Years ago, when we first heard about Early Neurological Stimulation, we were skeptical. Really skeptical. The whole thing sounded a bit too good to be true. Hold a newborn puppy upside down for a few seconds, and they’ll grow up calmer! Touch their toes with a cotton swab, and their immune system gets stronger! Then I tried it with one of our Bernedoodle litters. I’ve been a believer ever since.

What Changed My Mind

Our first ENS litter was seven Standard Bernedoodle puppies born on a cold February morning here in Ohio years ago.  As newborns, mind you, they didn’t seem much different than previous litters. But as they grew? The differences became increasingly apparent.

The puppies from that litter were more curious, less reactive, and seemed to recover more quickly when startled. One puppy, Winston, went home to a family with three kids under 8. (Brave souls, right?) Six months later, his mom called me to chat. “I don’t know what you did with this dog,” she said, “but nothing fazes him. The kids drop things, yell, run around like maniacs, Winston just goes with it.”

That phone call sealed it for me. Every Bernedoodle we’ve raised since, whether Micro, Mini, or Standard, has received the full ENS protocol.

The Military Connection Nobody Expects

Most people are surprised to learn where this technique actually came from, not from dog breeders, trainers, or veterinarians, but from the U.S. military’s working dog program.

Researchers sought to breed dogs that could withstand the intense demands of military service, including stress, unpredictability, and physical challenges. Through the studies, they discovered puppies exposed to specific, gentle stressors during their first few weeks of life developed measurable advantages over those raised normally. They had stronger hearts, more robust immune systems, and significantly better stress tolerance. The program was called Bio Sensor, and it worked so well that some civilian breeders eventually took notice and started implementing it.

Our Bernedoodles aren’t heading to the military; they’re joining families. Yet, the neurological benefits apply, whether they’re compact Micros or big, fluffy Standards.

Understanding The Timing

The timing of administering ENS to puppies is very important because a newborn Bernedoodle is essentially born blind and deaf. Their eyes are sealed shut, and they are deaf because their ears are not yet functioning. They navigate solely by touch and smell, seeking warmth from their littermates and their mother’s milk. Their nervous system is rapidly developing at this time. Brain cells are forming connections, and neural pathways are being established. 

From day three through sixteen, a puppy’s system is receptive to gentle challenges that trigger beneficial growth. This calibrates their stress response and strengthens the cardiovascular system, critical for future resilience. Miss this window, and it can’t be redone; it’s a once-in-a-lifetime chance to shape development.

The Exercises Themselves (Simpler Than You’d Think)

Five exercises. Each one lasts three to five seconds. That’s it.

We usually do ENS first thing in the morning, right after the puppies have nursed. There’s something peaceful about those quiet morning sessions with a handful of sleepy puppies getting their daily neurological workout.

The first exercise stimulates the nerve endings between the puppy’s toes using a cotton swab. Gentle tickling. These areas don’t normally receive much input at this age because they can’t walk yet, so the stimulation activates parts of the developing brain that might otherwise stay dormant a while longer.

Next come two positioning exercises. In the first, we hold the puppy so their head points straight up, body below. In the second, we reverse it so the head is down and the tail is up. Both positions challenge something called the vestibular system, which controls balance and spatial orientation. Making this system work harder early on, building strength that lasts.

The fourth exercise places the puppy on their back in the palm of our hand. Belly up. It’s a vulnerable position for a dog, and they instinctively don’t love it. But this brief, gentle exposure teaches the puppy that vulnerability isn’t dangerous. This lesson pays off big time during vet visits, grooming, and everyday handling.

Finally, we set the puppy on a cool, damp cloth for a few seconds. Nothing cold enough to be uncomfortable, just different. Their tiny bodies have to register and respond to temperature changes, which strengthens their thermal regulation systems.

Ninety seconds per puppy, give or take, fourteen days in a row, is a small investment for such significant returns.

Same Protocol, Every Size

We’re often asked if we use the same ENS techniques for all Bernedoodle sizes. Yes, the protocol is the same for Micros, Minis, and Standards. Nervous systems develop alike, and that crucial window from day three to sixteen applies to every puppy.

The size difference in our whelping room can be comical. Micro puppies fit in the palm, Standards feel substantial, but both receive the same ENS stimuli and show equal benefits across all three sizes. Every Bernedoodle deserves that strong neurological foundation.

Real Results You Can See

The Science behind ENS is one thing, but how does it really affect the dogs you live with?  Dogs that have had ENS are usually easier to train; they stay focused and respond better to corrections. One trainer told us she could always tell which of her client dogs came from a breeder with an ENS program. “They just recover faster,” she said. “Mistakes don’t derail them.”

They handle stress like thunderstorms, fireworks, car rides, and vet visits a lot better. Our ENS puppies handle these better, but not perfectly, all the time.  Dogs are individuals, but you can see the stronger foundation at work in how quickly they recover and settle.

They transition to their new home more easily, also. A puppy whose nervous system was gently challenged from day three doesn’t fall apart when faced with new surroundings. A new house, new people, and new routines are more exciting than overwhelming. This holds true whether it’s a Mini heading to a city apartment or a Standard moving into a farmhouse with acreage.

One family told me their Micro Bernedoodle, Peanut, walked into their condo for the first time, sniffed around for about ten minutes, then curled up on the couch like she’d lived there her whole life. That kind of confidence doesn’t happen by accident.

The Honest Reason Some Breeders Don’t Bother

Many breeders don’t provide ENS in their breeding programs. The first couple of weeks after a litter is born are tough. Every few hours, you check on the mom, make sure all the puppies are nursing, track weights, and keep the whelping area clean. Sleep is something you don’t get a lot of. And when you’re raising 3 sizes of Bernedoodles as we do, the workload multiplies. During this time, adding one more daily task, even a quick one, can feel like too much. We get it. Some breeders figure the puppies will turn out fine either way, and maybe they will.

But here’s how we think about it: families who’ve been waiting months for one of our puppies are counting on us to give their future dog every possible advantage. Ninety seconds of our time, even when running on fumes, isn’t too much to ask. It’s part of the job. Part of doing this right.

At Blue Diamond Bernedoodles, ENS isn’t optional. It’s standard practice for every single Micro, Mini, and Standard Bernedoodle puppy we raise.

Just the Beginning

I want to make something clear: ENS is fantastic, but it’s not a silver bullet. We also provide age-appropriate socialization as the puppies grow. New textures, sounds, people, and other dog interactions.  Exposure to experiences they’ll encounter in their forever homes. ENS provides the foundation; socialization builds on it.

Together, these practices prepare our Bernedoodles to become the confident, adaptable, emotionally stable companions their families deserve.

Bringing Home Your Bernedoodle

The puppy you pick up or get delivered from us won’t remember those morning ENS sessions in the whelping room. But they will have an improved nervous system, a stronger cardiovascular system, and stress-response mechanisms that work more efficiently, enabling them to adapt quickly to new situations. 

You can see the benefits in how they handle their first car ride, how they adjust to your home, and how they react when the neighbor’s kid comes running over to say hello. They bounce back when something startles them. The benefits are woven into who they are. That’s what those ninety seconds a day create. A dog who’s ready for life.

Interested in learning more about our Micro, Mini, or Standard Bernedoodles? Click Here! If you have questions, call us. We’re always happy to talk with families who share our commitment to raising exceptional dogs.