Start out on the right foot by doing all you can to ease your dog’s adjustment to his new family. Here’s the information you need to help make your friend’s stay in his new home safe and enjoyable.

DOG-PROOF YOUR HOME

Whether your new friend is a puppy or adult dog, here are important tips to help keep him out of harm’s way:

• Keep household cleaners and chemicals out of his reach.
• Restrict access to plants that are dangerous to dogs: poinsettias, azaleas, rhododendrons, dumb cane, Japanese yew, oleander and English ivy.
• Store breakable items safely out of the way.
• Hide or cover electrical cords so he won’t chew on them.
• Safely store antifreeze, engine oil, laundry detergents and lawn chemicals.
• Keep kids’ toys off the floor—since some parts may be small enough for your puppy or dog to swallow.
• Use a cover and/or protective fencing if you have a pool or hot tub.

CHOOSING A NAME

Here are a few tips to consider before naming your new dog:

• Names should be short. A two-syllable name is best because it’s brief and won’t be confused with one-syllable commands such as “No” or “Sit.”
• Be consistent. All family members should use the same name—don’t use confusing nicknames or variations.
• Reward your dog’s recognition of his name with lots of praise and play.

WELCOME HOME

As the “parent” of a puppy or new adult dog, it’s important for you to help him get used to his new surroundings. Think of him more as an infant than a pet: He’ll need plenty of patience, supervision and love. Here’s how you can help him adjust.

• Bring him home when it’s quiet and you don’t have company. Also, choose a time when your routine is normal.
• Show him the area of your yard that will be his bathroom before bringing him inside. Then take him there whenever he goes outside.
• Give your dog his own room where you can keep his crate, complete with bedding and chew toys (leave the crate’s door open). He’ll feel safe in his “den.” Put down newspaper for accidents. (See pages 14-15 for more housebreaking tips.)
• Supervise your puppy at all times, and play with him several times a day. You’ll help establish yourself as the pack leader.
• Give him bathroom breaks every few hours and right after eating, drinking, sleeping and playing (watch for signals like sniffing or circling). Never punish your dog for accidents; instead, praise him when he goes in his outdoor spot.

GETTING EXERCISE

An appropriate amount of exercise will help promote your new dog’s good behavior and assist you in training him. Talk with your veterinarian about how much daily exercise your breed typically needs. Some dogs are just naturally more high-energy, and need more exercise than others. Schedule family members to exercise your dog throughout the day.

MEETING CHILDREN

You should have no trouble at all encouraging your children to play with your new dog. Still, you’ll want to supervise his first interactions with your kids and set playtime limits—15-20 minutes two or three times a day. Here are still more ground rules to explain:

• No rough teasing or playing. Tell your kids that tail-pulling and teasing can lead to bad habits like jumping up.
• Be gentle. Tell kids never to shout at the dog, even if he does something wrong. Explain that dogs can be startled by loud noises.

INTRODUCING OTHER PETS

Here’s how to help him meet your resident animals:

• Do it gradually. Keep them separated for the first few days.
• Keep him safely in his crate (or behind an expandable doorway gate) as you supervise their first meeting.
• After several days of sniffing each other out, let your resident pet enter the den while your new dog is out of his crate.

Giving your new dog the appropriate amount of exercise, like this Shih Tzu puppy, above, and Golden Retriever puppy, far left, will help promote good behavior.

Your new friend, like this adopted adult White Highland Terrier, will need plenty of patience and love.

This mixed-breed terrier meets the new addition to his family—a Beagle puppy.

Supplies you’ll need

Have these supplies on hand before you bring your dog home with you.

• Premium dog foods, such as Iams® or Eukanuba® Dog Foods and healthy treats such as Iams® Biscuits and Eukanuba® Healthy Extras™ Biscuits (See “Selecting the Best Nutrition” starting on page 7.)
• Stainless-steel non-tipping food and water bowls
• ID tags with the contact information for yourself and your veterinarian (See “ID Your Pet” on page 11.)
• A “breakaway” collar and a 6-foot leather or nylon leash
• An airline-approved home and travel crate (large enough to transport him as he grows)
• Dog shampoo
• Brushes and combs
• Cleanup supplies such as a stain remover, Bounty® paper towels, Swiffer® floor dusters and a deodorizing spray

Remember, The Iams Company is your ultimate resource for the lifetime of your dog, whether you need advice on nutrition, health or behavior. Just call the experts at 1-877-546-9583.

