It all plays a part. The keep didn't win the match. It allowed the dog to be in the type of shape to win the match. BUT, that's only if the owner got out and dedicated his time to actually working the dog. Jack's keep, my keep, our mama's keep won't make any difference if there isn't dedication. THEN, you have to have a dog willing to give the required work. I've never used Jack's keep, but I have conditioned dogs similarly to what he describes. Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose.