Category: Animals & Pets

We all want the best for our pets. Part of caring for them is giving them good food on a regular basis. Some owners might be content with traditional dry dog food but a growing number of people are looking for more. The general movement towards eating healthy and opting for natural food instead of processed products has reached the pet world. This is a welcome development given the past scandals regarding pet food from certain countries. Instead of feeding kibbles, you can feed raw food from your kitchen or from the shops. Manufacturers freeze dry the ingredients so that they can last longer. Here’s what to look for in dry raw dog food UK shops:

Authentic Ingredients

The raw food movement aims to provide dogs with the diet that their species was used to before they were domesticated. This mostly consisted of animal meat and bones after successful hunts. They would also consume vegetable scraps whenever they could find some. Look for products that have the same ingredients to get the maximum benefits. You should also stick to known brands as you can trust them to have high quality ingredients and processes. Some even source their meats from free-range farms and other specialty farmers.

Balanced Nutrition

Although you can prepare raw food at home, many prefer to buy freeze-dried products from the shops because it is easier and more convenient. Some brands can also provide them with balanced nutrition which essentially solves the criticism that this sort of diet is heavily skewed towards certain nutrients. For example, they might combine ground meats from muscles, heart, tripe, breastbones, kidneys, and liver. They could also add in crushed fruits, vegetables, fish oil, and more to check all of the boxes required for good overall health.

No Artificial Additives

Since this diet is high on raw and natural, adding artificial items to change the character of the pet food would not make sense. Find brands that are resolute in keeping their products as genuine as possible. There should be no added artificial vitamins and minerals. If they want to balance the nutritional profile, then they should add natural sources that contain the desired vitamins and minerals. The best ones go to great lengths to do this including the use of pressed sunflower oil, cod liver oil, salmon oil, wheat germ oil, and much more for essential fatty acids.

Go all in by shopping at respected dry raw dog food UK shops and get great results.

For most people, their dogs are part of the family and the stress they go through if their furry family member is lost, is exactly the same as the worry they experience should one of their children go missing!

It can never be emphasized enough that the correct identification could save your dog’s life. It is required by law in most parts of the country, that your dog wears a license on its collar, since the information on the license can help local Animal Services or Health Department to return the lost dog to its owner.

Although tattoos and microchips are two methods that can also provide important information, a visible, physical Dog Collar Tag is the easiest and best way to have your dog safely returned to you, should he ever get lost. A trip to your local animal shelter to get your dog back is better than a tragic alternative.

However, you can save time, money and a lot of stress by avoiding the shelter altogether and have him returned to you directly by a Good Samaritan. These are all valid reasons for adding an identification tag to your dog’s license on his collar. Since you write on the dog tag yourself, it is important that the writing is clear, with your current name, address and contact number, to ensure that your do is returned to you safely.
These tags are becoming increasingly popular, because they are extremely affordable, take about a minute to customize and provide instant identification for a dog, should he get lost at any stage.
Your current contact details on a visible identification tag is your lost dog’s best defense and definitely the easiest way for a helpful person to contact you as soon as possible and get you reunited again.

Important information to include on your dog’s ID rag

Usually, dog tags contain the dog’s name, address and telephone number(s) of its owner(s). While this will let someone know where your dog lives and how to contact you, the more information you include on his tag, the better, such as:
• Your dog’s name and whether he is chipped or not
• Your phone number
• His license tag number
• Rabies tag number
• If possible, any medical issues that your dog might have. For instance, if your dog needs insulin, the person finding your dog will have no way of knowing this unless it’s on his tag.

When is the best time to get a dog tag?

Dog Collar Tags are necessary from the minute a puppy or adult dog is adopted, even before they leave the shelter or rescue group with their new owners, or at least a tag with the shelter or rescue group’s contact details.

When the K9 department was established in operations of the police, the main focus was prevention and investigation of serious crime. There is no doubt that in so many ways, the efforts have been successful. Drug dealers and terrorists have found themselves at the wrong side of the bar, courtesy of Police K9 attacks and subsequent arrests. However, few people have cared to question the legality of the police in using dogs, especially in certain circumstances.

Police Dog Attacks and Unreasonable Force

You may find yourself in circumstances that call for your arrest. It may seem surprising but it is often considered perfect performance on the part of the police when they suspect you of the slightest disobedience to the law. Suspicion of wrong-doing, nevertheless, does not confirm that you are a wrong-doer. Therefore, the police have no right or obligation to use their dogs in the course of your arrest, especially when the crime you are suspected of committing does not warrant the use of the canine fellows. Furthermore, the police should first inform you of your charges. If they just unleash the beasts on you without a word, you have the right to sue them for use of unreasonable force.

