Have you ever wondered why some dogs seem to roll with whatever life throws at them while others fall apart at the first sign of change?

Genetics plays a role, sure. Socialization matters too. But there’s something else, something that happens way before socialization even starts that can dramatically influence how a puppy’s brain develops. I’m talking about the first nineteen days of life, and a protocol called Early Neurological Stimulation.

At Blue Diamond Cavapoos, we’ve been doing ENS with every single litter for years now. The results have convinced us it’s one of the best investments we can make in a puppy’s future. Let me explain how this early protocol makes such a difference.

Born With Eyes Closed and a Brain Still Under Construction

Newborn Cavapoos are incredible little beings. Completely helpless, yes, but also incredibly responsive to the right kinds of input.

When a puppy is born, their eyes won’t open for about two weeks. Their ears are sealed shut. They navigate entirely by touch, warmth, and scent. But here’s what’s happening behind the scenes: the nervous system is developing at a breathtaking pace. Neural pathways are forming. The brain is quite literally wiring itself based on the experiences the puppy has.

This creates a unique opportunity.

Between days three and sixteen of a puppy’s life, the nervous system is remarkably receptive to gentle stimulation. Introduce the right kinds of mild challenges during this window, and you actually promote stronger neurological development. Miss the window? Those particular gains become much harder (maybe impossible) to achieve later.

Thank the Military for ENS

What surprised me when I first learned it was that Early Neurological Stimulation wasn’t invented by dog breeders. It came from the U.S. military, of all places. Years ago, military researchers were trying to produce superior working dogs, ones that could handle extreme stress, stay focused under pressure, and maintain their health in demanding conditions.

What the military discovered changed how many of us think about raising puppies. Puppies that received ENS-specific mild stressors during that early developmental window grew up noticeably different from those that didn’t. We’re talking measurable differences: better cardiovascular performance, faster-developing adrenal systems, improved disease resistance, and superior stress tolerance throughout their lives. The military called their program Bio Sensor, and once civilian breeders caught wind of the results, many of us started adapting the techniques for family puppies.

Five Simple Exercises, Massive Impact

What does the actual protocol look like? Honestly, it’s almost comically simple. That’s part of what makes it so remarkable.

Each exercise lasts three to five seconds. Just seconds. We perform them once daily, starting on day three and continuing through day sixteen of the puppy’s life. The whole daily routine takes maybe a minute per puppy, less time than it takes to pour a cup of coffee.

Toe tickles. Using a cotton swab, we gently stimulate the area between the puppy’s toes. These nerve endings wouldn’t normally receive much input at this age. Activating them jumpstarts neurological development in areas that might otherwise remain dormant a bit longer.

Head up position. We hold the puppy so their head points toward the ceiling, body hanging below. Looks a little silly, but it challenges the vestibular system, which is the balance center in the inner ear. This targets the inner ear in ways that normal puppy activities simply don’t.

Head down position. Same concept, opposite direction. Head toward the floor, tail toward the ceiling. The inner ear has to work overtime to process this unusual orientation, thereby building strength.

On their back. We cradle the puppy in our palm, belly facing up. Dogs instinctively find this position vulnerable. This brief, gentle exposure helps them learn early that vulnerability doesn’t equal danger—a lesson that pays dividends during grooming, vet exams, belly rubs, and everyday handling.

Cool surface. The puppy is placed on a slightly cool, damp towel for just a few seconds. Nothing uncomfortable, just different enough that their body has to process the temperature change. This activates and strengthens thermal regulation systems.

That’s the whole thing. Five exercises, completed once per day from day three to day sixteen, each lasting about 90 seconds total per puppy.

What You’ll Actually Notice

Okay, so the science says ENS puppies develop stronger systems. But what does that look like when you’re actually living with the dog?

One of our Cavapoo families, the Millers, wonderful people, sent us a video last fall. Their pup, Biscuit, was riding in the car when a fire truck came screaming past with its sirens blaring. Biscuit’s ears perked up. He watched it go by. Then he went right back to looking out the window as if nothing had happened. “Our last dog would’ve been shaking for an hour,” Mrs. Miller told me. “Biscuit just… handled it.”  That’s ENS at work.

We see it in training, too. Our puppies tend to stay engaged and focused even when they make mistakes. They don’t shut down after corrections. They’re curious about new challenges instead of fearful. Trainers who work with Blue Diamond Cavapoos consistently comment on how resilient and adaptable they are.

Vet visits go smoother. That puppy who got comfortable being on their back at five days old? Grows into a dog who tolerates examinations without turning into a stressed-out mess. Veterinarians can actually do their jobs, and the dog isn’t traumatized by the experience.

And the big stuff, thunderstorms, fireworks, moving to a new house, our ENS puppies handle it. Not perfectly, always. Dogs are individuals. But noticeably and consistently better.

You might wonder why every breeder doesn’t do this.

The honest answer is that those first few weeks with a new litter are exhausting. You’re up multiple times a night. You’re weighing puppies, monitoring nursing, keeping the whelping area clean, and watching the mom like a hawk. Adding one more daily task, even one that only takes a minute per puppy, can feel overwhelming when you’re running on four hours of broken sleep.

But here’s how I see it. Those families waiting for our puppies? They’re trusting us to give their future companion the best possible start. Skipping ENS because I’m tired would be cheating them out of benefits we know we can provide. That’s not something we are willing to do. Every Blue Diamond Cavapoo receives the complete ENS protocol. Period.

One Piece of a Bigger Puzzle

I want to be clear about something: ENS alone doesn’t create a perfect dog. No single thing does. We combine Early Neurological Stimulation with age-appropriate socialization as the puppies grow. Different textures under their feet and different sounds at appropriate volumes. Gentle handling by multiple people. Exposure to the kinds of experiences they’ll encounter in their forever homes. It all works together.

But ENS is the foundation. It happens first, during that irreplaceable window when the brain is most receptive to beneficial stimulation. Get this part right, and everything else builds on solid ground.

What This Means for Your Future Cavapoo

When you bring home a puppy from Blue Diamond Cavapoos, you’re bringing home a dog whose neurological development was carefully, intentionally supported from day three of life.

Their cardiovascular system got a head start. Their stress-response mechanisms developed more quickly and function more efficiently. Their tolerance for new experiences was gently shaped before they could even see the world around them.

You probably won’t think about ENS daily once your Cavapoo is home. And that’s fine—that’s the point, really. The benefits just become part of who your dog is. The calm confidence when facing new situations. The resilience during stressful moments. The ability to bounce back and keep enjoying life.

That’s what we’re building in those first nineteen days. A foundation that lasts a lifetime.

Ready to learn more about our Cavapoos? Check out more of our articles on our blog.  Click here to see our available puppies and upcoming litters. We’d love to help you find your new best friend.