EARLY SCENT INTRODUCTION (ESI) &
EARLY NEUROLOGICAL STIMULATION (ENS)

   EARLY SCENT INTRODUCTION

 

    Early Scent Introduction, also known as ESI, was created by Avidog International. Avidog's goals were to develop dogs who would mature to demonstrate outstanding scenting ability. It initially was used on dogs who were primarily used as working dogs in the areas of hunting, tracking, service dogs and search and rescue. 

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    ESI begins at three days of life, prior to when the puppy's eyes and ears are open. At this time, puppies are working on their senses of touch, taste, and smell. Every day, a new scent is introduced to the puppy. Puppies brains are immensely developing at a fast rate during the first few weeks of life, which is an ideal period for early scent introduction to occur.

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    Avidog found that after years of utilizing ESI into their program, they were seeing great success in their competitive dogs earning titles, specifically titles that required higher complexity scent work. As more time and research has gone into ESI, breeders and Avidog has found continued success rate and benefit to all dogs that receive ESI, not just the competitive breeds or working dogs.  ESI is another tool that I can add into my breeding program to give my puppies a leg up for success, whatever their career may be later in life, as a companion animal, service dog, or utilized as a service or hunting dog. My goal is for these puppies to be successful in whatever avenue they take in life with their new family after leaving New Moon Farm.

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EARLY NEUROLOGICAL STIMULATION

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    Early Neurological Stimulation, also known as ENS, introduces mild stresses to the puppy at a young age.  These mild stresses have been shown to stimulate the neurological system and benefit the puppy in multiple ways. The five ways ENS has shown to improve a puppy's neurological system is with

• an improved cardiovascular performance 

• stronger heartbeats

• stronger adrenal glands 

• more tolerance to stress

• greater resistance to disease.

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     The mild stresses introduced (for 3-5 seconds) to the puppy between days 3-16 are:

• Tactile stimulation - using a q tip the handler tickles the puppy between the toes

• Head held erect - head is held directly above the tail in an upward position.

• Head pointed down - head is reversed and pointed downward.

• Supine position - puppy is held on his back with his muzzle toward the ceiling.

• Thermal stimulation - place a puppy on a cool towel (that has been cooled in the fridge) with his feet facing down 

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