First Time Puppies: Early Neurological Stimulation
Traditionally, training, socializing, and helping your puppy mature has been seen as primarily the role of the owner, not the breeder. However, many new studies have shown just how critical those first 8-12 weeks of a dogs life are for their development in every arena.
Early Neurological Stimulation (ENS) was developed by the US military to aid in training dogs for future work in the military. In studies it has been shown that ENS in the first 14 DAYS of a puppy’s life can dramatically aid both their cognitive, physical, and social development. The first 14 days, not weeks!! This is something that only a breeder can do, as the new owner is not present for this stage of development.
ENS includes five main exercises for stimulation, once a day, for each puppy. These exercises include:
Tactile stimulation: The puppy is held and they are tickle/stimulated between their toe pads with a Q-tip or finger for 3-5 seconds.
Head held erect: Using both hands, the puppy is held straight up (perpendicular to the ground) just under their front arms for 3-5 seconds.
Head pointing down: Carefully, using both hands, a puppy is held straight down (perpendicular to the ground) with their head and body cupped carefully for 3-5 seconds.
Supine position: Cradle the pup in your hands, on their back, with their muzzle pointed toward the ceiling for 3-5 seconds.
Thermal stimulation: Using a damp rag that has been placed in the refrigerator for at least five minutes, place the puppy feet down on the rag for 3-5 seconds (do not restrain movement to get off).
It is believed that by performing these five stimulation exercises for the first 14 days of a puppy’s life introduces it to moderate stimulation that they would not normally encounter naturally until later in life. This early experience allows them to be better at the different types of encounters these present in later in their development.
Regardless of exactly how it works, studies have shown the benefits of ENS are substantial. This includes increased cardiovascular performance (heart rate), shorter heart beats, stronger adrenal glands, more tolerance to stress, and greater resistance to diseases.
Be sure to ask your breeder if they do Early Neurological Stimulation for their puppies. Though it is a small time commitment, commitment to ENS separates many breeders who are primarily concerned about puppy health and wellbeing from those who are primarily about financial returns and speed/ease of whelping and turnaround. Seeing as the return is great for a small amount of time invested, we see this as a great breeder commitment to you and your future dog!
References
(1) Early Neurological Stimulation (ENS): Implications for canine welfare and management (purdue.edu)
