Bios Sensory and Volhard Temperament Testing

Bio Sensory Stimulation

Early Neurological Stimulation (Bio Sensor) is a key part to developing a balanced family dog.  We strive to give our pups every possible advantage before they leave our family and enter yours.

From days 3- 16 we use Bio Sensory stimulation. We use each of the five exercises listed below from beginning to end before starting with the next pup. Each pup gets at BSS once per day involving the following exercises:

1.    Head held erect

2.    Head pointed down

3.    Supine position (on their back)

4.    Tactical stimulation (between toes)

5.    Thermal stimulation

According to Dr. Carmen L. Battaglia with a study done found that ESN stimulated pups were found to have greater tolerance to stress, greater resistance to disease, faster adrenal system, stronger heart rate and heart beat. ESN pups were found to be more active and were more exploratory than their non- stimulated litter mates. The stimulated pups were also dominant in competitive situations. In simple problem solving tests using detours in a maze, the non-stimulated pups became extremely aroused, whined a great deal, and made many errors. Their stimulated litter mates were less disturbed or upset by test conditions and when comparisons were made, the stimulated litter mates were calmer in the test environment, made fewer errors and gave only an occasional distress sound when stressed

 Please go to: www.breedingbetterdogs.com for more in-depth information.

Volhard Temperament Testing

Having a well-trained dog takes time and understanding of your pets personality is important. Knowing what role the dog is expected to play in your life and then selecting a dog that is suitable for the job is important.  Here are some of the reasons for selecting a dog:

•    Companionship;
•    Playmate for the kids;
•    Protection;
•    A special activity, such as hunting, herding, breeding, showing in conformation, or competing in performance events;
•    Status symbol (not wise); or
•    A combination of the above.

Some dogs are able to fill all of these expectations, while others have more limited talents.  

Here at Bow Valley Labradoodles we do Volhard temperament testing on day 49 (7 weeks) to match our pups with what their families want their new furry buddy’s role to be.

The tests are done in the order listed below:  

1. Social Attraction - degree of social attraction to people, confidence or dependence.    
2. Following - willingness to follow a person.  
3. Restraint - degree of dominant or submissive tendency, and ease of handling in difficult situations.
4. Social Dominance - degree of acceptance of social dominance by a person.  
5. Elevation - degree of accepting dominance while in a position of no control, such as at the veterinarian or groomer.  
6. Retrieving - degree of willingness to do something for you. Together with Social Attraction and Following a key indicator for ease or difficulty in training.
7. Touch Sensitivity - degree of sensitivity to touch and a key indicator to the type of training equipment required.
8. Sound Sensitivity - degree of sensitivity to sound, such as loud noises or thunderstorms.  
9. Sight Sensitivity - degree of response to a moving object, such as chasing bicycles, children or squirrels.
10. Stability - degree of startle response to a strange object.  

We will be able to help direct our families based on the results as to what puppy would be the most ideal fit. We keep in mind our families preferences with the most important aspect being temperament. Training your puppy (good routine and boundaries) once they get home is a key factor to having a great furry family member. We do everything possible here to test for any health concerns in our moms and dads as well as proper socialization and training so that our puppies have great genetics and role models.