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The benefits of a harness when it comes to working with my dogs was somewhat of a surprise! If your like most dog owners you grew up working with your dogs wearing nothing more then a flat collar which is perfectly fine. In fact, you should be able to control your dog in a flat collar as well as you can with any other tool that you might use. However, training your dog is a long process of baby steps. Training your dog to wear a harness can equip you with another tool and some surprising benefits that will help you along the way! Keep reading for my harness recommendations, the benefits I have found in using them and a quick guide to making your pup love it! Author's Note: This post may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase after clicking one of my links I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you! The harnesses provided for this article were provided by OneTigris but all opinions are strictly my own!       What Are Some Benefits of Getting Your Dog To Wear A Harness?   1. Protecting a Young Dog's Health   Puppies are curious and impulsive creatures. They don’t always make the best choices and sometimes they forget their manners. Since they are babies this is to be expected no matter how much training you have put into them so far or how well they listen to you in the house.   Puppies will decide to lunge at a cat that suddenly appears, another dog walking down the street or decide to chase the ball your neighborhood kids might be playing with. It doesn’t really matter what it is, puppies are highly distractable and still learning what the proper reactions to social situations should be! It’s much safer for your young puppy or untrained older dog to lunge against a harness that distributes the pressure over the chest and back then a collar which puts all the pressure on the neck.   2. Giving Your Dog a Job   Working dog breeds are some of the most popular dog breeds in the country. People love the way they look, the attentive way they look to their owners and the intelligence they display in training. Working dogs are amazing, there is no getting around it and it’s easy to see why they are so well-loved by their owners. The downside of a working dog is that they require something to do. Working dogs without a job or some sort of mental stimulation get bored and become destructive. If you don’t give these dogs a job to do they will find one on their own – and you probably won’t like it.   Putting your dog to work can curb a lot of this behavior. Having your dog wear a harness and teaching them to track by playing ‘find it’ games is a job to your dog. Taking your dog for walks in a harness and having them carry a pack of supplies is a job. Even just wearing a harness and working your dog in obedience is a ‘job’ and wearing a harness can be a good way to teach your dog when you want them to really listen and when you’re just going out to play. There is a reason that service dogs act differently while in a harness and out of a harness. They know when they are ‘working’ and when they can relax.     3. Offering Control And Support   There are situations in everyday life that we can’t control. While you can spend time training your dog you can’t control other people’s dogs or the public in general. As a runner, you only have to be charged by a couple of off-leash dogs before this lesson is driven home really well. Both of my dogs are well behaved and easy to control in most situations, however, Echo is young and Connor thinks he wants to chase cats.   Echo tends to get upset when rushed by strange dogs and having a harness means I can grab hold of the harness handle which offers greater control while I deal with the situation and I don’t have to worry about her slipping out of her collar or tangling me up in the leash. With Connor, it means I can keep him closer if I see a stray cat on the road.   The handles can also allow you to help your dogs if your hiking over rough terrain, your dog is older, recovering from an injury, or just a bit on the clumsy side when it comes to jumping in and out of the car. In fact, Connor’s everyday harness is the Gladiator Support Harness. The double handles and harness construction make it perfect for giving your dog a bit of help and while Connor is a young dog he’s a touch on the clumsy side while getting in and out of the truck or navigating obstacles on a trail. He’s just a big lovable doofus really and the harness means I can give him a hand without hurting myself or him in the process.   4. Communication   When you are training a puppy to ignore distractions or working with a dog that doesn’t like strangers or other dogs a harness can be a great tool. Most people have been conditioned to ignore or avoid a dog in a harness (particularly a service or tactical looking harness – cute colored harnesses have less of an effect here). Most of us have been told not to touch ‘working dogs’ and the harness seems to be a clear signal to a lot of people in public.   Many of these harnesses also have velcro sections where you can add badges or signs to further communicate your needs. A small ‘In Training’ ,’Nervous’ or ‘Ask Before Petting’ label on a harness can help you avoid a lot of issues when working with your dog in a public setting and as they are removable you can easily take them off or change them as needed!   What Sort Of Harness Should I look For?   