and is, therefore, 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 utilised 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:

1. Tactical stimulation (between toes)
2. Head held erect
3. Head pointed down
4. Supine position
5. 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 upward 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. 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 stimulation’s, none of which naturally occur during this early period of life. Experience shows that some pups will resist these exercises whilst 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 socialisation or bonding.

Benefits of Stimulation
Five benefits have been observed in dogs that were exposed to the Bio Sensor stimulation exercises. The benefits noted were:

1. Improved cardio vascular performance (heart rate)
2. Stronger heart beats
3. Stronger adrenal glands
4. More tolerance to stress
5. Greater resistance to disease

In tests of learning, stimulated pups were found to be more active and more exploratory than their non-stimulated litter mates 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 litter mates were less disturbed or upset by test conditions and when comparisons were made, the stimulated litter mates were calmer in the test environment, made fewer errors and gave only an occasional distress sound when stressed.

If this position is done with two hands cradling the puppy be very careful not to put pressure on the head and neck of the puppy.  The head and neck of the puppy must either hang down or rest gently on a hand.  3-5 seconds max.  

The puppy is placed momentarily on a frozen wet cloth or in our case a covered soft medical icepack.   You will see that this clever pup manages to hold her back paws off the icepack, but at least taps her front feet onto the cold surface enough for her nervous system to have registered the event.

ENS is NOT a substitute for the establishment of a powerful bond between baby puppies and humans.  It is also not a substitute for a proper curiculum that trains puppies to be accepting of human handling. It will also not “cure” a puppy of anything at all, let alone the stable traits that are genetic; hand-shyness or prey drive as two examples. 

ENS should be one element of a wholistic puppy development program.

You will notice that the puppy in the video has no problem at all trusting herself to Iain’s hands as she is turned onto her back and held in the supine position.  These are the hands that she met the moment she was born and the whelping box that is currently her home is on a platform attached to our bed. We sleep within three feet of her every night.  Her sense of smell is already powerfully at work and would be telling her that this person is a familiar ally.