Even if you’re bringing home just one new dog—much less four!—you’ll want to have all needed supplies already on hand.

Housebreaking your new dog may seem like a daunting task, but with a bit of insight into dog psychology and these proven tips, your new pet will learn quickly. If he’s an adult dog who was never fully housebroken (he has accidents daily, weekly or monthly), you’ll find it’s best to treat him like a brand-new unhousebroken puppy.

1. Select the site. Before your new dog enters your house, introduce him to the specific area of your yard you’ve already designated as his. He’ll soon
   associate it with bathroom breaks.
2. Visit it often. It’s best to take your new dog outside about every two hours as well as upon waking, after playing and feeding and before going to bed. In addition, be alert to signals like sniffing and circling that may indicate he has to go.
3. Use his crate. When you can’t be there, crate your dog. Your dog respects his new “den” and will avoid soiling it. If you purchase a crate large enough to accommodate his adult size, you can partition off part of the crate so he won’t go in a corner of it.
4. Correct him kindly. Accidents will happen. Remember that shouting, scolding and punishment serve no purpose and will only confuse your dog. Even if you catch him in mid-act, simply say “No!” and immediately take him outside.
5. Praise him. Lavish praise on your dog each time he goes outside in his assigned spot. Speak in an upbeat voice, smile and reward him with treats after he does his business.

The Scoop on Accidents
Here’s how to make short work of accident cleanup:

• Soak up urine with Bounty® paper towels and remove feces to a plastic bag.
• Treat the soiled area with a mild detergent solution.
• On carpeting, blot the stain—don’t scrub—and work from the outside toward the center.
• To neutralize odors, use a spray product that’s veterinarian-approved as safe to use around pets.

A new puppy needs lots of positive reinforcement during housebreaking

When it comes to giving your new dog the best start on a happy and healthy life, nothing is more important than proper nutrition. Here are tips on picking the proper foods for your dog.

Your first veterinarian visit
In addition to providing your new dog optimum nutrition, scheduling regular visits to the veterinarian is key to ensuring his health and happiness. Here’s how to prepare. GETTING READY If you have time, introduce your dog to his new veterinarian by scheduling an orientation-only visit. Let the veterinarian’s staff pet him and offer treats. If you project a calm, upbeat attitude, your dog will likely remain calm, too. Some experts recommend scheduling these “just dropping in” visits on a regular basis. THE FIRST APPOINTMENT At your dog’s first appointment, you’ll be asked basic information, and a staff member may weigh your pet. Keeping track of his weight can help identify problems associated with weight loss or gain. Then you’ll meet the veterinarian. You’ll be asked about your dog’s diet and lifestyle. Next you’ll get to ask about your dog’s care. Then the veterinarian will examine him and may administer his first vaccinations. THE VACCINATION SCHEDULE The information you provided will help the veterinarian determine the kinds of diseases your dog may be exposed to and plan an appropriate vaccination schedule. Schedules vary, but it’s important for puppies to get a series of vaccinations to provide optimal protection against infectious diseases like the ones listed at right. The series is begun as early as 6 weeks old, with boosters given 3 to 4 weeks apart until they are 12 to 16 years old. Canine Distemper Adenovirus-2 Canine Parainfluenza (DA2P) Canine Parvovirus (CPV) SPAYING AND NEUTERING To help your dog live a longer, healthier life (and control pet overpopulation), spaying or neutering is important. Your veterinarian will recommend the appropriate age, generally around 6 months. This Jack Russell Terrier puppy, left, is just “dropping in” to meet his veterinarian. BATHING YOUR DOG A brushing each week will keep your dog’s coat in good condition, but if he gets really dirty or has acquired an odor, use these steps to bathe your dog: Step 1: Brush your dog and then gently plug each ear with a cotton ball. Place him in a tub or basin with a nonskid surface. Hold the collar firmly, then pour lukewarm water over his body, being careful to leave his head dry. If bathing your dog outdoors, don’t use water from the garden hose. Cold water will chill your dog and make bathing an unpleasant experience. Step 2: Use a dog shampoo to soap the body. Work up a lather, talking to your dog and praising him as you work. When he’s well lathered, move to his head, being careful to keep shampoo out of his eyes, ears and mouth. Step 3: Rinse and dry the head, then rinse the body. When the water runs clear, rinse one more time. Dry your dog with towels and then remove the cotton plugs from his ears. If your dog has healthy skin, you can dry him further with a hair dryer set on low or warm

