Dry Dog Food

[holly]

Good morning all,
I was just wondering if anyone out there has had any experience with the Burns Pet Foods....I am considering trying out there Lamb and Rice Formula dry dog food when it becomes available.....Currently I have my big boy on Nutro Natural Choice Lamb Meal and Brown Rice and that seems to be the one combination that he is tolerating quite well since we rescued him 18 mos. ago.....
Holly in Maine

 

[BoundlessNewfs]

No experience with that brand, but (speaking as someone who has a dog who seems to be allergic to everything...) when you find something they tolerate well, why change it? We tried all kinds of premium brands, and finally just brought home samples of several kibbles which contained only the ingredients we knew Lucy could eat. I laid the sample bags out on the floor, then had her sniff her way through the room. Some she stepped around, some she sniffed then made a face...one she stopped and sniffed deeply, then acted very hopeful and was begging to try it. This is the one I feed all three of our girls now, and the vet really likes how they're doing on it. (Natural Balance Sweet Potato and Fish).

 

[holly]

The reason I am thinking about trying Burns is due to the protein content. My big boy is very exciteable and a low protein diet has been suggested as one aspect of his behavior modification.

 

[ozzysma]

really?? can i ask what you mean by excitable?? i have a very hyper newf, i call him my ADD newf because that describes him very much!! so i am very curious!!

 

[holly]

Exciteable as in:
He has extremely poor impulse control in his behavior. He is what is referred to as a "Very drive-y" dog .....Very high Drive as in prey drive behavior...they make excellent performance dogs( if used in appropriate working environments but are very difficult as a rule to own as a pet.
He is triggered by "motion" as most high drive dogs are......and is hyper aware of his environment so that he gets very excited and amped up when outdoors..His "on/off switch" is very very short....He is getting alot better since we rescued him..(it's taken 18 mos of very focused training on the part of us and professionals) He also has poor dog to dog etiquette due to his lack of sociaization prior to us rescueing him..
So, long story short......We have him down to 21% protein and that along with the other behavior mod stuff we are doing seems to be making a difference, along with him being a year and a half older now too...We're making his 3 y.o. B-day 12/1 .
So, if we could get him on this 18% protein that might help out "justthat little bit more" I am thinking in terms of having him "settle." He had a really rough road before we rescued him so his digestive tract and ability to handle food has been a real struggle......but we're making good progress.
Two REALLY GOOD BOOKS for dogs with this type of personality are :
Control Unleashed (I can't remember the author right now)
Getting Connected With Your Dog by Brenda Aloff

 

[janices]

Since you have Control Unleashed, Tawzer Videos has a couple of good videos that are from seminars.
Steve White - How Police K9 Techniques Can Transform Your Everyday Training
Dr. Jesus Rosales-Ruiz and Kellie Snider - Constructive Aggression Treatment 2nd edition: Shaping Your Way Out Of Aggression (This is based on new aggression research that has come out of the University of North Texas)

I'm going to the Steve White seminar this weekend so I can actually feed back about it.

I have a high drive newf. I don't limit the protein because I want her on a really good diet and I haven't seen a difference on lower vs higher. I find focusing these type dogs into working activity(ies) really helps them a lot. I teach settle.

 

[holly]

You are absolutely RIGHT!!!!! re: getting them to focus on some activity.....
that's what we've been working on along with self control....I would love to hear about any "Revelations" you get while attending the seminar....This type of dog is a fantastic dog but ones that require a whole lot of management and committment by their owners...Our Big Boy is my families 4th and my 6th newfie...he is UNLIKE any dog I have ever shared my life with!!!!!! Thanks for sending the link to the Tawser Videos..... I am quite sure that my trainer just went to a weekend long seminar in NJ presented by Jesus .......I'm gonna ask her when I see her later on today!

 

[janices]

The Steve White seminar is excellent. They videotaped a reactive dog that was brought in by someone from Kansas, then we analyzed signals the dog was giving off. The seminar goes through recognizing signals and thresholds. Today was recognizing signals and tomorrow is more on thresholds. Steve White is an entertaining speaker that brings in his Police K9 perspective.

I've had more than one high drive newf so it's not unfamiliar to me. Our club had one come through rescue that was basically feral. The owners put their second title on her this summer, WRD. They've done a marvelous job focusing and directing her energy. She's a joy to watch working.

 

[ozzysma]

thanks , ok maybe he is not quite as bad as some!!LOL

 

[janices]

thanks , ok maybe he is not quite as bad as some!!LOL

:lol: http://i2ik9.com/
Day 2 went more into problem solving models, thresholds, training plans. Seminar sponsored by Texas Hearing and Service Dogs. Excellent seminar. Actually went into CAT (Construction Aggression Treatment) some when problem solving a dog today.

 

[holly]

I'd be really interested in the feral newf that was rehabilitated....sounds as though the owners did some pretty incredible stuff with the dog...do you have any specifics? Thanks for info on your seminar.....we're getting there...

 

[janices]

I'd be really interested in the feral newf that was rehabilitated....sounds as though the owners did some pretty incredible stuff with the dog...do you have any specifics? Thanks for info on your seminar.....we're getting there...

Let me check with them and if it's ok will give you their e-mail address privately so you can chat with them. I know they've worked with a trainer up their way but don't know the name.

 

[holly]

Would love to hear more about the training that went into the feral rescue..... also more about your training seminar...good stuff.....

 

[janices]

Sent you a private message.