While there are many types of harnesses available in pet shops with many uses ranging from looking pretty to anti-pulling, I tend to prefer tactical dog gear like that provided by OneTigris and here’s why…   1. MOLLE System   MOLLE Stands for Modular Lightweight Load-carrying Equipment. This is a system of heavy-duty nylon rows that are stitched onto the equipment and allow you to attach various pouches and accessories.   You see MOLLE systems on a lot of hiking and camping gear and tactical dog harnesses are no exception. This makes my harnesses extremely versatile. I can attach a small pouch if I want, a collapsible water bowl, waste disposal bags, extra treats, even an extra leash or training toy if I so desire. I might not use this every time I walk my dogs but the option is there if I want it and I love that. The ability to add packs is especially helpful when I want to take my dog’s camping or hiking and they can carry their own gear. As we discussed in our Hiking with Dogs article – pack space is a premium when you’re on the trail!   2. Extreme Durability   Tactical dog gear is designed for working dogs that spend a great deal of time working in difficult terrain. It’s made to last and not fail despite extreme use and while my dogs are not put in those sorts of situations I like the peace of mind that sort of durability gives me. Can my harness fail? Of course, it can! Anything can and will fail given the right situation but I put a lot more trust in these harnesses then in the typical pet shop variety.   Tactical dog gear such as the Gladiator Support Harness that Connor wears for everyday walks (he still wears the Mammoth Pack for hiking) or the Mad Hound Harness that Echo currently sports have been tested and proven to hold up after a great deal of wear and tear.   3. Breathable Mesh & Comfort   Because these harnesses are designed for dogs to wear in rugged situations they are designed to be comfortable! Between the breathable mesh and padded straps, I know that my dogs can wear these harnesses for several hours with no problems at all! They are also extremely adjustable which is great when you’re buying for a still-growing dog, like Echo.       What Harnesses Do Your Dogs Wear?   Currently, Echo is enjoying the Mad Hound! This harness has been perfect for teaching her what it feels like to have something on her back. Eventually, we want Echo to carry her own food and water while hiking and camping and the Mad Hound is a good starting point for this. It’s highly adjustable with a wide reflective strip along the front for walks in the dark and is very easy to take off and put on – which is great when you’re dealing with a squirmy and excitable young dog!   Connor currently had two harnesses! We use the Mammoth Pack when hiking as its large built-in pouches are perfect for carrying his food, water, and treats! For everyday walks, he is sporting the Gladiator support harness. I love the extra padding on the straps and the fact that the double handles allow me to help him in and out of the truck when needed.   I also find that the choice between a front clip and back clip for his leash can be useful in teaching older, stronger dogs how to walk nicely and while Connor is generally pretty good about this we have even made some progress when cats are involved and that’s a pretty big step for him!     How Do You Get Your Dog To Wear A Harness?   The most common comment I have gotten when people see my dogs wearing a harness is that they tried a harness in the past but their dogs hated it. I tend to get a similar reaction when Connor wears his head collar. In both cases, I have found that the aversion is due to a lack of proper conditioning and can be easily fixed! You can teach your dog to love his harness/headcollar and it’s actually very simple!   The trick to making your dog accept practically anything you want to do is to make them associate the activity with a lot of great treats or fun games! If your dog is highly food motivated then you will want to use their favorite treat for this training. If your dog is toy motivated then a favored toy will work just as well!   To start with pick up the harness or headcollar and present it to your dog, if they look at it or sniff it use your marker word (Yes! Good! or click if clicker training) and give them a treat or throw the toy/play a quick game of tug. In the beginning, you should treat/reward the dog for doing anything that doesn’t involve moving away from the equipment. Before too long the will probably come running as soon as you pick it up!   Once they seem to be associating the equipment with something positive you need to start demanding a little bit more before giving the reward. Wait for your dog to touch the harness before rewarding them – it might take a bit of time for them to work out what you want but be patient! When they are eagerly touching the harness for treats you can progress to luring their head or nose through the harness, or settling it upon their back (depending on how your particular harness works), treat and then remove the item. Repeat this step until your dog is completely comfortable and then progress to doing up the straps!   If you take each step slowly and practice it for a few minutes at a time several times a day your pup will soon be racing you to the door to put on the harness! Remember to keep your training sessions upbeat, fun and short! If you or your pup seems to be getting frustrated just put things away and try again later on! Should they continue to resist back up to the previous step and move forward more slowly, some pups take a bit longer to adjust to things going over their heads and around their bodies. If you remain patient you will have trained your dog to wear a harness like a champ!   Credit: Tales From Home

