ENS & Super Puppy Program
Every Poodles of Piedmont puppy participates in our Early Neurological Stimulation and Super Puppy socialization program — giving them the best possible start in life.
What is Early Neurological Stimulation (ENS)?
Early Neurological Stimulation is a series of five simple exercises performed on puppies during days 3–16 of life — a critical window in neurological development. Originally developed by Dr. Carmen Battaglia for the U.S. military's Bio Sensor program, ENS has been proven to produce measurable benefits that last the dog's entire lifetime.
The five exercises take only 3–5 minutes per puppy per day, but the results are significant and lasting.
The Five ENS Exercises
- Tactical Stimulation — Stimulating between the toes with a cotton swab
- Head Held Erect — Holding the puppy upright with head directly above its tail
- Head Pointed Down — Holding the puppy with head pointed straight down
- Supine Position — Holding the puppy on its back in the palm of your hand
- Thermal Stimulation — Placing the puppy on a cool damp towel for a brief period
Proven Benefits of ENS
Research has shown that ENS puppies demonstrate measurable advantages throughout their lives:
- Stronger cardiovascular performance
- Stronger heartbeats and stronger adrenal glands
- Greater tolerance to stress throughout life
- Greater resistance to disease
- Improved confidence and curiosity
The Super Puppy Socialization Program
In addition to ENS, our puppies go through a comprehensive socialization program from birth through go-home day. This includes:
- Daily human handling by adults and children
- Exposure to household sounds — TV, vacuum, kitchen appliances
- Introduction to different surfaces and textures
- Interaction with other dogs and animals
- Beginning crate introduction
- Basic potty training introduction
Our commitment to ENS and early socialization is one of the reasons our puppies transition so smoothly into their new homes. Families consistently tell us their Poodles of Piedmont puppy was calm, confident, and well-adjusted from day one.