Early Neurological Stimulation for Newborn Puppies
Research article by Emery-n-Denise (Updated January 23, 2024)
Most people have always felt that the process socializing puppies is the responsibility of the owner. We encourage our new owners to take their puppy to neighborhood dog training classes and make sure they are exposed to other dogs, people, and a variety of situations. However, this should not occur until the puppy has had all of its booster vaccinations and rabies shots which will finish up at around 4 to 5 months of age.
Since the 1950's, research has shown that steps can be taken to encourage a stable temperament in puppies soon after the puppies are born. We as breeders do a lot to make sure our puppies get a great start on being more adaptable to many kinds of situations that they might encounter during their life. We start at the most critical time that a puppy begins to experience its life outside the mother's womb, during the first three weeks after birth.
The First Three Weeks in a Newborn Pups Life are Crucial:
Research has determined that the first three weeks of a puppy’s life are the most crucial for influencing the puppy's disposition and personality. During this stage of their life, the puppies are completely dependent on their momma and the breeder because their eyes are closed for the first 10 to 14 days, and their hearing starts at around 2 weeks of age. During the first 2 to 3 weeks after birth, a puppy adjusts and becomes more comfortable to the way they are touched and held. The puppy’s senses to stimulations such as warmth, cold and touch to their feet are greatly heightened due to their lack of sight and hearing. These heightened sensations can be very productive in allowing the puppy to accept human interaction. But the most important interaction with a newborn puppy is human touch. A puppy should be gently handled and stroked at least two times a day so they learn that human touch is a pleasant experience.
Early Neurological Stimulation (ENS):
In addition to daily handling of the puppies, some breeders (including us) use the Early Neurological Stimulation (ENS) techniques to enhance a pup’s acclamation to humans and balance its personality traits. In this procedure, a series of five maneuvers are conducted once daily starting on the third day after birth and continued through the 16th day. This period during a newborn pup’s life is believed to be a time of rapid neurological growth and development. Even though puppies are very immature during this time frame, they are still very sensitive to touch and handling which makes ENS an ideal way to enhance their personality and acclamation to humans.
ENS was developed by the US Military to improve the training and performance of military working dogs. Dr. Carmen Battaglia, an esteemed breeder, judge, seminar presenter, and AKC board member participated in the development of ENS and also as part of the AKC’s Breeding Better Dogs program.
During the 14-day procedure, the puppies are handled one at a time while performing a series of five maneuvers or stimulations. We start with one pup and stimulate it through each maneuver until completed from beginning to end before starting with the next pup. The ENS procedure involves the following maneuvers or stimulations for each pup, once per day:
1. Tactile stimulation – We hold the pup in one hand and gently stimulate (tickle) the pup between the toes on any one foot using a Q-tip. It is not necessary to see that the pup is feeling the tickle. The duration of this stimulation is 3-5 seconds.
2. Head held erect – Using both hands, we hold the pup perpendicular to the ground, (straight up), so that its head is directly above its tail in an upwards position. The duration of this maneuver is 3-5 seconds.
3. Head pointed down – Next, we hold the pup firmly with both hands with the head pointed straight downward towards the ground so that the tail is directly above the head. The duration of this maneuver is 3-5 seconds.
4. Supine position – In this maneuver, we hold the pup laying on its back in the palm of both hands with its face pointing up towards the ceiling and our hands are under the backside of the pup. The duration of this maneuver is 3-5 seconds.
5. Thermal stimulation – The last procedure stimulates the pup with a slightly damp towel that has been cooled in the refrigerator for at least five minutes, and then placed flat on the floor. We place the pup on the towel with its belly and feet downward on the towel and without restraining the pup from moving if it chooses. The duration of this stimulation is 3-5 seconds.
It is extremely important not to repeat the exercises more than once each day and not extend the duration of each exercise beyond 3 to 5 seconds so that the puppy is not traumatized and its recovery time is quick. If these guidelines are not carefully followed, over stimulation of the neurological system will result which can have adverse results with the opposite effect of what ENS is supposed to achieve.
What ENS Achieves If Done Correctly:
When performed correctly, ENS is believed to have a very positive effect on the neurological system of the pup earlier than would be normally expected without ENS. Here are six positive effects of ENS that can result:
- The pup will be much more acclimated to human interaction and its relationship with humans as it grows older. This also allows the training process to start at an earlier age, as early as two months old in the home and 4 to 5 months old around other dogs.
- The pup will have a more balanced personality as it matures, meaning that it will not be overly hyper, or under active.
- The pup will be better suited as a service dog to humans such as: guide dogs, advance alert dogs, emotional support dogs, mobility assistance dogs, or PTSD support dogs.
- The pup will have better cardio vascular performance (heart rate) with stronger heart beats.
- The pup will have stronger adrenal glands which help to control stress, anxiety, and blood sugar levels.
- The pup will have a greater resistance to disease.
