The Journal

Why We Do Early Neurological Stimulation (And What It Actually Looks Like)

Why We Do Early Neurological Stimulation (And What It Actually Looks Like)

Early Neurological Stimulation — ENS — is a daily practice we do with our puppies from days 3 to 16. Five short, gentle exercises a day. Here’s what it looks like and why it matters.

The five exercises

Each takes 3–5 seconds. We do them once daily, individually with each puppy: tactile stimulation between the toes, head held vertically, head held in a head-down position, supine position on the back, thermal stimulation on a cool surface.

What it does

Studies dating back to military working-dog programs show ENS-raised puppies have improved cardiovascular performance, stronger heartbeats, stronger adrenal glands, more tolerance to stress, and greater resistance to disease.

What it feels like to a puppy parent

You meet your puppy at 8 weeks and they handle a vet visit, a car ride, a new doorbell, the vacuum cleaner — without falling apart. That’s ENS doing its quiet work.

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