The Dogman 2000 Keep: Ultimate APBT Conditioning & Pitbull Game Dog Training Program

The Dogman 2000 Keep is remembered as “the most simple yet detailed PITBULL keep ever written”. It was designed to transform the way the American Pit Bull Terrier (APBT) was conditioned, offering a structured system of nutrition, supplementation, training, and game dog conditioning.

🥩 Nutrition & Supplementation in the Pitbull Keep

The Dogman 2000 Keep emphasized strict dietary control as the foundation of APBT conditioning:

Base diet: High‑quality kibble with 30% protein and 20% fat.

Feeding ratio: 1 oz of food per 3.5 lbs of body weight (adjusted daily).

Water: 1 oz per 2 lbs of body weight, mixed with food and soaked for 15 minutes.

Supplements:

AGDT Champions Daily – 2–3 tablets per 5 lbs of body weight.

Ribose‑D – 5 grams before every workout.

Flax seed oil – 1 tablespoon daily.

Ginkgo leaf – included until 4 weeks out, then removed.

👉 This formula ensured that each pitbull dog in the program received precise nutrition for maximum performance.

🏃 Training & Conditioning Phases

The Dogman 2000 pitbull keep was structured over 12 weeks, divided into three progressive phases:

🔹 Weeks 12–8: Foundation Training

Goal: Build base endurance.

Millwork: Start with 3 × 1‑minute runs, gradually increasing to 3 × 10 minutes.

Frequency: 6 days of work, 1 day rest.

Supplements: Ribose before every session.

🔹 Weeks 8–4: Performance Conditioning

Goal: Push the gamedog to performance level.

Millwork: Up to 3 × 30‑minute runs.

Spring pole: 5 minutes daily, combined with millwork.

Rest: 2 days off per week (Saturday & Sunday).

Diet: Food increased by ~10% during early weeks of this phase.

🔹 Weeks 4–1: Peak Game Dog Conditioning

Goal: Reach maximum condition.

Millwork: 3 × 30‑minute runs, 5 days per week.

Spring pole: Cut out 5–10 days before the end.

Weight control: Daily adjustments to food and water.

Water reduction: Gradual taper in the final days.

📊 Monitoring & Record‑Keeping

The Dogman 2000 Keep introduced a scientific approach to pitbull game dog training:

Daily weigh‑ins before and after workouts.

Detailed logs of exercise times, conditions, and observations.

Adjustments made in real time to maintain steady progress.

This level of control set it apart from older, less structured APBT keeps.

🎥 Historical Context

The Dogman 2000 program was released as a 3‑tape video set (6+ hours), including:

Full explanation of the keep.

Yard tours of legendary breeders: Floyd Boudreaux, Jerry Clemmons, Maurice Carver, Don Mayfield, JT Collier, and Norman Hooten.

Rare Super 8 footage of famous pitbull game dogs like Eli, Bullyson, Trahan’s Rascal, Carver’s Black Widow, and Indian Bolio.

This made Dogman 2000 not just a conditioning program, but also a historical archive of APBT history.

🏆 Philosophy of the Keep

The Dogman 2000 Keep was built on a simple principle: “Good dogs and good people.”

Simple execution with strict control of variables.

Consistency and discipline as the keys to success.

Daily observation to fine‑tune every detail.

Respect for the breed’s heritage, focusing on health, endurance, and gameness.

✅ Conclusion

The Dogman 2000 Keep remains one of the most detailed and structured approaches to APBT conditioning ever documented. Its combination of nutrition, supplementation, training, and conditioning made it a landmark in the history of the pitbull keep.

Today, it stands as both a conditioning blueprint and a historical record of the pitbull game dog and the culture of the gamedog community.