**Updated 5/22/2013

P&G Pet Care (IAMS, Eukanuba, and Natura pet food brands) will be donating more than 13 tons of pet food to help feed the animals displaced by the massive tornadoes that moved through Oklahoma this week. We are partnering with multiple pet passionate organizations to distribute our pet food to the animals affected in Oklahoma City, Norman and Moore, OK. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families/pets whose lives have been devastated by this natural disaster.

5/21/2013

Our hearts and prayers go out to the humans and animals whose lives have been affected by the devastating storms that moved through Oklahoma yesterday. We are currently working with first responders in the region to determine the needs of the 4-legged victims and how we can help.

Eukanuba will generously provide assistance to the displaced animals in the affected areas when the human needs have stabilized.  We will update our Facebook page with the details of our relief efforts.

By Lisa M. Gerry

It’s hard to believe that your little Sparky, who’s always such an angel when you’re home, could be making so much noise when you’re away. But if your neighbors are at their wits end with your dog’s barking it’s important to get to the bottom of why he’s doing it, and then figure out how to stop it. We enlisted the help of Victoria Wells, senior manager of behavior and training at the ASPCA’s Adoption Center, to answer a few questions on barking—and to help us determine when we might need to worry. How do you decipher between normal barking and excessive barking? Dogs communicate with other dogs and with humans through barking, so it’s unrealistic to expect a dog not to bark at all. But what constitutes as ‘excessive barking’ is really up to the owner and their particular situation. Many owners only discover that their dogs are barking when they’re not home because they get noise complaints from their neighbors. Is there cause for concern if your dog didn’t bark much before, but has begun to recently? Some dogs don’t begin using their voice until they have reached a certain age. If they transitioned from puppyhood into adolescence, they may have just found their voice and this is normal. If an adult dog who has been typically quiet for most of their lives begins to bark this may be a signal that something is troubling them in their environment, health wise, or behaviorally. What’s the best way to curb excessive barking? Barking is motivated by different emotional states, and there are different causes for it. So, the first step is to identify why a dog is barking. To do that, you need to find out whether the dog is barking intermittently or consistently throughout the day. To figure this out, try recording the dog when you’re away. Or, the next best thing would be to ask a neighbor for their observations on your dog’s barking patterns. What does it tell you if the barking is intermittent versus consistent? If the barking is intermittent, the dog is likely ‘alarm barking’, or alerting to noises it hears outside. But if the barking persists throughout the day while the owner is absent, it could be because of something like separation anxiety. How do you deal with alarm barking? If the dog is alerting to noises in the hallway of an apartment building, or even outside, the first thing you want to do is provide them with entertainment and stimulation while the owner is absent. We recommend some sort of enrichment toy filled with food to keep their mouths busy and their minds stimulated. Then, you want to block the outside noises. So we suggest providing some sort of consistent white noise like from a white noise machine, classical music [which studies have found calms anxious pups], or even a simple, inexpensive box fan placed near your entrances or windows. What if your dog is doing a lot of barking outside? Again, it depends what the trigger is for the behavior. Many times barking is socially facilitated, which means they’re communicating with another dog. Sometimes that’s just how they say hello, and you’ve got to expect that once in awhile. If it becomes problematic, or if they’re incessantly barking, you’d want to distract them from other dogs by giving them treats while other dogs pass. If the barking is towards people, then you probably have a greater issue and you might want to seek help from a professional dog trainer or behaviorist. What role does exercise play in a dog’s barking? For every form of barking, exercise is a great antidote. If the barking is attention-seeking, if it’s out of boredom, or even if it’s anxiety based, aerobic activity is going to decrease that behavior. If the barking is attention-seeking, the last thing you should do is give the dog attention, because then you’ve essentially reinforced that they will receive attention when they bark. I know it’s hard, but you should ignore them when they’re barking and then pay attention to them when they’re quiet. How do you determine if a dog’s barking is because of anxiety? That’s where something like a recorder comes in. If you determine that the barking lasts almost the entire time you’re gone, it’s more likely to be because of anxiety than an outside noise. There are other symptoms that would accompany the barking as well, like excessive panting or housetraining accidents. What should you do if you determine the barking is a symptom of separation anxiety? First, exercise is very important. Then, since separation anxiety stems from a very strong bond that the dog has created with their person, it’s important to teach the dog that the world won’t end if its owner isn’t right next to them. We suggest placing the dog in an area of confinement, like behind a baby gate or in a dog crate for just 10 to 15 minutes every couple of hours. Give the dog something to chew on, like an interactive dog toy with food in it, leave the room and then return when the dog is not stressed out and is not barking. When you enter and exit the room, don’t make a big fuss, just walk right past them. Once your dog calms down, then interact with them. Could a dog’s bark indicate duress? Yes, a bark can indicate that a dog is injured or ill. Most people know what their dog’s typical bark sounds like. If it deviates from something the owner is used to, to something that sounds like the dog is in distress, then you should you take your dog to the veterinarian. Remember: Certain breeds also tend to be more vocal than others, like Beagles or Yorkshire Terriers. So, if you are sensitive to barking—or you live in a building or neighborhood where a barking dog wouldn’t be welcome—it’s important to do your homework when picking out your new furry friend. Also keep in mind your city or county rules on noise violations. If you’ve got a particularly antsy neighbor who complains all the time about your vocal pup, he could be within his rights to involve the authorities. If that’s the case, you’ll want to try out some of the above tactics to curb your dog’s barking sooner rather than later.