  Author's Note This is a print article in the November Issue of Airsoft Action, but folks can subscribe to the digital version of the magazine via our website www.airsoft-action.online, and then it can be read anywhere! About Airsoft Action Magazine Est 2011. Popular Airsoft Players Award Winners - Best Airsoft Magazine 2017, 2018 & 2019. Learn more about the magazine and its dedicated team on Facebook and Twitter.

Firstly a big thank you to onetigris for allowing us the opportunity to test the SGT Patch. Harness.   We extensively tested the harness in a range of environments and situations, from beaches, forests and mountains, in sun, snow and rain.   Additionally the opinions below are our own and we have not received any guidance from onetigris. I. Pros   Where to start, this is a harness with so many benefits.   Build quality and materials: the harness is really well built with high quality materials making it feel very durable however and very importantly it is also incredibly light weight and breathable due to the mesh backing. This is fantastic for all dogs but in particular double coat breeds that often have to make do with a weighty harness. Not so with the Sgt. Patch which allows lots of space for air to circulate.   Customization: onetigris have effectively made a blank canvas into a harness. 100% of the harness has Velcro covering allowing for full customisation with moral / message patches. This allows for some amazing and completely unique looks. No other doggie will be rocking the same look. Time to get creative .   That massive grab handle: We absolutely love the oversized grab handle. It makes traffic control easy as there is not desperate searching for the handle, you truly cannot miss this handle. Additionally should your doggie find itself in a sticky situation it is easy to grab and pull them to safety. This is probably the best grab handle of any harness on the market.   One oversized fastening clip: there is nothing worse than messing about with a harness trying to work out how it goes on or worse messing about in the cold or with gloves on. Well fear not, the oversized fastening clip makes it super easy to fasten to your pooch. The harness simply goes over doggos head and you then easily clip the harness, due to the large size this is easy in the cold or with gloves on. Genius.   Molle attachments: if the 100% customisation with patches is not enough the harness is also molle compatible allow you to add pouches etc for your k9 fur baby to carry important supplies.   Stainless steel leash ring: Nice big chunky leash ring make connecting the leash easy in any conditions.   Warranty: 1 year warranty.   Colour: I am biased but I think phoebe rocks the jet black colour scheme. II. Areas of potential refinement/improvement   There are very few areas of improvement to be honest and I am really nitpicking with the following but worth mentioning.   Oversized grab handle: I know what you are thinking, I have just mentioned how much I love this feature above and I truly do however what could make it even better would be a small velcro loop that would allow the grab handle to be held down while the dog is playing or off lead, this would ensure the handle does not get caught on branches or other obstacles which could lead to the dog becoming trapped.   Harness type: This is a chest strap harness meaning there is a strap that runs across the dogs chest much like julius k9. Personally my preference is a y shaped harness like the onetigris fire watcher as it does not impede the dogs movement however while watching Phoebe play there appears to be no impact with this harness   In summary this is a great harness that is allows for great control and complete customisation all with the piece of mind that a lifetime warranty brings.   (Photos attached and video review going on Instagram and YouTube soon)   Credit: @PhoebetheSamoyed "I absolutely love this vest. I absolutely love this harness. The handle is in a perfect place and height. I do wish it was a bit longer but Tobias just has a long torso. The chest measurement is definitely something that needs to be double checked when purchasing, I believe. I do recommend this vest for handlers that need possible counterbalance or grounding. It is amazing for both of them.   "I feel the chest could be a bit bigger on him. But I do love it. With the size of the chest the belly strap is really close to the arm pits of the dog. The chest fits perfectly on my Shepherd but my Berner is a bit bigger in the chest. "This is the Look on my Shepherd and then the red marks how high it is in the armpit and then pulls back on his chest. but I still love it. Just figured I would show it."   Credit: @Semicolon_pup, 1TG