Wrongful Police Dog Attacks

The activities of some criminal elements are so heinous that even Police K9 attacks would seem a gentle measure. These include terrorists carrying bombs and other weapons of mass destruction. Murderers who commit their crime and try to get away are not too different. Neither are kidnappers, serial rapists, and hardcore drug and illegal weapons smugglers. However, if you do not fall into any of the mentioned groups or their nearest peers, there is absolutely no reason to suffer the consequences of attacks from police dogs. If you are sure that you have committed no crime and you were attacked by members of the police K9 department, you have the right to sue both the state and federal government and get compensation.

Bottom-line

There are explicitly defined functions of police dogs. While they include neutralization and arrest of criminals, there is no justification for their use in some circumstances. Don’t contribute to the police dog bite statistics. If you are not armed, have not resisted arrest or tried to inflict injuries or any kind of harm on any person during your involvement with the police, you should sue for wrongful Police K9 attacks. Remember, you don’t have to be exactly on the right side of the law. The nature of your suspected crime and reaction to arrest should be the determinant force in whether or not the dogs should have been released on you.

There are several specialized police units but very few come with the excitement similar to what you get as a K9 officer. In this specialized unit, you are trained to use trained police dogs in law enforcement. As a police dog handler, you can be able to perform the general duties of a police officer such as responding to emergency calls, apprehending criminals, and performing traffic stops among others. Additionally, you can use a trained police dog to perform specialized tasks such as detecting explosives and drugs, solving kidnapping puzzles, and locating hidden or buried bodies.

Joining the Police K9 Force is not an easy process, especially for a civilian. Nonetheless, here are the top secrets to know before you make the formal application.

Possess the Basic Education and Training

The education requirement varies in different police forces. However, you are generally required to possess at least a recognized high school diploma. In some departments, you may need an associate degree or a major degree in a criminal discipline. With regards to the training requirements, you have to be a trained police officer. This means that you have to pass the classroom and practical police academy assessments. The training means that you are familiar with:

• Making arrests

• Investigating crimes

• Defensive approaches

Pass the Necessary Exams

You have to pass the necessary health checks to be a K9 officer. They include:

• Physical fitness tests

• Drug examinations

• Hearing and vision tests

The tests are meant to determine your ability to handle the police dog effectively.

Have Work Experience

Just like the education requirement, work experience varies in different places. There are some forces that expect you to go through a one-year K9 probation program before you can fully join the force. In others, you are expected to have three or more years of experience as a patrol officer. You may also need personal dog-handling skills to boost your chances of joining the police unit.

Demonstrate Personal Attributes

Your character should be impeccable to boost your chances. Thus, you should be:

• Self-driven

• Cool-headed

• Responsible

• With no crime history

Bottom-line

Working in a police K9 department can be a perfect job for anybody who is passionate about law enforcement and animals. However, like any other worthwhile career, the competition for these jobs can be tough. Nonetheless, if you are able to meet these top secrets, your chances of joining the Police K9 Force are high. They’ll enable you to beat your competition comfortably and negotiate a better pay from your employer.

Life can sometimes throw a big surprise on your way, and you may find yourself needing to relocate to another city with very little warning. Moving is always a stressful process, and if you are short on time and have a pet too, it can be a challenging life endeavor to maneuver. However, this doesn’t mean that you can’t have a smooth and safe relocation though. Here are a few safety tips that you need to take into account to make your life smoother:

1. Keep your pet’s head, legs, and arms inside the car

Many pets love to put their head out of the window or to ride in the back of trucks. However, it is not always safe. It not only exposes them to risks of being hit by other traffic or roadside object but the pet can also get debris in their eyes or lungs leading to more complications. Some pets can also jump out of the car window while you are driving or when the car is stopped and get lost or run into traffic.

2. Keep your pet off the front seat

A lot of accidents are caused by distracted driving. 30 percent of people admit to being distracted by their pets while driving, according to a recent study. Accordingly, always ensure that your pet is not in the front seat. Pets should be in the back seat or cargo area. If you cannot keep your pet in the back seat, you can purchase backseat barriers and fit them between the two front seats of your car to effectively keep the pet in the backseat.

