TRAINING

Our training starts AT BIRTH and this is most helpful when a puppy may enter a role of a service dog later in life.  We help the mommy, when needed, during the birthing process and make sure pups are held right after mommy cleans them.  Puppies are checked on all minutes of the day and are not left alone.  We have a strict overnight process to ensure all puppies are nursing and under the heat lamps with mom.  At 3 days old we start the ENS and ESI process. 

What is ENS:

Early Neurological Stimulation, refers to a set of exercises performed on puppies in their early stages of development to stimulate their neurological system. These exercises are believed to improve stress responses, adaptability, and overall well-being in dogs later in life.  

• ENS involves gentle, brief stimulation exercises for puppies between 3 and 16 days old. 
• Why it's done: The goal is to expose puppies to mild stressors in a controlled environment, which is thought to improve their ability to handle stress later in life. 
• The exercises: Typical ENS exercises include tactile stimulation (like tickling between toes), holding the puppy upright with head above the body, placing the puppy on its back, and exposing it to a brief temperature change. 
• Potential benefits: Research suggests that ENS can lead to improved stress resilience, better adaptability, and enhanced neurological development. 
• How it's done: The exercises are typically performed once or twice a day for a few seconds each. 
•  In essence, ENS is a way to potentially enhance a puppy's ability to cope with stress and adapt to new situations throughout their life by providing controlled stimulation during their early development.

What is ESI:

ESI for puppies, or Early Scent Introduction, is a technique used to help puppies develop their sense of smell and confidence. It involves exposing puppies to different scents daily, typically between days 3 and 16 of their lives and observing their reactions. This practice can enhance a puppy's ability to identify and react to scents, potentially benefiting them in various roles, including working and service dogs. 

• How it's done: Breeders will expose puppies to a new scent each day, holding the scent near the puppy's nose for a short period and observing their reaction. 
• When it's done: ESI is typically performed between days 3 and 16 of a puppy's life. 
• Benefits: ESI can improve a puppy's scenting abilities, cognitive development, and stress response. 
• Examples of scents: Breeders might use items like grass, dirt, leaves, herbs, spices, leather, or even items like a tennis ball. 
• Positive reactions: A positive reaction is when a puppy shows interest in the scent, moving their nose towards it. 

All of our puppies are born inside and are exposed to handling and a wide range of sounds/smells with our very busy 8-person household!

https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/dog-breeding/breeder-puppy-socialization-early-neurological-stimulation/