We were lucky enough to receive the new onetigris dog sleeping mat which we were super excited about and boy were we right to be excited.   We frequently find when out on our adventures in the wilds of Scotland that our fluffy wee wolf (Phoebe the Samoyed) often has to make do with sleeping on our gear as we cant really drag her weighty bed about which is far from ideal for Phoebe and also us.   Additionally as we stop at some amazing little pubs and inns when moving to our next adventure location the dogs who have been brought along lie on the wooden or tiled floor which is not great for joint care or general comfort.   Then one late Saturday night after a whiskey or two, perhaps three, ok so it was four, dont judge, I had a eureka moment. What we needed was a light weight, durable and comfortable dog bed / mat that we could easy take with us on our travels.   I grabbed my IPAD and like a man possessed started typing up my idea and submitted to our good friends at onetigris.   Waking the next morning slightly groggy but still delighted with this idea, I checked my messages and was amazed to see a response from onetigris advising they had such a product already in the works.   The team over at onetigris was kind enough to send a mat out and we have put it through its paces in rugged Scotland with an excitable Samoyed, a pretty formidable combination (if you can survive Scotland and a Samoyed, you are most definitely built to last, like onetigris products).     The review.   So how do we feel about the onetigris dog bed / mat? We love it. What we love?:-   Weight:-   The bed is firstly very lightweight, weighing just shy of 600g making it very easy to carry to the point you do not even notice you have it with you, which is ideal.   Size:-   Additionally the bed rolls up to a length of around about 30cm long and 15cm wide making it super compact to add to the lightweight .   This is perfect as we are often carrying quite a bit of gear and adding another heavy and awkward sized item would be very off putting however as noted above you could actually forget you are carrying it and it will fit in most backpacks while taking up little room in the boot of your car on attached to a bike.   Once rolled out the bed measures around 3.5 feet long and 2 foot wide making it ideal for small, medium and large dog breeds (terries, samoyeds, husky, collie, German shepherds etc) thus providing a range of dogs with ample room to stretch out or curl up depending on the type of sleeper they are.   Securing:-   The bed / mat when rolled up has two sturdy clips to keep it in its tube shape (these are quick release and are very easy to use even in the cold or with gloves of with again is ideal if you live in a colder climate like Scotland) and onetigris have kindly added a grab handle meaning you can easily carry by hand or clip to other equipment.   Filling:-   The bed contains a polyester filling, we were unable to measure how much however I believe Onetigris states 320g which is more than enough to keep your pooch warm on even the coldest of nights not to mention very comfortable as the filling fits and shapes nicely around the doggo. This is key, as if the filling is poor or there is not a sufficient amount the bed is not comfortable and defeats the purpose of its very existence (that would be bad).   With that said, one big concern for those with northern breeds or double coat breeds (Samoyeds, Husky, Malamute, chows etc) is overheating. Phoebe often spends her time roaming from room to room as she overheats when it hits one below freezing (yes we spend all year round with all of the windows opened, the joys of a snow dog) however despite the generous filling the outer material kept her cool enough.   Outer cover:-   I am not going to pretend, the bed got filthy and wet very quickly with mud, rain and snow all making it their home. I was dubious as to how the bed would stand up to such abuse with a particular concern being the bed soaking through however the bed was completely dry due to the water, grease and scratch resistance cover.   We were able to quickly wipe down the cover and it was good to go once more with no scratches or marks again showing the commitment onetigris has to its gear not only looking good but being built to last.   Additionally you can machine wash the bed and tumble dry for when taking some downtime from adventuring.   Colour :-   The bed is two tone, with a green upper layer and black lower giving it a clean and tactical look.   Warranty:-   1 year warranty, giving you peace of mind.   What would make us love it more?   There is very little improvement to be made with this gear. It does what it is designed to do and it does it very, very well. With that said, if we were going to suggest any improvements they would be as follows:-     Range of sizes and fillings:-   Perhaps smaller mats for the tinier dogs would be ideal again taking up only the space required while XL breeds such as St Bernards, Newfoundlands etc would maybe struggle on this size of mat and would likely find their weight would be too great for the filling to handle. Thus a range of sizes and filling volume tailored to certain size and weight ratios may be of benefit.   One such filling may be a very fine layer of memory foam would help make this mat even comfier and provide further support for joints however this may hinder the portable factor of the bed but may be worth thinking about especially for the large breeds as the size of the dog although important is no more important than consideration for the weight of the dog. An extremely heavy dog will in my opinion not benefit from the same comfort of this mat that a smaller breed would. Therefore offering varying degrees of filling etc may help with this.   Customization:-   The choice of different outer covers would also be great with a host of designs and colors such as a huge onetigris logo. This would allow you to keep on your adventures while another cover is being washed and dried. This would require a zip of Velcro however but would add a nice touch and allow you to swap up the covers keeping the bed fresh and interesting.   Molle compatible:-   Making the mat/bed Molle compatible would also be a nice extra allowing you to attach to your backpack or other gear although I should mention the large grab handle and straps provide ample opportunities to attach to your equipment or simply carry.   Dry Bag:-   Although, water resistant, a dry bag/pocket for the bed may be of benefit to keep it dry when hiking. As mentioned it is very light and compact and therefore will easy go in a backpack if you have space however if you are going to carry externally then a small dry pocket to fit it into would definetly be of benefit meaning it is completely dry the minute you decide to bed down for the night.   Conclusion.   We love this bed, the lightweight and portable nature are ideal and it is amazingly comfy, I know as I tried the bed myself only for Phoebe to swiftly move me on. The durable design and easy clean make this a must for not just dog owners that adventure but even those who just like a visit to their local inn or pub giving your K9 companion a comfy and safe area while you enjoy some social time. As we are all aware, joint issues for dogs are a serious matter and this mat/bed may just help to alleviate such issues or prevent existing pain/issues being exasperated (please note I am not vet and this is purely my thoughts on how it could help)   For the price of roughly $23 dollars this item is a bargain and one that your furbaby will surely appreciate,   Verdict:- Phoebe Approved.   Thanks for listening to my ramblings, I hope the above helps in your decision around purchasing this product however if you have any questions please do not hesitate to reach out.   Thanks and stay safe,   Chris, Sarah and Phoebe   IG: @phoebethesamoyed

