DAY 10: Let’s talk about ENS

Say what

This is something that has been going on behind the scenes with these puppies…and the opportunity to use this technique is drawing quickly to a close. Typically ENS is done once per day from Day 3 until their eyes and ears are open…which is just around the corner.

Dr. Carmen Battaglia Ph.D. is an AKC judge, researcher, writer, and has been a leader in promotion of breeding better dogs. He has written many articles and several books as well as facilitates seminars on breeding dogs, selecting sires and choosing puppies at breed clubs all over the continent.

In one article about ENS he writes, “The U.S. Military in their canine program developed a method that still serves as a guide to what works. In an effort to improve the performance of dogs used for military purposes, a program called “Bio Sensor” was developed. Later, it became known to the public as the “Super Dog” Program. Based on years of research, the military learned that early neurological stimulation exercises could have important and lasting effects. Their studies confirmed that there are specific time periods early in life when neurological stimulation has optimum results.”

Dr Battaglia summarizes that by following the five Bio Sensor stimulation exercises within these guidelines puppies experience five main benefits:

…Improved cardiovascular performance (heart rate)

…Stronger heart beats

…Stronger adrenal glands

…More tolerance to stress

…Greater resistance to disease

These exercises impact the neurological system by kicking it into action earlier than would be normally expected, the result being an increased capacity that later will help to make the difference in the puppy’s performance. Generally ENS puppies tend to interact more, have a more exploratory nature, excel at problem solving exercises like mazes, and show less distress in new and uncertain environments.

I’m sharing pictures two of the five exercises which I managed to capture without compromising the puppy or the exercise. The first is doing tactile stimulation between the toes with a Q-tip. The second is being held in a supine position.

What I have noticed consistently is that the first couple of times we go through the regimen the puppies are a little resistant or argumentative about it. Here we are at the ripe old age of 10 days and this little boy is quite fine with the process and settles into happy cuddles quickly once we are done.