Famble Family Farms 

Early Neurological Stimulation

According to Breeding Better Dogs, Early Neurological Stimulation (ENS) is a simple but powerful way to help your puppy’s nervous system develop to its full potential. The idea is to gently introduce mild stress to puppies very early in life, which helps kickstart their brain and body development. These small, controlled exercises can improve how a dog handles stress, boost their learning ability, and even strengthen their immune system. It’s kind of like giving your puppy a tiny workout for their brain and body during a crucial stage of growth.

The timing is super important—ENS has to be done between the 3rd and 16th days after birth. That’s because this is a short window when puppies are still very young and their nervous systems are just beginning to develop. After this period, their bodies respond differently, and the benefits of ENS aren’t the same.

The process itself only takes a few minutes a day and involves five simple exercises, like holding the puppy upright, gently stimulating their paws, and placing them on a cool surface for a few seconds. These tiny stressors are safe and controlled, and they help the puppy adapt more easily to new experiences later in life.