WHY 2019 HAS BEEN AWESOME In the blink of an eye, 2019 is coming to an end. Back to dreaming that a new year will bring new hope and transformation (joke). Seriously, though. This year we welcomed new crew (we adopted a cat and named her Bo Peep!), we lived through the stories of people from near and far using our gear, doing small and funny things, or big and incredible feats, and the year was not without its occassional bumps and bruises.   2019 saw the release of many products, some flourished and some flopped, but each was unique and took us to the outdoors. We followed the stories of so many people on social media who travelled, who designed gear with us, who helped us to see the unlimited possibilities of human strength and creativity! Our heartfelt thanks to enthusiastic fans and friends around the globe for sharing their experiences and adventures, to our ambassadors and collaborators for redefining and revamping the brand...   To each 1TG staff for their dedication and overtime (no joke), and to all other awesome people, animals and NGOs that we don't have enough space to list here but will definitely stay in touch with in 2020!   Happy New Year, guys. You rock.

What Temperatures Are Safe For Dogs? Enjoying winter activities with your dogs means paying attention to the daily temperatures and weather conditions. Although some dogs have lovely thick fur coats to help them out that doesn’t always mean they should be exposed to below freezing temperatures for lengthy periods of time and sometimes even thick-coated breeds need a bit of extra help! Unfortunately figuring out exactly what temperatures are safe for your particular pet can be challenging to figure out! There is no magic number to follow as there are a lot of factors to take into account. There are however a few basic rules you can use to help you it out. 1) Like with people the very young and the very old are more susceptible to extreme temperature changes. If you have a tiny puppy or an elderly dog the range of temperatures they are comfortable in will be smaller and you should take extra care during both the cold and the hot months. 2) Smaller dogs tend to have a harder time regulating their body temperature as well, so they tend to have a smaller tolerance to cold than larger dogs. 3) The type of coat your dog has is also something to keep in mind Double coated breeds tend to fare better than short and thinly coated breeds. However, even double-coated breeds can have trouble if they are not used to the temperatures. A German Shepherd who has grown up in the South (like mine) might fair better in hotter weather but due quite poorly in extreme cold when compared to a dog that has grown up and became accustomed to the weather in the North. 4) The weather conditions should also be taken into account when enjoying winter activities with your dog – windy and wet weather is often harder to tolerate even if the temperature itself is not as low. Although all of these factors should be taken into account there is a basic guideline you can follow here – PetPlan. Of course, you know your pet best and should always use your best judgment!   Signs Your Pet Might Be Too Cold Your pet might be uncomfortably cold if they display the following signs while out in the yard or on a walk/hike. -A Hunched posture with tail tucked -Shaking and shivering -Shelter seeking behavior -Whining -Lifting paws off the ground -Reluctance to keep walking The followings signs are more serious and should be followed by a visit to your vet as they can mean that your pet was exposed to the cold long enough to become hypothermic. -Weakness -Lack of mental alertness -Loss of consciousness -Lethargy -Muscle stiffness -Slow, shallow breathing -Fixed and dilated pupils How to Warm Help a Chilled Pet If you suspect that your pet might have become chilled while you were enjoying winter activities with your dog there are a few ways you can help them warm up either on the way to the vet or while you decide if a medical trip is necessary. 