explored

As you can already tell from my blog, I am a outdoor person. I love to drive anywhere and do lots of hiking and swimming.  (See how I almost got my dog drown if not for this best dog life vest).  During my hiking trip with my dog, I love to let it carry a cute but useful hiking dog backpack. My favorite is definitely the Onetigris hiking dog backpack.

Rosie and her owner Ashley live together in United States over 1 year now and she is a trained service dog. Ashley suffers from BP I, GAD & chronic migraines, and she needs a dog like Rosie to help her. They basically go everywhere in the city, the gallery, the cinemas, the library, the museum, the supermarket and even to the mountains.

Do you eye other people's pooches or dream about getting your own Spot or Lassie or Marley? Answer these 3 questions and let's see what kind of dog suits you.

Seventy-five degrees (Fahrenheit), a cloudless sky, rolling wheat fields in the distance, and Ponderosa pines surrounding me.

Every single piece of 1TG tactical equipment serves to enrich not only my adventure life, but every single day I grab my sling bag I know it holds the means to keep me through the day!

BigT & BigLenny Mission 1: Canine Emergency Kit   I can honestly tell you this is not how I envisioned starting my mission with you. I know this topic is not fun and sexy, but it was well received in the forum, is relevant and maybe even educational. Before I hear anything from the peanut gallery. For those in the forum you will see some of the same information I provided before as well as some new information that was not included in that original thread. As Leader and Primary speaker for the Big Boyz Crew we vow to bring you more entertaining content moving forward.  For those of you who do not know me yet. My name is BigT, I am a OneTigris Samurai, who is disabled with severe degenerative spinal cord injuries resulting in mobility issues. I am lucky though as on good days I am ambulatory with assistive devices for 100-150 feet anything further and I have to use The Chair. With my disability and mobility issues I was paired with a mobility assistance Service Dog, BigLenny aka Partner In Crime (Get yourself a P.I.C. Patch today). It is because of this Big Golden Bear (“BigGoldenBear” Use this Discount Code @ www.onetigris.com) that I have accrued more information than I ever would have imagined on canines. I hope even longtime dog owners can take something new away from this. For this first mission I will be talking about my Canine Emergency Kit or E Kit. I have tried to break this down to the requisites, so I will cover E Kit Core Items, Canine CPR, and BigLenny’s Small & Large EDC – E Kit’s including what additional items I carry and why. This whole topic is not to scare you. On the contrary this is all about being prepared. It is the same principal as carrying a gun or a condom. I would rather have one and not need one than need one and not have one. Before even getting into the E Kit. You always want to make sure you have the contact information (location & phone) of your local Vet as well as the nearby Emergency Veterinary Clinics. Given technology if you are planning a trip with your dog, especially a hiking/camping trip it is important to plan ahead and research this information so you already have it with you if you were to need it.   Vet & Emergency Vet Hospitals are becoming more common place and should be your FIRST CHOICE if your pet is sick or injured!!!   That being said, there are times when we are mapping our own existence and are out of reach of professionals.   The following list was created in partnership with my Dr. of Veterinary Medicine and is a culmination of many years of experience with service dogs and contains Dr. BigT’s core items in a canine E Kit. This does not mean your E Kit will not have more or less items in it. It just means use the E Kit core items as a guide to build off of. These core items are essential for how they can assist you in making your dog more comfortable if you ever have an emergency off the beaten path until you can get your dog to a Vet.  E Kit Core Items: Scissors Triple Antibiotic Ointment – for minor abrasions/cuts. Hydrocortisone Cream – for insect bites and hot spots. Benadryl – generic is Diphenhydramine HCL (1-2 mg/lb. of body weight) for allergic reactions with associated itch, facial swelling, vomiting. Hydrogen Peroxide To Induce Vomiting – (1 Tbsp. per pound of body weight) if ingested antifreeze, chocolate, Tylenol, ibuprofen, rat poison. DO NOT induce vomiting if caustic (ex. acid) or petroleum based toxins. Can repeat above dose if no vomit after 15 min. Bandage Material – 2x2 inch gauze pads, 3x4 inch Tefla (non-stick), 3-4 rolls of Kling/conform bandage, 1-inch cloth tape, 3-inch self-adhering elastic bandage. Rubbing Alcohol – to cool down with heat stroke – apply to feet ears and groin. Eye Irrigating Solution – to rinse eyes, cleanse a wound. Rectal Thermometer – to monitor in case of heat stroke or infection. Dog’s normal temp is 102. In case of heat stroke, stop cooling efforts once you get below 104. Large Towel – to be used as a sling or part of a bandage or splint. Duct Tape – to secure a large bandage or splint. Newspaper – to be used flat as a clean barrier over a large wound or rolled up to act as a splint. Buffered Aspirin/Ascription – for pain relief (10 mg/lb. of body weight). Pepto Bismol – for vomiting/diarrhea (2 Tbs. per 50 lbs. of body weight). Credit: BigT, OneTigris LiFE Ambassador (To be continued...)

The Tactical and Practical Way of Life…   So, what is the tactical and practical way of life? It starts slowly as a philosophy then it grows into a code to live by, eventually if you stay focused it becomes a way of life and an expression of who you are. It is a legacy to the nobility of the independence of the warrior spirit located deep within us all. That’s what comes to mind for me when I think of living in a tactical and practical way. It’s about always maintaining situational awareness, using prior planning and putting backup systems in place.  It’s about being prepared but never paranoid; acting without overreacting and always being able to take care of myself and my partner. I believe it’s important to have a philosophy or two to help guide your professional practice whatever it may be that you do for a living. Everyday situational awareness can be as simple as putting the cell phone away lifting your head up and paying attention to your environment on foot and definitely while driving.    My philosophy was shaped by the cultures of emergency medicine and the fire service with lots of input and influences from my many friends in law enforcement and the military. Actually, most people don’t realize how closely we work with law enforcement when we provide emergency medical services to the community. In a major city the police may respond on fifty percent or more of the calls to which you are dispatched. From traffic accidents, attempted suicides, to mass casualty incidents we have to have a deep appreciation and respect for everyone’s role on the public safety team.   Fortunately, many good police officers like to teach so they poured countless hours into my understanding of situational awareness, defensive tactics, de-escalation training, crisis negotiations, scene safety and of course proper gear selection.  I can think of nothing that can jam up any operation quicker than having an unexpected equipment failure and no backup system in place. I’ve seen poorly made gear bags fail sending vital equipment to the floor rendering it inoperable, contaminating it or just making a big mess distracting everyone from the mission while we try to compensate.      That’s where OneTigris comes into play. I can feel the spirit of the designers and the makers when I lay hands on the gear. I can tell that each product I’ve worked with so far has been developed from a tactical and practical state of mind.   This month I got a chance to work with the Matt Gear Roll and It’s lived up to my every expectation. On the ambulance, I used it as an intubation roll for advanced airway supplies.  In my personal vehicle, I use it to keep a complete set of tools at the ready for unexpected situations and a good friend of mine keeps telling me it would make a great portable knife case for a traveling chef.  I have several thoughts for next month’s edition and I would really love to hear your feedback so I can focus on what our readers really want to talk about. Would you like to know more about how to stock a trauma kit for field use in an EDC Pouch or what personal gear to bring for a 72 hour call out so that you can keep your deployment tight and right and not leave vital gear behind?  Leave me your feedback in the comments section and until next month stay safe and go out and make the world a better place.  Thank you. Credit: Joseph Brigandi, OneTigris LiFE Ambassador (To be continued...) 

