As I have posted elsewhere, my Luke's behaviour has become a serious problem since last week-end - I have recently changed both our dogs from Burns Lamb & rice to Arden Grange lamb & rice - the Burns being finally phased out at the end of last week. I know there is no answer to this - but - could the higher protein levels be sending him loopy??

Different foods will have different effects on people's dogs.  Mine are all on Arden Grange and aren't hyper at all, my friend changed her Akita's food to Arden Grange and noticed a huge difference in the amount he calmed down.

I once changed my Akita onto Autarky and she turned into a nightmare, got really grumpy with other dogs and even people and generally played up but within a couple weeks of being back on the Arden Grange she was being lovely again....

Yes it can have an effect :-)

I remember many moons ago I bought a bag of Bakers and within 24 hours my two  Labs girls I had at the time turned into loopy hooligans

It will more than likey have been the colouring and additives that caused it but just to say a change in food can change behaviour .

Have you had him checked out by a vet as well as any change in the behaviour of a dog may well be an underlying medical problem ?

Hope you get to the bottom of it :-)

Lucy
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A change in diet and behaviour are definately linked. Your boy may not react well to higher protein or there may be something extra/missing/different variety of something in the new food. I would check all ingredients very carefully to see if you can pinpoint what it is then you know to avoid it in future.

Hi there

Like the other posters have said a change in behaviour & diet are linked.

A couple of years ago i had to change one of my dogs foods and within hours of the full change he was bouncing off the walls!

It took us a couple of days to realise that the food change could be the issue but it was.

With a bit of detective work i bet you'll get it sorted, good luck.
Paula :-)

Back to Burns, then, by the look of it! Thanks for all your observations. :-)

There are no studies proving that the levels of protein and behaviour are linked per se, although there are studies on diets enhanced with tryptophan etc.

Grains and dairy products can have opiate like effects on dogs so can additives.

My lot are on the lamb and Lexi is the laziest 4 year old I know :D  Unless actually out doing things she is on her back getting her beauty sleep.

hi my advice is to stick to burns, i fed all my rotts on it and never had trouble, only changed once on an economy drive and wished i hadn't what i saved on food i spent on vet bills with skin trouble, burns is the best dyr food on the market to date, having worked and owned dogs for over 25 years i have had time to research this, so if i was you i would stick to Burns ,

>burns is the best dyr food on the market to date,

In your opinion,right? Because i think it is lacking in many things that the average dog needs to thrive.

you must do what you feel is right for your dog, my advice was freely given, its up to you what you do of course.

There's a thread on here that I submitted about change of diet...I found that changing my gsp from Dr Johns (yes I no it's a cheap & nasty food!) to Jwb (rice varietys) made an enormous amount of diffference i.e her general behaviour of being hyper sensitive to cats, vets & fireworks...She is now an entirely different girlie and can cope now with almost anything...(apart from when i slipped & fell down this morning on our walk...She bounded up to me & licked me frantically!) 

I think that like people different food will suit different dogs.  I'm doing the opposite at the moment and changing one of ours from Arden Grange to Burns, but my others will stay on it as it really does suit them.

I do really believe in diet affecting behaviour though, but i don't think that it's always the most expensive food thats best for all dogs, it's down to each individual.

Hope your ok after your fall as well, see your girl was looking after you :-)

Paula