raw food and behavior question

[ladycricket]

My fil told me that raw meat would make a dog aggressive because his heeler would be really mean for about a week if he got raw wild meat (ie, elk hamburger dropped on ground). I know alot of people feed raw and that is not the case, I tried to tell him that but he obviously "knows better" then me
My husband knows it shouldn't make a dog aggressive but said that for sure TG (the heeler) did get pretty vicious after raw meat. (I'll say now, I always thought TG was a vicious dog anyway IMHO.) But it leads me to ask, why do people think this? I have heard it over and over that don't feed raw, it will make them mean? Old wives tales?

[diddybopper04]

It's a myth, ladycricket.

Many people subscribe to it, but a myth all the same. I've fed dogs raw for almost 10 years. It's never changed the temperament of a single one.

[ladycricket]

Originally Posted by diddybopper04

It's a myth, ladycricket.

Many people subscribe to it, but a myth all the same. I've fed dogs raw for almost 10 years. It's never changed the temperament of a single one.

I know, but I wonder why people would even believe it? Dogs ate raw for years, maybe it was a kibble conspiracy

[spoteet]

LOL.....I hear that one all the time. They claim it's the taste of blood that they get and want more! LOL

[RottieGirl86]

lol... I had two teenagers tell me this in the grocery store when I was buying liver for my rotts. Geez, it's a highly desired item with extra good smelliness - so of course the dog will 'be agreesive' , he knows there's something yummy!

It's always about training & setting the expectations with the dog.

[Nico'sMom]

I am always amazed at the people who think that. I often mention to people that if i had the money I would feed raw instead of kibble and they act like I'm crazy. Then again, those are people who really don't know anything about dogs let alone behavoral issues and nutrition. They all seem to believe the "feed them blood, they'll want more" kind of thing... stupid.

[Brooke&Ryan]

Originally Posted by spoteet

They claim it's the taste of blood that they get and want more! LOL

Yup, that's what I've heard as well. You can only educate people so far & then you just have to sit back & nod your head. You can't make everyone understand.


Brooke

[RottyMom]

Both my dogs eat raw...Chica since I got her and Bear for about 6 weeks now. Neither are agressive. Old wives tales die hard.

[rottnkidd]

Not knowing anything else about the temperament of your f-i-l's heeler, perhaps there was something else going on that just happened to coincide with what he ate? or better yet he just may have been ravenous
about the taste of fresh!
I've been feeding raw for over 4 yrs now, and in my experience fresh produces a calming effect.
Best wishes -
kathy

[Diane Heller-Vaccaro]

I'm guessing what you are hearing is that old tale that once a dog tastes blood... and if a dog has raw meat that some how makes them aggressive not food aggressive but dangerous aggressive. Like something automatically changes in the brain and the dog begins to look at people differently. That is so funny, I'll take the ecoli warnings of the "Night of the Living Dead" theory anyday. LOL!!

[Annacakes]

Actually this myth is perpetuated in many training manuals and informational brochures. The gist of it is that a high protein diet makes dogs aggressive. What a high quality raw diet does is make your dog feel great and double their energy when compared to dogs eating kibble. It's hogwash that it makes them more aggressive. But I will say this. A dog eating kibble that does not like and respect you is much less likely to have the energy to bite you than a dog eating raw. All of mine bounce off the walls and furniture and seem to have two hour zoomies at the time! I love knowing that they "feel" so good and have lots of energy. Makes watching Nascar a thing of the past. Just sit on the sofa and buckle up when the laps start! LOL!

[mmgy]

The only explanation that i've heard that comes close to making sense, is that dogs that don't normally get fresh meat, might SEEM aggressive because they just want more!

[Diane Heller-Vaccaro]

Anna-

You are right about the energy level. My puppy will run through the house with a toy in his mouth and just do laps, I'm surprised there isn't a path worn around his the furniture. Then he'll come to me with his toy and look at me like are we going to do something or am I going to run through the house all day.

I just love what RAW has done for him. He has never had a piece of kibble and he is just the picture of health. He is 4 months old and if I want to leave my hand in his dish while eats, thats just fine with him too. He comes from along line of well bred dogs and it shows.