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Giving Puppies a Head Start
We implement Early Neurological Stimulation and Early Scent Introduction to support healthy development, confidence, and resilience — starting just days after birth.
What is ENS?
Early Neurological Stimulation (ENS) is a structured set of exercises developed by the U.S. military to promote strong nervous system development and improve stress tolerance of future military working dogs. Between days 3–16, we perform five brief exercises daily with each puppy, including gentle tactile stimulation and mild position changes.
Benefits of ENS:
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Strengthens heart health and circulation through mild early challenges
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Builds stronger adrenal and immune responses, improving stress recovery
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Enhances brain development during a critical growth window
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Encourages faster recovery from startling or novel experiences
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Sets the stage for confident, well-adjusted puppies as they grow
What is ESI?
Early Scent Introduction (ESI) builds on ENS by stimulating a puppy’s olfactory senses — one of the most powerful sensory systems in a dog’s brain. From day 3–16, each puppy is introduced to a variety of safe, novel scents (like lavender, leather, soil, or orange peel) for short periods.
Benefits of ESI:
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Boosts brain development by tapping into a puppy’s most powerful sense
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Encourages curiosity and exploration from a young age
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Builds stronger neural pathways linked to memory, learning, and emotional resilience
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Lays the groundwork for future confidence in new environments or tasks
Why it Matters to You
ENS and ESI don’t just make puppies cuter or calmer — they shape the foundation of who they’ll become. Puppies raised with these protocols tend to be more adaptable, confident, and emotionally resilient. They’re quicker to bounce back from stress, more eager to explore, and more engaged in learning. It’s one of the many ways we go beyond the basics to raise exceptional dogs for real life.