Research shows that encouraging a stable temperament starts even before puppies are born. Here at Rosewood pups Grandma Cheryl does a lot to make sure your puppy has a great start on being more adaptable to all the situations it will encounter in life.

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. ENS is time sensitive and must be performed from the third to the 16th days of a puppy’s life.

Keeping in mind exercises are not a substitution for daily handling and stroking of your young puppy.

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.

In tests of learning, ENS stimulated pups were more active and exploratory than their non- stimulated littermates.

The first three weeks of your puppy’s life are crucial, being very helpless at this stage. Their eyes do not open until around 10 days, sense of hearing starting around 2 weeks. Mama dog doing most of the work at this stage it is my job to keep everyone warm, safe, and clean.

 The most important way I interact with your puppy during this phase is by touch, gently handling and stroking at least two times a day so it learns that human touch is a pleasant experience.

In addition, Early Neurological Stimulation (ENS) exercises, are conducted once daily from the third to the 16th days, a period believed to be a time of rapid neurological growth and development. Even though puppies are very immature during this time frame, they are sensitive and respond to ENS.

The US Military developed this method designed to improve the performance of future military working dogs.

ENS requires handling your puppy while performing a series of five exercises.  Starting your puppy is stimulated using each one of five exercises completing the series from beginning to end. 

  1. Tactile stimulation – Holding your puppy in one hand, I gently stimulate, tickling the pup between the toes on any one foot using a Q-tip for a time of 3 – 5 seconds.

 2.Head held erect – Using both hands, your puppy is held perpendicular to the ground, (straight up), so that its head is directly above its tail. This is an upwards position. Time of stimulation 3 – 5 seconds.

 3. Head pointed down – Holding the puppy firmly with both hands its head is reversed and is pointed downward so that it is pointing towards the ground. Time of stimulation 3 – 5 seconds.

4. Supine position – Holding your puppy’s head so that its back is resting in the palm of both my hands, muzzle facing the ceiling while on its back, allowing puppy to sleep. Time of stimulation 3-5 seconds.

5.Thermal stimulation — Using a damp towel that has been cooled in a refrigerator for at least five minutes I place your puppy on the towel, feet down, not restraining it from moving. Time of stimulation 3-5 seconds.