CHOOSING A DOG FOOD

Inexpensive pet foods may appear to be a bargain until you realize that they don’t provide the high premium-quality nutrition your new dog needs. Both Iams® and Eukanuba® Dog Foods provide high-quality ingredients for the complete and balanced nutrition your canine friend needs. You can depend on the same world-class quality, nutrition and taste in every bag and can.
When your dog feels as good on the inside as he looks on the outside, it shows every day. It’s in his happy steps and the sparkle of his lustrous coat. Here are some signs that your dog is benefiting from the nutrition of
premium food:

• Exceptional muscle tone
• A shiny, luxurious coat
• Healthy bones and teeth
• Clear, bright eyes
• Small, firm stools
• A happy, healthy, playful attitude

Both Iams® and Eukanuba® Puppy and Dog Foods offer formulations for specific breed sizes and life stages. For example, to promote healthy skeletal development in large-breed puppies, it’s important to moderate calorie and calcium levels.

READING LABELS

It takes less than a minute to scan the five sections of a dog-food label, but what you learn can be crucial to your purchase decision.

• The name of the food gives clues about how much of an ingredient is actually present. For example, foods that include a protein source in the product name (“Beef Formula”) must contain at least 25 percent of the named ingredient; the words “with” or “flavor” (“with beef”, “beef flavor”) could mean there’s as little as
  3 percent of this ingredient.
• The ingredient panel lists all food sources in the product in descending order by precooked weight. For dry food, make sure the first ingredient is a source of high-quality protein, such as chicken or lamb.
• The guaranteed analysis gives the percentage breakdown of the basic nutrients in the formula—protein, fiber and moisture content, for example.
• The nutritional adequacy statement should say that the company conducted “animal feeding tests using AAFCO procedures,” which indicate that the food was actually fed to dogs and found to be adequate.
• The manufacturer phone number should be included. The words “packed for” or “distributed by” in this area, however, may indicate that the food was processed by a third-party manufacturer.

The label also recommends how much to feed your dog each day. Use these recommendations as a starting point to determine feeding amounts.

SWITCHING FORMULAS

When your dog’s growth in height slows (anywhere from 12 to 24 months old, depending on his breed size), begin switching to a premium adult formula.
A gradual switch over a period of four days will minimize intestinal upsets. (This same gradual switching of formulas should be done any time you change your dog’s type of food.)

• Day 1 Feed a mixture of 75 percent puppy food and 25 percent adult formula.
• Day 2 Mix equal amounts of the old and new foods.
• Day 3 Feed a mixture of 75 percent adult formula and 25 percent puppy food.
• Day 4 Begin feeding only the adult formula.

CONTROLLING BEGGING

If you allow begging at the table to start, soon every meal may be accompanied by whining and pawing. To help stop begging, eliminate all feeding from the table and follow these tips:

• Exercise your dog before mealtime, and feed him at the same time the family eats.
• Give him toys to play with while you’re eating.
• Totally ignore the dog if the begging persists—don’t even make eye contact.
• Confine him to his crate during family meals as a last resort.

Use the feeding guidelines on the package label as a starting point for the correct amount to feed your new puppy, like this Bichon Frise.

Scrap the Scraps

Those soulful, pleading eyes may melt your heart, but it’s best not to feed your dog human food. It can lead to canine obesity, intestinal upsets and nutritional imbalances. Unlike people, dogs are content eating a similar diet every day, especially if it offers the wide range of flavors and textures in Iams® and Eukanuba® Dog Foods.
Another reason to avoid inappropriate feeding of human food is that some foods can be harmful or fatal to dogs, such as:

• Chocolate
• Onions
• Bones
• Tomatoes
• Raw eggs
• Raw meat or Poultry

Feeding premium quality nutrition, such as Iams® or Eukanuba® Puppy or Dog Foods, will help your new dog, like this adult Bichon Frise, stay healthy and happy.

