An insight into Sundae’s Puppies ENS & ESI Journey

Sundae’s puppies have reached a very special milestone—the start of their ENS (Early Neurological Stimulation) and ESI (Early Scent Introduction) curriculum. These carefully designed exercises may look simple, but they play an important role in raising confident, resilient, and well-rounded dogs.

At Harley & Co, we believe that a puppy’s future temperament and ability to adapt to new experiences begins in these early weeks of life. Here’s a look at the activities our little ones are experiencing, and why they matter.

Early Neurological Stimulation (ENS)

ENS is a series of five gentle exercises developed to improve a puppy’s stress tolerance, cardiovascular health, and problem-solving ability later in life. Each exercise only lasts 3–5 seconds, but the impact lasts a lifetime.

The ENS routine includes:

• Upright hold: Holding the puppy right side up, supporting their body.

• Supine position: Gently turning them upside down, teaching comfort in less natural positions.

• Head-up tilt: Holding the puppy with head pointed upward.

• Head-down tilt: Holding the puppy with head pointed downward.

• Tactile stimulation: Gently touching between the toes with a cotton bud, introducing mild stress in a safe way.

By exposing puppies to these small challenges early, they learn that the world is safe, manageable, and not something to fear.

Early Scent Introduction (ESI)

Alongside ENS, we introduce a new smell each day. This helps puppies develop curiosity and confidence while strengthening their scenting ability—something every dog relies on.

So far, Sundae’s puppies have sniffed:

• Oatmeal – a soft, comforting scent.

• Craig’s breath – exposing them to the natural smell of humans in an intimate, close way.

• Craig’s heartbeat – letting them smell and hear at the same time, combining sensory input with gentle handling.

Each new scent builds trust and expands their sensory world, setting them up to be calmer, more adaptable companions.

Adding Environmental Textures

We also begin introducing safe textures underfoot to help puppies adjust to different surfaces they’ll encounter in daily life. For example:

• Cold washcloths under their paws, introducing temperature changes.

• Soft fabrics and firm surfaces to gently challenge their balance and awareness.

These experiences make sure that as they grow, walking on tiles, grass, or new surfaces feels familiar rather than scary.

Why It Matters

The goal of ENS and ESI isn’t just early stimulation—it’s about building resilience. Puppies raised with these programs often grow into dogs who:

• Recover quickly from stress,

• Adapt more easily to new environments, and

• Are more comfortable with human handling and veterinary care.

Sundae’s puppies are just beginning their journey, and each small daily exercise is helping shape them into strong, confident companions for their future families.

✨ We can’t wait to share more updates as the puppies continue their From Whelp to Woof! curriculum—watching them grow is such a joy!