Appalachian Mountains Litter

Irene’s milk started coming in on Day 3. Finally everyone is gaining greater % weight.

ENS started Day 3. We’re already seeing personalities and tendencies based on their responses to these exercises. Fascinating stuff!

ENS consists of five 3-5 second exercises that induce stress in a controlled fashion.

- Tactile stimulation (between toes)

- Head held erect

- Head pointed down

- Supine position

- Thermal stimulation

Dr. Battaglia claims that doing these exercises will result life-long benefits.

This sounds fantastic, right? However, there is a balance between the optimal amount of stimulation and too much stimulation. In the same way that optimal stimulation is beneficial for growth, too much stimulation and stress is detrimental.

Puppy Culture and AviDog protocols balance the need for early stimulation by urging breeders to skip ENS on days that are otherwise stressful. (Or skip ENS entirely for litters born under extremely stressful conditions, i.e. rescue or abandonment). I opt to pass on ENS on tail dock day and nail trim days.

Incubator and oxygen is packed up for the next litter. These little guys don’t need it anymore!

The litter is nursing together and gaining without my help.

On Day 5, we get the ball rolling on the Enrichment Effect.

Rolled up towels are placed under the whelping fleece and safe, stuffed toys are added to the whelping box. The rolled towels create small hills and valleys for the puppies to crawl over. The toys also serve to add varied texture and terrain to the environment.

Puppies raised in enriched environments display more curiosity and engagement with their surroundings and greater interest in people. Though the research does not indicate huge long-term gains, enrichment is easy to achieve and increases quality of life for the puppies.

The towels and toys are changed each day to create novelty.