ENS/esi
ENS/ESI
Helping prepare your puppy for the big world
ENS-Early Neurological Stimulation
ENS is a carefully designed exercise aimed at stimulating and enhancing the neurological development of puppies during the first few weeks of their lives. By gently exposing them to a range of sensory experiences, we are effectively unlocking their boundless potential and setting them up for a lifetime of success.
Through targeted exercises like head tilting, cold stimulation, and gentle tactile pressure, we are able to provide puppies with a unique foundation for growth and learning. These early interventions not only promote improved motor skills and enhanced physical coordination but also foster heightened problem-solving abilities and increased adaptability.
By investing in the early neurological stimulation of our precious pups, we are ensuring their resilience in the face of challenges and their ability to thrive in any environment.
The impact of Early Neurological Stimulation cannot be understated. Whether it's excelling in training programs, becoming beloved family companions, or even embarking on careers as service or therapy dogs, the benefits of ENS are far-reaching and enduring.
ENS Exercises…
Tactile Stimulation: the puppy is “tickled” between the foot pads on any one foot with a Q-Tip (3-5 seconds)
Head Erect: the puppy is held perpendicular to the ground with both hands, orienting its head above its tail (3-5 seconds)
Head Down: the puppy is held perpendicular to the ground with both hands, orienting its tail above its head (3-5 seconds)
Supine: the puppy rests with its back in the palms of both hands, with its nose oriented toward the ceiling (3-5 seconds)
Thermal Stimulation: a damp towel is placed in fridge for at least 5 minutes; place puppy on towel on all fours and do not restrain movement (3-5 seconds)
Benefits include…
Boost brain development
Improves circulation and immune system
Stimulates the neurological system
Improves stress tolerance
ESI - Early Scent Introduction
The Power of Scent
Dogs have an incredible sense of smell that greatly surpasses that of humans. By tapping into their exceptional olfactory abilities, we can enhance their learning capabilities and enrich their lives. Early scent introduction allows puppies to explore and familiarize themselves with a wide range of smells, which helps stimulate their brains and encourages cognitive growth. Additionally, it provides sensory enrichment, positively impacting their mental and emotional development.
Gradual Exposure
We believe in taking a gradual approach to early scent introduction. We start by introducing puppies to one scent at a time. We carefully select different scents that represent everyday items, such as fruits, herbs, spices, flowers, and even various animal scents. Throughout the process, we closely monitor each puppy's reaction and adjust accordingly to ensure they're not overwhelmed.
Benefits of Early Scent Introduction
By incorporating early scent introduction into our puppy development program, we aim to provide several benefits to our puppies:
1. Enhanced cognitive abilities: Exploring a variety of scents helps puppies develop neural connections, improving their problem-solving skills and memory retention.
2. Improved confidence: Interacting with different scents in a positive environment builds a puppy's self-assurance and reduces anxiety.
3. Enriched sensory experiences: Exposure to various scents enriches a puppy's sensory world, providing mental stimulation and preventing boredom.
5. Preparation for specialized training: Early scent introduction serves as a foundation for future scent-related training, such as search and rescue or therapy dog work.
ESI is usually done in conjunction with the ENS exercises. Starting at day 3 and practicing every day until day 16, a new scent is held up in front of a puppy’s nose. Their reaction is noted and documented.
A positive response is when the puppy actively tries to sniff the scent and/or tries to move closer.
A negative response is when the puppy turns it’s head away from the smell.
A neutral response is when he puppy does not respond.