ID your pet
It’s crucial for your pet to have identification so he can be returned if he gets lost. Here are three popular methods. Collar tags. The most common and visible form of ID, a tag simply attaches to your dog’s collar to display the dog’s name and your phone number. But your pet must wear his collar at all times, and it’s always possible that it or the tag could become detached. Tattoos. Tattooing has routinely been done to identify animals for many years. Tattoos cannot be removed or lost. This will help identify your pet and get it returned to you (most animal shelters will not destroy a tattooed pet). It helps deter theft and ensures that your pet will not wind up in a laboratory somewhere. Place the tattoo on the inside of your pet’s thigh. This is much harder to remove than one placed on the ear. You must get the tattoo number registered, or it is not useful in locating you. The most well-known are ID Pet and National Pet Registry. Microchips. Another permanent form of ID is a microchip. The size of a grain of rice, it’s painlessly implanted under the dog’s skin (no anesthesia or surgery is required). It contains an alphanumeric code that can be read by animal shelters equipped with a hand scanner. The shelter then notifies the chip manufacturer that the pet has been found, and the manufacturer contacts the owner. Because a tattoo or microchip could go undetected, supplement them with a collar and tag. What to Do If Your Pet Is Lost First, don’t panic. Step through this checklist, and be persistent: Look all over your property, including new places where your dog might try to hide. Search the neighborhood. Talk to all your neighbors, and leave a note with your name and phone number at houses where no one is home. Call your pet’s name frequently. Help your pet find his way home. Place his bedding or some of your dirty clothes outside your house as a homing scent. Call local veterinarians, shelters and humane societies. Also check with the Department of Transportation (DOT) in case your pet was injured on the road. Post flyers in the area. Include your pet’s photo, a detailed description and your phone number (but not your name or address). Place a “lost dog” ad in your local newspaper’s classifieds

Start out on the right foot by doing all you can to ease your dog’s adjustment to his new family. Here’s the information you need to help make your friend’s stay in his new home safe and enjoyable.

DOG-PROOF YOUR HOME

Whether your new friend is a puppy or adult dog, here are important tips to help keep him out of harm’s way:

• Keep household cleaners and chemicals out of his reach.
• Restrict access to plants that are dangerous to dogs: poinsettias, azaleas, rhododendrons, dumb cane, Japanese yew, oleander and English ivy.
• Store breakable items safely out of the way.
• Hide or cover electrical cords so he won’t chew on them.
• Safely store antifreeze, engine oil, laundry detergents and lawn chemicals.
• Keep kids’ toys off the floor—since some parts may be small enough for your puppy or dog to swallow.
• Use a cover and/or protective fencing if you have a pool or hot tub.

CHOOSING A NAME

Here are a few tips to consider before naming your new dog:

• Names should be short. A two-syllable name is best because it’s brief and won’t be confused with one-syllable commands such as “No” or “Sit.”
• Be consistent. All family members should use the same name—don’t use confusing nicknames or variations.
• Reward your dog’s recognition of his name with lots of praise and play.

WELCOME HOME

As the “parent” of a puppy or new adult dog, it’s important for you to help him get used to his new surroundings. Think of him more as an infant than a pet: He’ll need plenty of patience, supervision and love. Here’s how you can help him adjust.

• Bring him home when it’s quiet and you don’t have company. Also, choose a time when your routine is normal.
• Show him the area of your yard that will be his bathroom before bringing him inside. Then take him there whenever he goes outside.
• Give your dog his own room where you can keep his crate, complete with bedding and chew toys (leave the crate’s door open). He’ll feel safe in his “den.” Put down newspaper for accidents. (See pages 14-15 for more housebreaking tips.)
• Supervise your puppy at all times, and play with him several times a day. You’ll help establish yourself as the pack leader.
• Give him bathroom breaks every few hours and right after eating, drinking, sleeping and playing (watch for signals like sniffing or circling). Never punish your dog for accidents; instead, praise him when he goes in his outdoor spot.

