Quote Originally Posted by FrostyPaws View Post
As a witness to Rollbar's keep for a time, he only used the weighted collar during the time he dragged weight with his dog. He didn't leave the weight on the dog when resting nor when on the mill.
Going by his keep I believe he left the weighted collar on right up until a few days out.

"Before we discuss amount of distance there is one more weight I have not mentioned yet and that is the neck weight I use. If you refer back to the Avi of Rapid Roy on the Spring Pole you will notice a gray weight on the collar. This is a 4-pound divers weight that a 2-inch collar threads through. This weight stays on the dog throughout the keep until Day 39 of the Keep. This is when the dog goes into complete rest and the weight is removed. Now some people do not like to use the weight they feel it adds unneeded stress to the dog, if we think for a minute this is the entire idea of the keep. This weight does not hinder the dog as much as one would think. They get use to it and they start behaving as if it does not exist. They are able to grab at the hide at the same speed. What is the difference with or with out. Well think what happens when it comes off? The dog has been use to this for almost 6 complete weeks, he is inside his crate resting and then on show day he asked to perform. Suddenly there is a difference in the dog’s speed and why not? He has been using his muscles to move this weight around to the point everything is natural. When he does not have it you will notice a much faster dog a much stronger dog. So what other times does the diver weight come off? Well of course when you weigh the dog then it goes back on for the treadmill work. During the rubdown I also take the weight off the dog.''