BODY CONDITION Dogs vary in size among individuals and breeds. Observing and feeling a dog’s body are useful tools in assessing the body condition. LEARN MORE IMMUNE SYSTEM Healthy dogs are usually alert, curious about their environment and have a good appetite. LEARN MORE SKIN, COAT & EYES Healthy skin and a shiny, well-groomed coat not only enhances your dog’s appearance, it makes your dog feel more comfortable and less prone to skin irritation and external parasites. LEARN MORE BONE & JOINT HEALTH Bones and joints benefit from a properly balanced diet. LEARN MORE DENTAL HEALTH Your dog’s dental health is very important. Healthy teeth and gums are the first step in the utilisation of the important nutrients your dog’s food provides. LEARN MORE DIGESTION Digestibility is the percentage of a food’s protein and other nutrients available and utilised by your dog. LEARN MORE

We Believe in Nourishing the Whole Pet We know thatnutritionis just one component of providing a dog with a long, happy, healthy life. That’s why we work hard to help pet owners learn to nourish their whole pet – mind, body, furry coat and paws alike. Understanding Your Dog's Basic Needs FOOD & WATER From providing a complete and balanced diet to helping your dog avoid the risks of obesity, what you feed your dog is essential. Visit our Diet & Nutritionsection to learn more about keeping your dog well fed and properly hydrated. ATTENTION & LOVE One of the reasons we at Purina love dogs so much is that they provide us with unconditional love. But just like they provide us with affection, dogs need plenty of affection from us. Make sure you spend plenty of time with your dog so that he becomes properly socialised and feels like a valued part of your household. EXERCISE Don’t let that pup lay around on the couch all day! Dogs are active creatures, and need plenty of exercise and stimulation. Bonus: Frequent activity helps keep your dog fit.

How Can Getting a Dog Change Your Life? Bringing a dog into your home is the first step in creating a bond that can make both of your lives better. From giving you a reason to get off the couch to helping you teach your children an early lesson in responsibility, we think you’ll find that a dog can change your life in all kinds of positive ways. What to Consider Before You Get a New Dog 1. THINK ABOUT THE BASIC CARE AND TRAINING YOU’LL NEED TO PROVIDE FOR YOUR NEW PET How can you prepare your home to be a comfortable and safe place for your new dog? What toys and supplies do you need? How much time will you need to set aside for training? Good planning will ensure a smooth transition and the chance to establish a healthy bond right away. 2. ESTABLISH YOUR FAMILY’S ROLES There’s something for everyone in your family to do when it comes to looking after your new dog. Just ensure that all family members have a clear understanding of their roles in the care-taking and that they all treat the dog in the same consistent manner. 3. PLAN FOR COSTS You’re going to want to plan ahead and budget for all the care your dog will need, including visiting the veterinarian, taking training classes, toys and food.

Let's Adopt a Dog! Now that you know what kind of dog is right for you, it’s time to decide where you should go to start your search. Some people looking for a specific breed may want to go to a breeder. If you’re looking for a dog based on personality, you have many options. You could visit a shelter, a rescue organisation, a pet shop or a foster home. DID YOU KNOW? There are many systems in place that often work together to help all kinds of dogs find a lasting home. Still deciding where to go to find your new dog? Here are some of your options. SHELTER A shelter is a housing facility for surrendered or stray animals operated by an organisation dedicated to pet welfare, like a humane society. RESCUE A rescue organisation, like a shelter, is dedicated to pet welfare. Rescue organisations care for a relatively small number of animals through a network of private foster homes, rather than in an animal shelter. FOSTER HOME Foster homes provide temporary, in-home care for one or more animals on behalf of an animal shelter or animal rescue organisation. Foster caregivers are usually volunteers of animal welfare organisations or shelters, and may foster animals for a number of different reasons. Foster homes are often needed for pets that are not yet ready for adoption (sick, injured, recovering from surgery, not yet weaned, needing socialisation or other behaviour modification, etc.) or pets for whom there is not enough space in the shelter. Some rescue groups operate completely through a network of foster homes. Wherever you choose to get your dog, we hope we’ve helped you find a companion that will make your life richer, more loving, and more adventurous.