1) You should immediately wrap the animal in warm blankets. If you have access to a clothes dryer, towels warmed in the dryer can make for very useful blankets. Likewise, a hot water bottle (always wrap in a towel first to prevent skin burns!) or heating pad on a low setting tucked against the stomach of the dog can also help. 2) You should monitor your dog’s temperature (taken rectally) throughout this process. If your dog’s temperature is below 98 degrees you should go directly to the vet. What Can Help Your Dog Through the Cold? Thankfully, just like us our pets don’t have to live their lives at the mercy of the weather without help. If you find that your dog is uncomfortable with the changing weather or you plan on taking them with your on some northern adventures you can help them out with a few simple products! Dog Jackets and Coats Coats and clothing for dogs have come a long way from the fashionably cute but less functional items that used to be available. Companies like OneTigris (who also have a variety of working harnesses and hiking gear) creat cold-weather jackets that are not only well constructed but geared towards comfort and ease of movement which makes wearing them more comfortable for long term use! OneTigris Bomber Style The OneTigris Bomber style K9 Winter jacket is great for young dogs or dogs that might not want to stand still long enough to put on a more complicated form of outerwear. Like the majority of their products, this jacket was created with both durability and comfort in mind! It’s easy to adjust and quick to throw on and take off which makes it an excellent choice for a quick walk or bathroom breaks. We also love the fact that it has two cute little pockets on the back which is great for carrying little baggies for clean-up or extra training treats. It also has a spot for a morale patch AND is machine washable which, considering how much my dogs love to roll in the dirt, is always a wonderful feature.   K9 Winter Jacket While the bomber jacket is a great throw on and go option this one is a bit more complicated to put on (but not difficult) and provides a bit more comfort and warmth. This makes the K9 Winter Jacket a great option when you want to spend an extended amount of time outdoors in cold weather. I love that it is wind, water, and stain-resistant which means I don’t have to worry quite so much if the weather is a bit on the nasty side rather then just cold. It also has a built-in harness function with a hidden D-ring which means I don’t have to fuss with excess gear when we go for walks. It’s super soft with a nice fleece lining and a pongee filling for comfort and warmth and the added leg straps make sure there is no slipping and your furry friend stay warm and cozy! Like all of the OneTigris designs, this one is built with durability in mind and is made so that you and your pet can enjoy rough and tumble time outside without having to worry about your gear holding up. Other Options For Enjoying Winter Activities with your Dog Sleeping Mat If you plan on taking your dog on a cold-weather camping trip you might consider investing in a Dog Sleeping Mat. Just like people one of the best ways to keep the chill out during winter camping trips is to keep some layer between you and the ground. This roll-up sleeping mat is an excellent option for camping because it’s easy to carry and store. It’s also created with water, grease and scratch-resistant materials. Better yet when you get home you can just toss it in the washing machine! I have also found this mat useful in other situations. It makes an excellent seat protector for the back of the truck and can be used as a place training mat while out and about in public! Paw Protection If you live in an area where they salt the roads or ice is always a problem then you might consider adding some paw protection to your winter gear. Road salt can be rough on a dog’s pads and ice always carries with it the chance for slipping! Dog boots can help protect your dog from both problems but if your dog won’t tolerate them then there are some creams and waxes like mushers secret that can help soothe irritation to the pads themselves. With a watchful eye from you and some helpful products then enjoying winter activities with your dog can be just as fun and active as the rest of the year for you and your furry companion! Credit: Tales From Home

