EARLY NEUROLOGICAL STIMULATION (ENS)

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    We start training our puppies at 3 days’ old using the Early Neurological Stimulation (ENS) Program. 

    We strive to produce happy, healthy puppies who grow into well-adjusted adult dogs. 

    Well-adjusted dogs are less fearful, more focused, and respond appropriately to stress. 

    The U.S. Military in their canine program developed a method that still serves as a guide to what works. In an effort to improve the performance of dogs used for military purposes, a program called "Bio Sensor" was developed.  Later, it became known to the public as the "Super Dog" Program.  Based on years of research, the military learned that early neurological stimulation exercises could have important and lasting effects.     

    Their studies confirmed that there are specific time periods early in life when neurological stimulation has optimum results.  

    The first period involves a window of time that begins at the third day of life and lasts until the sixteenth day.     

    It is believed that because this interval of time is a period of rapid neurological growth and development, and therefore is of great importance to the individual.

    When performed correctly, ENS is believed to impact the neurological system by kicking it into action earlier than would be normally expected, the result being an increased capacity that later will help to make the difference in its performance, according to Breeding Better Dogs. 

    Five benefits have been observed in canines that were exposed to ENS, including improved cardio vascular performance (heart rate); stronger heart beats; stronger adrenal glands; more tolerance to stress; and greater resistance to disease.

    At about 2-3 weeks old, puppies start to be able to hear, see, and move around a little better as well as to eliminate on their own.

    But it’s the period between birth and this beginning of self-sufficiency that is critical for ENS.

    Early Neurological Stimulation is a method of stimulating the nervous systems of the puppies during this time period.  It’s based on the principle of eustress. Distress is bad stress—stress that is too overwhelming or lasts too long to be healthy.  Eustress is good stress.  It’s the same kind of stress that causes you to get stronger when you work out.  Working out is stressful on the body, but builds the body, while distress is harmful to the body and causes damage of one kind or another.

    ENS provides just the right amount of eustress on the nervous system to stimulate development.  It’s like a gym workout for the puppies’ nervous system.

    We have all heard stories of dogs who are aggressive around new people, scared of new places, or just scared of everything in general!  ENS can help prevent these issues and create a more fulfilling relationship for dogs and owners.

    ENS is done while the puppies are in their early developmental stage.  The stage that follows early development is their socialization period, which is another critical stage to ensure puppies grow and adapt as optimally as possible.  ENS helps prepares them for their socialization period, when they learn how to interact with and trust humans, other dogs, and other species.  Using ENS, we ensure your puppies have the emotional development to handle and meet the challenges of socialization.

    In other words, ENS is critical to preparing your puppies to meet and conquer their world!

    Puppies start the Early Neurological Stimulation program when they are three days old.  The ENS program involves five different exercises done with each puppy once a day. 

    Puppies are tickled on the bottom of their paws and between their toes.  They’re held straight with their tails down, held upside down with their tails up, laid on their backs, and placed on a cold washcloth.  They are held in each position for 3-5 seconds.  This is so the brief changes are enough to stimulate the puppies’ brains but not enough to stress them out too much.  

    We want to produce enough eustress so that their neurological development is stimulated.  But we don’t want to overdo it and cross into creating distress for the puppies.