Wondering what the main ESI and Early Neurological Stimulation benefits in puppies mean for you as an owner?
We are Frenchie breeders who use ENS and ESI to enhance the health and behavior of our French Bulldog puppies. When raising puppies, the Early Neurological Stimulation (ENS) and Early Scent Introduction (ESI) protocols can provide significant benefits that contribute to the puppies’ overall development.
We do all we can as Frenchie breeders to give your puppy the best start – including the ESI and Early Neurological Stimulation benefits that are recognized:
1. [ENS] Early Neurological Stimulation Benefits:
a. Enhanced Stress Tolerance:
- ENS involves gently stimulating puppies in ways that mimic mild stress. This helps them develop a better tolerance to stress, which is beneficial as they encounter new and challenging situations throughout their lives.
b. Improved Cardiovascular Performance:
- The mild stress from ENS can positively impact cardiovascular health, leading to stronger heartbeats and better blood circulation.
c. Stronger Immune System:
- Puppies that undergo ENS tend to develop more robust immune systems, making them less susceptible to illnesses and infections.
d. Enhanced Socialization Skills:
- Early exposure to different types of handling helps puppies become more adaptable and confident when interacting with humans and other animals, aiding in their socialization.
e. Accelerated Neurological Development:
- The early stimulation promotes the development of neural pathways, which can lead to improved cognitive abilities and quicker learning as the puppies grow.
2. [ESI] Early Scent Introduction Benefits:
a. Enhanced Scent Recognition:
- ESI exposes puppies to a variety of scents during a critical developmental window, improving their ability to recognize and differentiate between scents. This is particularly beneficial for working dogs, such as those trained for search and rescue or detection roles.
b. Improved Behavioral Responses:
- By introducing different scents early on, puppies can develop more appropriate behavioral responses to various smells, which can be useful in their training and daily life.
c. Better Adaptability to New Environments:
- Puppies exposed to various scents through ESI tend to be more adaptable and less fearful when encountering new environments, reducing anxiety and stress.
d. Potential for Enhanced Performance in Specialized Roles:
- For puppies being trained for specific tasks, such as detection work or hunting, ESI can provide a foundational advantage, leading to better performance in their specialized roles.
3. Combined Benefits of ENS and ESI for your French Bulldog Puppy:
a. Well-Rounded Development:
- When used together, ENS and ESI contribute to the puppies’ physical, neurological, and behavioral development, creating well-rounded dogs with the potential for strong performance in various roles.
b. Long-Term Health and Well-Being:
- The combination of ENS and ESI can result in healthier, more resilient puppies that are better equipped to handle stress, adapt to new situations, and perform in specialized roles.
c. Improved Training Outcomes:
- Puppies that undergo these early stimulation protocols often display enhanced learning abilities and faster response times during training, making them easier to train and more responsive to commands.
These protocols are widely used by breeders and trainers to give puppies the best possible start in life, laying a strong foundation for their future health, behavior, and performance.
What does ENS and ESI involve?
Early Neurological Stimulation (ENS):
ENS involves the breeder performing a series of specific handling exercises with each puppy from days 3 to 16 of their life. These exercises include:
- Tactile Stimulation: Gently tickling the puppy between the toes using a cotton swab.
- Head Held Erect: Holding the puppy upright so its head is directly above its tail.
- Head Pointed Down: Holding the puppy with its head pointed downward towards the ground.
- Supine Position: Holding the puppy on its back in a cradled position.
- Thermal Stimulation: Placing the puppy on a cool, damp towel for a short period.
Each of these exercises is done for 3-5 seconds, once per day, and is designed to stimulate the puppies’ neurological systems in a way that promotes long-term benefits.
Early Scent Introduction (ESI):
ESI involves the breeder introducing a new scent to each puppy daily from days 3 to 16. The breeder:
- Presenting the Scent: Introduces a different scent to the puppy by holding a cotton ball or a cloth with the scent near the puppy’s nose.
- Observing the Reaction: Allows the puppy to sniff the scent for about 5-10 seconds, observing their reaction but not forcing them to engage.
The scents used can vary widely, including natural scents like grass, herbs, and spices, or other safe, non-toxic items. The goal is to expose puppies to a wide variety of scents during a critical period of their sensory development.
This study dives deeper into the ESI and Early Neurological Stimulation benefits in dogs.
Even for Frenchies whose main job in life is to be your funny, sweet pet, ESI and Early Neurological Stimulation benefits will help your puppy grow into a happier, healthier canine companion. And that is what we are all about 🙂 Learn more about how we lovingly raise our Frenchies here.