GETTING EXERCISE

An appropriate amount of exercise will help promote your new dog’s good behavior and assist you in training him. Talk with your veterinarian about how much daily exercise your breed typically needs. Some dogs are just naturally more high-energy, and need more exercise than others. Schedule family members to exercise your dog throughout the day.

MEETING CHILDREN

You should have no trouble at all encouraging your children to play with your new dog. Still, you’ll want to supervise his first interactions with your kids and set playtime limits—15-20 minutes two or three times a day. Here are still more ground rules to explain:

• No rough teasing or playing. Tell your kids that tail-pulling and teasing can lead to bad habits like jumping up.
• Be gentle. Tell kids never to shout at the dog, even if he does something wrong. Explain that dogs can be startled by loud noises.

INTRODUCING OTHER PETS

Here’s how to help him meet your resident animals:

• Do it gradually. Keep them separated for the first few days.
• Keep him safely in his crate (or behind an expandable doorway gate) as you supervise their first meeting.
• After several days of sniffing each other out, let your resident pet enter the den while your new dog is out of his crate.

Giving your new dog the appropriate amount of exercise, like this Shih Tzu puppy, above, and Golden Retriever puppy, far left, will help promote good behavior.

Your new friend, like this adopted adult White Highland Terrier, will need plenty of patience and love.

This mixed-breed terrier meets the new addition to his family—a Beagle puppy.

Supplies you’ll need

Have these supplies on hand before you bring your dog home with you.

• Premium dog foods, such as Iams® or Eukanuba® Dog Foods and healthy treats such as Iams® Biscuits and Eukanuba® Healthy Extras™ Biscuits (See “Selecting the Best Nutrition” starting on page 7.)
• Stainless-steel non-tipping food and water bowls
• ID tags with the contact information for yourself and your veterinarian (See “ID Your Pet” on page 11.)
• A “breakaway” collar and a 6-foot leather or nylon leash
• An airline-approved home and travel crate (large enough to transport him as he grows)
• Dog shampoo
• Brushes and combs
• Cleanup supplies such as a stain remover, Bounty® paper towels, Swiffer® floor dusters and a deodorizing spray

Remember, The Iams Company is your ultimate resource for the lifetime of your dog, whether you need advice on nutrition, health or behavior. Just call the experts at 1-877-546-9583.

Even if you’re bringing home just one new dog—much less four!—you’ll want to have all needed supplies already on hand.

Housebreaking your new dog may seem like a daunting task, but with a bit of insight into dog psychology and these proven tips, your new pet will learn quickly. If he’s an adult dog who was never fully housebroken (he has accidents daily, weekly or monthly), you’ll find it’s best to treat him like a brand-new unhousebroken puppy.

1. Select the site. Before your new dog enters your house, introduce him to the specific area of your yard you’ve already designated as his. He’ll soon
   associate it with bathroom breaks.
2. Visit it often. It’s best to take your new dog outside about every two hours as well as upon waking, after playing and feeding and before going to bed. In addition, be alert to signals like sniffing and circling that may indicate he has to go.
3. Use his crate. When you can’t be there, crate your dog. Your dog respects his new “den” and will avoid soiling it. If you purchase a crate large enough to accommodate his adult size, you can partition off part of the crate so he won’t go in a corner of it.
4. Correct him kindly. Accidents will happen. Remember that shouting, scolding and punishment serve no purpose and will only confuse your dog. Even if you catch him in mid-act, simply say “No!” and immediately take him outside.
5. Praise him. Lavish praise on your dog each time he goes outside in his assigned spot. Speak in an upbeat voice, smile and reward him with treats after he does his business.

The Scoop on Accidents
Here’s how to make short work of accident cleanup:

• Soak up urine with Bounty® paper towels and remove feces to a plastic bag.
• Treat the soiled area with a mild detergent solution.
• On carpeting, blot the stain—don’t scrub—and work from the outside toward the center.
• To neutralize odors, use a spray product that’s veterinarian-approved as safe to use around pets.

A new puppy needs lots of positive reinforcement during housebreaking

When it comes to giving your new dog the best start on a happy and healthy life, nothing is more important than proper nutrition. Here are tips on picking the proper foods for your dog.

