Impressive Cartwright Standards

"Raising the Standards"

Puppy Standards

Early Neurological Stimulation (ENS) & Early Scent Introduction (ESI): Elevating Our Breeding Standards

At Impressive Cartwright Standards, we incorporate Early Neurological Stimulation (ENS) and Early Scent Introduction (ESI) as part of our commitment to raising well-rounded, resilient puppies. These practices, conducted during the critical developmental period (days 3–16), play a crucial role in enhancing neurological development, resilience, and sensory awareness.

Early Neurological Stimulation (ENS)

What It Is:
ENS consists of gentle, controlled exercises designed to stimulate a puppy’s developing nervous system.

How It’s Done:
These exercises include:

  • Tactile stimulation
  • Holding the puppy in various positions (such as supine, head-up, and head-down)
  • Thermal stimulation (exposure to a cool surface)

Benefits:
ENS is believed to promote stronger physical and mental development, improve immune function, and enhance a puppy’s ability to handle stress.

Timing:
ENS exercises are performed once daily for a brief period (5–10 minutes total) during this early stage of life.

Early Scent Introduction (ESI)

What It Is:
ESI exposes puppies to different scents to enhance their sense of smell and scent recognition abilities.

How It’s Done:
Scented objects are placed near the puppies, allowing them to investigate and become familiar with various smells in a gentle and positive manner.

Benefits:
ESI helps puppies develop stronger scent recognition skills, improves their ability to identify and respond to different smells, and boosts their overall confidence.

By incorporating ENS and ESI into our program, we help ensure our puppies grow into well-adjusted, adaptable companions, ready to take on the world with confidence.

Week 2-3

At Impressive Cartwright Standards, we take early socialization seriously, including desensitizing our puppies to various sounds. One of our first steps is a brief “loud noise exposure” exercise, such as tapping a metal pan with a spoon three times. At this young age, puppies have not yet developed a fear of sound, making it an ideal time to introduce them to different noises in a controlled and positive manner.

As they continue to grow, we expose our puppies to a variety of everyday sounds they may encounter in their future homes. This includes different types of music, TV shows, movies, and “noise exposure” videos. Throughout the day, they are accustomed to soft background sounds, and each night, we play classical lullabies to help establish a calm and predictable bedtime routine. We encourage puppy parents to continue these practices at home, as they can make nighttime transitions smoother.

We also prioritize early recall training. During feeding, we begin imprinting the "puppy, puppy, puppy" recall command—a lifesaving technique that every puppy parent receives detailed guidance on in their puppy packet. It’s crucial that this recall is always associated with positive reinforcement and never used to call a puppy inside or into a kennel. When trained correctly, this command can be invaluable in an emergency. If a dog ever slips out of its collar or escapes through an open door, a simple “puppy, puppy, puppy” call should immediately bring them back to safety.

Week 3-4 

Between three and four weeks of age, we begin introducing puppies to a designated potty area. Establishing this routine early significantly helps puppy parents with housebreaking, making the transition to their new homes smoother and less stressful.

The fourth week is an exciting milestone—puppies truly come alive! They become more engaged, curious, and eager to explore the world around them. During this time, we allow them to advance at their own pace, never forcing them into situations they aren’t ready for. If a puppy prefers to observe rather than participate in an exposure activity or chooses not to interact with a particular object, we respect that. At this stage, our priority is building a foundation of trust and partnership. Puppies need to feel safe, knowing we will not push them beyond their comfort zone.

As they grow, we will gently encourage them to explore new experiences, reassuring them every step of the way. However, at four weeks old, our focus remains on creating a secure and positive environment where they can develop confidence at their own pace.

Week 4-5

At five weeks old, puppies enter a new phase of our curriculum—one that is more advanced and slightly less predictable. This is when we begin tailoring activities to align with each puppy’s potential purpose. We work closely with a service dog agency, aiming to provide at least one puppy per litter to support their cause.

For our future support dogs, we incorporate specific handling, movement, and sound exercises, always ensuring a slow, positive, and engaging experience. During this stage, exposure activities take place both in the puppies' familiar living space and in new on-site environments. It’s essential for puppies to learn how to work and problem-solve in different locations, even if that simply means moving between various rooms in our home or sections of the yard.

We introduce them to a variety of surfaces, including grass, pavers, and cement, while considering factors such as temperature, texture, scent, objects, movement, and sound. This gradual exposure helps build confidence and adaptability, setting a strong foundation for their future roles.

Week 6

At six weeks old, puppies begin to show their unique temperaments, and we start closely observing and taking notes on each one. We pay attention to key behaviors—such as making eye contact, playing independently, and problem-solving—to gain insight into their personalities.

For example, is the pink-collared female a natural leader or a follower? These observations are invaluable when helping families choose the puppy that best fits their lifestyle and needs. By understanding each puppy’s tendencies, we can guide families toward a well-matched companion, ensuring a smooth transition into their forever homes.

 

Week 7-10

At seven to ten weeks old, puppies have an incredible capacity to learn—almost anything is within their grasp. However, they still lack focus and self-control. Their mental abilities have grown significantly, and it only takes one experience for them to remember how to do something. This is also the time when we prepare for puppy evaluations, a critical step in ensuring each pup is placed in the right home.

Accurately assessing our puppies is essential. I don’t want to sound dramatic, but the right match can truly be the difference between success and struggle—or even life and death. Let me explain. Suppose someone comes to us looking for a hunting companion—a dog with drive, endurance, and a love for the job. If we place a laid-back pup with low motivation into their arms, we’ve set them both up for disappointment. Likewise, if a busy family with five children and demanding jobs seeks an easygoing, low-maintenance puppy, but we give them a high-energy, assertive dog, we’ve done them both a disservice.

This is why we don’t allow families to choose a puppy solely based on a picture, coat color, or gender at just one, two, or three weeks old. That wouldn’t honor our puppies or the families who trust us. At Impressive Cartwright Standards, we hold ourselves to a higher standard. By putting in the extra time and effort, we ensure a better experience for both our puppies and their future families—creating a strong, like-minded community of responsible puppy parents.