water intake in a kibble keep

[CYJ]

We left water for the dog right up to work out time. Water was reintroduced a hour after cool down and rub down. Would hold back dog food to allow dog to drink first. After dog had a good drink would give the dog it's feeding.

The amount of kibble-All Bran back then used through the keep. Was amount used in the pre keep when dog was slowly being brought down to show weight. Large dog may go one pound under and smaller dog 1/2 pound under best pulling weight. Depending on type weather. The kibble-All Bran was soaked in the amount of say two or three cups of Chicken broth. Till nice and swollen, might add a little more broth after that. Wanted a canned dog food consistency but not soupy.

In the pre keep the dog got the kibble-All Bran along with all supplements-greens-boiled egg with shell to be used with broth, minus the Chicken-Necks and Chicken backs. When the real work started the Chicken Backs and Necks were added as needed to work and stay on weight. Back then we were aware of the fact that the kibble was cooked in high heat and devoid of Digestive enzymes and probiotics. Which we added in along with one tablespoon of a molasses grown yeast and one tablespoon of desiccated powered Liver. It took four pounds of raw Liver to make one pound of Desiccated Liver.

Depending on season etc. most dogs got 4-8 oz. maybe more of the chicken broth 12 hours before the main workout. I had at one time a good dog book written on dog nutrition. Sure better ones are out there today. One thing I remember the writer saying was allowing a dog to have plenty of water as it needs it or wants it. Will increase endurance in the presence of good fats by 70% to 80%. I figured that is a pretty good benefit since water and animal fats were cheap compared to other nutriments.

The only reason for so much water control in the older dog keeps. First the main keep was only 4 to 5 weeks long. Since they were feeding raw were getting water out of the feed. Controlling the water was to try and keep a high blood count and help the dog from bleeding out and hopefully breathe cooler.

Something simple as liquid Geritol given one capful a day diluted in that broth in the feed. Did a great job at building and maintaining a high blood count with out reducing the water.

I know there are many ways to skin a cat. We fed very similar to the way J. Crenshaw did with some differences. If you have a method that works best for you. Stick with it till something later is found to work better. I still believe one of the biggest mistakes most dog men make is not having their dog's bowel's completely empty. Especially when entered in a Multi dog show and you can not go first. Can not go first best go last. Cheers

[CYJ]

R2L, we used warm to hot water in the cold months and cool water in the warmer months. Using warm to hot water was to help break down the fibers in the feed. That was one thought on it.

I figured a dog would like a warm meal in the Winter and a cool meal in the Summer. In the winter a hot bowl of Oatmeal with a slab of butter helped me face those windy cold days. While hanging off a telephone pole. LOL Cheers

[EWO]

Good posts. Like CYJ said, there is always more than one way to skin a cat. When I first started I left water out and in time the dog came off the water on his own. We always watered the feed down so what he needed was always there. In time I swayed away from leaving it out trying to be in control and later my work schedule forced some changes. Nowadays it is pretty much leave the water out til three or four weeks in and about the time he starts to come off I pick it up and regulate water intake from there.

I have always thought it better to soak the dry food. EWO