BigLenny’s Small EDC - E Kit: For pure versatility, multiple carrying options and small overall footprint I use my OneTigris Modified SP Clawhammer Sling Bag for BigLenny’s Small EDC –E Kit. In the Front zippered pouch I keep a Pen & Notepad, extra Leash, XL stainless steel Carabiner, roll of Doggy Bags, Knife, and Multi-Tool with Flashlight & Compass. Carrying an extra Leash is a good idea for several reasons. In the Main zippered pouch I have a Med Kit & Med Gloves. My go to EDC for day to day activities is the OneTigris Dragon Snail Admin Pouch modified with handles attached on top. My EDC attaches perfectly to BigLenny’s EDC preserving the small and light carry. *** BigLenny’s Large EDC – E Kit: For my complete Canine Emergency Kit I use my OneTigris 50L 3-Day MOLLE Bushcrafter Pack.   In the Front zippered Pocket I keep a Pen & Notepad, roll of Doggy Bags, Flashlight, Knife and my Service Dog Organization Identification Card. In the Main zippered Pouch I keep an extra Leash, XL stainless steel Carabiner, extra Collar, Med Gloves, and Service Dog Organization Folder (Manual, Marketing Materials & Notes). I have a Collapsible Water/Food Bowl in a Velcro pocket within the Main Pouch. In the Main Pouch I also keep a First Aid Kit, Pepto Bismol, Sanitizing Hand Wipes, Hydrogen Peroxide, Neosporin, Cortisone, Isopropyl Alcohol, Eye Wash, Gold Bond, Benadryl, and Duct Tape. Additional Items Carried & Why: Flashlight/Knife – I do not do anything without either, I call this part of being prepared. I would add firearm, but knife will suffice. Extra Leash –1) For the times you run into a stray dog on the road, at the park, etc.2) As backup if your dog’s current Leash breaks.3) It is important to remember that any dog when in pain will bite. If you MUST handle an injured dog, muzzle the dog first. You can do this with a Leash. Place the middle of the Leash over the nose just in front of the eyes. Loop it down and around crossing the Leash under the nose and then bring the two ends under the ears and tie behind the head.4) Safety measure in car so you can attach dog to carabiner without giving up Leash lead/control. Two Leashes, one stays in car, one is used with you and dog. Note: BIGLENNY WAS NOT HURT OR EVEN MADE UNCOMFORTABLE DURING PHOTOS! BIGT ON OTHERHAND WAS TRAUMATIZED BY EXPERIENCE!   First example is using Leash handle loop as muzzle. If your handle is large enough this is nice and makes it somewhat easier. Next and it is a little harder to see is taking the Leash over the nose like tying a shoe lace. Pics are not wonderful I apologize. BigLenny is sick so he gets an A for the effort.   This is something simple that every dog owner can do. Everyone in my service dog organization is required to load and unload the vehicle via the 2 leash method. It is something simple that is all about safety. And it does not add time or inconvenience. -XL SS Carabiner – Safety measure inside vehicle. To connect inside your car so you can attach your dog’s leash to carabiner once you load your dog into the car. Prevents dog from running out of car when door is open before you are ready. -Bowl – Always want to have something on hand to give your best buddy a drink. You get thirsty and so do they. It is very important to remember that the Canine Emergency Kit and/or any E Kit you put together for your Furry Friend is not a substitute for your own First Aid Kit. They should be viewed separately. Please check out all OneTigris gear shown and more at www.onetigris.com and do not forget to use “BigGoldenBear” discount code at checkout to get a discount on your purchase! My discount code again is in reference to my Service Dog BigLenny the original Big Golden Retriever often confused for a Bear or a Lion!!! No, I am not kidding. Haha!!! I hope you enjoyed and maybe even picked up a tip or two. If you liked, have a question, comment, or even hated it, please feel free to let me know at BigT! I’m around in the 1TG Forum.  Credit: BigT, OneTigris LiFE Ambassador (To be continued...)

Interesting fact: They love water and snow, and most litters are born in the winter.   The Czechoslovakian Wolfdog is nicknamed “wolfdog” and it is essentially that, a rather controversial hybrid between a German Shepherd Dog and a wolf. Now, would it make a good house pet? We can’t be sure, but it definitely is a hell of an ambassador for a tactical gear brand! The CSV was originally engineered through a military experiment in Czechoslovakia in the 50s during the Cold War. They resembled the wolf in appearance and build, and would have the temperament and trainability of the German Shepherd Dog. Throughout the process of creating the CSV, they had to decrease the proportion of the wolf blood so they could work better with and around humans. That and also it was difficult to find a German Shepherd who was up to the task of mating with a wolf. The CSV has very good night vision, endurance, and sense of smell and hearing. It is has a pack mentality and forms very close bonds with its owner and the rest of the family, as well as other domestic families. Experts recommend subduing their puppy passion for hunting at the very beginning to avoid any mishaps in the future… Nowadays, the breed is much loved and can be surprisingly goofy when unguarded! In Italy, the CSV has been successfully employed as SAR (Search and Rescue) dogs. Why do they make excellent OneTigris LiFE ambassadors? They love to be out in the wild, they love to get dirty and to be put to work! Enrico “NorthWolf” Finazzi is our ambassador tasked with photography, meaning he spends a lot of time outdoors with the wolves so that we have amazing pictures to work with. They can be a dangerous dog breed for the inexperienced dog handlers, but not this one. We’ve had some incredible shots with this team and they also give excellent feedback on our tactical dog gear and vehicle accessories. Want to know what it’s like to live with wolves? Keep a lookout for our photos. NorthWolf can be spotted in many. Photo Credits: Federica Fiori