What Your Dog's Body Language Says About His Mood It’s easy to interpret a dog’s behaviour the same way you might interpret a friend’s. But it’s important to remember that dogs and humans aren’t the same, and it’s worth getting to know the way dogs communicate. FRIENDLY You can tell a dog is in a friendly mood when his ears are relaxed, his tail is flat, with plenty of wagging, and he makes gentle eye contact. FEARFUL A fearful dog is usually crouching with his tail between his legs. He will also avoid looking you in the eye. He may roll over on his back or urinate while lying down. Be careful around a fearful dog, as he may bite if he feels threatened. ASSERTIVE If a dog’s ears and tail are standing up and he is staring intently, he is showing assertion. He may put his paws on another dog’s back or be pushy with the dog or with the owner. AGGRESSIVE If he stares and holds his tail motionless, growls, and holds his ears forward, he may be a threat. Watch out for this behaviour in a dog. PLAYFUL When a dog pushes his chest to the ground and holds his rear and tail in the air, he is trying to initiate play.

Training to Find Your Dog's True Potential At Purina, we believe that dogs are capable of a lot more than one might think. That’s why we’re always looking for new ways to train pets to unlock their true potential. Whether it’s training in athleticism, problem solving or even being a helpful companion for people in need, we see dogs doing new things every day. The Power of Positive Reinforcement The behaviourists at Purina believe positive reinforcement is not only the best technique for establishing a good relationship with your dog while training, but that it’s also the most effective. Positive reinforcement consists of associating a reward with a desired behaviour. If you use positive reinforcement during training, your dog will learn to associate training time and behaving well with praise,affection or treats. Some forms of punishment training may lead to stress and anxiety for dogs and may weaken the relationship you have with your dog.

Good for Your Dog, Good for You Exercise is just one part of giving your dog a more stimulating, rewarding life. It starts with more time at the park and less time on the couch. Activity is essential for warding off obesity, and it helps keep you in shape, too. You’ll find that the time you spend on the move together can strengthen the bond you share with your dog. Guidelines for Productive Play We believe play isn’t just fun – it’s productive! To make playtime mean more, think of your dog’s natural talents, like his advanced sense of smell and predatory instincts, and encourage them.

Choosing a Puppy You’ve done your research and know which breed you want. So how do you find that perfect puppy? The first step is to track down a responsible breeder or animal shelter. CHOOSING A DOG BREEDER Buying a dog is not like buying a car. You may feel proud of your car -you may even say you love it – but when push comes to shove, you’re not going to worry about its health, you’re not going to hurry home from a night out because a storm’s on the way and you know it’s scared of thunder. Choosing the right owner or breeder is vital. A breed club is a good place to start your search, as they may have a list of litters available, or can put you in touch with reputable breeders in your area. You could also try going to a dog show to meet breeders and owners to get more information.

De-sexing The decision to de-sex is one of the most significant aspects of pet care a dog owner can provide. De-sexing is known as spaying in female dogs and neutering in male dogs. De-sexing is performed by a veterinarian and is best carried out on your dog while he or she is still young.

When it comes to feeding puppies, it’s not just a matter of feeding leftovers or what your adult dog is eating. Puppies need specific foods that cater to their growing bodies. The first year of life is critical in your puppy’s development. Your puppy has a lot of growing to do and needs a well balanced diet. At certain times during their growth and development, a puppy requires up to twice the amount of some nutrients, and up to three times the calories per kilogram of bodyweight, of that of an adult dog. As you feed your puppy, you need to supply all the body building nutrients it requires to grow and develop: protein for strong muscles, water for hydration, calcium for strong bones and teeth, iron for healthy blood and enough calories for all the energy a puppy burns. This is easily accomplished when you feed a commercially prepared puppy formula that is complete and balanced.