Behaviourist recommended we try Breakthrough dog food

[Tinyplanets]

I am glad you are seeing signs that he is calmer. It isn't nice to see them so stressed. It is still early days  and it can take a long time for them to really settle into a new home. It sounds like he is getting there.

[KatrinH]

I have read about the L-Tryptophan (spelling?) and have several people say it works. It's quite popular in Germany it seems.

If you do not like the food, I have heard that feeding protein, which naturally has Tryptophan in it, and then 1-2 hours delayed carbs, speeds up and helps with the uptake of the Tryptophan and in turn helps with serotonin and calms the dog.

I need to start a trial of that myself, but it is a bit more difficult with timing.


Otherwise I do recommend trying Bach essences too.

[LeeW]

We're now just under 7 weeks into the new diet and progress is still very slow.

Rex loves to play fetch with his hoop on the large green to front of our house.  If the road is quiet,  he will happily play and not want to go back home.  If there are diesel engines to be heard,  he is still very uneasy and will stop playing and return to the front gate.

There is still no real progress on the general walking side of things.  He is still very wary of noise,  sometimes he will go round a corner, other times he won't, all depending on what is going on around us at the time.

At the moment I'm not convinced that the Breakthrough food is to be credited with the minor progress that we have seen.

We have approx 3 weeks supply left and I'm considering changing to an alternative food.

I realise that there is no single food that can really be deemed as perfect,  so trial and error is probably key to success here.

If I don't see a notable difference in the next 2 weeks,  I don't think I'll be ordering a 3rd bag of Breakthrough.

My original research into foods on here  led me to want to try a 5 out of 5 food, as I'd read that poorer quality food could lead to an unsettled stomach, which in turn could enhance any anxiety.

I'm currently a little torn as to wether to continue this trial or move to Pooch And Mutt Calm and Relaxed, as it's very similar to Breakthrough but with increased protein by comparison,  or even change to a 5/5 food such as Eden.
Both of these options would be an improvement,  based on score alone,  over Breakthrough.

The next fortnight will decide for us.
Maybe,  just maybe,  something will spark in our little lad and prove this food to be worthy,  but I'll not hold my breath.

Thanks for your time and interest.
Lee & Rex




 

[Dottie]

Thank you very much for keeping us updated. This is an interesting experiment but from what you say, it would appear that the food has not had the hoped for effect.  If you are minded to change over to a higher scoring food, start at least one week before the Breakthrough runs out because your dog may need that length of time for the transition, particularly as it is a big change to go from low protein to a high one such as the 5/5 that you suggested. 

Current thinking on high protein food is that it does not cause hyperactivity.  However, there is anecdotal evidence from people who believe that it does affect their particular dog.  Other people say that their dogs have been calmer on high protein food.  The key things are digestibility, natural formulas i.e. no red ingredients/additives.  All dogs are different so you would just have to try it and see. Best to purchase a small bag in case it doesn't suit.   

[LeeW]

Hi Dottie,

We have sampled Eden before, Rex ate it without issue as he is not a fussy eater. Obviously a sample is different to a change of diet,  but we'll see how it goes if we go down that route.

Pooch and Mutt is possibly the best option at the moment,  as it is similar to Breakthrough in its aim of settling the mind.
I'll have to decide either way very soon.
I'll keep you informed.

Thanks for your time.
Lee & Rex

[Tinyplanets]

Thanks for the update Lee. I think that the anxiety can overwhelm them so much that a change of food alone, wouldn't make a significant difference. I tried so many different things but think, in the end, time and continuous patience and training are the only things which will help really improve things. My dog is mostly calm by the road we take every day to get to the fields but I avoid new busy roads, I still praise when she has walked calmly passed a noisy vehicle and we are still working on other dogs. I will never aim to have her fully socialised with other dogs, just to be able to walk passed calmly most of the time will make me happy. She is about 90% calm now. Generally I have trouble when other dogs are off lead and get too much in her face.

That said, I certainly don't think a food full of additives and junk would help the situation so I wouldn't give up on finding something nutritious.

[sohamvaibhab]

I think you’ve produced some really interesting points about pet’s health & food. Not too many people would truly think about this the way you just did. I’m seriously impressed that there’s so considerably about this topic that’s been uncovered and you did it so properly, with so very much class. I am also using this process and purchased the products from “Myunikorn.in” for my puppy. Thanks for sharing.

[LeeW]

Latest update.

We decided that we would change Rex over to Pooch And Mutt, the Calm and Relaxed food is something similar to Breakthrough in its aim.

Whilst we have noticed Rex is calmer around visitors,  we can't say that he has improved his fears at all. He still walks great if we go somewhere nice and secluded,  but he is still very nervous within earshot of traffic and similar loud noise.
I was prepared to pay the premium price for Breakthrough if it showed definitive results, but like most people, money isn't in endless supply so I can't justify it anymore.
Rex has been on the new diet for a week now, after an 8 day introduction. Once again he changed over without trouble due to him being a greedy boy.

I guess this brings an end to the thread on Breakthrough for me and Rex.
I will create a new thread for the new food and chart his progress again.

Thanks for all your interest and kind words.

Lee & Rex

[Dottie]

Thank you for following this through.  It is a shame that the food did not help.  It seems that this problem is not going to be easy to solve.  I hope that the Pooch and Mutt will help and look forward to hearing about this. 

[RHEBDEN]

Thanks for showing me this thread. If anyone wants to know more about Breakthrough msg me and I will advise.

It is as close to a prescription food as you can get so it works on those who need and not for those who don't. There is a scientific reason for all the ingredients and carbohydrate plays as much of a role as the amino acids (protein) more specifically Tryptophan & Tyrosine and its ability to affect the neurological pathway. Without advice it could potentially be render pointless and a waste of money. If you use this DON'T feed with anything else, no scraps or treats (except Breakthrough ones) 

[Dottie]

Rhebden - thank you for the explanation about this food. It is certainly very different and I can see why you describe it as close to a prescription diet.
 
Leew - If you are still following this thread, please can you let us know how Rex is going on? Did you do any better with the Pooch and Mutt? I do hope so.