02/06/2026
🍀"Handling Puppies"? NO
In Nature - canines are born in a den and grow with the least stimulus for the first weeks.
They are born developmentally premature.
Blind, deaf and with an underdeveloped neurological System.
Nature is designed to let them develop in peace.
Creating calm and focussed pups without nervous issues.
Years and years of watching puppies grow and feedback from pup owners confirms that Nature indeed knows best.
Handling puppies not before week 3. And then gradual introduction to it works best here at Callanish Heeler and comes with amazing results.
Which are actually not amazing - but perfectly normal when considering Nature.
The Human - as usual - has other ideas.
Puppies - from day one - "must be cuddled, handled, shifted around, weighed, held, dragged away from the safe and warm den for photos ... and more kissing and cuddling and handling......"
Do they need that?
No.
Is it beneficial to their development?
No.
So... why is it done?
Because someone said so.
And then there is ENS
Early Neurological Stimulation
This was originally developed by the military as part of the "Bio Sensor Program".
It came up a while ago - and turned into an IN thing for breeder. Doing "Puppy Culture".
I tried this out.
I could not see any benefit.
In Nature, the pup's feet dont need tickling - they are naturally on solid and structured surfaces and get a lot of stimulation.
I pick solid, structured pup den surface - carpet with grip.
ENS may be beneficiary when pups are on soft fleece blankets or super soft puppy mats?
In Nature, pups sometimes lie in little dents in the ground, so they naturally lie on the back now and then. A bit of structure coming from a small rag easily can imitate this.
Pups often are found sleeping head up - standing nearly vertically up onto moms belly. But only when they seek mom. This doesnt happen when a heat lamp is used.
I cant see an opportunity for a pup in a natural den to end up hanging down head first. Unless it has crawled over mom and ends up head down while sliding down the other side?
I cant see an opportunity to lie on a cold surface. The den guarantees warmth. Maybe when mom comes back in all wet?
Summed up - I dont do ENS because most happens naturally.
And I dont have to put the pups artificially through the motions.
I dont handle my pups anyway.
They grow up Naturally - and this has the best effect.
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