So What Exactly Is ENS (Early Neurological Stimulation)?

Picture this: a tiny Bernese puppy, maybe four days old. Eyes still shut. Can’t hear a thing yet. Completely dependent on warmth, touch, and the smell of mama.

During those early days, specifically from day three through day sixteen, their nervous system is doing something remarkable. It’s building itself. The brain is laying down pathways, making connections, and figuring out how to process the world. And here’s where it gets interesting: gentle challenges during this window actually help that system develop stronger.

The U.S. military figured this out decades ago. They were trying to breed better working dogs for the armed forces and stumbled onto something powerful. Puppies that received specific, brief stressors during their first weeks grew up differently. Calmer under pressure. Healthier hearts. Stronger immune systems. They called the program “Bio Sensor,” and eventually, breeders like us adapted it for family dogs.

We’re not talking about anything stressful in a bad way. (Lord knows, I’d never do anything to upset these babies.) These are gentle, controlled moments, three to five seconds each, that give the puppy’s developing system just enough of a nudge to grow stronger.

The Five Exercises We Do Every Single Day

Every morning, usually around 7 AM after the puppies have nursed, I sit down with each little one and run through the protocol. Takes about ninety seconds per puppy.  It’s become one of my favorite parts of the day, honestly.

First up: I take a cotton swab and gently tickle between their toes. Just one paw, just a few seconds. Those nerve endings don’t normally get touched at this age, so the stimulation wakes up parts of the brain that might otherwise stay dormant a while longer.

Then I hold the puppy with their head pointing straight up, perpendicular to the ground. Their little body dangles below. Sounds odd, right? But this challenges what’s called the vestibular system. That’s the balance center in the inner ear. Making it work harder now means better balance and spatial awareness later.

Next, flip it. Head pointing down, tail up. Same idea, different angle. The inner ear has to recalibrate, and that effort builds neurological strength.

The fourth exercise is where the puppy lies belly-up in my palm. Dogs don’t naturally love this position, it feels vulnerable. But brief exposure teaches them early that being in a vulnerable spot doesn’t mean danger. This pays off huge during vet visits, grooming, and even just belly rubs on the couch.

Finally, I set them on a cool, damp cloth for a few seconds. Nothing cold enough to chill them, just different. Their body has to process that temperature change, and doing so strengthens the thermal regulation system.

That’s it. Five exercises. Under two minutes total. Repeated daily for thirteen days.

What Research Actually Shows

Look, I’m not a scientist. I’m a breeder in Ohio who’s been raising Berners for years. But the research on this stuff is solid.

Studies have documented that ENS puppies exhibit improved cardiovascular function, stronger heartbeats, and better heart rate regulation. Their adrenal glands (which produce stress hormones) mature faster and function more efficiently. Disease resistance goes up. Stress tolerance improves dramatically. These aren’t subtle changes.

And you know what? I see it with my own eyes every time a litter grows up. The ENS puppies just handle things better. Loud noises, new people walking into the room, and being picked up by excited kids. They take it all in stride in a way that puppies without this foundation often don’t.

Real Life With an ENS Bernese Mountain Dog 

Above, we mentioned how we do ENS and how it helps a puppy.  Now, let’s take a look at the benefits and how it can help you while raising a Bernese.  

Training Your Puppy? Usually goes smoother, a lot smoother. These dogs can normally focus even when things get a little chaotic during training. They don’t shut down after making a mistake; they bounce back more quickly and are ready to try again. I’ve had trainers tell us our puppies are noticeably easier to work with, and I think ENS is a big part of why.

Vet visits? Taking your Brenese to the vet is usually less drama. The puppy who learned at four days old that being on their back wasn’t the end of the world? That puppy grows into a dog who tolerates exams, blood draws, and nail trims without losing their mind. Vets notice. Trust me, they notice.

Fireworks on the Fourth of July? Thunderstorms rolling across the sky? Sure, some dogs will always be sensitive. But our ENS Berners tend to recover faster, settle down more quickly, and look to their people for reassurance rather than panic.

And that transition to their new home—honestly, that’s where I see the biggest difference. Puppies who’ve had their nervous systems gently challenged from the start seem to adapt faster. New house, new smells, new people? They normally find it exciting, and not terrifying.

Why Some Breeders Skip It

Can I be real with you for a second?

Raising a litter is exhausting. Especially those first few weeks. You’re checking on mom around the clock. Making sure every puppy is nursing. Monitoring weights. Cleaning. Sleeping in three-hour chunks if you’re lucky.

Adding another daily task to that chaos? Some breeders just… don’t. They figure the puppies will turn out fine without it, and maybe they will. But “fine” isn’t what we’re going for here. We want exceptional. We want puppies whose nervous systems are primed from the very beginning to handle whatever life throws at them.

Those ninety seconds per puppy, every morning for two weeks? Non-negotiable for us. The results are too important.

Part of a Bigger Picture

I should mention: ENS isn’t a magic bullet. It’s one piece of how we raise puppies here at Blue Diamond.

We also do early socialization by introducing puppies to different sounds, textures, and gentle handling as they grow. We expose them to household noises. We invite families over to meet the puppies before they go home. Everything works together to produce a Bernese Mountain Dog who’s not just healthy and beautiful, but genuinely ready for life as a beloved family member.

But ENS? It’s the foundation. The starting point. Those first sixteen days shape everything that comes after.

Bringing Home a Blue Diamond Berner

When you pick up your puppy from our farm, or have it delivered, you’re not just getting a dog. You’re getting a dog whose brain was carefully, gently, lovingly developed from the first week of life. Their cardiovascular system got a head start, and they can handle stress. 

That might sound like a small thing. Honestly, when I first learned about ENS years ago, I wasn’t sure it would make much difference. But after seeing litter after litter grow into confident, adaptable, emotionally stable adult dogs? I’m a believer.

Your Bernese Mountain Dog deserves every possible advantage. Early Neurological Stimulation is one of the most proven ways to provide it. And at Blue Diamond Berners, every single puppy gets this foundation, no exceptions.

Want to learn more about our puppies or join our waitlist? We’d love to hear from you. Reach out through BlueDiamondBerners.com and let’s talk about bringing home your next best friend.