65% of
“super dog” program! This three-part
program of Early Sensory Stimulation,
Socialization (and desensitization)
plus Enrichment, can enable puppies
to become “super dogs”, to reach
peak performance in any activity or
discipline for which the dog is suited.
The program begins with ESS on
neonatal puppies and progresses to
include Socialization and Enrichment
– all the responsibility of the breeder.
However, as soon as the new owner
takes charge of a puppy, that person is
responsible for the continuation of the
Enrichment part of the program.
We’ve explored how ESS and
Socialization improve performance in
dogs in the two previous articles, so
nowwe turn to this third element of our
super dog program -- Enrichment. This
last component overlaps somewhat
with Socialization, because elements of
Pat Hastings’
Rule of Sevens
as well as
Dr. Ian Dunbar’s
100 Exposures in 100
Days
are utilized. Added ingredients in
Enrichment are obstacles designed to
heighten body awareness, agility, and
puzzle solving ability. Other enriching
elements for a dog’s mind and body are
olfactory, tactile, visual, auditory, and
gustatory stimuli. Enrichment only
ESSENTIAL ELEMENTS
When The Beat Goes On…And On
F
or
centuries
breeders
oF
all
types of livestock, as well as dogs,
made breeding decisions based on
breeding “the best to the best” with an
eye on complementary pedigrees. At
times those decisions were based on
performance only – especially, where
dogs were concerned. Gradually, with
the advent of dog shows, breeders
began to look more at structure,
movement, and individual breed type
when deciding which dogs would be
bred. As more and more health and
genetic information became accessible
to breeders, those factors entered into
the breeding choices. But despite our
best and most dedicated efforts at
matching two compatible pedigrees –at
phenotype evaluations of possible sires
anddams –at genetic health testing–at
genetic pedigree evaluation – only 35%
of a dog’s performance is inherited. A
whopping 65% of a dog’s potential lies
in the hands of breeders and owners!
Once breeders realized that fact, the
more knowledgeable, forward thinking
breeders began to develop methods by
which to give their puppies a head start
in achieving their potential. Enter the
Sandra Murray
“But despite our best and most dedicated efforts at
matching two compatible pedigrees – at phenotype
evaluations of possible sires and dams – at genetic
health testing – at genetic pedigree evaluation –
only 35% of a dog’s
performance is
inherited.”
“Other enriching
elements for a dog’s
mind and body are
olfactory,
tactile,
visual ,
auditory,
and
gustatory
stimuli.”
100 • S
how
S
ight
M
agazine
, J
anuary
2013
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