What is Early Neurological Stimulation (ENS)?
🐾 — Giving Our Bernedoodle Puppies the Best Start
Here at Walnut Valley Puppies, we believe raising a happy healthy puppy starts when they’re born. That’s one reason why we use a special little process called Early Neurological Stimulation (ENS).
ENS is a few simple, gentle exercises that make a big difference in a puppy’s future. We start ENS at 3 days old and continue until about 16 days old. This timeframe is an important window in their early development, and it's important to us that they are getting the best foundation for their life.
What Is ENS?
ENS was first developed by the U.S. military to improve the performance of working dogs. It is a simple, five step process done on a daily basis through the critical window of neurological development in the puppies. Today, many responsible breeders use it to give their puppies a stronger start in life.
During the first few weeks of the puppy's life, its nervous system is rapidly developing. This "critical period" offers a wonderful opportunity to enhance neurological development through controlled stress. We believe that introducing mild stresses that stimulate the neurological system in beneficial ways through ENS has so many positive effects.
The Five ENS Exercises
Each puppy gets a session on a daily basis. During this time, we do the following five gentle exercises:
- Tickling the paw pads with a cotton swab (promoting sensory development)
- Holding the head upright, pointed toward the ceiling (stimulating vestibular system)
- Holding the head downward, pointed toward the floor (further developing balance and spatial awareness)
- Laying the puppy on its back in our hands (building confidence and reducing stress response)
- Placing the puppy briefly on a cool, damp towel (stimulating the thermal regulatory system)
Each step lasts just 3–5 seconds. It’s not about stressing the puppy — it’s about introducing tiny challenges that help their body and brain grow stronger.
Doctor Marty Greer with Revival Animal Health is a highly respected authority in puppy world. See what she is saying about ENS here.
Why We Do ENS
As you will see elsewhere on the website, it is very important to us that our puppies are happy, healthy, and have a good foundation for the rest of their lives. We invest a lot of time in making sure our puppies are well socialized, and ready to integrate into their new homes. ENS has been shown to help puppies in some pretty amazing ways, including the following:
- Stronger heart and immune system
- Better ability to handle stress
- More confidence in new places and around new people
- Easier to train and quicker to learn
- Calmer, more relaxed temperament
- And more!!
The benefits of ENS don't just disappear after the exercises end – they last a lifetime. Studies have shown that dogs who received ENS as puppies demonstrate superior performance in various areas throughout their lives, from basic obedience to complex working tasks!
ENS is just one of the many ways we go above and beyond to ensure your future family member has a great foundation for a happy, healthy life.
So... in short — these few minutes a day help our puppies grow into well-rounded, happy dogs who are ready for family life and all the challenges they face in life.
🐾 Our Promise at Walnut Valley Puppies
Every puppy here at Walnut Valley Puppies receives this careful attention during this crucial developmental period. This is just one of the many ways we go above and beyond to make sure your future family member has a good foundation for a happy, healthy life.
When you choose a puppy from Walnut Valley Puppies, you're getting a neurologically enhanced companion that has been given loving care from day one of their life. This early investment in their development means your puppy will be better equipped to become the confident, well-adjusted family member we want for all our customers.
We believe every puppy deserves to reach their full potential, and we're proud to offer this scientifically-proven enhancement to every litter.
The Bottom Line
ENS may only last a couple of weeks, but the benefits last a lifetime. From stronger bodies to calmer temperaments, these ENS exercises help us raise puppies that are healthy, confident, and ready for your family!
🐶 Ready to meet the puppies we’re raising with ENS?
👉 See our Available Puppies!
Frequently Asked Questions About ENS
Q: At what age do you start ENS with puppies?
A: We begin when the puppies are just 3 days old and continue until about 16 days old. This is a special time when their little bodies and brains are developing rapidly.
Q: Does ENS hurt or stress the puppies?
A: No, it does not hurt or stress them at all. Each exercise only lasts seconds. It’s just enough gentle challenge to help them grow — never to harm them.
Q: How is ENS different from socialization?
A: ENS happens in the first couple of weeks of life and focuses on neurological development. Socialization comes later and is more about exposing puppies to sights, sounds, people, and new environments. After the ENS period we start socializing the puppies and continue with socializing until they go home.
Q: Why is it important that a breeder does ENS?
A: ENS gives puppies a stronger foundation for health and confidence. When a breeder skips ENS, puppies may be more anxious, harder to train, or slower to adjust to new situations.
Q: Can families continue similar exercises once the puppy comes home?
A: ENS is only effective in the very early days of life, so you won’t continue these exact exercises. But it's very important to continue building on the foundation through positive socialization, gentle handling, and consistent training.
Q: Does ENS make a difference for all breeds?
A: Yes! ENS benefits every breed, from tiny toy breeds to large doodles. It strengthens their stress response and helps prepare them for the rest of their life, no matter their size or background.
Q: How will I notice the benefits of ENS in my puppy?
A: Puppies who’ve received ENS are often more confident, calmer in new situations, quicker to learn, and less likely to overreact when faced with something unfamiliar. Our Puppies will still greatly vary in their personalities. You can still expect to have some puppies that are much more calm, while others have higher energy levels.
Q: Is ENS something every responsible breeder should do?
A: We believe so! It’s such a simple process that makes a lifetime of difference.