Hey OneTigris Tribe, I don’t know how many of you knew this but we’re a 500,000-person strong worldwide audience of dedicated tactical aficionados, real gear enthusiasts, and animal lovers who share a passion for the very best in great gear. To all my new friends around the world let me wish you a warm hello and a hearty welcome to this blog. I look forward to getting to know you as a result of this process so please leave me feedback in the comments section.   I’ve enjoyed hearing from a few of you in response to last month’s edition. I received the most requests for an in-depth explanation of how we stock a trauma kit for field use. This is a description of what we use in many jurisdictions within the United States. Unfortunately, the biggest new threat public safety organizations now face around the world is the mass-casualty incident. Most often brought on by an active shooter entering the area. The FBI states four or more victims in a single incident is classifiable a mass-causality incident (MCI).   It took me just over a week to plan and write this article. In that brief window of time we experienced The Tree of Life synagogue shooting in Pittsburg killing 11, and this week now ends with the 307th mass shooting of the year in the U.S., the Thousand Oaks shooting in California killing 12 people and it’s been just over a year since the Las Vegas music festival shootings that claimed 58 lives. From a medical standpoint we are currently trying to combat the loss of life in these horrific incidents by training every first responder, police officer, and firefighter in the country with enough of the basics of trauma medicine that they can stop bleeding and stabilize a trauma victim within a couple of minutes.   Most school systems are also offering training to teachers and other school officials on how to handle a mass casualty incident and reduce loss of life until the emergency services network kicks into action and engages a coordinated response to unexpected acts of violence or other tragedies requiring an immediate basic or advanced life support response.     For the instruction piece we use an evidence-based program introduced in the United States by The American College of Surgeons called “Stop The Bleed”. The program offers training for both instructors and students in trauma and bleeding control and you can access it at www.BleedingControl.org. Why recreate the wheel when they have this training broken down into a four-hour in-service and it’s free.  Let’s take a look at the tools of the trade. The personal kit we place on all of our police officers and firefighters contains the following items:      1. Three pairs of gloves 2. One Israeli Bandage in 4” 3. Two Chest Seals 4. Two C-A-T, Tourniquets 5. One nasopharyngeal airway 6. Hemostatic dressings (Quik Clot, Celox) These dressings are covered in a coagulant so they aid in bleeding control and when used with direct pressure and insertion into the wound can cause the bleeding to stop 7. The carrying case is EVERYTHING!  Everything listed fits very neatly in several of the EDC OneTigris Pouches. 8. For mass-casualty incidents, you can load up the list I just handed you four times over and it all fits nicely into the OneTigris Treat Tote #5 among others and we use them as multi-trauma response bags.  If you have a couple of those on each rescue or engine truck or in your personal vehicle and the EMT Pouch sized bag for the individual personal carry bag, you have enough supplies to help you hold your own for a couple of minutes until help arrives. It’s my sincere hope that you never need any of this information or training. However, in today’s world it pays to be cautious and prepared.  It’s also a part of the situational awareness mindset and a tactical and practical way of life I mentioned in last month’s column. Until next month stay safe and go out and make the work a better place.   Credit: Joseph Brigandi, OneTigris LiFE Ambsssador

1. Airway – Clear the airway of secretions or obstructions. 2. Breathing – Fold your hand over the muzzle to prevent air from escaping from the lips, then blow into the nose. Make sure that the chest wall expands when you blow into the nose. Breathe at approximately 20-40 breaths per minute. 3. Cardiovascular – With the dog laying with the right side down, kneel against his back and place your hands over the middle 1/3 of the ribs at the level of the armpit. Compress the chest at approximately 80-120 compression per minute. Feel the pulse at the femur (inside of thigh) when you compress to assure that and place it under the chest wall to achieve more efficient compressions if necessary. If you are alone compress four times and then breathe once and repeat.  Source: ACE Academy for Canine Educators    Just as you and I carry a personal EDC in our daily lives the same is true of BigLenny. Whenever we leave the house at least one if not both of BigLenny’s EDC’s come with us. In my past I became used to having a prepacked Pouch/Bag/Pack ready to go dependent upon the situation/need/mission/etc. This got me a little spoiled or what my wife now calls a BAG SNOB. She uses “Bag” interchangeably for pouches, bags and packs, but the SNOB remains the same.   What can I say? I like my “bags”!   Anyway back to BigLenny. When I dove into the Service Dog Training I began learning about what was required of us including keeping a Canine E Kit. After seeing what I would need to carry I decided it made sense to create two EDC’s. One Small EDC – E Kit for every occasion including quick, light trips and one Large EDC – E Kit for longer, extended trips and or with a larger number of dogs. Anytime I go anywhere, my Service Dog BigLenny goes with me so one of these EDC’s goes with us as well. Now these do not replace my EDC. These are completely different and stand-alone.    List of items in both the small and large kits:   K9 First-Aid Kits: #1 Small Med Kit 1 – Roll adhesive plaster 2.5 x 5 cm 1 – Elastic bandage 6 x 50 cm 3 – Elastic bandages, 6 x 10 cm 1 – Bandage packet, large, sterile 3 – Bandage packets, medium, sterile 1 – Burn dressing, 60 x 80 cm, sterile 3 – Bandage packets for burns, sterile 3 – Gauze bandages, medium 6 – Gauze bandages, 8 x 4 cm 1 – Packet containing 5 cellulose gauze compresses, 10 x 10 cm, sterile, individually packed 5 – Triangular bandages, 96 x 96 x 136 cm natural white 1 – Pair of bandage scissors, length 14 cm 12 – Safety pins 1 – Piece of white chalk   #2 Large Med Kit: 1 - Medicated Spray 2 - Butterfly Wound Closure 1 - Elbow/Knee Adhesive Bandage, Fabric 4 - Easy Access Bandages, Fabric, Knuckle 4 - Easy Access Bandages, Fabric, Fingertip 10 - Easy Access Bandages, Fabric, 1" x 3" 10 - Easy Access Bandages, Plastic, 1" x 3" 10 - Easy Access Bandages, Plastic, 3/4" x 3" 10 - Easy Access Bandages, Plastic, 3/8" x 11/2" 4 - Adhesive Spot Bandage, Plastic, 7/8" x 7/8" 3 - After Bite Insect Sting and itch Relief Wipe 2 - GlacierGel Blister & Burn Dressing 1 - Moleskin Blister Pad, 2" x 4" 1 - Tweezers 1 - First Aid Tape, 1/2" x 10 Yards 2 - Antihistamine (diphenhydramine 25mg) 10 - Cotton-Tipped Applicator 1 - AfterBurn Gel, 2oz 1 - Combine Pad, 5" x 9" 4 - Sterile Gauze Dressing, 4" x 4" 4 - Sterile Gauze Dressing, 3" x 3" 2 - Non-Adherent Pad, 2" x 3" 1 - Conforming Gauze Bandage, 2" x 4.1 yards 2 - Medical Grade Gloves 1 - Triangular Bandage 1 - Elastic Bandage, 2" 1 - Instant Cold Compress 2 - Wooden Finger Splint 3 - Assorted Safety Pins 4 - Ibuprofen, 200 mg 4 - Aspirin, 325mg 4 - Non-Aspirin, 500mg 1 - CPR Breathing Barrier 1 - Emergency Reflective Blanket 1 - Emergency First Aid Guide 1 - EMT Shears   Credit: @BigT, OneTigris LiFE Ambassador

