What Are ENS and ESI?

Early Neurological Stimulation (ENS) and Early Scent Introduction (ESI) are routines we have incorporated into our puppy-raising program. We expose puppies to these exercises from approximately 3–16 days of age to help support early development, resilience, and coping skills.

Early Neurological Stimulation (ENS) exercises are brief, lasting approximately 3–5 seconds each, and include the following:

1. Tactile Stimulation: Holding the puppy in one hand, the handler gently rotates a Q-tip between the toes of one foot.
2. Head Held Erect: Using both hands, the puppy is held vertically or perpendicular to the ground, with the head positioned directly above the tail.
3. Head Pointed Down: Holding the puppy securely with both hands, the head is gently pointed downward so the puppy is temporarily upside down.
4. Supine Position: The puppy is held on its back in the palms of both hands, with its muzzle facing the ceiling.
5. Thermal Stimulation: A damp towel is cooled in the refrigerator for at least five minutes. The puppy is placed on the towel with all four feet down, allowing the puppy to move away if desired.

​Early Scent Introduction (ESI) consists of introducing a different scent each day. The handler holds the puppy close, allows them to smell the item, and documents their response.

• Positive: Puppy actively engages with the scent
• Neutral: Puppy shows little or no reaction
• Negative: Puppy moves away from the scent

These early puppy stimulation exercises take only a few minutes but can provide valuable early experiences that may support development and resilience as puppies grow.

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Why Are ENS and ESI Beneficial for a Puppy?
Early Neurological Stimulation (ENS) and Early Scent Introduction (ESI) are designed to provide puppies with early experiences that can support their development, resilience, and confidence.

The potential benefits of ENS include:

1. Improved Cardiovascular Performance
2. Stronger Heart Function
3. Stronger Adrenal Response
4. Greater Tolerance to Stress
5. Increased Resilience and Resistance to Illness

ESI is designed to help develop a puppy’s awareness of different scents and their ability to notice and respond to specific smells. It can help build Nose Awareness and Confidence and may be especially beneficial for dogs that go on to do Hunting, Tracking, Scent Work, or Medical Alert Work.

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What are the different scents introduced to the puppies?

The following are the scents introduced to the puppies specific for ESI:
All Spice
Alpaca Fur
Apple
Bay Leaves
Black Tea
Chamomile
Cinnamon
Clove
Coconut
Garlic
Ginger
Hand Sanitizer
Leather
Nutmeg
Oatmeal
Onion
Orange Peel
Oregano
Parsley
Peppercorn
Pine Chips
Poppy Seeds
Rabbit Fur
Red Pepper
Rosemary
Soil
Star Anise
Tennis Ball

Below is another detailed video of our ENS and ESI process. 

Be sure to follow us on Facebook for updates and videos just like this on each litter!