Elawodi Border Collies

A couple of days late, but here is everyone’s individual 2-week photos!

The puppies are now 18 days old, quickly approaching 3 weeks already! Let’s take a look back at what has been happening over the past 18 days… During the first couple of weeks, puppies are in the neonatal stage. Their world is simple during this stage: sleep, nurse, grow, and stay close to mom. They’re born with their eyes and ears closed, so they rely on scent, warmth, and touch to find their way around. At day 3, we started Early Neurological Stimulation (ENS), which we do daily through day 16. These are very short, gentle exercises that help stimulate the developing nervous system during an important window of growth. Over the past 18 days we’ve been focusing on:
• Daily handling
• ENS
• Early nail trims
• Monitoring each puppy to make sure they’re all growing
• Beginning early potty habits as their instincts develop And now they are in the transition period, where the “fun” begins… Eyes are open, ears are opening, they are exploring, and we’re seeing the very first hints of personality. We’re well into the transition period, and the next couple of weeks bring a lot more exciting changes.

A puppy’s first days and weeks of life matter more than some people realize! Handling and snuggles from the start can help shape confident, well adjusted puppies as they grow. Here’s 5 benefits of breeders (or foster homes, for rescue litters) snuggling and handling their puppies from the start: 1. Helps build an early bond+trust with people
Early, calm contact such as holding and stroking the puppies helps them learn that humans are safe and comforting. This can contribute to more confident, people oriented dogs later in life. 2. Supports neurologic development 
Early tactile stimulation helps the nervous system develop. Even simple things like holding in different positions and gentle touch can contribute to healthy brain development in the first weeks of a puppy’s life. 3. Encourages confidence later
Puppies exposed to positive handling early often adapt more easily to new environments and experiences, and can even help reduce anxiety later in life. 4. Prepares them for routine care
Being handled from day one makes things like nail trims, grooming, health checks, and vet visits much easier for you, and less stressful for your puppy! 5. Helps breeders monitor each puppy closely When we handle our puppies multiple times a day from the start, we can monitor the puppy’s health and growth much better than if we are hands off. When the puppies are handled often, it helps us catch potential health issues early, and helps ensure each puppy is growing and gaining weight well.

The puppies are 11 days old, and a few of them are starting to open their eyes! Over the next couple of weeks, the puppies will start to look and act more like little dogs, doing thinks like moving around more steadily, playing, and barking!

The Nature Litter is officially one week old! 🌿 At this stage they’re still busy growing, nursing, and sleeping…but soon, their eyes and ears will start to open, and their personalities will start to show! 8️⃣ of these beautiful puppies are still available, and Feather has been reserved. ❤️

Yesterday was group photo day for the puppies! All nine are growing and doing wonderful. Mom (Sadie) is doing an excellent job!

What is Early Neurological Stimulation (ENS) in Newborn Puppies? During the first weeks of life, a puppy’s brain is developing at an incredible rate. One of the ways breeders support this critical stage is through Early Neurological Stimulation (ENS), a gentle, science based protocol introduced between days 3–16 of age. ENS consists of five brief exercises, each lasting only a few seconds per puppy. These include specific handling positions and tactile stimulation designed to activate the nervous system during this early window of development. Why do breeders use ENS? Research has shown that puppies who receive ENS may benefit from: • Increased stress tolerance • Improved cardiovascular performance • Stronger immune responses • Greater confidence and adaptability • Enhanced problem solving skills as they mature ENS is a small daily practice in the early days of a puppy’s life, but it plays a role in the bigger picture of how these puppies are raised. From the very beginning, we try to give our puppies the best start possible in life.