Your Golden Retriever’s Diet May Reduce His Brain Function

A 1996 study with dogs investigated a growing misconception among some trainers and veterinarians that low protein diets (16 to 20% protein) can improve the behavior of hyperactive or aggressive dogs. These were dogs that had formerly been fed what was erroneously called a high protein diet (28 to 32% protein) on a dry-matter basis.

The results suggested that lowering protein in the diet is not generally useful in treating behavior problems involving territorial aggression, dominance aggression and hyperactivity. Unfortunately, but not surprisingly, a study was not done that reduced the carbohydrates (the major component of most dog foods) while increasing protein.

In a carefully controlled study, protein-starved animals were evaluated for the effects of protein depletion on various organs. Examination of the brain revealed only a 14% average protein loss, compared to gross depletion of 27-65% or more in other organs. Researchers concluded that, because it directs hunting/food-seeking behavior, the brain may have naturally evolved to be less susceptible to protein starvation.

Unfortunately, we must now cite rat studies for further data. Protein-starved experimental animals exhibited no serious learning deficits regarding responses to aversive (shock) stimuli or maze problems involving food rewards. However, the animals did have lower thresholds for electro-convulsive shock, that is, they convulsed at lower voltages than normal animals. The researchers tentatively concluded that a protein depletion of up to 14% in the mammalian brain does not appreciably affect learning, but slightly reduces excitability thresholds. This study raises interesting questions about the effects of protein, carbohydrate and fat ratios on the general level of excitability in mammals, particularly in problem dogs, many of which are excitable.

Studies on rats indicate that carbohydrate-rich diets can significantly increase levels of serotonin in the brain. Serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine) is an essential but still poorly understood chemical neurotransmitter found in greatest concentrations in the nuclei of the medulla oblongata, which has a role in determining the general levels of excitability. What is pertinent is that the ratios between carbohydrate, protein and fat intake may produce both immediate and long-term changes in the excitability of dogs. It now remains to relate this empirically to certain behavior problems.

Pet-friendly luxury hotels

MSNBC - Vokes, who lives in Washington, D.C., recently traveled cross-country with her partner, Laura, and their golden retriever, Levon, and became somewhat of an expert on dog-friendly lodging. They found pet weight limits at many hotels to be prohibitive
Source: www.msnbc.msn.com

Paw Prints
Sun and Press - Autumn Valley golden retriever rescue, Inc., is in need of foster homes for rescued golden retrievers. AVGRR will cover all medical expenses and provide training for the foster home. Information: Visit our Web site at www.autumnvalley.org . SPONSOR A
Source: www.pressconnects.com

No. 20 Marquette Bounces Back Vs. UMBC

San Francisco Gate - The Golden Eagles (10-2) dominated the Retrievers (4-7) one week after a bitter 70-66 loss to their instate rival, No. 7 Wisconsin. Dominic James, who led Marquette with 17 points and six assists, said the win was a team victory. “We just got back to Go

Wyoming Tribune-Eagle - At Hunters Trace Kennel, Beck and his wife, Marsha, specialize in breeding golden retrievers for three purposes: to perform in the field, to compete in the show ring and to be competitive as obedience dogs. “I think we’re fairly realistic here,” Beck Go

KOLD-TV - That’s as good or better than beagles at 78.2%, and golden retrievers 83.2%. We are grateful to Council Member, Steve Leal, for his support and for allowing us to the Ward 5 area for this program. We are very hopeful that our community will take Go

Why Golden Retriever Ear Cropping Is Cruel

Ear cropping is by far the most controversial of the elected procedures. Many veterinarians who have no problem with tail docks or dewclaw removals do not crop ears, and some are lobbying the American Veterinary Medical Association to condemn the procedure.

Ear cropping entails slicing an anesthetized golden retriever puppy’s ear flap to a shape and length preferred for the particular breed and then bandaging what’s left on splints or racks to heal. This procedure is not painless by any definition, although untold thousands of dogs have come through it with no apparent longterm psychological damage.

In England and Germany, ear cropping is banned as cruel. No such laws exist today in the United States and Canada. As long as the breed clubs that write the standards insist on this practice, many pet owners will follow suit.

It is urged that you do not crop your puppy’s ears! Cropping is a matter of tradition and familiarity, and the more uncropped dogs are seen and loved, the more comfortable others will be with leaving their puppy’s ears alone. Perhaps in time, even the breed clubs that defend ear cropping so vigorously will relax on the issue - and this senseless tradition will fade away.

Trapped Dog Navigates Steep Moss Beach Cliff

KGO - Ocean, and firefighters are usually called to the scene more to prevent citizens from attempting their own rescue operations rather than rescuing the animal themselves. There were no injuries reported in this incident. Even the golden retriever More

AccessAtlanta - All the entries posted in November. El Vez, the way kitschy entertainer dubbed the Mexican Elvis, hit the stage late Wednesday night at Smith s Olde Bar in Midtown to help usher in the holiday season for a packed house. The alter ego of east More

Why Do Golden Retrievers Paw & Scratch At Certain Things & At Certain Times?

Everyone has a little bedtime ritual. For children, it’s toothbrushing, stories, and lights-out. For their parents, it might be pillow fluffing or putting on satin pajamas. For Golden Retrievers, it’s pawing the ground - or the carpet - before settling in. Some dogs’ routines are so precise that you can tell even before they start moving what they’re getting ready to do. You can just see that look in the eye that says, Okay, I’m going to turn around four times, paw six times, lie down, sigh, and fall right to sleep.

Sparky Was Here!

A thick pile carpet or a plaid cedar bed doesn’t need this sort of treatment, but dogs are creatures of habit. They tend to do the same things they’ve always done. Every Golden develops a slightly different set of bedtime rituals, and for the most part, they’ll follow these rituals every time they lie down. Once they get in the habit of pawing or scratching or circling around before they lie down, they’re going to always want to do it.

Comfort and ritual are only part of the story. Another reason for pawing is that dogs are
territorial animals, which means they stake out and claim areas that they consider theirs. One way of marking territory is to scratch at the ground. In the wild, dogs who happened by would see the scratch marks and know that the place was occupied. They’d smell the marks, too. dogs have scent glands in their paws. Pawing at the carpet is one way of depositing their personal scent. Female dogs may be somewhat more likely than males to paw before lying down, especially if they happen to be pregnant. It’s because they have a biological urge to prepare a safe, comfortable nest for their puppies.

It Also Feels Good to Scratch!

From the time they’re golden retriever puppies, dogs will scratch and dig just about anywhere - on the carpet, in the garden, even on linoleum floors. They’re not really trying to make a bed in all of these places. They just enjoy scratching. It feels great on their paws. If it’s hot outside, they’ll scratch and get a little cool dirt under their nails. Before long, they’re hooked.

This is why some dogs spend an inordinate amount of time pawing the carpet or their beds
before lying down. They don’t need to make things more comfortable than they already are. They’re just enjoying the activity. And since they find it relaxing, it’s a natural prelude to taking a nap. They don’t necessarily have a goal in mind. They do it because it feels good.