Intro from BigLenny   My name is BigLenny and I am BigT’s service dog. I am a Golden Retriever and the reason behind the BigGoldenBear discount code available for use now during check-out at www.onetigris.com   Read why I am so special!   Well first things first, I am a service dog and that makes me special. As a service dog I get to go everywhere my hooman partner goes so I can help if I am needed.   When I was just eight weeks old I went to a special puppy-raiser’s home. My puppy-raiser taught me manners and obedience. I was socialized in lots of interesting places where I learned to ignore other people and concentrate on behaving correctly. I stayed with my puppy-raiser until I was old enough to go to “Puppy College,” which the hoomans call Advanced Training. In Advanced Training I learned to do special things to help the partner I had not even met yet. I learned to pick things up/return them to my partner. I learned to open/close doors, and turn lights on/off. I learned to get things off high shelves, put my feet on a counter with money in my mouth in case my partner needs help paying for purchases, and I even learned to pull a wheelchair in case I would ever be needed to do that. I learned the names of some important things, like "phone". All my partner has to say to me is, “BigLenny, get the phone,” and I run and come back with the phone in my mouth.   When I was really good at all those skills, I met my partner BigT who then had to learn how to command me to accomplish such tasks. BigT had to learn to be my leader, and I had to learn to do what I was told by another person. It was hard work to go through team training together, but we did it. Now we are a real team and go everywhere together.  Service Dog Etiquette   Regularly when people see service dogs with their partners, they are immediately drawn to admire and even pet the service dogs. However well intentioned, it is important to be aware of some of the rules surrounding working dogs. People with workings dogs generally enjoy engaging with those drawn to their canine partners. Just remember to observe the tips below, and enjoy your interaction with the TEAM! These are just tips. Each organization, group, etc. has their own set of rules or etiquette, but virtually all can be associated with the tips below.   ● Do NOT touch the dog without asking permission first! This is a distraction and may prevent the dog from tending to the hooman. Be sensitive to the fact the dog is working and may be in the middle of a command or direction from its hooman partner. Most dogs need to be told the command "Release" from work mode to interact with someone. ● Please do NOT feed the dog. The dog may be on a special diet. Food is the ultimate distraction to the working dog and can jeopardize the working service dog team. ● Speak to the person, NOT the service dog. Most handlers do not mind talking about service dogs and their dog specifically if they have the time. In fact, they often enjoy it! ● Do NOT whistle or make sounds to the dog as this again may provide a dangerous distraction. ● Never make assumptions about the individual’s intelligence, feelings or capabilities. Offers of help are appreciated, but ASK first. Usually, the service dog team can get the task done by themselves. ● Always approach a service dog calmly and speak to their hooman partner before touching or addressing the dog. Disability Etiquette   I know I am handsome and pretty wonderful! I mean people are always telling me, and I know little kids who like the Disney Lion King often think I am a lion and run up to pet, hug and even try to ride me. There are also some kids and adults with my summer cut that think I look like a bear and again run up and want to touch and pet me. Being the celebrity I am I know BigT would never say anything, but I feel it is only my duty to say a little more about etiquette in regards to my man, BigT, and other handsome service animals out there.   There are a large number of sources offering in depth information on disability etiquette including the American Disability Act of 1990 which among others gives service animals the right to accompany their handler. Refusal to provide equal access to people with disabilities with service animals is a federal civil rights violation.   ● Golden Rule says, “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” ● When speaking with a person with a disability, speak directly to them and not to service dog (parent, attendant, interpreter, etc.) ● Ask if a disabled person wants your assistance. ● Do not ask about a person’s disability; they will share when they are ready. ● Always put the person first. They are a person with a disability, not a disabled person. ● Avoid outdated terms like crippled, handicapped, retarded, wheelchair bound, hearing impaired, etc. ● Use proper service dog etiquette. Make sure to acknowledge the person before acknowledging their service dog. And always ask before you pet. Remember the dog is working and we do not want to distract. In Summary   By the time BigT became my forever person I had learned over 80 commands! I will work with BigT until my retirement age between 8–10 years old. At that point I become a pet, but I will also have a very important role as BigT gets paired with his next service dog. Once BigT brings his new service dog home I will act as a sort of mentor, something that I did not have, and something that will give BigT’s new service dog a big advantage getting up to speed with the learning curve.   I hope you all enjoyed and maybe even learned something. Remember: A service dog is as vital to a person with disabilities as a wheelchair or cane, and do not forget you can use the discount code BigGoldenBear at checkout on www.onetigris.com to gear up on all of the wonderful tactical gear OneTigris has to offer Hoomans and Dawgs!!!  Service Dog Etiquette Recap   ● Never distract (with food, noise, touch, etc.) a service dog or a service dog in training. Because by doing so can potentially injure a disabled handler and/or earn the dog a correction. ● Pay no attention to a service dog or puppy in training. And remember, these dogs are not pets. They are being trained to do a very important job. ● If you feel you must pet a service dog or puppy in training, ask first. Do not feel offended if the handler says no. Handlers are hooman and might be having a bad day or might be running late. ● Teach your children to never pet a strange dog – ANY dog – without first asking permission. Teach them to follow your good example. All the best,  Lennon aka BigLenny!!! Credit: BigT, OneTigris LiFE Ambassador

