​We ensure that your future puppy receives the utmost care until they are ready to depart at approximately 8 weeks of age. To facilitate a seamless transition to their new home, we initiate potty and crate training on your behalf.

At Day 3 - Day 16, we start ENS & ESI.

Early Neurological Stimulation (ENS) is a process we started doing that introduces mild stresses to very young puppies in a controlled way. These stresses help stimulate the neurological system which improves the growth and development of the pup’s immune system, cardiovascular system, and stress tolerance.

*Information About Early Neurological Stimulation*
ENS is done for 2 consecutive weeks starting 3 days after the puppies are born. The process consists of 5 simple and harmless exercises, which are: tactile stimulation, lying in the supine position, held with head held up, tilted upside down, and thermal stimulation. Each exercise is done for 3-5 seconds the entire process takes about 30 seconds. Tactile stimulation is done by gently tickling or touching in between each of the pup’s toes with a Q-tip. The supine position is achieved by holding the pup in both hands belly up (some pups squirm in this position so a solid but gentle two handed hold is necessary). To hold the pup with head up simply hold the pup in both hands so that the tail is pointed to the ground and the head is above the tail towards the ceiling. From the Head held up position tilt the pup over and hold so the head is towards the ground and the tail is towards the ceiling. You’ll need a damp cool towel for the thermal stimulation. You lay the pup right side up with its belly on the damp cool towel.
These 5 painless and simple exercises are done to prepare our pups for their life’s journey. Only 30 seconds a day for 2 weeks and we see a great improvement in their immune systems and stress tolerances. We will continue to do Early Neurological Stimulation on our pups because we see the benefits and know it helps them grown into lovable canine citizens !

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*Early Scent Introduction (ESI)*

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Early Scent Introduction (ESI) is a procedure we do that helps puppies with their nose awareness and confidence. It enhances their ability to identify and react to scents. Similar to Early Neurological Stimulation, ESI is introduced at days 3-16 of a puppies life and is very benefical for their development.

During this curriculum, we expose them to a different scent each day. As we do this, we hold the puppy close to us, and let them smell each item. After this we then chart their reaction on their neonatal care chart. The reaction is considered to be positive when the puppy shows interest in the scent, moving his/her nose towards it. A negative reaction is recorded when the puppy tries to move away from the scent. If a puppy is neither interested or uninterested in the scent, this is considered a neutral reaction.

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What are the benefits?

This procedure creates a more aware and alert dog, which in return makes an even better companion, service, and therapy dog. Many times with therapy and early service dog training, the dog’s scent abilities are a characteristic that is required. Studies have shown that stimulating puppies scent ability early on has been proven to dramatically increase their scent ability later in life. 

Here are a few examples of how dogs can help through their scent abilities—

• Nearly half of children with autism tend to run away or go missing. Many dogs are trained to follow the scent and can locate the child.

• Diabetic alert dogs are trained to detect low or high blood sugar levels by the smells in the air.

• Some dogs can even let an elderly person know that the stove has been left on, or even a gas leak.

Naturally some dogs have more of natural nose instinct compared to others. By doing this training and recording their reactions it helps us match the right pup with the right individual need.

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Starting at three weeks old, we introduce imprinting to various environments, surfaces, and situations. Our AXK family members will have access to unlimited photos and videos, assisting them in their selection process and allowing them to observe their new puppy's growth.