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