Bio-Sensory Program
ENS - WHAT IS IT?
What we do and why our pups are so exceptional is not solely contributed to genetics, but also directly credited to the Bio-Sensory or Early Neurological Stimulation Program conducted on each of our puppies.
The U.S. Military developed a program in the 1970’s called the Bio-Sensory Program to improve the performance of dogs used for military purposes. This program became publicly know and is often referred to as the Super Dog Program or Bio-Sensory Training for Dogs.
Many puppies bred for field, security, and guide work are introduced to the Bio-Sensor Program as part of their development.
Today, the Bio-Sensory Program has been incorporated into several breeding programs, including the Puppy Culture Method, and has been renamed Early Neurological Stimulation or ENS. We follow this program with all of our puppies and thinks it makes a huge difference.
The basic premise of the program is that early neurological stimulation exercises could affect the performance of the dog in later life. 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.
BENEFITS OF THE PROGRAM
Bio-Sensory Training for Dogs improves the development of the puppy’s neurological systems by early stimulation and stress. Five benefits have been observed in dogs that were exposed to the Bio-Sensory stimulation exercises:
Improved Cardiovascular Performance
Stronger Heart Beats
Stronger Adrenal Glands
More Tolerance to Stress
Greater Resistance to Disease
ENS PROGRAM AT SOUTH RIVER DOODLES
We incorporate the ENS or Super Dog Program into our socialization and temperament development regimen. The ENS program easily fits into our established puppy-rearing process and supports our Values.
We do not substitute the ENS Training Program for the socialization and handling of our puppies. The Bio-Sensory method is a well-documented puppy development tool. We use it religiously and think it helps to make our puppies the best they can be.
THE EXERCISES
Below are the five ENS exercises designed to stimulate the neurological system of the puppy. We have incorporated these exercises into our daily puppy routine. Each puppy is put through the following exercises once daily:
1. TACTILE STIMULATION – Hold the 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.
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 – Hold the 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.
4. SUPINE POSITION – Hold the 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.
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.
