nutrition when conditioning

I was saying when using flaxseed oil, or anything plant derived with the dogs, the raw green tripe is always a plus. The ruminant stomached animals are designed to break down plant matter, it aids the dogs ability to assimilate.

S

 

Digested, yes. Assimilated, not so much.
I'm not a science guy at all. If flaxseed oil is working then by all means it is working.
The researchers and scientists say not so much.
I'm on the train of thought if a person is winning with 'corn flakes and cabbage' then by all means one should be using 'corn flakes and cabbage'
S

 

I think everyone's feed keep should be about nutrient absorption and meal timing.

The flaxseed oil is a great supplement for humans so the research says, not so much for the dogs.

I read the science/research material and use what I think works. I then proof it by trial and error. I use to use flaxseed oil, rice bran oil and wheat germ oil (plant derived). Based on articles and research such as "Rendering Sense into Fat" and others by noted veterinarians (who are also widely known as sled doggers) I dropped those and replaced them with other fats and oils. Mostly oils from things that at one time walked or swam.

What I found, and this is on bulldogs in the piedmont section of North Carolina, as geographical location, temperature and humidity is a part of the bigger picture, is that the dogs when worked really hard can use a lot of fats and oils. Even in the non-arctic climates like where most of the sled studies are performed.

I increased the fat content of the daily meals gradually. As I increased the chicken/beef fats the dogs performed better today and had better recovery between work days. There were also improvements between sets on an increased fat in their diet. As I moved their fats up percentage wise basic math said other stuff had to go. First to go was the carb portion of the diet. For every percent of carbs removed it was replaced with chicken or beef fat. In time brown rice was the only thing left that came from the ground. The meals consisted of 50%protein/40%fat/10% brown rice. If it is a dog that really needs a lot of food to maintain weight that 10% of rice is replaced with dry kibble.

The first two supplements I reach for is dessicated liver and raw beef tripe which has to be one of the nastiest and worst smelling things a person would feed a dog. I have used the can versions but I prefer the 10lb. chubs/tubes. When using the raw chub version of beef tripe I can see where the plant derived oils could be used as it has the enzymes needed to break down plant matter/plant oils. Once broken down they then would be helpful to the dog.

My choice in not using them is that I am all about efficiency. I do not feed my dog something that needs something else to break it down in order for it to be viable.

This is for the dog that is in keep and is giving just about everything he has every day he comes off the chain. He is willing to give it all but I leave just enough gas in the tank so we can do it again tomorrow.

And again, it is all about opinion and what one feels works for them. If we all did things the exact same way every Saturday night would end up in a draw. Boring.

S

 

I used a long cable run once for the empty out. I would move him from the chain to the cable run and he would do his business.

I think a 100ft rope would be even better, less constrictive.

I think Mr. Mayfield was a true competitor. I think he put a lot of truths out there and I think he also shot a few curves here and there. Nothing god awful, but if a competitive winner has an edge seldom will he give it up. He may give half to 3/4 and leave out some key factors or he may embellish a certain part in the idea of maintaining his edge.

In his day he was a top conditioner. He opened some doors and shed some light and the conditioning of these dogs advanced. Others then used what he put out, walked thru those doors and things got even better.

An innovator who spurred conditioning to new levels.

S

 

I have always doubted the amount of work time. Once before on here I got into an exchange over the very topic.

My analogy has always been if you enter the gym at 6PM and leave at 8PM you did not work out for 2 hours. There was time between sets, trips to the water fountain, waiting for a machine, etc. etc.

An older fellow who ran in those circles in Texas and Oklahoma back then said the lengths of time were true. He put the dog on the jenny, passed out drunk and then woke up to a well worked dog. I do not know if there is any truth to it, or even if the man was a drinker, but I can't believe a dog can go a for 8-10 hours day in and day out. (I understand sled dogs do it but it is in freezing weather with their feet in constant contact with snow and ice. Hard to run hot that way).

I enjoyed listening to his videos. I wish he had gone deeper into the actual working of the dogs. Even with that, I think back then he was far ahead of his time, and his eye for a dog would keep him ahead of the pack today.

As it has been said showing up with a good dog is a guy's best shot at a win. He showed up with some good ones.

S

 

Some of the Bob Stevens stuff is a little outdated. At the time of the publication it was indeed cutting edge.

The dessicated liver information sticks out the most for me.

The use of carbs which at the time was a must and a mainstay, many have swayed from the loading of carbs in canines.

I have a signed original/1st print of the book. it is a keeper.

S

 

I have never seen the difference in when the dog works in comparison to the the time of the show. It may be the only thing I don't try to mimic.

I actually prefer to work in the morning. I work the dog in the morning and feed him a fatty/brothy supplemented solution. Then at night I feed his weight management meal in the evening.

That works best for me as I work rotating swing shifts.

S