{"id":1678,"date":"2024-11-03T21:46:25","date_gmt":"2024-11-03T21:46:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ankercanismalinois.wordpress.com\/?page_id=1678"},"modified":"2025-09-19T09:19:45","modified_gmt":"2025-09-19T09:19:45","slug":"ens","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/ankercanis.com\/en\/breeding-2\/ens\/","title":{"rendered":"ENS and ESI"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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As a breeder, we are trying to make sure that our pups are getting the best start in their life, which is why we use ENS and recently also ESI. Benefits of early puppy stimulation boost brain development, Improves circulation and immune system, stimulates the neurological system, improves stress responses in later life, encourages a daily physical check of each puppy.<\/span><\/p>\n

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ENS (Early Neurological Stimulation) and ESI (Early Scent Introduction) are methods of stimulating the nervous systems of the puppies during the\u00a0early stages of their development – from birth until they start their independence.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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ENS – In discussions of how to best support\u00a0puppy development and welfare, factors\u00a0such as the puppy\u2019s growth or time\u00a0spent with its mother and littermates\u00a0are often considered. Recently, the\u00a0amount and type of environmental\u00a0enrichment provided to puppies in the\u00a0form of toys, walks or playtime outdoors,\u00a0and interactions with humans and other animals have also become important considerations. Simple interactions early in a puppy\u2019s life may additionally increase its ability to learn and cope successfully with stress later on, thus leading to better welfare outcomes. Early Neurological Stimulation (ENS), which involves applying gentle stressors to a very young animal for short periods of time, is thought to improve their stress responses later in life. The stressors – which often include removing animals from their litters for short periods, very briefly exposing them to cool temperatures, holding them in different positions, and gently touching parts of their bodies – are applied for a few seconds, once a day, for at least 10 days.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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The link between stress and activation of the endocrine system is well known. The release of glucocorticoids (a class of stress hormones) from the adrenal cortex following stress affects many processes in the body. These changes are the basis for the body\u2019s \u201cfight or 2 VA-24-W Early Neurological Stimulation (ENS): Implications for canine welfare and management flight\u201d response. The effects of short-term, mild stress can be beneficial, creating \u201crobustness\u201d in the body and preparing it to deal more effectively with stressors later in life (Levine, 1960; and reviewed in Meaney, 2001; Pryce and\u00a0Feldon, 2003). However, not all stress is equal. High-intensity or long-term stress is often detrimental, either because of overwhelming the body\u2019s ability to respond, or leading to negative side effects from a sustained \u201cfight-or-flight\u201d process, which depletes energy and the ability to resist disease (Selye, 1956). Studies of ENS began with rat pups, and currently, most of the published work in this area is\u00a0rodent focused. Rat pups handled early in life were much less fearful when exposed to an auditory stimulus (Schaefer, 1963), had lower corticosterone levels when restrained by a person (Plotsky\u00a0and Meaney, 1993), and were less resistant to being captured after stress (N\u00fa\u00f1ez\u00a0et al., 1996). These findings have since generated interest in exploring the effects of ENS in other species, including dogs.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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As is the case for rodents, it is believed that ENS\u00a0may provide stimulation to the developing puppy\u2019s\u00a0endocrine system and cause him\/her to develop more\u00a0ability to deal with stressful events later in life. This\u00a0may lead to better learning and an improved ability to\u00a0cope with adversity. Though some of this belief stems\u00a0from the benefits of ENS shown in other species, it has\u00a0also been advanced by unpublished work conducted\u00a0as part of a US Military Working Dog (MWD) training\u00a0program called \u201cBio Sensor,\u201d later discussed by Battaglia\u00a0(2009). Specific claims on the effects of \u201cBio Sensor\u201d\u00a0listed in Battaglia\u2019s discussion include \u201cimproved\u201d\u00a0heart rate, \u201cstronger\u201d heartbeats and adrenal glands,\u00a0and increased stress tolerance and disease resistance\u00a0(Battaglia, 2009), although how these effects were\u00a0measured was not specified. The \u201cBio Sensor\u201d program\u00a0exercises included the following:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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        1. Tactile Stimulation: the puppy is \u201ctickled\u201d between the foot pads on any one foot with a Q-Tip (3-5 seconds).\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

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                1. Head Erect: the puppy is held perpendicular to the ground with both hands, orienting its head above its tail (3-5 seconds)\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

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                        1. Head Down: the puppy is held perpendicular to the ground with both hands, orienting its tail above its head (3-5 seconds).\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

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                                1. Supine: the puppy rests with its back in the palms of both hands, with its nose oriented toward the ceiling (3-5 seconds).\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

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                                        1. Thermal Stimulation: a damp towel is placed in fridge for at least 5 minutes; place puppy on towel on all fours and do not restrain movement (3-5 seconds).\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/li>\n
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