Early Neurological Stimulation (ENS) & Early Scent Introduction (ESI)
We wholeheartedly agree with leading experts that these early exercises play a vital role in developing healthier, smarter, and more resilient dogs. That’s why every one of our puppies undergoes Early Neurological Stimulation (ENS) and Early Scent Introduction (ESI) between days 3 and 16 of life — a critical window of rapid neurological growth and development.
These carefully timed exercises help lay the foundation for well-adjusted, confident dogs with stronger immune systems, greater stress tolerance, and enhanced cognitive abilities.
Early Neurological Stimulation (ENS)
At Spartan Rottweilers, we utilize Early Neurological Stimulation (ENS) as part of our commitment to raising well-rounded, resilient puppies.
ENS was originally developed by the U.S. military as part of the Bio Sensor Program, also known to the public as the “Super Dog Program.” This early training method is designed to gently introduce young puppies (between 3 and 16 days old) to mild stressors through a series of controlled exercises. These brief, carefully applied stimuli are believed by experts to enhance the development of the puppy’s nervous system and improve long-term health and adaptability.
Proven Benefits of ENS:
- Enhanced cardiovascular performance (improved heart rate and stronger heartbeats)
- Strengthened adrenal system
- Increased stress tolerance
- Greater resistance to disease
- Improved overall resilience and confidence
The ENS Process Includes:
- Tactile stimulation: Gently tickling the bottom of the puppy’s paw with a soft cotton swab
- Head held upright: Holding the puppy with their head pointing up for 3–5 seconds
- Head pointed downward: Gently supporting the puppy with their head down for 3–5 seconds
- Supine position: Cradling the puppy on its back for 3–5 seconds
- Thermal stimulation: Placing the puppy on a cool, damp cloth for 3–5 seconds
- These short, daily exercises are never harmful or forceful — they are designed to help puppies gain an early advantage in health, stress response, and adaptability. We believe that introducing ENS early in life helps set the foundation for the confident, healthy, and emotionally balanced Rottweilers we are proud to raise.
Early Scent Introduction (ESI)
At Spartan Rottweilers, we incorporate Early Scent Introduction (ESI) alongside our Early Neurological Stimulation (ENS) practices to give our puppies the best possible start in life.
ESI is specifically designed to enhance a puppy’s natural scenting abilities during a key developmental window. Since a dog’s sense of smell is estimated to be 1,000 to 10,000 times more powerful than that of humans, early scent training helps them begin recognizing and processing a variety of smells at an early age.
How ESI Works:
Between 3 and 16 days of age, our puppies are gently introduced to a different non-food scent each day. These scents include:
- Natural items like leather, pinecones, and grass
- Household and environmental scents like cinnamon, bananas, and essential oils
- Other safe animal scents (like cats)
Food or treat-based scents are never used to avoid creating food-based scent biases.
Proven Results:
ESI was pioneered and studied by Dr. Gayle Watkins, a respected Golden Retriever breeder and canine performance researcher. Over several years, she conducted controlled tests comparing litters that underwent ESI with those that did not. Her findings were remarkable:
- Puppies exposed to ESI achieved scenting and tracking titles at much younger ages
- ESI-trained dogs consistently outperformed others in field trials and scent-based competitions
- In many cases, dogs reached title-level success up to five years earlier than their non-ESI counterparts
At Spartan Rottweilers, we believe in doing everything we can to help our puppies reach their full potential. Simple but powerful practices like ENS and ESI, applied at just the right stage of development, help create confident, capable, and well-adjusted Rottweilers — both in the home and in the field.