It’s no secret that animals can play a significant role in trauma recovery for conditions like PTSD and they provide emotional support for people suffering from a myriad of issues from anxiety to depression and many other behavioral health conditions. Are service dogs and support animals the answer for everything that ails us? I know I’m going to disappoint a portion of our readership but I’m here to tell you it’s certainly not a cure for any category of disease or disability, the benefits and the risks of inserting an animal into someone’s life needs to be weighed carefully on a case by case basis assessing both the client and the animal.   As a clinical mental health counselor who specializes in PTSD, I face the question of service and support animals on a daily basis, and I must admit, I’ve seen animal placements backfire on more than one occasion. I had a situation with a client who was released from an inpatient placement for PTSD that specialized in wounded veterans and the treatment team insisted on the client leaving with a service dog. The client felt very strongly that the institution charged her over $6,000 for a mixed breed animal with questionable training at best. She complained several times after she returned to the community and they fired back with “You’re not letting the dog do its job so it’s your fault.” They finally sent a specialist out after several months of complaints and all they did was agree with my client that the training needed to be reinforced and they gave her a $200 shock collar so she could finish training the dog herself and they left. Make sure whoever you work with to select an animal clearly outlines what follow-up services are offered before you agree to work with them.   The agency that provided the $6,000 dog benefitted because they were paid immediately by the insurance carrier. However, this fee did not provide any coverage for follow-up care or additional training that was originally promised. This resulted in making my client’s transition back to the community harder than it might have been without a service dog.  My client experienced unnecessary feelings of guilt for not being able to make the relationship with the dog work. In my assessment of the dog, I had to agree that the dog was not trained well enough for the tasks it was expected to perform, and both the client and dog needed more time together before the placement became final.   The lesson here is when you are trying to help, please don’t immediately assume that animal assisted therapy is the answer.    Now, let’s move over to the fun stuff -- when animal assisted therapy becomes the answer. Let me just say, when it works it’s one of the most special experiences for the client, the animal, and the clinician. The bonding and connection both parties experience is the stuff both dreams and movies are made of with any animal human relationship but most especially a therapeutic one.    We all want that animal human relationship and connection and bond to work at the highest levels, and the best way to do that is with a constant focus on education and training, attending workshops and seminars, joining training groups and of course buying books. When it comes to books on this subject I highly recommend Animals That Heal, The Role of Service Dogs and Emotional Support Animals in Mental Health Treatment by Stephanie Taylor, M.S. 2018. Stephanie Taylor is a Clinical Mental Health Counselor licensed in Texas and she specializes in animal assisted therapy. Her private practice is called Wings of Liberty and she’s available for consultation worldwide online and in person in Texas.   I had the opportunity to visit with Stephanie and her service dog Jager last month at the annual Texas Counseling Association conference. I was delighted to meet both Stephanie and her dog Jager and I was not surprised at all to see that Jager was wearing a OneTigris Power Train Dog Harness. She had no idea that I was an ambassador for OneTigris when we met. In our brief time together, she gave us so much information that my wife Debra and I have been able to really step up our dog Stella’s training so that she eventually becomes the therapy, service, and search and rescue dog we can count on when we deploy with critical incident response teams in our roles as crisis counselors.    Do you know the difference between a service dog, an emotional support animal, or a therapy animal? All three categories are considered therapeutic interventions that can be assigned by your health care professional to help you reach your goals. However, major differences exist in the types and ways the animals are used. People often use the terms service animal, emotional support animal, and therapy animal interchangeably which can lead to a great deal of confusion. We also have a small section of the public making it even more confusing by trying to pass off personal pets as service animals so they can access the benefits of taking pets into areas that would otherwise be restricted from their use. The news media often uses the terms interchangeably and as Stephanie so eloquently points out many therapists are confused on the topic as well.    Service dogs serve people in so many amazing ways from being able to help pull a wheelchair to the intense training it takes to become a seeing eye, hearing ear, or medical alert animal that goes to work immediately when their companion is in distress and has a seizure or diabetic episode. Service dogs vary greatly in how they are trained and what they have been trained to do in order to help the owner achieve a better quality of life by mitigating the person’s disability in some meaningful way. The training of top-quality service dogs and support animals is a professional vocation and it takes years to learn and countless hours of dedication to begin to produce meaningful results between the animal and the trainer. If you want to get a better example of what it takes to train a guide dog take a look at this short four-minute animation by the South Eastern Guide Dogs. I’m warning you ahead of time to get a box of tissues on standby. This organization specializes in seeing eye dogs and PTSD dogs for veterans and their motto is, “Serving those who cannot see and those who have seen too much.”   Training service dogs of any kind is expensive. $6,000 to $12,000 is not an uncommon fee for a top-quality animal. Most police departments say the average entry cost for a police K9 is around $10,000 per dog. With a prescription from a medical professional confirming a legitimate medical diagnosis, many insurance companies will cover the cost of a service animal. Never forget to reach out to several nonprofit and community groups, they can often come together to help make it happen.     Remember, any animal that can properly serve a human is going to take two to four years of intensive training to produce meaningful results. If you’re anything like me after that much time it would be too hard to let them go. I guess that’s why I’m not a service dog trainer.  However, it is possible to do it on your own if you’re willing to put in the time and effort to do it right. That’s what my wife Debra and I have done with our dog Stella. Stella has already taken six different types of obedience courses and now we are moving her on to scent training courses and an agility program so we can see if she really has the potential for search and rescue work. Stella’s therapy dog training is ongoing and both Debra (who is also a licensed counselor) and I work with Stella constantly. Stella is just about to start joining us on our post incident debriefings and PTSD support groups for first responders from time to time. I am confident she will have a positive impact on the therapeutic process as we move forward as a team and a family of caregivers dedicated to helping people heal.    Debra and I occasionally conduct critical incident stress debriefings and tactical debriefings for local fire departments in our roles as crisis counselors on The Critical Incident Response Team at The Counseling Center of Texas. Our crisis response team is available to individuals and groups throughout the State of Texas.    As for those few of you who may unfortunately find yourselves in the situation of having to verify someone’s disability or the authenticity of a person’s service dog, emotional support, or therapy animal you will be very grateful for the insights provided in Stephanie Taylor's books aforementioned. She discusses the Americans with Disability Act as it applies to public and work "accommodations" for animals and she covers the Fair Housing Act as well as the Air Carrier Access Act of 1986 (ACAA). Can you bring your Emotional Support Velociraptor (ESV) on board the plane with you? Check out flying with your ESV     All kidding aside, access to fair housing and transportation privileges are important considerations for all of us and those decisions can become complicated very quickly once an emotional support or service animal enters the picture. Here’s to hoping you never find yourself having to be in the position of playing animal police. By the way and for the record, you should probably stay out of it unless you are fearing direct or indirect harm in some way by the animal. Don’t be in the position of unlawfully discriminating against someone without cause. Be forewarned – unless the animal is out of control they don’t owe you an explanation for the reason why they have a service animal in most countries. If the animal has somehow become a threat to life and limb then it’s time to call the brave men and women of law enforcement so they can investigate the situation further.   Aside from a small amount a people who abuse the privilege most people asserting a right to bring a service animal into an area have valid reason for doing so and should be treated accordingly. As my holiday gift to you please use the discount code BrigandiTX for a 10% discount on all of your OneTigris purchases.    Season’s Greetings, Happy Holidays, and may you and yours have a joyous New Year!   Credit: Joseph Brigandi, OneTigris LiFE Ambassador

Product link: OneTigris SUBMARINER Tactical Dog Harness Credit: @Savage Survival, 1TG

