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Now take an ordinary dog and train it to do extraordinary things. Do you get a genius?
This is Canine Camp, training an elite corps of super dogs for special jobs, as doorman,
handyman and rescue worker. In an emergency they're trained to nose-punch a 911 button.
It's dog bootcamp without the boot. One day these recruits will become helping companions
for people with disabilities. But first, through positive reinforcement, they must learn to
think for themselves, says Canine Assistants founder Jennifer Arnold.
“Our dogs have to love what they're doing because we don't punish them, when they don't
do it. Fear is not a reason for them to comply. And when they leave us and they go home with
their recipient, when the recipient says: will you pick this up for me... well, I mean
it's all up to the dog.”
Jennifer is creating super dogs. For the first year and a half of their lives, these dogs
go through rigorous conditioning, stimulating the brain and the body in ways some scientists
say make them better learners.
She starts them young. At three days old, newborn olympics. Upside down, a cold towel,
and paw stimulation. At this early stage, dog brain cells and neural connections between
them strengthen and multiply. Some neurologists say, these brain teasing exercises enhance
the process and reduce stress and fear later on when the intense training begins.
A few weeks later: welcome to the puppy room. The window for hardwired learning takes place
before sixteen weeks. During these critical first months, just about everything they learn
will be permanently stored in their bodies and minds. The puppy room throws them into
situations they'll encounter in their new homes so nothing will faze them. They become
familiar with lights, other household pets, even themselves. And then the world beyond.
Each puppy goes on a personalised guided tour of the human environment.
“It's critical that young puppies get out to the grocery store to, you know, ride the
train, to go to the airport, buses, do all those things that they may do in their adult
careers.”