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Early Neurological Stimulation (ENS)

In this video you see me performing ENS and ESI and also giving their first dose of Panacur wormer.

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 @libertyjoy_puppies for more videos like this one.

Five benefits have been observed in canines that were exposed to the ENS stimulation exercises. The benefits noted were:

  1. Improved cardio vascular performance (heart rate)

  2. Stronger heart beats

  3. Stronger adrenal glands

  4. More tolerance to stress

  5. Greater resistance to disease

ENS comprises of 5 stimulation exercises that are performed daily on neonates from day 3 through to day 16 -  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 ENS exercises create mild stresses that help stimulate the neurological system which improves the growth and development of the puppies immune systems, cardiovascular systems, and stress tolerance.

The stimulation exercises are done for 3-5 seconds each and are as follows: 

1. Tickle a Q-Tip between toes on 1 paw   

2. Hold upright    

3. Hold upside down  

4. Hold on back    

5. Lay on cold, wet cloth. 

Early Scent Introduction (ESI)

Dogs are notorious for their ability to smell - it is their most powerful sense and it is how they explore the world around them, sniffing their way everywhere.  It has been reported that dogs who have been through ESI have an increase in confidence and stability and it is believed this is because they are better at dealing with new smells which gives them an additional ability to cope with the world at large - surely something we all want for all our dogs!

Early Scent Introduction is performed in conjunction with ENS on the puppies from day three to day sixteen. A pungent scent is introduced to the puppies each day for short intervals. Their reaction to the scent is then recorded. A positive reaction is when a puppy will try to move towards the scent with their nose highly engaged in the scent. A negative reaction will have the puppy pulling back from the scent. A neutral reaction will be when the puppy does not seem interested or disinterested.

The benefits of ESI were studied in a seven-year breeding test by Gayle Watson PhD with Gaylan’s Golden Retriever litters. They broke down the litters to the dogs that had early scent detection and those that did not. She began her testing by looking at results from sporting Golden Retrievers in the United States. Gayle and her team charted the outcome of various events to determine the effect the ESI had on the pups. The results were astounding! They found the dogs that had been involved in early scent introduction had more total scenting titles and these dogs were achieving these titles two and a half to five years younger than the non ESI pups. ESI is incredible for dogs that go on to do scent work of any kind.

So What Does This Mean For Our Puppies?

With our focus on companion pets and the possibility of some doing therapy work we want to do all we can to enable our puppies to reach their full potential. As breeders it is our job to do all we can to set each of our puppies up to win on whatever path they end up on. ENS and ESI have shown to have great benefits to the puppies and their long-term health and wellbeing as well increasing their capacity to perform certain tasks. 

 

 These two protocols literally change dogs' lives for the better. Every breeder should be performing these simple tasks for the love of dogs and giving them the best potential for success in their lives possible.

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