“The app was initially driven by a business interest to build an engagement platform to complement the nutrition-based ‘achieving greatness’ effort of the Pro Plan Brand,” said Brian Zanghi, Research Scientist, Nestle Purina PetCare and one of the app’s developers. “The Pro Plan team saw an opportunity to provide pet owners with a free resource if they want to have, or already pursue, some active lifestyle with their pet.”
“The technology that calculates greatness points is based on several bodies or canine physiology research conducted over the years by Nestle Purina Scientists and Nutritionists,” said Zanghi. “The app takes exercise duration, exercise intensity, the dog’s age and dog’s breed size into consideration to level the playing field across all dogs, so the greatness points are more comparable between a Labrador Retriever and a Yorkshire Terrier.”
I’m not sure if my pit bull, Raleigh, is going to be inspired by this new technology. The only time she runs is when you say the word “snack.” But for other dogs, this free app could be a great way for owners and their dogs to get in shape. There are instructional videos that walk beginners through every step of the agility course. Purina worked with former Dallas Cowboys great Daryl “Moose” Johnston with the app and he was able to train his yellow lab Gunner to perform beginner-level agility courses and catch long-distance disc throws in just a matter of weeks. (See the video below as proof.)
Zanghi said the app gives the average owner a basis for learning and executing the basics of obedience and basic training. The fitness goal range is set to a sliding scale, so that minor increases or decreases to the goals can be set to whatever a beginner or average pet owner may find achievable. In addition, greatness points can be accumulated even with modest amounts of activity only a few days a week. The app also includes family-fun related activity options that include play time, fetch, dog-park activity, doing tricks, or playing tug -- all of which stimulate the pet physically and mentally, and can contribute to the pet’s greatness points.
Now, if they could just invent an app to replicate the sofa sleeping experience in such a way as to get my dogs outside and exercising on their own.