Desperately needs help.

Hi

Can anyone help me? I am getting different information from all sides. My vet tells me that a high protein diet is the best and I have been using their food called Origin which contains 70% protein. However, my trainers have said that a the high protein content is causing hyperactivity (my pup is quite boisterous and tends to use his teeth for attention) and is the reason why he is quite skinny (he isn't skin and bone just thin), they say that he is burning the protein too quickly and basically pooing it out, thus, not forming muscles correctly and not bulking up in weight (although he does weigh 26kg and is only 22 weeks old). The trainers are recommending Wafcol which is 24% protein. I am getting really frustrated and quite upset that my pup isn't getting the right food and potentially not the best care. Being a pharmacist I know that protein is what builds muscle so I am more confused than ever. This isn't my first dog, but it is my first GSD. He is going to be a big dog and is growing really fast and I am particularly worried that he is going to have muscle and joint problems if I don't rectify this fast. Please help.

If anyone has any tips on how to stop him grabbing me with his teeth for attention, they would also be greatfully received. I've tried noise aversion, walking out the room, putting him in another room and ignoring him all to no avail. He is getting better, but I really need to nip it in the bud before he gets any bigger. He can get my entire elbow in his mouth and would like him to stop before it's my entire arm. He isn't aggressive, he just gets over excited.

Thanks

Julie

Hi Julie, welcome to the forum

I will leave the first question to those better qualified,..as I have never had a GS pup, but some vets will be determinded to sell `their` food to you, no matter if it is the best or not

The second question.... how often is he walked?, I have what you may call a Hyperactive dog,..and no amount of walking will tier her out, but a couple of hours at least a day does help, you do need to do your best in order to settle him down.

When we had this problem we used a small plastic bottle half filled with small stones, when you see the first sign of him reaching for you, shake the bottle, they dont like it,...it worked for us but as you have already tried some noise treatment,.. it might not work on your dog. the other best options you are already doing.

Have you thought to channel his activeness into something like agility,.. if not that, then use his mind,..try hiding things in the house,...let him smell them first, then go hide them,.. he will get a lot out of it,.. and it will help settle him

I wish I could help more,... the chances are that he will get better

[Matrix/Logan]

I have Logan on Royal canin maxi junior, i think it is higher protein than the adult, he is maturing very well and is not hyper. I think some youngsters are a little hyper on chicken based feeds but can sometimes be better on lamb or salmon based, the protein % can remain the same just maybe change the source that the protein comes from?!

I think if your pup is 22weeks and weighs 26 kgs then he is doing fine!

I personally don't like wafcol as it is more cereal based and therefore produces more waste as cereal isn't digested by dogs very well. I have never heard anyone say that protein produces MORE waste as it is protein that dogs are fab at digesting, without protein i think your dog will struggle to be at his best, maybe this is you trainers thought, ....not at his best.... therefore sluggish and easier to train?? Personally i would prefer mine to be at full health and a little hard work!

As regards the attention seeking biting i think i would 'yelp' or 'growl' at him and walk away saying nothing, he will soon learn that this behaviour ends the game or attention!

Hope i havn't waffled too much!!

Orijen is a great food IMO having fed it to my boys as pupsters they have been raw fed since 4 months

[maxandskye]

My Bo was on Orijen large breed puppy until he was about 7 months old, its the best food IMHO for any puppy/dog. The only reason I changed to Arden Grange was in all honesty "cost", as Heidi has serious skin issues & she is on Orijen regional red which is £70 every few weeks. So I have Bo & Harvey on Large Breed puppy/ adult Arden Grange which they are both doing fab on.

So if you can afford Orijen then I would say to stick with it. There is no way that Orijen can be compared with Wafcol, theres no comparison in my mind. The ingredients in Orijen are far way more impressive than in Wafcol.

Just make sure that its the Large Breed Puppy Orijen you are feeding.

[Poly]

Biting or nipping - I would just have a tug toy or chew of some kind to hand ie if he starts biting jumping etc give him something he is allowed to chew/bite on....

I cannot comment on the food as Ive never used it...

When Julie said the food was called `origin,..I didnt think she meant Orijen, I didnt connect to two,... errrrr ..its late...lol

[joyce]

Hi Julie and Welcome
I cannot comment on the food as I have not used it.
With all foods what suits some wont suit others, Unless a food has a Junior range we have always fed adult after the first bag of puppy.
ArdenGrange usedto do a puppy then on to a junior food, now it is a puppy/junior
As you said he is growing fast which worries you and rightly so.
Here is a link to ArdenGrange, phone Ness their Nutritionist she is very good.
I am not saying this is what you should feed, but it is worth a look x

Super Premium Dog Food and Cat Food From Arden Grange

[maxandskye]

Originally Posted by joyce

Hi Julie and Welcome
I cannot comment on the food as I have not used it.
With all foods what suits some wont suit others, Unless a food has a Junior range we have always fed adult after the first bag of puppy.
ArdenGrange usedto do a puppy then on to a junior food, now it is a puppy/junior
As you said he is growing fast which worries you and rightly so.
Here is a link to ArdenGrange, phone Ness their Nutritionist she is very good.
I am not saying this is what you should feed, but it is worth a look x

Super Premium Dog Food and Cat Food From Arden Grange

I agree Joyce, Ness is fab isnt she.

Yes, I've also been there! Trawled the net to find out about the high protein/ ?hyper and aggressin thing, but it does seem that the jury is still out on this.I'm using Origen too, but because I want to feed grain free, but hav efound a new food that's sourced in the UK - called" Natural Instinct"which is frozen, "Barf Type", but with NO additives at all, and much lower in protein. The idea of "barf" appeals to me, but until now, I have been put off by the problem of if I do it from scatch myself, of not producing a balnced diet for my boys. This company name their sources, like Origen, and it is all human grade, and balanced. .They do chicken, ( from Norfolk) lamb( from Wales), Tripe, and a mixed version too, with lamb and chicken.Hope this helps! Hilary, (and Loki and Thor!!).