The ENS exercises are not a substitution for daily handling and stroking of young puppies. Emery-n-Denise’s Golden Puppies have been using the ENS procedure for many years and we have noticed marked improvements in our puppy’s temperament, ability to adjust to its environment, healthiness and longevity compared to years past before we started ENS, and other breeders of Golden Retrievers who do not use ENS.
We hope our article on ENS helps you to develop confidence in who we are, what we are about, and the priority we place on breeding high quality Goldens that will bring many years of a happy, healthy puppy to the individuals and families who adopt one of our pups. Thank you for spending a part of your days with us!
"Kuchunguza ""Uchochezi wa Neurolojia wa Mapema kwa Puppies Mpya"" na Emery-N-Denise (Iliyobadilishwa Januari 23, 2024) Watu wengi wamekuwa wakihisi kwamba mchakato wa kuunganisha puppies ni jukumu la mmiliki." Wamiliki wetu wapya wanahimizwa kuchukua mbwa wao kwa madarasa ya mafunzo ya mbwa wa jirani na kuhakikisha kuwa wanafunuliwa kwa mbwa wengine, watu, na hali mbalimbali. Hii haipaswi kutokea mpaka mtoto awe amepokea chanjo zote za booster na chanjo za rabies ambazo zitamalizika karibu miezi 4 hadi 5. Tangu miaka ya 1950, utafiti umeonyesha kwamba hatua zaweza kuchukuliwa ili kuchochea tabia thabiti katika watoto wachanga muda mfupi baada ya kuzaliwa. Kama wafugaji, tunafanya mengi kuhakikisha kwamba watoto wetu wana mwanzo mzuri wa kuwa na uwezo zaidi wa kukabiliana na hali mbalimbali ambazo wanaweza kukutana nazo katika maisha yao. Wakati wa kuzaliwa, mtoto huanza kuishi nje ya tumbo la mama yake, katika wiki tatu za kwanza baada ya kuzaliwa. Wiki tatu za kwanza za maisha ya mtoto mchanga ni muhimu sana, na utafiti unaonyesha kwamba wiki tatu za kwanza za maisha ya mtoto mchanga ni muhimu sana kwa tabia na utu wa mtoto mchanga. Katika kipindi hiki cha maisha, watoto hutegemea mama na mfugaji wao kwa sababu macho yao hufungwa kwa siku 10 hadi 14 za kwanza, na kusikia huanza karibu na wiki mbili. Katika wiki mbili au tatu baada ya kuzaliwa, mtoto wa kiume huanza kujirekebisha na kufurahia jinsi anavyochukuliwa na kuguswa. Hisia za mtoto wa mbwa kwa vichocheo kama vile joto, baridi na kugusa miguu yao ni kubwa zaidi kutokana na ukosefu wao wa kuona na kusikia. Hisia hizo zenye nguvu zaweza kuwa zenye matokeo sana katika kumruhusu mtoto huyo kukubali mwingiliano wa kibinadamu. Lakini mwingiliano muhimu zaidi na mtoto mchanga ni kuguswa na mwanadamu. Mbwa anapaswa kushughulikiwa kwa upole na kupigwa angalau mara mbili kwa siku ili wajifunze kwamba kuguswa na binadamu ni uzoefu mzuri. "Kupitia ""Early Neurological Stimulation"" (ENS), wataalamu wa afya ya watoto huongeza uwezo wa mtoto wa kuvutia na kuimarisha tabia yake." Mazoezi hayo hufanywa mara moja kwa siku kuanzia siku ya tatu baada ya kuzaliwa na kuendelea hadi siku ya kumi na sita. Kipindi hiki wakati wa maisha ya mtoto mchanga mchanga inaaminika kuwa wakati wa ukuaji wa haraka wa neva na maendeleo. Ingawa watoto hawajafika umri wa kukomaa, bado wana hisia za kugusa na kushughulikia, na hii inafanya ENS kuwa njia bora ya kuboresha utu wao na kuvutia kwa wanadamu. ENS ilitengenezwa na Jeshi la Marekani ili kuboresha mafunzo na utendaji wa mbwa wa kazi wa kijeshi. Carmen Battaglia, mfugaji, mwamuzi, mtangazaji wa semina, na mwanachama wa bodi ya AKC, alishiriki katika maendeleo ya ENS na pia kama sehemu ya programu ya AKC ya Kuza Mbwa Bora. Katika kipindi cha siku 14, watoto huchukuliwa moja kwa moja na kufanya mfululizo wa hatua tano. Kuanza na mtoto mmoja na kuchochea kupitia kila maneuver mpaka kukamilika kutoka mwanzo