This article originally appeared on www.exceptionalcanine.com, an independent editorial source.

By Lisa M. Gerry

If you’ve ever seen a dog dance, then you know it can be hard to look away. There is something incredibly captivating about watching a canine cut a rug, and in recent months, the sport — which is officially called Canine Freestyle — has been featured on America’s Got Talent, Chelsea Lately, 20/20 and more. People just can’t seem to get enough.

So, what is it, exactly?

Canine Freestyle had its beginnings in Canada in the late eighties/early nineties, but when dog lovers in England and the United States caught wind of the new phenomenon, it quickly spread. It is thought to have been inspired by the competitive equestrian sport, dressage, and today it’s a recognized event at dog shows and competitions around the world.

Simply described, it’s a display of an owner and their dog’s obedience training and tricks set to music.

The first step in teaching a dog to dance is making sure it’s well trained. One of the first skills he’ll need to acquire is the ability to heel on both sides of your body, as opposed to just the left side, which is traditional.

Some of the most popular (and impressive!) freestyle moves include weaving in and out of the owner’s legs, spinning, jumping, rolling over, scooting backwards and the dog standing and ‘dancing’ on its hind legs. Some of the shows for beginners allow the handlers to use treats and toys during the performance, while the more advanced dancers do not.

In some competitions, costumes have become an important part of the acts and are coordinated with the music choice. And while many, many hours of training go into each routine, the cuteness factor of the sport has certainly served as great publicity, helping to get a younger generation of dog handlers interested in competition and racking up millions of views on beloved YouTube videos, like this one.

Handlers rave about the bonding that takes place when you spend one-on-one time with your dog daily during training for Canine Freestyle, and those relationships play a huge role in the performances. Audiences love to see pair who seems to be having fun and enjoying each other’s company.

Then again, what’s not to love about a dog wearing a bowtie dancing to disco?

For more information on teaching your own dog Canine Freestyle, check out the Musical Dog Sport Association or Canine Freestyle Federation, Inc.

This article originally appeared on www.exceptionalcanine.com, an independent editorial source.

Interested in the science Eukanuba has behind DHA?  Click here: DHA – Technical Bulletin

We know you already think your puppy is a brainiac. After all, without your even telling her, she knows when you’ve had a bad day at the office. She intuitively understands your new boyfriend is a jerk. She can even get your barista to keep the coffee shop open for a few more minutes — with just one look. But did you know that you can help make her even smart by feeding her outstanding nutrition that contains DHA? Eukanuba’s specially formulated puppy food has more DHA in it than any other leading brand. This fatty acid is key to the growth of neural pathways in the brain. DHA occurs naturally in the milk of momma dogs, but once your puppy is weaned, she needs it as a supplement to aid cognitive development. Get this: Puppies that were fed meals enhanced with the substance actually outperformed others given more typical foods in a maze test over a 30-day period. Furthermore, DHA is critical to other aspects of her central nervous system as well as to the development of sharp eyes. (Your boyfriend should be afraid. Very afraid.) Here’s what we know about how DHA effects puppies:

What Is DHA?

