The Benefits of Early Neurological Stimulation (ENS) for Puppies

Puppies are born blind and deaf, but their sense of smell is already developed, making it an excellent time to introduce them to different scents from a young age. ENS consists of a gentle 5-minute, one-on-one whole-body massage. During this time, the puppy is held in my hands, lying alternately on its back and stomach. This includes lightly touching the pads of their feet and ears. These exercises are performed daily from day 3 to day 21 after birth. Performing ENS exercises during this early developmental phase introduces puppies to mild stresses in a controlled manner, which helps improve their stress responses later in life and stimulates their neurological system.

I also expose puppies to a different scent each day during this time. As I do this, I hold the puppy close and allow them to smell each item. Some of the scents I introduce include garlic, grass, dirt, leaves, bark, moss, flowers, pungent fruits, herbs, and spices such as orange, banana, lemon, apple, lime, rosemary, mint, cloves, cinnamon, and even anise. Overall, early scent introduction and ENS exercises are valuable tools to help puppies develop problem-solving skills and become confident, well-adjusted dogs as they grow.

If you’d like to learn more about the techniques I use to give puppies the best possible start in life or are interested in learning about the adoption process, feel free to contact me! I’d love to answer your questions and help you find the perfect addition to your family.