How Science Shapes the Earliest Days
At Kingridge, our work with each puppy begins long before training is visible. From the earliest days of life, every puppy is gently introduced to carefully timed experiences designed to support healthy neurological development and help build a strong foundation for the weeks and years ahead. Early Neurological Stimulation, historically known as the BioSensor or “Super Dog” program, is one component of our comprehensive Smart from the Start approach. Alongside ENS, our puppies also participate in early scent introduction, gently engaging their developing sense of smell during this same important neonatal window. During ENS, our puppies experience a series of brief controlled exercises performed during a specific developmental window, while remaining closely supported and carefully observed. This early work is not intended to rush development. Rather, it is one of the thoughtful ways we begin preparing our puppies to meet the world with confidence, adaptability, and calm.The Origins of the BioSensor Program
The BioSensor Approach sometimes referred to as the "Super Dog" Program is based on years of research. In the 1970's The United States military learned that early neurological stimulation exercises on puppies could have important and lasting effects. The program was developed to improve the performance of dogs that were used in the military. While, their program did not include Labs, their studies confirmed that there are specific time periods early in life when neurological stimulation has optimum results.
A Small Window of Lasting Importance
It is so extraordinary that simple early stimulation of each newborn puppy can lead to rapid increased neurological growth and development. This explosive time of potential growth and development only involves a window of time that begins at the third day of life and lasts until the sixteenth day, and that is when Kingridge puppies participate in the program.Although ENS occurs during only a small portion of puppyhood, it represents something much larger about the way we raise our litters: we believe the earliest days matter. This critical period of development is especially meaningful to our puppies, as the carefully timed experiences of the BioSensor program can only be introduced during this brief developmental window.
Potential Benefits of Early Neurological Stimulation
Early Neurological Stimulation was developed to introduce newborn puppies to very brief and carefully controlled experiences during a period of rapid neurological development. Research associated with the program has suggested several potential benefits, including:
1. Improved Cardiovascular Performance
2. Stronger Heart Beats
3. Stronger Adrenal Glands
4. More Tolerance to Stress
5. Greater Lifetime Resistance to Disease
The Early Neurological Stimulation Exercises
Stimulation is what causes humans and animals to learn how to process a response to a situation. The accumulation of responses to stimuli leads to neurological development and the acquisition of intelligence. It is no different in the Labrador Retriever. As a breeder we introduce our puppies to systematic stimuli during their precious first few weeks of life in order to sharpen their responses. Each of the puppies in the litter is taken through this process of stimulation used in the BioSensor Approach once each day from day of life 3 to 16.
1. Tactile Stimulation
While embracing the Labrador Retriever puppy in one hand, the pup is gently stimulated between the toes on any foot using a cotton swab. The stimulation lasts for 3 to 5 seconds. It is not important that the puppy react in a visible manner, rather the sensation triggers brain reaction to the stimuli.
2. Positional Puppy Holds
Head held erect- The puppy is held perpendicular to the ground, so that its head is directly above its tail as if standing.
Head pointed down- The little Lab puppy is reversed and is pointed downward so that the head is pointed towards the ground.
Supine position- Lastly the Labrador is held so that its back is resting in the palm of both hands with its face looking toward the ceiling. The puppy is allowed to struggle for just a few seconds while being held firmly but gently in this position.
3. Thermal Stimulation
The Labrador Retriever puppy is placed on a cool towel that has been chilled in the refrigerator. The position of the puppy is belly and paws down, so that they rest gently on the towel. The Lab puppy is allowed to move about on the cold stimulus and experience the sensation of the different temperature on his or her skin for no more than 5 seconds. After this is finished the puppy is placed quickly back into his pen with his mother and litter mates.
All of these early experiences are intentionally kept short and guided by research. The goal is to gently and systematically introduce a mild and carefully measured challenge that causes the brain to respond, while keeping the puppy secure, supported, and loved.
Early Scent Introduction
Alongside early neurological stimulation, Kingridge puppies are also introduced to a carefully selected novel scent each day during this early developmental period. Because a puppy's sense of smell is functioning fully from birth, well before sight and hearing are fully developed, these brief introductions provide another gentle opportunity to engage the puppy's developing sensory world. Each introduction to smell is brief, calm, and carefully observed. Early scent introduction, ESI, is not intended to create or predict a particular ability, but rather to thoughtfully shape a puppy's earliest experiences as part of our comprehensive smart from the start approach. We believe these early scent experiences help engage and develop a puppy's remarkable sense of smell, laying an early foundation that may be especially valuable for puppies who later pursue scent based work such as diabetic alert, therapy work, search and rescue, or other specialized training.
One Part of a Great Beginning
Kingridge Kennels has determined as a breeder that the evidence of the studies concerning the BioSensor Therapy are impressive, and we choose to implement the program in its entirety. At Kingridge, we value this program not as an isolated technique, but as one part of a much larger commitment to early development.
Early neurological stimulation and early scent introduction are two intentional parts of our comprehensive Smart from the Start approach. Genetics provide the foundation, but a puppy's earliest experiences also matter. Through gentle handling, early scent introduction, purposeful carefully planned enrichment, foundational obedience training, and close observation, we continue to nurture the potential already present within each puppy born at Kingridge.
A record is kept for each puppy detailing their response to the stimuli. When a puppy leaves us here in Pittsburgh and goes on to his or her new home we include all of these assessments from the start of their life along with our Puppy Package.
Early stimulation helps to create an impeccable Labrador. The first weeks of life can never be repeated and the positive developments that result from a rich early environment can be reaped throughout the dog's entire life. Intelligent, curious, companions are the result of our early training here at Kingridge Kennels and early neurological stimulation is just one component in our comprehensive approach.
Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good.
Psalm 118:1