Chemists have listed DHA — or docosahexaenoic acid — as an omega-3 fatty acid. It is found naturally in canine and human breast milk as well as in fish, fish meal and fish oil. In addition, DHA has been recreated in laboratories and is used in many baby formulas. That’s because the substance is a major structural component of the brain as well as the most abundant fatty acid in it.

How does it help puppies?

Prior to weaning, pups get DHA from their mothers via her milk. But once they’ve graduated to kibble, their brains continue to develop — without this critical substance — unless supplemented. In fact, puppies acquire 70 percent of their adult brain mass by six weeks of age, and have 90 percent by 12 weeks of age. That means there’s a lot you can do to between the time she leaves her momma and her full development to make sure she’s properly nourished.

What’s in Eukanuba:

The scientists behind Eukanuba derive the DHA in our puppy food from fish, fish meal and fish oil. What’s the upshot? That a puppy fed Eukanuba foods will likely be easier to train. That is huge when it comes to housebreaking. And curtailing chewing. And chasing cars. Heck, she might even be able to balance your checkbook someday. (At which point, please phone us immediately.)

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By Lisa M. Gerry

While it may be hard to imagine your beloved Fido out on a field dribbling a soccer ball, shooting on a goal and scoring, in fact there are many dogs that do just that—and love it! Whether you’ve seen them strut their stuff at a half-time show, on a TV talent competition, or in family films like 1999’s Soccer Dog: The Movie, here are three reasons we can’t get enough of dogs playing soccer.

1.) It’s adorable. When Mark Lucas saw a dog dribble a soccer ball at the halftime show of a professional soccer game, he became determined to train dogs the same way. Soon after, he founded Soccer Collies, a troupe of dogs who can run with the ball, bounce it off their noses, and even catch it between their paws and their chin. Lucas brings his dogs to interact with kids and adults at schools, charity functions, and sporting events. BEK and Ms. Z, his two beloved Collies, are even able to shoot (and score!) on a goal.

2.) It’s fun! The first step in teaching a dog to play soccer is finding out whether they’re ‘ball motivated,’ says Lucas. The simplest way to figure that out is to bounce a basketball in front of them. If they seem excited and eager to play, then they will likely enjoy learning tricks with a soccer ball. “All breeds that like a ball will play soccer,” Lucas added. At first your pooch might not know quite what to do with a ball that’s too big for him to pick up in his mouth, but soon enough he’ll figure out how to pounce on it and move it with his paws. “People shouldn’t get discouraged, it does take time,” says Lucas. Start simple by having your dog bring you the ball. If you reward him with praise and treats, he’ll be much more inclined to keep up the good work. Of course, it becomes even more fun when you get in the game and run, pass, and steal.

3.) It’s healthy. In the wild, dogs spend their days moving, running, and scrounging for food. Domestic dogs, on the other hand, often spend their days relaxing, sleeping, and lounging around. That’s why walks and play are so incredibly important for keeping your dog healthy and happy. Dogs that aren’t getting enough physical activity often display negative behaviors like digging, chewing, barking, jumping, hyperactivity, and sometimes even aggression. Getting your dog to run around with a soccer ball is a great form of exercise, not to mention an opportunity for you and your dog to bond. “The dogs are getting a great physical workout,” says Lucas, “and they’re also getting a mental workout. The more you play, the more they want to play, and that’s how they get to be so good.”

You can find out more about Lucas and his furry friends at SoccerCollies.com, or on Twitter @SoccerCollies.

This article originally appeared on www.exceptionalcanine.com, an independent editorial source.