ESI/ ESN
What is ESI (Early Scent Introduction) and ENS (Early Neurological Stimulation)?
Why are they so important to our breeding program?
ESI stands for Early Scent Introduction. Early Scent Introduction is performed in conjunction with Early Neurological Stimulation training on the puppies from day three through day sixteen. A pungent scent is introduced to the puppy each day for short intervals. Their reaction to the scent is then recorded. A positive reaction is when a puppy will try to move towards the scent with their nose highly engaged in the scent. A negative reaction will have the puppy pulling back from the scent. A neutral reaction will be when the puppy does not seem interested or disinterested.
The benefits of ESI have been studied in a seven-year breeding test. Gayle Watson PhD conducted the test with Gaylan’s Golden Retriever litters. They broke down the litters to the dogs that had early scent detection and those that did not. She began her testing by looking at results from sporting Golden Retrievers here in the United States. Gayle and her team charted the outcome of various events to determine the effect the ESI had on the pups. The results were astounding! They found the dogs that had been involved in early scent introduction had more total scenting titles. Along with the titles were earned in more complex scenting categories. Another amazing fact that came from the research was that the dogs were achieving these titles two and a half to five years younger than the non ESI pups!
So what does all this mean for our pups? With our focus on pet, companion, sport, therapy and service dogs, this a foundational training. Many times with companion, therapy and early service dog training, the dogs scent abilities are a high characteristic that is required for the dogs in many working areas. Search & rescue, seizure and blood sugar alerting, & hunting are some examples.
Early Neurological Stimulation (ENS) during this critical period of neurological development was developed by the US Military to improve the performance of future military working dogs. When performed correctly, ENS is believed to impact the neurological system by kicking it into action earlier than would be normally expected, the result being an increased capacity that later will help to make the difference in its performance. ENS is time sensitive and must be performed from the third to the 16th days of a puppy’s life.
ENS requires handling the puppies one at a time while performing a series of five exercises, to be done once daily.
Five benefits have been observed in canines that were exposed to ENS, including improved cardio vascular performance (heart rate); stronger heart beats; stronger adrenal glands; more tolerance to stress; and greater resistance to disease. In tests of learning, ENS stimulated pups were more active and exploratory than their non-stimulated littermates.
ENS is a critical component of a good breeding program with the goals of raising the healthiest puppies possible who are equipped to reach their physical and mental potentials. Our puppies are strong and focused, ready to begin their specialized training programs within their new homes. They will be assets to their families whichever direction they decide to go!
Sources:
https://trainingcanines.com/esi-early-scent-introduction/
https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/dog-breeding/breeder-puppy-socialization-early-neurological-stimulation/