Your first veterinarian visit
In addition to providing your new dog optimum nutrition, scheduling regular visits to the veterinarian is key to ensuring his health and happiness. Here’s how to prepare. GETTING READY If you have time, introduce your dog to his new veterinarian by scheduling an orientation-only visit. Let the veterinarian’s staff pet him and offer treats. If you project a calm, upbeat attitude, your dog will likely remain calm, too. Some experts recommend scheduling these “just dropping in” visits on a regular basis. THE FIRST APPOINTMENT At your dog’s first appointment, you’ll be asked basic information, and a staff member may weigh your pet. Keeping track of his weight can help identify problems associated with weight loss or gain. Then you’ll meet the veterinarian. You’ll be asked about your dog’s diet and lifestyle. Next you’ll get to ask about your dog’s care. Then the veterinarian will examine him and may administer his first vaccinations. THE VACCINATION SCHEDULE The information you provided will help the veterinarian determine the kinds of diseases your dog may be exposed to and plan an appropriate vaccination schedule. Schedules vary, but it’s important for puppies to get a series of vaccinations to provide optimal protection against infectious diseases like the ones listed at right. The series is begun as early as 6 weeks old, with boosters given 3 to 4 weeks apart until they are 12 to 16 years old. Canine Distemper Adenovirus-2 Canine Parainfluenza (DA2P) Canine Parvovirus (CPV) SPAYING AND NEUTERING To help your dog live a longer, healthier life (and control pet overpopulation), spaying or neutering is important. Your veterinarian will recommend the appropriate age, generally around 6 months. This Jack Russell Terrier puppy, left, is just “dropping in” to meet his veterinarian. BATHING YOUR DOG A brushing each week will keep your dog’s coat in good condition, but if he gets really dirty or has acquired an odor, use these steps to bathe your dog: Step 1: Brush your dog and then gently plug each ear with a cotton ball. Place him in a tub or basin with a nonskid surface. Hold the collar firmly, then pour lukewarm water over his body, being careful to leave his head dry. If bathing your dog outdoors, don’t use water from the garden hose. Cold water will chill your dog and make bathing an unpleasant experience. Step 2: Use a dog shampoo to soap the body. Work up a lather, talking to your dog and praising him as you work. When he’s well lathered, move to his head, being careful to keep shampoo out of his eyes, ears and mouth. Step 3: Rinse and dry the head, then rinse the body. When the water runs clear, rinse one more time. Dry your dog with towels and then remove the cotton plugs from his ears. If your dog has healthy skin, you can dry him further with a hair dryer set on low or warm

CHOOSING A DOG FOOD

Inexpensive pet foods may appear to be a bargain until you realize that they don’t provide the high premium-quality nutrition your new dog needs. Both Iams® and Eukanuba® Dog Foods provide high-quality ingredients for the complete and balanced nutrition your canine friend needs. You can depend on the same world-class quality, nutrition and taste in every bag and can.
When your dog feels as good on the inside as he looks on the outside, it shows every day. It’s in his happy steps and the sparkle of his lustrous coat. Here are some signs that your dog is benefiting from the nutrition of
premium food:

• Exceptional muscle tone
• A shiny, luxurious coat
• Healthy bones and teeth
• Clear, bright eyes
• Small, firm stools
• A happy, healthy, playful attitude

Both Iams® and Eukanuba® Puppy and Dog Foods offer formulations for specific breed sizes and life stages. For example, to promote healthy skeletal development in large-breed puppies, it’s important to moderate calorie and calcium levels.

READING LABELS

It takes less than a minute to scan the five sections of a dog-food label, but what you learn can be crucial to your purchase decision.

• The name of the food gives clues about how much of an ingredient is actually present. For example, foods that include a protein source in the product name (“Beef Formula”) must contain at least 25 percent of the named ingredient; the words “with” or “flavor” (“with beef”, “beef flavor”) could mean there’s as little as
  3 percent of this ingredient.
• The ingredient panel lists all food sources in the product in descending order by precooked weight. For dry food, make sure the first ingredient is a source of high-quality protein, such as chicken or lamb.
• The guaranteed analysis gives the percentage breakdown of the basic nutrients in the formula—protein, fiber and moisture content, for example.
• The nutritional adequacy statement should say that the company conducted “animal feeding tests using AAFCO procedures,” which indicate that the food was actually fed to dogs and found to be adequate.
• The manufacturer phone number should be included. The words “packed for” or “distributed by” in this area, however, may indicate that the food was processed by a third-party manufacturer.

