🧠 What ENS Is
Early Neurological Stimulation was developed by the U.S. military as part of their “Super Dog Program.”
It’s a series of five simple exercises done with each puppy once a day from Day 3 to Day 16 of life—a period when their neurological systems are growing rapidly and are most responsive to mild stimulation.
The goal isn’t to “train” the puppy but to gently challenge the nervous system in controlled, positive ways that help it mature faster and stronger.
🐾 The Five ENS Exercises
Each exercise lasts only 3–5 seconds and should always be gentle and calm:

1. Tactile Stimulation:
   Touching the puppy between the toes with a cotton swab or fingertip.
   → Builds tolerance to touch and handling.

2. Head Held Upright:
   Holding the puppy vertically with its head up.
   → Encourages balance and neurological development.

3. Head Pointed Down:
   Gently holding the puppy with its head facing downward.
   → Strengthens their ability to recover from mild stress.

4. Supine Position (On Back):
   Holding the puppy on its back, like cradling a baby.
   → Builds trust and confidence when in a vulnerable position.

5. Thermal Stimulation:
   Placing the puppy on a cool (not cold) damp towel for a few seconds.
   → Helps the body learn to self-regulate temperature.

💪 The Proven Benefits
ENS has been shown to produce puppies who:

• Handle stress better as adults

• Have stronger heartbeats and better cardiovascular health

• Show greater resistance to disease

• Are more confident and adaptable to new environments

• Learn faster and are easier to train

🐶 Why Breeders Use ENS
Ethical breeders use ENS as part of early development and socialization.
It sets the foundation for calm, confident, and well-balanced puppies—ready to adapt to new homes, families, and experiences.
It’s also often combined with ESI (Early Scent Introduction) and later Puppy Culture or similar programs to continue social, emotional, and sensory development as the puppies grow.