"A while back we were contacted by OneTigris to join in testing their new multi-use dog cape! OneTigris is known for creating durable and trusted tactical dog gear and we’ve owned a few harnesses from them previously! We’ve only had one outing with this harness tonight while we ran to the store and got food, but already I’m loving the convenience of this cape!   The cape is nice and lightweight for Jasmine, and it’s a nice, simple design. There’s tons of velcro space for any and all patches, not to mention the pockets which have ample space for carrying medication, backup gear, and other equipment. Plus, the color blends in nicely with Jasmine’s coat, which doesn’t make her stick out like a sore thumb, and helps the patches be more noticeable.   Only downside I would say so far is the shifting from side to side, but we’ll be adjusting it later since this was the first outing. Stay tuned for another review later as we test it out some more!"   "Just wanted to update. I took the harness out as a cape attachment to my harness, and already noticed that for a BLD harness, it doesn’t work well. the clip is too large to fit through the attachment point, it took me ten minutes to push through and quite a while to get it out. i think for some harnesses, adjustments may have to be made to the strap and attachment point of the cape to fit on the attachment point of certain harnesses. i’ll attach photos below. and it was a bit bunched too, but overall it’s been a great cape other than the attachment point issue! yeah! and maybe a longer strap? some harnesses are just so different haha so that it’s not bunched up with the harness."   Credit: servicedog.shepherds I have not used it enough to come up with any improvements but so far I don’t see anything wrong with it and mine does not slide around since I properly adjusted it! I know someone testing it out that said it slides around but I havnt experienced it. The only thing right now that I can think of is a little more padding on the straps like a comfort padding on the girth around the belly and maybe one in the front!"   "This is a service dog harness that converts into a cape to attach to a mobility harness! This is a prototype of @onetigris new service dog harness. It has molle on each side, bungee cord on top, zippered pockets on both sides, breathable padded mesh fabric underneath, a D-ring on either side perfect for a pullstrap, and snaps on each side to secure to a mobility harness! It’s not for sale yet, we are testing it out and sending feedback to them about it! It’s been our favorite vest so far because of the practicality. It has everything I’ve ever wanted all in one. Brantley can wear this alone and still do grounding and guiding without wearing his mobility harness all the time. It’s super comfortable for him, I love the color it blends in and doesn’t draw anymore attention. You can fit a lot of patches on here but I only like adding a few! The only thing I would change is more padding on the chest and girth strap that’s it! We love this thank you so much for letting us be apart of testing it out! There will also be an updated gear haul on my YouTube channel soon where I show you this in detail if your interested!"   "Haha but seriously we’ve used this harness so many times now and it’s by far our favorite one. It’s just so easy and practical. I will get photos of it being a cape soon! I will put some low quality pics of it on my story if your interested. Just getting ready for Christmas this weekend!"   Credit: couple_of_mals "We were selected by @onetigris to test and review a prototype cape/vest combo that they’re working on, and boy were we excited when it arrived. It was a perfect fit for Rosie as both a cape and vest, and fit perfectly with her existing harness. The vest features two shallow pockets, velcro top and side paneling with MOLLE loops, a removable ID panel, and D-rings for a potential pullstrap. The construction is sturdy as always when it comes to OneTigris products, and I love the ability to switch between the two modes of cape and vest, depending on what your needs may be. They’re still working on a few details, but I imagine they’ll be releasing this product soon!" "I gave the multipurpose cape/vest a thorough test yesterday and loved it. It was a perfect fit for Rosie as both a cape and vest and fit perfectly with her YupCollars harness. The pockets are great, construction is fabulous, and I love the adjustability in switching between the two modes of cape and vest. I especially like how you handled the excess strap webbing on the belly, and suggest that maybe you add that to the chest as well if possible. I have no complaints, other than that you should definitely make this in black. All of the rings are in the right locations, and I’m very happy with the design. The ID panel was a nice touch."   Credit: rosietheservicedog The ID holder looks like it would let the item slip from the angle it's at.The pockets were nice. I think the zippers going in one direction rather than both in oppositeAlso the back of the cape is super squishy and I like it. The other cape was more of a fabricSo it seems more comfortable and more of a protective barrier." "The belly strap is too short, otherwise it is perfect.”   Credit: asia.and.lotus

Typically Da Big Boyz Crew are advocates of “rules were meant to be broken,” but occasionally even we agree rules exist for a reason. Just one such occasion is when it comes to service dogs and service dog law where it seems like just about everyone is viewing them more as recommendations. It doesn’t matter if you want to take your dog everywhere or you are breaking the law by presenting your pet as a fake service dog, both actions cause damage and harm to the service dog and disabled community.   When BigLenny and I are out in public at least once a week someone will come up and talk about how their dog would be “just perfect!” for service dog work. They wish they could take their dog everywhere just like me. There’s only one issue. They don’t understand the right to be escorted by a fully-trained service dog comes with a mountain of headaches no sane person would ever wish upon their worst enemy let alone themselves.   Per U.S. Federal Law and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), service dog handlers must be disabled. Service dogs perform tasks that their disabled owners would otherwise have a hard time doing on their own. By communicating your desire for a service dog, you’re also wishing for the disability that comes along with it. Hearing an able-bodied person freely wish for a disability (even if you don’t say those exact words) is extremely hurtful for a disabled person. It suggests you don’t take the disabled person or their disability seriously and trivializes the thousands of hours of training and socialization their canine partner went through to be prepared to do his/her job.   If you have questions about service dogs or about the job service dogs perform, ask them, as long as the question isn’t, “How can I make my pet a Service Dog” or “How can I take my dog everywhere, too?” The answer to those questions, unless you are disabled and your dog possesses the aptitude for service dog work, is ALWAYS: You Can’t! No equipment, vest, harness, special leash, ID card, “Do Not Pet Me” patches or anything else can make your dog a service dog unless you are disabled and your dog has been specifically trained to perform tasks or work that you would otherwise have difficulty completing due to your disability. If all of that isn’t true, then it’s ILLEGAL.   A lot of times service dog handlers are met with judgement and conflict – sometimes from public, friends and family, even other service dog handlers. Service dog handlers are forced into confrontations on a regular basis concerning their canine partner’s public access rights. Even though U.S. Federal Law is very clear regarding a disabled handler’s right to have their service dog go together with them in public. Many handlers especially in smaller towns or more rural areas face recurrent conflicts. From the “What’s wrong with you?” questions to, “Show me his papers,” life with a service dog is rarely without challenges. When you casually announce, “I wish my dog were a service dog,” let alone fake service dog status or claim your pet is an assistance animal, you’re not only minimizing the conflict faced by the service dog community, but also the hassle, lack of privacy, judgement, strife, and sometimes outright hostility that accompanies service dog partners.   Fake service dogs only contribute to this issue. Dogs demonstrating poor training, manners or behavior while wearing the “Service Dog” banner cause everyone who come into contact with them to view the next team they meet, even if it’s the best service dog team on earth with suspicion and judgement.   Emotional support animals and therapy dogs are often confused with service dogs. These are important types of working dogs who do great work, but are not service dogs and who have no public access rights granted by U.S. Federal Law. If you read my earlier posts you’ll recall that becoming and being a service dog is hard work. It requires a specific, rare temperament, an aptitude for training, serving and learning and a degree of stability most dogs simply don’t possess. Beyond that, though, service dogs undergo hundreds if not thousands of hours of socialization, public access training, basic obedience training and advanced training for their handler’s specific disability task work.   Anyone who has flown on a commercial plane recently might have seen some kind of animal or another being called a “service animal” or you might have even seen something in the news. This time I’m not talking about a service dog. The U.S. Transportation Department recently ruled that airlines must continue to allow “common” service animals on flights. Until now a lot of passengers have been using the right to have a service animal loophole, which has caused some news related stories. The U.S. Transportation Dept. “wants to ensure that individuals with disabilities can continue using their service animals while also helping to ensure that the fraudulent use of other animals not qualified as service animals is deterred.” Airlines became concerned as passengers tried to fly with peacocks, ducks, turkeys, pigs, porcupines, snakes, turtles and iguanas to name a few as service animals. Would you want to be in the seat next to one of these service animals?     Distracted Service Dogs Can Result in Hurt Handlers. When/If a person fraudulently takes their pet with them as a “service dog,” the pet dog could distract or harm a true service dog, which could result in injury to the service dog’s person. In the U.S. most states have laws that protect both the individual and the service dog if harm is done or the team is knowingly interfered with and the crime is punishable by law.   There are no papers, documents, certifications, vests, tags or special IDs required for service dogs in the U.S. Under Federal Law, disabled individuals accompanied by service dogs are allowed access to places selling goods or services of any kind, including places offering entertainment, lodging and food. Under the ADA a business may only ask two questions of a dog team owner: 1. Is the dog a service animal required because of a disability? 2. What work or task is the dog trained to perform? Fake service dogs can often be identified by their lack of manners, obvious lack of training and ill behavior. If a “service dog” is interrupting a business’ daily operation with its behavior, it’s a danger to anyone or its conduct is NOT conduct acceptable in a service dog (barking, growling, stealing food from other clients, knocking people over, jumping, etc.), by law, the manager or business owner has every right to ask the person to remove the dog from the premises, “service dog” or not.   As a result of the public designating themselves as members of the “Service Dog Police” and the media’s sweeping statements concerning the service dog community, all service dog handlers, especially those with invisible disabilities like hearing loss, diabetes, PTSD or a seizure disorder, face a sense of distrust from bystanders, business owners and the public that is often noticeable. Handlers frequently face silent stares, pointed digs or inquiries, outright invasion of privacy and many other difficulties.   Please do not make light of the requirements and difficulties of service dog partnership, because when you do, this is the contribution you’re making.   We hope the message here is pretty clear: 1. Don’t fake service dog status. 2. Don’t downplay a disabled individual’s history or circumstances. 3. Don’t disrespect the work that goes into training a service dog. 4. Don’t make widespread conclusions or announcements that will have exponential consequences. 5. Don’t think you can spot a service dog in any way besides their behavior. 6. Say what you mean and mean what you say. And to take it one step further, think before you speak or act and the service dog community will be a better place as you map your existence!   All the best,  BigLenny!!!   As always hit us up with comments, questions, complaints, rants, like, shit anything would be nice! You can find us on the forum @BigT. You might not see us, but we are always around.    Check out www.onetigris.com to gear up on all of the wonderful Life & Tactical gear OneTigris has to offer hooman’s and dawg’s!!!   Credit: @BigT, OneTigris LiFE Ambassador

