Realize Your Dog's Potential
Training, nutrition, and exercise are all important aspects of achieving greatness. The articles below will show you why, and teach you how to do it right.
Article Categories
Training for greatness
- GET STARTED WITH A MENTOR If you want to learn about participating in a dog sport, consider finding a mentor to help you learn the ropes. A mentor can teach you how to condition and train your dog and what it takes to succeed. Read More
- BUILDING CONFIDENCE IN PUPPIES A rambunctious puppy is ready to learn. Taking time to introduce a puppy to new people and different environments will go a long way toward developing a well-balanced, happy adult dog. Here are tips to get you started. Read More
- BECOME A DOG THERAPY TEAM People who become a dog therapy team with their dog benefit from helping others. Whether it involves visiting students at schools and libraries, patients at hospitals, or seniors at residential care facilities, the experience is life-changing. Here’s how to get involved and what you can expect. Read More
- KEEPING DOGS SHARP IN THE OFF-SEASON Our expert trainer will tell you why it is important to avoid long layoffs with no stimuli. The important thing is to keep your dog’s mental attitude upbeat. A bored dog can become anxious and stressed. Here is a formula to avoid regression during the off-season. Read More
- UNDERSTANDING PERFORMANCE STRESS A certain amount of stress is good because it helps a dog be prepared to handle stress. Too much stress without time to recover affects a dog’s attitude, how quickly he fatigues and his willingness to perform. Our training expert will help you take the stress out of training and dog sports. Read More
- CATCH FLYBALL FEVER Fiercely competitive but also fun, flyball is a fast-paced canine team sport. This activity builds team camaraderie and enriches team members’ bonds with their dogs. Read More
Exercise & Conditioning
- WHY EXERCISE IS GOOD FOR YOUR DOG Exercise not only builds stamina, it also promotes mental well-being. Not all dogs need the same amount of exercise to stay fit, but all dogs need activity to keep their muscles toned, their hearts healthy and their minds sharp. Our expert trainer shares why it is important to condition your dog and the benefits you can expect. Read More
- TIPS ON BEGINNING AN EXERCISE PROGRAM So you want your dog to join you on jogs or bike rides. Maybe you want to take up a fun sport like flying disc or agility with your dog. Here’s how to get started getting your dog in shape. After establishing your dog’s physical condition through a veterinary checkup, you should start slow and gradually to give the musculoskeletal system time to adapt. Read More
- KEEPING DOGS FIT IN WINTER Though it is more challenging to keep a dog in shape when inclement weather kicks in, it still is important. Daily exercise should continue to be part of your routine. Increasing the amount of food fed should be practiced for dogs that spend more time outdoors. Here are tips that will help you keep your dog healthy and well in cold weather. Read More
- KEEPING DOGS FIT FOR LIFE Regular moderate exercise is fundamental to keeping dogs fit for life. Learn what entails a proper warm-up and cooling-down period. Cross-training, which combines endurance and strength training, also is important. Read More
- PROPER HYDRATION IS KEY TO AVOIDING HEAT STRESS Dogs that do not receive adequate hydration during workouts are at risk of heat stress. It is estimated that a dog’s water requirements may more than double when exercising in warm temperatures. Be sure to give small amounts of water regularly during exercise. Read More
- DO’S & DON’TS OF EXERCISE NUTRITION Dogs that work out do best if they are not fed before exercise. Our expert trainer will share nutrition tips to help you get the best performance from your dog. Read More
Nutrition & Health
- INSPECTING A DOG AFTER EXERCISE After your dog exercises outdoors, it is important to check him over for signs of injuries. A “tailgate inspection” helps to identify minor injuries before they become serious problems. Read More
- PACKING A FIRST-AID KIT Being prepared for emergencies is as essential as having a well-conditioned dog. Here is a list of items to include in a first-aid kit to get you through until you can reach a veterinarian. Read More
- KEEPING SENIOR DOGS HEALTHY Just because a dog is aging doesn’t mean bad health and senility are inevitable. Older dogs that are exercised and given the opportunity to play with other dogs and stimulating toys do better on cognitive tests. Here’s how to teach your old dog new tricks. Read More
- MONITORING FOR IDEAL BODY CONDITION Our veterinary nutritionist who led the development of the nine-point Purina Body Condition System will tell you how to evaluate your dog’s body condition. Ideal body condition should be the goal. This tool will help you be successful. Read More
- LOOKING FOR PAW PAD INJURIES Rough terrain or sandy soil can cause paw pad injuries to your dog. These injuries should be taken care of immediately. Once the surface of the paw pad is opened, the protective barrier is broken. Puncture wounds can become infected, and the webbed skin between the pads can cause problems as well. Read More
- RECOGNIZING THE DANGERS OF OVERHEATING The potential for a dog to overheat can result in decreased performance as well as serious health conditions. A dog cannot regulate his body temperature by sweating. Most dogs are good at controlling their body temperatures, except when they are put in stressful situations. Be aware of the signs of overheating so you can avoid problems. Read More
- OPTIMAL NUTRITION FOR ACTIVE DOGS Active dogs should be fed a nutrient-dense food to perform at their best. Without adequate nutrition, performance dogs will not be able to generate the energy needed for their sports and activities. Feeding a high-fat/high-protein diet will allow your dog to have a higher fat metabolism and higher oxygen capacity. Read More
- MYTHS ABOUT PROTEIN Our veterinary nutritionist explains why protein is important in a dog’s diet. Among the myths associated with protein is that it causes kidney failure in older dogs, that feeding large-breed puppies too much protein causes developmental bone problems, and that soy protein can cause bloat. Read More
- HOW NUTRITION IMPACTS IMMUNE FUNCTION Nutrition from a complete and balanced diet is important in maintaining normal immune function. Dietary protein is a key nutrient in helping the defense system run efficiently. Dogs with inadequate protein reserves may appear healthy but are more susceptible to stress and have difficulty recovering from physical trauma and injury. Read More
- PURINA’S LANDMARK LIFE SPAN STUDY Purina conducted the only canine lifetime diet restriction study and showed that dogs maintained in lean body condition throughout their lives can extend their medial life span by 15 percent – nearly two years – for the Labrador Retrievers in the study. Our veterinary nutritionist will explain what this means when it comes to feeding your own dog. Read More