At Solace Shilohs we liken raising a puppy from birth to 8 weeks of age to that of raising a child from birth to 5 years of age.  The social and environmental interactions that a child experiences the first five years forms the basis for how he or she perceives and interacts with the world around him or her.

We believe that how we raise puppies influences how they perceive and interact with their world.

We recommend waiting to spay and neuter your Shiloh, as large breed dogs need the hormones for proper growth and development.  Read this article for further information.

At Solace we follow the approach described by Dr. Carmen L. Battaglia.

Three Stages of Canine Growth and Development

1.  Early Neurological Stimulation - 3 to 16 days of age

2.  Socialization - 4 to 16 weeks of age

3.  Enrichment - no time limit - throughout the life of a canine

1.  Super Dog Program - Early Neurological Stimulation

At Solace Shilohs, we instituted the Early Neurological Stimulation program that was developed by the US Military.  You can view the article on ENS.  It was done in an effort to improve the performance of dogs used for military purposes.  This Early Neurological Stimulation canine program was called the "Bio Sensor" program, or the "Super Dog" program.  Their program showed that there are specific time periods early in life when neurological stimulation has optimum results.  The first period begins at the third day of life and lasts until the sixteenth day.  This interval of time is a period of rapid neurological growth and development, and when employed, gives the dog a superior advantage. 

When puppies are born, their eyes and ears and digestive system is not fully developed.  The dam licks them to stimulate digestion.  At this age they are only able to smell, suckle, and crawl.  Body temperature is maintained by snuggling close to their mother or by crawling into piles with their littermates.

Studies have shown that mild forms of stress in animals stimulates hormonal, adrenal and pituitary systems.  Later in life, the stressed animals were better able to withstand stress than littermates that were not exposed to the same early stress exercises.  When tested as adults, for differences in health and disease, the stressed animals were found to be more resistant to infectious diseases. 

Studies involving early stimulation exercises on  puppies and kittens found they performed better as adults on problem solving tests than non-stimulated littermates.

At Solace Shilohs, from day 3 to day 16, during each of the five tests, we stimulate the puppies between 3 and 5 seconds  (as per the Bio Sensor/Super Dog program).

1.  Tactical stimulation between toes, with a q-tip

2.  Head held erect, holding pup with both hands

3.  Head pointed down,  holding pup

4.  Supine position, holding pup

5.  Thermal stimulation, on cold/damp washcloth

Benefits of Stimulation

1. Improved cardio vascular performance (heart rate)

2.  Stronger heart beats

3.  Stronger adrenal glands

4.  More tolerance to stress

5.  Greater resistance to disease

In tests of learning, stimulated pups were found to be more active and were more exploratory than their non-stimulated littermates.    Stimulated pups were more calm in the test environment and made fewer errors. 

 2.  Socialization at Solace Shilohs

Canine socialization studies have shown that puppy socialization is critical between the fourth and sixteenth weeks of age.   Puppies that have adequate attention and handling are more inquisitive and active.  We spend several hours each day with our puppies to provide active and fun time, but also to faciliate the canine/human bonding experience.  We do because this because it is healthy for the puppies but also because we adore our puppies and it is healthy for us.

3.  Enrichment

Enrichment is a term which has come to mean the positive sum of experiences which have a cumulative effect upon the canine.  Enrichment experiences typically involve exposure to a wide variety of interesting, novel, and exciting experiences with regular opportunities to freely investigate, manipulate, and interact with them.  Canines that are raised in an enriched environment, later in life tend to freely investigate, have more confidence and are less reactive.  

Regular trips to the park, shopping centers,  and obedience and agility classes serve as examples of enrichment activities.  Enrichment activities should provide many opportunites for interaction and investigations. 

In Summary, genetics account for approximately 35% of performance, and the remaining 65%  which consists of management, training, and nutrition can make the difference in the performance of a dog. 

After employing the Super Dog program, we have found that our puppies tend to be more outgoing and adapt to situations more readily.  They have greater confidence and are less reactive than the previous litters, when we did not employ the Super Dog program in our breeding program.

It is up to the families that get a puppy from us, to continue the work that has gone into the puppy.  We formed the pup's foundation and now it is up to the families to create the necessary time to enjoy their puppy, give the puppy outings and stimulation.  

At Solace, we built our whelping building specifically such that we could sleep and live with our litters.  We built an apartment immediately next to the whelping rooms so that our puppies get to experience the activities of a regular household.  We have a sound soother machine where we can play a variety of noises for the pups.  They get used to the sound of a vacuum cleaner, television and radio and other dogs. 

Between 3 and 16 days of age, we conduct the Early Neurological Stimulation exercises on the pups, around the same time each day. 

Between 4 and 5 weeks of age, we start the puppies in their socialization and enrichment activities.  We have a 450 square foot puppy play room that we built specifically with our puppies in mind.  We use that during inclement weather and put them outside during nice weather.  We have a "Y" shaped tunnel and a "T" shaped tunnel for the pups to chase and play hide and seek in.  We have a three inch raised platform for the pups to climb atop of and safely jump off from, we also have a variety of toys, from Jolly balls, everlasting balls, best balls, holley rollers, Wubbas, Kongs, etc. to play with.  We set up a fun jungle gym for the pups to play with as well.  Through out the day, we play with the pups  and start bite inhibition work with them.  Here is a video of the pups playing outside, including the fun jungle gym they play with.

 We have a nice assortment of older Shilohs to help socialize the pups as well.