3. Restrain the pet for added safety

To ensure that your pet is safer, invest in a pet crate or harness to restrain them. If the pet require more freedom, opt for a harness and seat belt tether to give them lead to lay or sit down but still protect them in case of an accident. If your pet needs more movement, you can connect the harness to zipline that runs to the backseat, allowing it to walk back and forth. Although this may not be as safe as seatbelt tether, it will keep the pet out of the front seat.

Bottom-line

As long as we love our pets, the excitement of a road trip plus the audio and visual simulation of a drive can produce unusual behaviors in them that you can only deal with when you are not behind the wheel. The above 3 tips are some of the fundamental aspects that you need to remember when moving with your pet. Alternatively, you can always seek the help of pet transport services to help your relocate your pet smoothly.

There are times when we might wander into unfamiliar neighborhoods and get confronted with a pack of dogs. This is an incredibly uncomfortable position that can quickly turn dangerous if we aren’t careful. If you ever get into this situation, then try to keep your wits about you and do the following:

Breathe and Stay Calm

It is very easy to panic when you are confronted with aggressive dogs. Even those that are silent can seem menacing if they try to surround you from all sides. You can feel trapped and helpless. The important thing is not to give into this primal fear. While this is a potentially dangerous situation, you can get out of it without so much as a scratch if you play your cards right. Behave in a way that will prevent things from escalating. Breathe deeply if you are feeling anxious to calm your nerves. You will be able to think more clearly this way.

Study Your Surroundings

Look around you. Study your surroundings as you may be able to find things that can help you get out of this predicament. For example, you might see an escape route that you can take in case the dogs try to get closer. Maybe there are people passing by that you can ask for help. Perhaps there are certain items in your immediate environment that you can use to defend yourself. Think fast. Act fast. Don’t wait until they have pinned you into a corner. Move slowly into an open area that will allow you to see others.

Try to Calm Them Down

The dogs will be sensitive to your every move. Be sure not to give them any reason to get more aggressive than they already are. Do not try to run. There is a good chance that they will easily outrun you and bite your leg when they catch up. Stay still or walk very slowly if possible. Send them signals that will show them that you are not a threat. For example, try to yawn as they will recognize this as a sign of sleepiness. They might even start yawning, too. Avoid having eye contact with any of them.

Use Distractions

If they still haven’t backed off, then you may try to use distractions as a last resort. Those who are happen to be carrying food might see if throwing it to the dogs will appease them. Perhaps the smell is the actual reason why they began to follow in the first place. If that doesn’t work, then use your extra layers of clothing to protect vulnerable areas. Tie your jacket or sweatshirt around your waist to shield your legs from bites. In case the worst case happens, contact dog bite attorneys immediately to help you get proper compensation.

As much as we want to, we can’t take our dogs everywhere we go. They simply can’t join us for long vacations and other activities. It would be nice if the rest of the family can take care of them while we’re away but what if no one will be left in the house? This is a dilemma that a lot of people face. The solution isn’t always as simple as asking the neighbors for help. They may have other plans, or perhaps they are not as fond of dogs as you are. Finding a dog sitter may be the best option for you. Here’s how to choose the ideal candidate:

Experience

Dogs can sometimes be hard to deal with. Having some experience can go a long way towards treating them right. Those who have pets themselves will know what to do when the dogs behave one way or another. They will be able to calm them down when they start barking. They will know when to feed them or play with them when they want to. Even amateurs can know all these if they have taken care of pets for many years. However, taking care of other people’s pets is a bit different. A veteran dog sitter in Fairfield is likely to perform better because of the training, knowledge, and years of specialized experience.

Referrals

The hardest part is knowing how to start. If you don’t know anyone who could dog sit for you, then ask your friends about it. Perhaps they had to deal with this problem before and found good people that they could recommend. Ask for referrals so that you can have a few names on your list right away. You could also go online and conduct a local search. Find out if there are any service providers in your area. They may have their own website listing their credentials, rates, and other pertinent details. Give them a call and set up an interview.

Interviews

It is vital for you to talk to potential candidates. This would ideally be conducted at your house where they can get a chance to interact with your pets. Observe how they react to each other. Do they get along naturally? Do your pets seem wary around the stranger? Ask about their experience in detail to find out more about them as a person and as a pet lover. See if your ideas align when it comes to taking care of the furry ones. One person is likely to emerge as the favorite after everything is said and done.