Tactical Collar with Patch Space - Service Dog Approved!   The tactical collar with patch space has been FANTASTIC. I have tested it on both my own service dog (standard poodle) and my friend's service dog (boxer lab mix), and with both, it's been amazing. We also had a few of our IPO dogs try it out, and it went great as well. Day 1: We tried it out with a patch on it and walked around campus. The patch was visible, and everyone thought the collar looked very professional. The reflectivity was GREAT. Day 2: Used it on the field. Did great with even our heaviest of pullers. Fantastic quality handle for such a lightweight collar. Day 3: My service dog was so comfortable in it, he napped. He usually cannot do this in his larger handled collars. Day 4: Had a great time running around and playing in it in the mud. As soon as we were done, wiped it off, looks good as new. Day 5: Went training in Walmart with the service dogs. At one point, someone questioned my dog because he wasn't vested, but I was able to point out his patch on the collar. No more questions asked. Amazing. Day 6: Walk at night on the trails. Perfect visibility with the reflection, and the patch stands out nicely. Great quality d-rings, as well. Just perfect.   Overall, we LOVED the collar. I can't wait to finish the YouTube video!     Credit: @arlotheservicedog, 1TG

A well-stocked pet emergency kit can make all the difference when an accident happens at home. In this guide, we walk you through the must-have first aid items for your dog, plus tips on what to ask your vet to ensure you're truly prepared.

Small dogs need real gear, too. In this Beast Mojo Mini K9 review, we look at how OneTigris' smallest tactical harness handles control, fit, and everyday wear on dogs under 15 lbs — with honest feedback from real owners.

OneTigris K9 Ambassadors are a busy bunch, some have hectic social lives on Instagram replying to fans and friends around the globe, and some are working dogs on even more important missions. Flyaway Geese, owned by Rebecca Gibson, is one of the industry’s leaders in providing professional bird management and geese solutions through humane, PETA approved solutions to specific environmental niches. In short, a team of smart and dedicated border collies with natural, no-kill herding skills.  The A Team consists of Greg, Bett, Marx, Zoe, Flo, and Hoop, all 6 of them are proud 1TG K9 Ambassadors and currently on a very important mission in Fort Wool, Virginia.    The decommissioned Fort Wool was used to sight and to strike approaching British ships around 200 years ago, and now it’s home to thousands of seabirds that go there to nest. Flyaway Geese was hired to patrol a neighboring construction site and to herd the birds away from the site to Fort Wool. Their job is to teach the birds the area near the construction work isn’t a safe place where they should live.    How do they do that?   The team gears up in working vests, safety boots and goggles, and deter the birds from landing near the construction site. Their tactical vests with light reflective strips and bright patches help with visibility when working in outdoor or low light conditions, the boots protected their feet from jagged rocks and rough surfaces, and the goggles protect their eyes while helping them to see the birds in the air.   The Flyaway Geese team, along with a group of wildlife biologists, will remain until September when the tunnel expansion project is over, and they are already getting a lot of publicity on local news channels and social media pages: WBTV, Virginian Pilot, VDOT, JBLE...    Video Credit: VDOT   Among our K9 Ambassadors, there is also Denali and her pups from Global Conservation Force, working with professional anti-poaching teams in South Africa. CRW Hercules from Yeager Airport is on the airport wildlife control team and also works as a therapy dog. Newton and Koper are online celebrities with a big following, and they were the center of attention as our K9 models at Airsoftcon last year in California. We also have Phoebe the Samoyed from Scotland, Rosie the Service Dog from California, and The Dog Coach with his entire doggo team.    All our ambassadors help OneTigris to test gear and offer valuable feedback, and at such strange times, it’s always very uplifting to hear news of them not only staying safe and healthy, but being active and taking each day in calm and confident stride.    Photo Credits: Flyaway Geese   