If you've ever visited our About Us page, you'll see that the OneTigris mission is to "empower you with motivation and affordable quality gear that helps you to do more and go further." Every year, we allocate surplus gear to be donated to service dog training organizations, animal rescue groups, and many other NGOs around the world, consisted of amazing souls that help to make this world brighter and lighter. When some of our customers reach out to return products that don't fit or colors that don't match their preferences, we ask them to instead send the gear to one of the many organizations that we have this donation arrangement with. The harnesses and dog packs are gifted to pet dog, service dogs and working dogs; the airsoft gear is gifted to airsofters and used as door prizes, raffle items and staff gifts; the EDC gear helps man and animal both to gear up more efficiently and to carry more responsibilities.   We'd like to take a moment to thank these groups of people who contribute their time, effort, knowledge, and even their own wages and savings to help others. See if you can recognize any of our friends on this list: USA - One Tail at a Time, Illinois - Victory Service Dogs, Colorado - Semper K9 Assistance Dogs, Virginia - Spectrum Health Police K9 Team, Michigan - Travis Mills Foundation, Maine - Rebel Dogs Detroit, Michigan - Protection 4 Paws, Pennsylvania - United Schutzhund Club of Houston, Texas - New Jersey Enlisted Association, New Jersey - Caring Hearts for Canines, North Carolina - Tails of Hope, New Jersey - The Driven Dog, California - Doodlebug Dog Ranch, Florida - DFW Canines for Veterans, Texas - Veteran Service Dogs, Michigan - Fisher House Foundation, Ohio - Cumberland County Search and Rescue, Pennsylvania - The Great Dane Club of Maryland, Maryland - Melba Fire Department, Idaho - Colorado Beagle Rescue, Colorado - MWDTSA, West Virginia - Florida Alliance of SAR K-9, Florida - Shenandoah Shepherd Rescue, Virginia - K9's for Veterans, Illinois  - Canine Services Training Center, Florida  - B&B Bernedoodles, New Jersey  - Vetwod, Ohio - LoneStar Malinois, Texas - University of Minnesota Duluth Ride Club, Minnesota - Henry County Fair Dog Show, Missouri - Carolina Helping Paws Rescue, South Carolina - White Oak EMS Search & Rescue, Pennsylvania - Next Level K9, Texas - Calloway County Collective, Kentucky - Global Conservation Force, California - Project 2 Heal, North Carolina  - Grateful Hearts Senior Dog Rescue, Ohio - K91199 Foundation, California  - K-9 Line, Inc, Florida  UK - RSPCA Solent Branch, Hampshire, Fareham, England - RSPCA Blackberry Farm Animal Centre, Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, England - RSPCA Oxfordshire, Abingdon-on-Thames, Oxfordshire, England - Battersea Dogs & Cats Home, London, England - Service Dogs UK, Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, England  - Last Chance Animal Rescue, Edenbridge, Kent, England  - Keighley Volunteer Centre, Keighley, West Yorkshire, England  - HIVE Bradford, Shipley, West Yorkshire, England  - Blind Dog Rescue UK, Saine Anne, Guernsey - Lomond Flyball Club, Dumbarton, West Dunbartonshire, Scotland CANADA - Wild Rose Assistance Dogs, Alberta - Women That Hunt, Nova Scotia - Nova Scotia Bushcraft, Nova Scotia - Canadian Guide Dogs for the Blind, Ontario - SPCA Alberta, Alberta - SPCA British Columbia, British Columbia - Taiga Adventures, Saskatchewan Germany - Animal Souls e.V., Bayerbach, Germany Belgium - Airsoft Alliance Belgium, Limburg, Belgium Photo Credit: Veteran Service Dogs Photo Credit: Veteran Service Dogs

