In many animal breeding programs, the entire process of selection and management is founded on the belief that performance is inherited. It has only been in recent decades that good estimates of heritability of performance have been based on adequate data. Cunningham, in his study of horses (1991), found that only about 35% of all the variation that is observed in track performance is controlled by heritable factors, meaning the remaining 65% is attributable to other influences, such as training, management and nutrition.

        This same research can be applied to other domesticated animals as well- including the working or companion puppy. Newborn puppies are uniquely different from adults in several respects. When born, their eyes are closed and their digestive system has a limited capacity requiring periodic stimulation by their dam who routinely licks them in order to promote digestion. At this age they are only able to smell, suck, and crawl. Body temperature is maintained by snuggling close to their mother or by crawling into piles with other littermates. During these first few weeks of immobility, researchers noted that these immature and under-developed canines are sensitive to a restricted class of stimuli which includes thermal and tactile stimulation, motion and locomotion.

       Studies show that removing newborns from their litter for three minutes each day during the first five to ten days of life causes a mild form of stress sufficient to stimulate hormonal, adrenal and pituitary systems. When tested later as adults, these same animals were better able to withstand more stress than littermates who were not exposed to the same early stress exercises. Data also shows that stress in small amounts can produce adults who respond maximally, while their non-stressed littermates become easily exhausted if exposed to intense prolonged stress. When tested for differences in health and disease, the stressed animals were found to be more resistant to certain forms of cancer and infectious diseases and could withstand terminal starvation and exposure to cold for longer periods than their non-stressed littermates. EEG measures show that pups and kittens when given early stimulation exercises mature at faster rates and perform better in certain problem solving tests than non-stimulated mates.

       The use of surrogate mothers and familiar objects were tested by both of the Kelloggs and Dr. Yearkes using young chimpanzees. Their pioneering research shows that the more primates were deprived of stimulation and interaction during early development, the less able they were to cope, adjust and later adapt to situations as adults.

       The U.S. Military used this research in the development of their unique canine development program. They created a method that serves as a guide for assisting development in dogs. In an effort to improve the performance of canines used for military purposes, a program called "Bio Sensor" was developed...

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