The label also recommends how much to feed your dog each day. Use these recommendations as a starting point to determine feeding amounts.

SWITCHING FORMULAS

When your dog’s growth in height slows (anywhere from 12 to 24 months old, depending on his breed size), begin switching to a premium adult formula.
A gradual switch over a period of four days will minimize intestinal upsets. (This same gradual switching of formulas should be done any time you change your dog’s type of food.)

• Day 1 Feed a mixture of 75 percent puppy food and 25 percent adult formula.
• Day 2 Mix equal amounts of the old and new foods.
• Day 3 Feed a mixture of 75 percent adult formula and 25 percent puppy food.
• Day 4 Begin feeding only the adult formula.

CONTROLLING BEGGING

If you allow begging at the table to start, soon every meal may be accompanied by whining and pawing. To help stop begging, eliminate all feeding from the table and follow these tips:

• Exercise your dog before mealtime, and feed him at the same time the family eats.
• Give him toys to play with while you’re eating.
• Totally ignore the dog if the begging persists—don’t even make eye contact.
• Confine him to his crate during family meals as a last resort.

Use the feeding guidelines on the package label as a starting point for the correct amount to feed your new puppy, like this Bichon Frise.

Scrap the Scraps

Those soulful, pleading eyes may melt your heart, but it’s best not to feed your dog human food. It can lead to canine obesity, intestinal upsets and nutritional imbalances. Unlike people, dogs are content eating a similar diet every day, especially if it offers the wide range of flavors and textures in Iams® and Eukanuba® Dog Foods.
Another reason to avoid inappropriate feeding of human food is that some foods can be harmful or fatal to dogs, such as:

• Chocolate
• Onions
• Bones
• Tomatoes
• Raw eggs
• Raw meat or Poultry

Feeding premium quality nutrition, such as Iams® or Eukanuba® Puppy or Dog Foods, will help your new dog, like this adult Bichon Frise, stay healthy and happy.

ID your pet
It’s crucial for your pet to have identification so he can be returned if he gets lost. Here are three popular methods. Collar tags. The most common and visible form of ID, a tag simply attaches to your dog’s collar to display the dog’s name and your phone number. But your pet must wear his collar at all times, and it’s always possible that it or the tag could become detached. Tattoos. Tattooing has routinely been done to identify animals for many years. Tattoos cannot be removed or lost. This will help identify your pet and get it returned to you (most animal shelters will not destroy a tattooed pet). It helps deter theft and ensures that your pet will not wind up in a laboratory somewhere. Place the tattoo on the inside of your pet’s thigh. This is much harder to remove than one placed on the ear. You must get the tattoo number registered, or it is not useful in locating you. The most well-known are ID Pet and National Pet Registry. Microchips. Another permanent form of ID is a microchip. The size of a grain of rice, it’s painlessly implanted under the dog’s skin (no anesthesia or surgery is required). It contains an alphanumeric code that can be read by animal shelters equipped with a hand scanner. The shelter then notifies the chip manufacturer that the pet has been found, and the manufacturer contacts the owner. Because a tattoo or microchip could go undetected, supplement them with a collar and tag. What to Do If Your Pet Is Lost First, don’t panic. Step through this checklist, and be persistent: Look all over your property, including new places where your dog might try to hide. Search the neighborhood. Talk to all your neighbors, and leave a note with your name and phone number at houses where no one is home. Call your pet’s name frequently. Help your pet find his way home. Place his bedding or some of your dirty clothes outside your house as a homing scent. Call local veterinarians, shelters and humane societies. Also check with the Department of Transportation (DOT) in case your pet was injured on the road. Post flyers in the area. Include your pet’s photo, a detailed description and your phone number (but not your name or address). Place a “lost dog” ad in your local newspaper’s classifieds