hadi mwisho kabla ya kuanza na mtoto mwingine. Utaratibu wa ENS unahusisha uendeshaji au vichocheo vifuatavyo kwa kila mtoto, mara moja kwa siku: Stimulation ya kugusa <unk> Tunashikilia mtoto katika mkono mmoja na kwa upole kumchochea (kickle) mtoto kati ya vidole vya miguu kwenye mguu wowote kwa kutumia Q-tip. Si lazima uone kwamba mtoto huyo anahisi kukwaruzwa. Muda wa kichocheo hiki ni sekunde 3-5 2. Uwezekano wa kupata Kichwa uliofanyika erect <unk> Kutumia mikono yote miwili, sisi kushikilia pup perpendicular kwa ardhi, (sahihi juu), hivyo kwamba kichwa chake ni moja kwa moja juu ya mkia wake katika nafasi ya juu. Muda wa operesheni hii ni sekunde 3-5 3. Uwe na mtazamo wa kweli Kichwa kimeelekezwa chini <unk> Kisha, tunamshika mtoto kwa nguvu kwa mikono yote miwili na kichwa kimeelekezwa moja kwa moja chini kuelekea ardhi ili mkia uwe moja kwa moja juu ya kichwa. Muda wa operesheni hii ni sekunde 3-5 4. Uwe na uhakika Katika hatua hii, tunashikilia mtoto akiwa amelala mgongoni kwa mikono yote miwili huku uso wake ukielekezwa juu kuelekea dari na mikono yetu ikiwa chini ya mgongo wa mtoto. Muda wa operesheni hii ni sekunde 3-5 5. Uwe na mtazamo mzuri. Mchochezi wa joto: Utaratibu wa mwisho huchochea mtoto kwa kitambaa chenye unyevunyevu kidogo ambacho kimebadilishwa katika friji kwa angalau dakika tano, kisha huwekwa chini. Weka mtoto kwenye kitambaa na tumbo na miguu yake chini kwenye kitambaa na bila kumzuia mtoto asisogee ikiwa atachagua. Muda wa kichocheo hiki ni sekunde 3-5 Ni muhimu sana kutarudia mazoezi zaidi ya mara moja kwa siku na kupanua muda wa kila mazoezi zaidi ya sekunde 3 hadi 5 ili mtoto asijeruhi na wakati wake wa kupona ni wa haraka. Ikiwa miongozo hii haifuatwi kwa uangalifu, kusisimua zaidi kwa mfumo wa neva kutasababisha matokeo mabaya na athari kinyume cha kile ENS inapaswa kufikia. ENS inafanya nini ikiwa imefanywa kwa usahihi: Inasemekana kuwa ENS ina athari nzuri sana kwa mfumo wa neva wa mtoto mapema kuliko ingekuwa inatarajiwa bila ENS. Kuna athari sita za ENS ambazo zinaweza kutokea: - Mbwa atakuwa na uhusiano zaidi na wanadamu anapoendelea kukua. Hii pia inaruhusu mchakato wa mafunzo kuanza mapema, mapema kama miezi miwili nyumbani na miezi minne hadi mitano karibu na mbwa wengine. - Mbwa huyo atakuwa na utu wenye usawaziko zaidi anapoendelea kukomaa, ikimaanisha kwamba hatakuwa mwenye shughuli nyingi sana, au asiye na shughuli nyingi. Mbwa huyo atafaa zaidi kama mbwa wa huduma kwa wanadamu kama vile: mbwa wa mwongozo, mbwa wa tahadhari ya mapema, mbwa wa msaada wa kihisia, mbwa wa msaada wa uhamaji, au mbwa wa msaada wa PTSD. - Mbwa huyo atakuwa na utendaji bora wa moyo (kiwango cha moyo) na mapigo ya moyo yenye nguvu zaidi. - Mbwa huyo atakuwa na tezi zenye nguvu zaidi za adrenal ambazo husaidia kudhibiti mkazo, wasiwasi, na viwango vya sukari mwilini. - Mbwa huyo atakuwa na uwezo mkubwa zaidi wa kukabiliana na magonjwa. Mazoezi ya ENS si mbadala wa kushughulikia na kupapasa-papasa watoto wachanga kila siku. Kwa miaka mingi, Emery-N-Denise Golden Puppies wamekuwa wakitumia utaratibu wa ENS na tumeona maboresho makubwa katika tabia ya mtoto wetu, uwezo wa kurekebisha mazingira yake, afya na maisha marefu ikilinganishwa na miaka iliyopita kabla hatujaanza ENS na wafugaji wengine wa Golden Retrievers ambao hawatumii ENS. Tunatumaini makala yetu juu ya ENS itakusaidia kukuza ujasiri katika sisi ni nani, tunachokifanya, na kipaumbele tunachoweka kwenye kuzaliana Goldens ya ubora wa juu ambayo italeta miaka mingi ya mtoto mchanga mwenye furaha na afya kwa watu na familia wanaopitisha mmoja wa watoto wetu. Asanteni kwa kutumia sehemu ya siku zenu pamoja nasi!