Early Neurological Stimulation

[Riika]

Is early neurological stimulation worth anything? Or is it like foal imprinting-not really a sure difference between those that have been imprinted and those that have not-and kind of outdated?

I just found this article and it got my thinking.

http://www.crestviewcable.com/~lakota/bio-sensor.html

I've had four dogs so far and none have had this done. They seem fine but I haven't compared them to dogs that have been "stimulated."

[kingfisher7151]

Does it hurt? Probably not.

 

Does it help? I'm not so sure of that either.

 

I'm guessing most of the positive results are created through the act of handling pups, not the specific regime.

[gonetotervs]

One of my dogs has had it. He's also very nicely bred for working ability and stability. He's got a ton of work ethic, no environmental issues and both an on and an off switch.

I also suspect than any breeders putting that much effort into a litter have put similar energy and thought into the genetics of the pups they are breeding.

[Liz P]

I've done it with several litters. I did not do it with my last. I handle my pups a whole lot and make sure they are exposed to different sights, sounds, surfaces and people. I've never purchased a pup that had ENS. The ones I have bought in came from a variety of situations, from handled a lot and raised in the house to handled just a bit and raised in a barn. I don't think ENS makes any difference as long as the pups are handled and the genetics are right.

[Gloria Atwater]

I guess my question about ENS has always been .... does it make THAT much difference? And as for the improvements claimed, improved heart rate and whatever - how was this actually tested? Were there tests done over hundreds of dogs? Did they compare dogs of the same breed, even the same litter, who had ENS and did not? Were the results along the lines of, "Wow, look at the difference! This dog can run sixty miles and never get out of breath?" Or was it just a sort of, "Hm, these dogs seem to be doing better than last year's dogs?"

I don't suppose it hurts anything, but unless the test results were dramatic and proven and scientifically documented, I'd remain skeptical. I'd want to be convinced that there is notable difference between dogs who are equal in every other respect, but who had ENS over those who did not.

~ Gloria

[mum24dog]

Some people seem to be on a mission to make dog ownership as complicated as possible.

 

My pup was raised in a stable. Some human contact but not much compared with a house bred pup. Within earshot of all the comings and goings of the farm.

 

Took everything in his stride and is brilliant with people and dogs. Sensibly wary of some new events but soon gets over it.

 

Nature not nurture in his case.

[Smalahundur]

Bold claims little evidence.

Besides the method is so basic imo that I don't see how this would have more influence on development than the normal stimulation a pup receives from mom, siblings and humans.

[denice]

I have done ENS with my last litter. I did not do it daily or for as long as is suggested. It would be difficult to know for sure if it does all that is claimed. Pups out of the same litter can be very different. I figured it sure couldn't hurt. The basic premise makes sense to me so I figured it was worth the few minutes of time. It is very specific about How to do it. I do not think pups would normally encounter this exact stimulation naturally.

 

I do wonder if the less social breeds would show a more drastic difference but again not sure you could 'measure' it.

[Maralynn]

I like the concept of exposing pups to different sounds, surfaces, objects, etc. Basically stuff that will facilitate learning opportunities but you don't need to follow a program to do that. I've yet to see where ENS specifically works - just a bunch of anecdotal experiences on both sides. And I'm more interested in seeing parents with solid temperaments and a dam who is an excellent mother.

[Alfreda]

http://www.journalvetbehavior.com/article/S1558-7878%2810%2900175-9/abstract

 

 

Here's a link to an interesting abstract: study looked at 10 litters and followed careers of mine detection dogs: no diff between ENS dogs and control group dogs (all got lots of handling and socialization).

[Gloria Atwater]

The abstract of that article kind of confirms what I thought.

Basically, my thought is that dogs have been successful at being dogs for anywhere between 15,000 to 30,000 years. I do think a certain amount of early handling and socialization is very important if one intends to expose their dog to the world beyond their front door. I'm delighted with how well-rounded my Nell was, when I got her at 12 weeks old, because her breeder took a lot of time handling the pups of that litter and exposing them to a variety of experiences. Plus, a dog who's never been off the farm and is suddenly put out of the truck in the middle of a big sheepdog trial (or sent off to be trained) might be pretty freaked out compared to one that's been socialized and packed around since he was a pup. Granted, some dogs are rock solid no matter what, nature over nurture, but others need some help early on.

But unless this ENS stuff is producing super-dogs as an end result, above and beyond the thorough handling for whatever lives those dogs are destined to live ... I'm kind of with Mumdog. Some people just want to make it more complicated than it needs to be.

Just my tuppence, everyone's mileage may vary.

~ Gloria

[Donald McCaig]

Dear Doggers,

Yes, but . . .Many of the old sheepdog training books warn farmers against leaving the pup in the barn until they're ready to start training it.

 

Donald McCaig

[Smalahundur]

I know what "leaving the pup in the barn" implies as for some of the farmers I know; being locked up /chained most of if not all of the time.

Granted, against all good intentions these pups usually never get to start training.