04/04/2025
ENS
Early neurological stimulation was developed by the military to improve the performance and stress responses of military working dogs.
It is a series of daily exercises performed during the first days (3-16) of a puppies life. These exercises include holding the puppy head erect, head down and on his back along with thermal and tactical stimulation.
ENS is shown to improve heart rate, adreanal glands, stress tolerance and disease resistants.
ESI
Early Scent Introduction is performed during the same time period as ENS. Each day safe, natural and man made scents and introduced to the puppy, and he is allowed to explore the scent for as long as he is interested.
These will include herbs, leaves, training equipment, and pet fur. ESI is shown to improve olfactory abilities, improve confidence, better training outcomes and improve cognitive development.
ENS and ESI are two very important first steps and part of my daily care routine with a new litter. While mom is always attentive and providing everything her puppies need to survive, I am still hands on (on hands and knees) every day with them!
Obviously, it's not easy to photograph one handed while I perform these tasks, but you get the idea :-)
Today is day 7 with Briar's litter and we sampled ground rubber. This little lady must have been very interested, she promptly flipped over the container and spilled its contents, but we managed to have all her siblings try some as well.
Miniature Australian Shepherd
