Hemp was well known to Colonial Americans, but not for the same reason the plant would make headlines more than two centuries later.
Todays debate, which centers on the legalization of marijuana is not the first time that cannabis has captured the attention of the nation. For thousands of 18th century Americans, from humble middling farmers to large planters like Byrd, Beverly and Jefferson, the ability of cannabis to intoxicate was incidental. They were instead interested in a trait they considered far more valuable. Hemp fibers are exceptionally strong and durable and in an era before science could do better, that made this commodity worth growing.
Colonial planters gushed of the crops promise. Col. William Byrd called its cultivation "the darling of all my products". Robert Beverly predicted the plant "will be the greatest consequence of us". Thomas Jefferson directed that an acre of the best ground at his Poplar Forest Estate be kept for a permanent patch. The object of their affection was not tobacco, the ubiquitous "Indian weed" responsible for the fortunes & failings of so many 18th Century Americans. The weed was of a different sort, one that would likewise collect healthy stares and scorn.
Hemp was one of the first plants human cultivated. Ancient Chinese Pottery bearing impressions from hemp rope suggest it's use 5,000 years ago and probably more than twice that long. Credit for this long term relationship belongs to hemp's many applications, ie. thread, cordage, cloth, paper, food and yes intoxication.
When humans took to the seas, every sizable vessel required line and sailcloth capable of withstanding all that open water could muster. Hemp provided the best fit. Historian Martin Booth estimated the English Fleet that defeated the Spanish Armada in 1588 had used line and sailcloth made of hemp that had been grown and cultivated on some 10,000 acres of land. The emerging prominence of the English Navy was the chief reason English farmers and later their American cousins were required to devote a share of their acreage to hemp. The Virginia Assembly in 1632 ordered that every planter as soon as he may provide seed of flax and hemp and sow the same.
Many 18th Century Americans enjoyed recreational intoxication now and again, but they consumed alcohol for that, not THC from the cannabis plant. Neither was hemp used all that much for medicine. The seeds that contained no amounts of THC were boiled in milk to treat coughs but if ailing colonists needed a potent pain killer, they chose opium, which was available without much effort.
Even if early Americans were aware of hemp's psychoactive and medicinal qualities, those features were hardly a priority. Clothes, ropes and sacks were of a more immediate concern. In the pre-industrialized world, it was good to have hemp around for these everyday needed items, but cash crops, particularly tobacco, remained the mainstay of the economy.
Who would have thought that a simple change in diet can stop aggressive dog behavior? According to a study done at the Animal Behavior Clinic, Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University in Massachusetts, it is true.
Aggressive dog behavior can be a major problem for dog owners. In some cases, their dogs are so aggressive and threatening that they are afraid of their own pets. Dogs can sense when someone is afraid and this only magnifies the problem.
Many families have suffered as a result of their dog's behavior and their dogs have been given up for adoption. Unfortunately, such dogs often get euthanized because they are thought to be too much of a threat to the general population. The thing is, it's not the dog's fault. There could be an underlying cause of URB Delta 10 THC his aggression.
Diets that are high in protein content contribute to this problem, as indicated during the study. Many members of the study group switched their dogs to a low protein diet and saw significant improvement in their dog's behavior. The tests proved that switching to a low protein diet works.
It's understandable that pet owners would think that a high protein diet would be good for their dogs, but it only matters in certain situations. Pregnant, nursing and working dogs need more protein, as does puppies under one year of age. These dogs use more protein to create energy and, in the case of puppies, they need it to build strong, healthy bodies. Without the proper amount of protein, puppies can end up with serious health issues.
Working dogs need a lot of energy to do what they do and for this, they require protein that will provide the energy and help them stay healthy and fit. With insufficient protein intake, the dog will get its energy from the body itself instead of from the food, which would be an unhealthy situation.
According to the study, puppies under one year need a diet of 28% protein content. High-performance dogs can benefit from 32% protein diets.
Dogs are instinctively territorial, and to protect it they need some degree of aggression. If he didn't intruders can kill their young, steal their food and take over their shelter. The difference between a dog protecting his territory in the wild and a domesticated dog is the degree of aggression. If it is excessive, it must be dealt with as soon as possible to prevent injury to their owners and others.
Switching to a low protein diet might be all that is required. Of course, some dogs have behavior problems that are more extensive and require a different kind of treatment. Dogs that have been abused, isolated or malnourished are likely to have issues that acquire a dog behavior specialist to overcome them.
Your first step, then, is to change to a low protein diet to see if you notice any improvement. Make sure you give the test sufficient time and that you can repeat the results. For instance, put your dog on a low protein diet for a week to see if there is any change. If there is improvement, put him back on the old diet for a week and see if he reverts to his previous aggressive behavior.
This will give you a good indication of whether or not the problem is directly related to diet. If the aggressive dog behavior persists, speak to your veterinarian or a dog behavior specialist for other solutions.