  To all the Wonder Women of this universe, thank you for being awesome. Here are the lucky winners of our Mother's Day giveaway! ***   @ilckenzoo   "I’ve always been an animal lover, even in college I was smuggling in stray kittens and puppies into the dorm. I started fostering years ago when a friend of mine posted a dog who’s time was up at a local county shelter. For some reason I couldn’t get the image of her face out of my mind so I went to the shelter to pick her up and ended up working with a rescue because she had severe health issues… As you know vet bills can get expensive so it’s great to have a rescue to work with to alleviate some of the financial burden.   "Once I found a home for her, I fostered another, and another, and another, lol. There are just so many that need help! It’s really sad. It’s been therapeutic for me too finally be able to use my passion for animals in a positive life-changing way. I’ve met so many great families along the way!"   ***  @forestwolfperak   "Because of you, I laugh a little harder, cry a little less, and smile a lot more.   "My name is Julia, and the handsome fluffy boy next to me is (Dari Intan Putih) Perak! He's an almost 7 year old white Swiss shepherd and we live together in the Netherlands, when we started looking for a new companion 7 years ago we where set on one of the female dogs from the litter, Perak's sister who's named Pucat was set to come live with us. My father who came to help us pick out a puppy noticed Perak right away and decided he should be coming home with him, and I'm very glad he did exactly that! Perak grew up as my fathers dog, but we quickly started bonding together. There was just this amazing connection that we had. At age 2 I started doing agility with Perak, and from there on our bond grew even stronger. Years went on and my father came to realise how happy perak and I made eachother, he signed ownership of his beloved dog to me! This was the greatest blessing I could ever receive, and now years later I have both Perak and Pucat at my side, we have been on many trips within." *** @lisi_mtb_33   "My name is Lisi and I am 21 years old and I live in Austria. I have a rare chronic disease called EDS and some more. I want to live my life the best way I can and still do things that makes me happy, even if it's harder. That's why I got Jucan. He is a 7 months old service puppy and in training to be my service dog. He is my lifeline and gives me the strength to move on and stay mobile. Jucan is my soul mate. I also have 2 Swissy dogs, Tony and Barli. Sadly Tony needs a wheelchair. All my dogs use 1TG Gear, because it's strong and looks fantastic. So to all disabled people amd animals out there: Stay strong!  *** @mileyonetigris   "Last year, our apartment adopted an angel Molly. She's smart, gentle, friendly to everyone! I was a "cat" person actually, but she changed my life. One day she came to my door, wants play with me and my cat. Suddenly there was a man banging on my door, scared the hell out of me. She was just like 3 months old? She stood up and shouting at the door! I never heard that she made such loud voice before. This cute little thing was trying to protect me!!! After that she came to my house everyday and she loves me just like I love her! Now she grown up, had 5 babies on Mar. I just want to say, I'm happy to be your mother, and I'm proud of you to be a mother! Happy Mother's day!!" *** @that_nepa_newfie   "Happiest mamma’s day to all my fur frens!!! Dis my mamma and she is da bestest to me and my dad! Frens tanks your mamma’s fur all da treatos and lovin’s dey gives us!!"   "Oakley is a 2 1/2 year old Newfoundland. We have raised her since she was a puppy. She trains as a water rescue dog. She brings out the best in people who meet her and we enjoy spreading her love! We have been using 1tg gear since she was big enough for a harness. Keep up the good work!"  

Bad weather doesn't have to mean a bored, destructive dog. Here's how to burn off your pup's energy indoors — from hallway fetch to weight-pull training with a tactical harness — plus the gear that makes it easy.

This year’s World Mental Health Day (Oct 10th) comes at a time of change and much uncertainty. 

The Gladiator Support Harness was created to provide mobility assistance for dogs with weak legs or injuries.

"I had no issues with this harness. Thank you for letting us gear test for you! It means a lot and I love your company so much."

One of my favorite features was the fact that the two harness pieces came apart easily and completely so that people with dogs who may struggle with gear can have a MUCH easier time getting this harness on their pup.

Shopping for a K9 handler or an active dog this holiday season? Here's our gift guide to tactical gear — harnesses, leashes, pouches, and more — that working dogs and their handlers will genuinely appreciate, not just use once and forget.

Thinking about switching from a collar to a harness? Here's a breakdown of the 5 key benefits, including improved control, better safety, and why most trainers now recommend harnesses over collars for daily walks.

Overall my experience with the harness has been amazing.

OneTigris is a tactical-style outdoor gear store, selling all kinds of products, from airsoft gear to affordable military-style dog harnesses. We tested a few of their dog products before and were looking forward to trying out their new Fire Tanker harness!