If you have recently adopted a puppy, learning about early stimulation exercises can be very beneficial for achieving well-being and emotional stability in the future. the dog. They consist of a mild form of stress, which through physical exercises, help stimulate the child's hormonal, adrenal and pituitary systems. They also favor tranquility and exploratory behavior.
Several studiesshow the positive effects of early stimulation in puppies between 3 and 21 days, although it should be used with certain caution. An excess of stress can generate pathological adversities, instead of physical or psychological superiority, so it is highly recommended to consult our veterinarian before performing them. Still, these exercises are not recommended for all puppies.
Remember that the results of this stimulation can be observed in the long term and that its purpose is to improve the dog's natural abilities when it reaches its adult stage. Find out below what are the 5 early stimulation exercises for puppies:
How to carry them out?
The results of different studies [1] [2]show that early stimulation exercises strongly influence on the emotional stability of puppies. They also improve cardiovascular development, generate greater tolerance to stress and stimulate their growth, among other benefits.
To carry out a good early stimulation you must follow these guidelines:
- Exercises should not be repeated more than once a day.
- The indicated times must not be exceeded.
- It should be done in puppies from 3 days and up to 21 days.
Remember that as it is a mild form of stress, excessive stimulation can lead to the appearance of unwanted behavior problems and counterproductive effects.
Contraindications:
A study on the effects of early stimulation in puppies with a parent [3] has revealed that these exercises can altering the pattern of maternal interaction , the behavior of the puppy itself and that it can also produce a biochemical alteration in the Nervous System of the puppies.
For this reason, if our puppy(s) are with the mother or with an adoptive mother, it is not recommended to carry out the early stimulation exercises. We will perform them only if the puppy is alone (has been rejected) and does not have a foster mother.
1. Tactile stimulation
To perform this exercise we need to hold the dog with one hand and stimulate it between the fingers using a stick. It should be done between 3 and 5 seconds.
two. Thermal stimulation
Thermal stimulation is carried out using a moist towel, which must coolpreviously in the fridge for about 5 minutes. We will place the puppy on top of the towel helping him to support himself with his paws. On another occasion, we can try another slightly heated towel and carry out the same process. We can allow the puppy to move if he wishes. It should be done between 3 and 5 seconds.
3. Head up
Using both hands we must keep the puppy perpendicular to the ground, making sure that it is well attached. It should be done between 3 and 5 seconds.
4. Head down
In this case we must hold the puppy with both hands and turn it so that it adopts the reverse position to the aforementioned exercise. It should be done between 3 and 5 seconds.
5. Supine position
In this case we just have to support the dog on his backusing the palm of both hands. It should be done between 3 and 5 seconds.
Do you have a newborn puppy?
Newborn puppies require special care to survive, since at birth they are totally dependent, either to feed them, help them defecate or maintain body heat. For this reason, if you have a newborn puppy we recommend you consult your veterinarian with any questions that may arise when raising him.
