Real experience with RF1 canine nutrition

[FrostyPaws]

I used 1oz per pound of weight for my dogs during a keep, but I also didn't allow my dogs to have free water whenever they wanted. I'm not a believer in letting dogs do what they want during keep when it comes to water, work, any of it. So I controlled everything that went in. It has been a long time since I used any kibble in an actual keep for one of my dogs. I don't know what they actual amount is called for any longer, but I always fed things in accordance to how the dog worked not necessarily the directions.

[BLADE]

I used 1oz per pound of weight for my dogs during a keep, but I also didn't allow my dogs to have free water whenever they wanted. I'm not a believer in letting dogs do what they want during keep when it comes to water, work, any of it. So I controlled everything that went in. It has been a long time since I used any kibble in an actual keep for one of my dogs. I don't know what they actual amount is called for any longer, but I always fed things in accordance to how the dog worked no
t necessarily the directions.

Great advice as well Frosty! When I started this post I was looking for answers that would fit my personal situation. I guess I was suffering from a bit of tunnel vision. Lol. As an example.. I like the way you were able to control a dog water completely, that wouldn't necessarily work in my situation because of my job situation. I'm not home to give and take water from a dog all day. So like S_B mentioned, He would not give a dog water immediately after work, he would cool them out naturally, feed the amount of water he wanted with his feed and then have more availabile if the dog chose to take more. So I would have to come somewhere in the middle to feed RF1 and get the water balance needed. After reading the responses to this post I think the way I could make it happen is to put a dog out on a fresh chain space after his work and don't have water available. After he cools out and gets fed his kibble with RF1 and water then I could move him back to his spot where he could have more water if he desired. Thanks again for all the replies!

[creek_bottom]

why would you increase fat and protein on a raw diet ?
one could just add fat chicken and it would be the same
if i look at the ingredients it contains nothing that wouldnt be added with a simple multi vitamin pil if you already feed raw

It covers anything I might miss and I work them hard so it help keeps the weight on. It's worked everytime I've used it and if it ain't broke I ain't gonna fix it.
Creek Bottom

[EWO]

The best thing about keeps and feed and supplements is that they all work and at the very same time they all fail. Their application is the key.

The most talked about part of a keep is the feed. Then the supplements. Then the equipment and the type of work, maybe then the amount of work. The temperature and weather. Then maybe keeping him inside or outside. Morning work or evening work depending on show time.

For what ever reason water always seems to be, "Oh yeah, the water! That's important too". And the simple fact is any and every combination of the above will fail if the water part is missed. Miss on the water and the possibilities of success become very limited, almost a faint shot. Hit the water content right and the dogs are so amazing that they can over come a ton of misses every where else.

The majority of my dogs are easy keepers so I they live on the chain during keep. Not every one's preference but it works for me. I leave fresh water out for the first three weeks or so. I add all the water they need in their daily feedings. The body will adjust and they will urinate (assuming healthy kidney function) excess water to an adequate level. After a couple three weeks they do not touch the water bowl. When they come off I take it away the last couple of weeks and we fine tune from there.

The key to using anything supplement wise is that it takes water to make it work. The powder supplements, just like dry kibble, need water. It will use the moisture you provide or it will pull it form the dog's moisture content. It will happen regardless of intent or directions on the box/can. A person can control the water and know, or he can let the dog control the water and not know. Not knowing sucks.

I kept a dog for a fellow once and he believed in the use of RF-1. I used it as he said, but fed my way and watered my way. I am not sure I saw a difference using it as a supplement. I have never used it as a dietary staple. But if everything is in there and the water target is hit I would have to think it would work. Maybe a little something extra to keep the gut working, a handful of dog food here and there. Or some fiber content like Frosty suggested.

EWO

[BLADE]

Great reply EWO! Thanks for taking the time to explain in depth.

[bulldoghistorian]

It covers anything I might miss and I work them hard so it help keeps the weight on. It's worked everytime I've used it and if it ain't broke I ain't gonna fix it.
Creek Bottom

for sure dont change if you whooping ass, I dont work em hard so u might have a point