All Weather Service Pups   Credit for this section of the article goes to a good friend and fellow New Horizons Service Dog Handler, Sue & her service dog, Nestle.   When spending time in the great outdoors it’s important to make sure your dog is properly equipped just like you make sure you have planned for the day yourself. With winter still upon us we have to consider what our pups wear as utility and not just as a fashion statement.    Many breeds aren’t meant to be in the climates we’ve brought them to. A Chihuahua, originally from Mexico, finds the New York winters to be a bit much and will shiver from more than just being nervous. Some breeds require wearing a coat in these colder climates and care must be taken on the length of time spent outside based on outside temperature and breed.    The same is true for dog boots. It’s hilarious to see a pup try these on for the first time. They walk like their feet aren’t necessarily attached and do crazy aerobatics to try to get these little torture devices off but in many cases they can be useful. The key with any type of equipment is the proper use of it. (New Horizons service dog, Mozart, shown below)   Dogs sweat through their paws. In the heat of summer dog boots can be great for protecting a pups pads from being burned on the hot pavement but by the same token, if the boots are left on too long without frequent rest breaks and adequate time in the shade a dog can be easily overcome by heat stroke. We live in the theme park capital of the world - Florida, USA. Working dogs go to theme parks with their handlers and the pavement can reach scorching temperatures.  The outside temp may reach 95°F but the pavement could be as high as 130°F! Ground temperatures as low as 120°F can begin to cause pain, while 140°F can cause burns and scars after prolonged contact, and 150°F can cause rapid blistering.    It’s important to make sure the dog’s paws are protected against the extreme heat. Boots can be used to protect from heat but breaks should be taken to properly insure your pup can cool down. Many handlers will buy cooling vests to help keep their pup cooler and stop frequently for rest and drink breaks. Pad Wax is also a great tool to use if you are not spending great amounts of time on hot pavement. With pad wax it’s important to reapply often to insure your pup doesn’t get their pads burned. Their coats are designed to help cool them down and keep their skin from burning but it’s still important to make sure they have the chance to cool off and stay hydrated. Misting their underside is a great way to cool them down but use cool to temperate water. Ice cold water can cause shock.   In the colder climates snow can cause issues with a pups paws as well as the salt used to melt the snow. The irritation and stinging of the salt can make a pup’s paws raw. Using dog boots is a great way to protect your pup from the ice and snow and keep their pads from getting raw. If you don’t have booties and your pup loves to play in the snow you can still protect with pad wax or even use a non-stick spray like PAM cooking spray! It’s important to wipe and clean their paws each time to get the snow and salt off the paws. Vaseline is also great for protection with the snow and salt. Some handlers have also used coconut oils on their pup’s paws to protect against the elements. The key is to completely wipe your pup’s paws when they come in. This will remove any snow or salt that can cause irritation and keep them from leaving a trail of oily paw prints everywhere they go. (New Horizons service dog, Revere, shown below)   All Weather Service Big Dogs   By BigT & Da Boyz   Coats/Outerwear: Make sure you pick the correct accessory for the appropriate dog bread and weather. Not all dogs need all kinds of coats, jackets, sweaters, etc. for all occasions. If worn these items should be removed immediately upon entering the home as dogs can overheat easily. Don’t Be Cute! Think of your dog first not fashion. Don’t Force It! Some dogs just will not wear anything. FIT is always important so try it on in the house and let your dog get used to it in a comfortable setting. Then try it outside. Boots: If you are going to get boots/booties/shoes/etc. for your dog the most important thing is FIT! Be ready to try a lot of boots on to find the right ones. You should consider boots if your dog is routinely exposed to weather (snow), rough terrain, health issues, old age, etc. A dog’s paw pads and the areas in between them are sensitive. When you’re mapping your existence there’s numerous negative injuries a dog’s paw pads can sustain. It’s possible for the paws to get cut on rocks or wear out if you take your dog hiking on rocky mountain trails or sprinting on hard pavement. Dog boots can protect against this.   If your dog flat out refuses to wear boots you can still protect his paws. To help prevent cracked and bleeding paws apply Petroleum Jelly (Vaseline) or Paw Wax to your dog’s paws before your dog goes outside. Just remember this method wears off, so if you are hiking you will need to reapply often. Soak paws a few seconds in a bowl of warm water the second your dog comes inside, then dry the paws thoroughly. To help prevent junk stuck between the toes which can cut the feet or cause your dawg to pimp limp trim the hair between the toes.   Goggles: Dog eyewear protects your dog’s eyes from UV rays and over-exposure to bright sunlight, numerous chronic canine eye diseases and conditions, pink eye, etc. Not all eyewear was created equal for working dogs. For working dogs site is essential and most will also test the protection limits of their eyewear. Because of that I trust Rex Specs and Doggles for my service dog. If you chose eyewear it is essential that the eyewear is measured properly before ordering and then FIT properly on your dog. To be successful it is of the utmost importance that your dog is trained to wear the eyewear. Rex Specs lays out an entire training program for you and shows you step by step how to fit and how to slowly introduce your dog to the goggles. (I do have to confess my personal favorites are the goggles with the windshield washers. I mean why not J!) Conclusion DON’T BE CUTE! DON’T FORCE IT! FIT – FIT – FIT! As you can see when it comes to weather gear for your working dog there are a lot of options. This was not all encompassing but more of just scratching the surface. Given the number of products I’ve found it easiest to focus on one area at a time when looking to purchase. Take your time. Do some research based on your needs.    All the Best, BigT & Da Big Boyz CrewOneTigris LiFE Ambassadors

To summarize:   We liked the original version the best because it fits Farley's deep chest better which makes the overall fit more snug and less likely to slip and twist.   Farley is not a huge dog but he does have a huge chest. I think the problem with this harness comes with deep barrel chested dogs like Dobermans and boxers and such. They are otherwise slim dogs that don't weigh a ton and some have small necks but these dogs do not fit into the medium sized harness because of the size of their chest. This bumps them up into a size that's too big for the rest of them, like the neck area.   The new version had more give and take on the neck area, allowing us to be able to pull it in a little tighter but with the chest we had the leads let out as far as they went which was still a tad too tight, pulling that area creating a gap in the side area (you'll see on the video). The overall fit was worse on the new version which not only gapped at the sides but also slid downward over his neck towards his head when he would put his nose to the ground (which dogs do 90% of the time. So it was always ready to fall off (over his head). We also agree with JoeCrowe about the velcro strips that hold the excess strap down. In theory it's a great idea but it creates too much bulk. A ladder lock buckle would be ideal. I think my biggest gripe about this harness was not even in the fit but the fact that there was no front DLoop to attach the lead to on the front chest area, which is fantastic and super helpful when dealing with dogs that pull. I think there should be two: one on the back and one on the chest for us to see which works better for our dogs. And actually some people use a double lead and attach to both front and back gaining even more control of their dog AND this prevents the backing out of the harness, which is possible with the Firewatcher (another downfall). And lastly I'd run the handle lengthwise down the back instead of across the neck area, all this does when grabbing at it (the way it is now) is lift the harness up, choking the dog.This could be a brilliant feature but it does not work for us the way ours fits our Doberman (maybe it works with other breeds). We would like to thank OneTigris very much for allowing us to participate in this test and hope that we have been a help. Please reach out anytime! Best to you all!Jennifer and Farley   Credit: @thrujenseyes, 1TG

Airport K9s are most often seen with detection teams to keep a lookout for drugs and guns at the airport. There are also "wildlife control K9's" where some dogs use their herding skills to clear the airfield of mammals like foxes and groundhogs.  This short post is a tribute to all airport K9's out there that serve to keep us safe. In particular, we'd like to mention three airport K9's, Piper, Greg and Hercules.  *** PIPER of Traverse City, Miami​ Piper began his duties as an airport K9 in 2014 as a wildlife control officer. In the 3 years he worked there, he chased away thousands of birds and small animals to keep planes and passengers safe on the runway. Sadly, he succumbed to cancer and passed away in January 2018, but his legacy remains and he is sorely missed by his handler, the airport staff, and all his fans and friends around the globe. -K-9 Piper (@airportk9) All phpto credits to @airportK9***​ GREG & HERCULES of CRW, West Virginia​ Greg and Hercules are wildlife control officers, the guardian of Yeager Airport and "airport sweethearts" for many.Hercules recently celebrated his 2nd birthday and turned heads with his good looks and floofy charm. While he loves patrolling the 280-acre-airfield, it's not his only job. He is also a comfort animal to offer a caring paw to first-time-passengers, and his 3rd job is a public relations officer who brings smiles and sunshine to WV every day. -CRW Hercules (@crwhercules) All photo credits to @crwhercules  Video credit to MotionMaster and Yeager Airport (CRW)