Early Stimulation for Newborns - Page 1

Hello All, I came across this website a few months ago, and had forgot to post about it, has anybody tried these methods before? I have a litter on the way (Sorry, Goldens) and was thinking about doing it to my litter. Does it sound like it might effect the puppies? I think it's interesting, and was wondering if anyone else might have some insight into this, thanks, Formally blueskyekennels (changed my email address, had to change my login name too)

Here's the link to the website: http://www.breedingbetterdogs.com/achiever.html

This kind of information is not new and, just as in humans, in other species certain forms of stimulation may speed or enhance development, but only to a point. The limiting factor is determined by genetics, pure and simple. Also, some people can go too far and actually create problems by doing certain things too early in both humans and dogs. Puppies who are normally stimulated by their mother, and by each other once they can feel and hear and see, and by the breeder who handles them normally, are already getting plenty of stimulation. Each has a inbred capacity to accept and deal with stimulations and stresses. Personally, unless I note a specific type of problem, I just interact normally with my puppies and they all turn out just fine. As well, I see little benefit in "testing" puppies. The fact is that if one holds onto puppies from several litters until they are adults, one will , in fact note that the pups really have changed in many ways, and lots of what one thinks they are seeing at 8 weeks for example, is not what is really going to be there later. Part of the trouble is that I think breeders are blind to their own pups and often look for the wrong things. Potential owners are even worse in knowing how to select a pup and most have given little real thought to what they hope to have when the dog is older and trained. Just my two cents worth.

Very well said hodie. I have done figure 2-4 to our puppies, and found no difference in them. As far as testing goes, our puppies are 14 weeks old and someone wants them tested for schutzhund before they decide. We are taking them to get tested, but like you(hodie) state and I agree, you might not see nothing at this age even at 14 weeks old IMO and when they really mature it might be something totally different compared to them getting tested at this age.

I have to say that I've gotten two puppies from breeders that did early stimulation and three from ones who didn't and the early stim ones were far and away the winners in ability to deal with stress. Also, I noticed that the ones without the stimulation took longer to have a "brain" and start learning when I first got them. For instance, on one of my dogs, it was like talking to a blank slate (not in a good way) till he was 9.5 weeks old. I got him at 8 weeks. The other one, an early stim one, was able to listen and learn immediately at 7.5 weeks. Having said that, the late blooming one is every bit as smart (now) as the other one, but deals with stress by becoming hectic and loud.

I used it on a recent litter and all the puppies are quick learners, well balanced and highly intelligent. Could be genetics but this method certainly does not hurt and may have brought out the best in them. My thinking is that it won't make a dog what it is not genetically but it will make them more stable and certainly better able to handle stress and that's the point of the exercises.

As far as early stimulation is concerned, I consider it a great tool to prepare a puppy for a new world with different sights and sounds. I do it, but can't tell you that it is of any great advantage as I have always done it. It typically consists of having a radio in the background that produces a mix of human voices and music. In years past, I did this not so much for the puppies as for the dam, in order to mask distracting sounds that she might consider to be a threat. Since the puppies were always born in our house and lived there until they were at least seven (7) weeks of age, they had much stimulation from my wife and me, but not anyone else. They were able to hear normal household noises, as well as the other dogs outside. The transition to the kennel was always easy, even though they had a very strong desire to return to the house so they could be around us. In closing, I think early stimulation is of value as it helps to desensitize the puppy to the outside world, but I do not see how it effects any long-term relationship of the puppy to his/her new owners and/or surroundings. The only remarks that I have ever received is when I was told how approachable my puppies were compared to others that were seen by prospective clients. I think this early stimulation (or desensitizing) does have some benefit, even if it is but short-term. Bob-O

you can also google super dog routine and I believe there is alot of info about it on the internet.