TUCKA 'n' TUGS

25/04/2024

This ANZAC Day, let’s take a moment to remember the unsung heroes on four legs. From the loyal tracker dogs in Vietnam to the courageous messengers of WWI, these brave canines played a vital role alongside the ANZACs. Their unwavering companionship and service remind us of the enduring bond between humans and dogs:

Dogs played a significant and diverse role in World War I, serving alongside soldiers in various capacities. Here’s an overview of their contributions:

-Messenger Dogs: They were used to deliver messages across the battlefield, often under heavy fire, proving to be more reliable than human messengers in many cases.

-Sentry Dogs: These dogs worked with a single guard and were trained to warn their handlers of any unfamiliar presence, often through a growl or bark.

-Scout Dogs: Highly trained and calm, scout dogs could detect enemies up to 1,000 yards away and would silently alert soldiers to their presence.

-Casualty Dogs: Also known as ‘mercy dogs’, they were trained to locate wounded soldiers on the battlefield, carrying medical supplies and providing comfort in their last moments.

-Rat Catchers: Small dogs, often terriers, were used to control the rat populations in the trenches, which were a significant problem due to the spread of disease.

-Mascots: Dogs also served as mascots, boosting morale and providing companionship to the soldiers in the trenches.

During the war, over 16 million animals served, with dogs being highly valued for their skills and abilities. Let's take a moment to honour all the brave canines that selflessly supported our soldiers in every war we have served in.

🌺🐶 🐾

08/03/2024

Good Morning/Happy Monday and I hope you all had a great weekend! This week's Myth is one I hear almost every day as inquiries pour in for my service to help itchy, ye**ty dogs. When owners first start trying to deal with this on their own, the first step (after the vet recommends a prescription diet and some meds) is to seek out advice online, and usually test a great number of limited ingredient kibbles plus every "natural support" product known to mankind. When longterm improvement doesn't materialize, the next step is often to order an online allergy test - some of my own clients have had three or four by the time they get to me! One might think this is an important step, but the reality is, hair and saliva tests are simply not as reliable as we would wish.
The best step forward is an elimination diet, meaning real foods, not limited ingredient kibble, and professional guidance to help making the right choices and decisions moving forward.

This week's Myth: Hair and saliva tests are important guides for feeding the allergic/intolerant dog.

Links below.

08/03/2024

Prebiotics are so important for both people and dogs!

Many people give probiotic supplements but are you also providing prebiotics, which fuel and nourish the good bacteria?

Foods in the collage are:
✅ green-ish banana
✅ jicama
✅ apple
✅ asparagus tips
✅ barley
✅ dandelion greens
Oats are another option, not pictured.

These foods are great sources of prebiotics - which means you don't need to feed large quantities of them to receive benefits. They are important for gut health and immune function.

🦠When feeding a food that has the potential to affect gut bacteria you also have the potential to cause GI upset with gas and loose stools. More is not better and not all dogs will tolerate these foods. Each one is a test and after tested and tolerated, can be rotated in your dog's meal plan.

📌If you enjoy seeing these posts please remember that you need to interact with them to keep seeing them in your feed.
A simple ❤️, 👍🏼, comment or of course, a share helps.

05/03/2024

We are a home based business and provide pick up points on both the north side and south side of Mackay.

We are passionate about offering quality products to enhance your dog’s health and well-being. We offer a personalized service to our customers with flexible pick up and collection from our home based business locations.

07/11/2023

Morning everyone

We just wanted to give everyone the heads up that we will have a small price increase effective 1 Jan 2024. New price list will be pinned to this page in late December.

As usual, we have tried to absorb the majority of the costs so we can continue to provide high quality food at a competitive price, however, increases are out of our control and inevitible due to rising costs.

R4P packaging has also been updated and will transition over the next couple of months. The product is still the same only the containers have changed.

Once again we would like to thank our loyal customers and appreciate your continue support of our small business.

Kind regards
Jacki & Cheryl

29/07/2022

Hi everyone

I have just posted the new price list effective 1 August 22. Although we try to keep costs as affordable as possible, unfortunately, these annual increases from our supplier are unavoidable.

Thanks to all our wonderful customers, past, present and future, for your continued support.

Jacki & Cheryl

29/07/2022

Price List - Current as at 1/8/22

06/09/2021

31/08/2021

Thanks to our customers for your ongoing support of our business. We have made some changes to our operating hours.

Please note the change of hours from 1 September 2021
Monday to Friday 7am to 7pm.
Saturday and Sunday – CLOSED
Orders received before midday Monday to Friday will be available for collection late afternoon/evening the same day.
Orders received between midday and 7pm Sunday to Thursday will be available for collection the next day.
Orders placed after 7pm Friday will be available for collection Monday.
Thanks Jacki & Cheryl

01/07/2021

Hi Everyone

From1 July, 2021, the new prices for our Raw 4 Paws balanced raw food will come into effect.

TUCKA 'n' TUGS (TnT) will endeavour to minimise these price rises as much as possible, but unfortunately we must pass on price increases from Raw 4 Paws through annual increases in line with CPI.

As you know, TnT values our customers and are keen to keep you as happy as your dogs are, eating great Raw 4 Paws quality balanced dog food.

We can assure you that with these new changes and improvements, our products are as economical as possible and still great value for money.

And don't forget that between Jacki and Cheryl, we have 60 years experience in owning and raising dogs. We also have knowledge and experience in dog training and can advise on appropriate training equipment and Cheryl, as a Canine Nutritionist, can advise on nutritional requirements for your dogs.

Regards the TnT Team
Jacki & Cheryl

22/10/2020

Due to an increase in the number of tick cases we have seen this month, we thought an update on tick paralysis might be of use to our clients.

It takes 3 days after a paralysis tick attaches to your pet for symptoms to start to appear.

These symptoms include wobbly back legs, change of bark, refusing food and vomiting.

It takes only one female paralysis tick to cause severe illness and death in a dog or cat.

Treatment of tick paralysis requires a tick antiserum and often days of hospitalisation if pets are to recover.

A combination of daily tick searches and an effective preventative product are the best way to reduce the risk of tick paralysis in your pet.

15/10/2020

Most of the calories in a raw diet are from meat which has optimal protein, high moisture, and low carb content that promotes a healthy weight, muscles, skin, and joints.

17/07/2020

The Dog Workshop

BACKYARD MYTHS
Do working breeds need a lot of space?

🏡 It really is a bit of a misconception that working breed dogs (like Kelpies, Border Collies, Cattle Dogs, and Shepherds) must have a large back yard because they need a lot of exercise.

As trainers, what we mostly see when called in to help with behavioural issues in these breeds, are dogs that have a lot of unstructured time in a big space that they don’t really know what to do with.

👔 All this freedom, without guidance, often leads them to create jobs for themselves like running the perimeter and yelling at neighbours, dogs, possums, kids, the postman, and anyone else going about their business. It often goes hand in hand with digging holes and destructive behaviour like chewing on the outdoor furniture or pulling washing off the line. And in the outside world it can often translate into reactivity towards fast moving objects (like bikes, cars and skateboards) or dogs and other animals.

🐕 For young dogs especially, it’s a bit like going out and leaving a two-year-old loose in the house unsupervised. Not safe for the toddler or the house!

It seems counter intuitive, but what most of these dogs need during their independent time is a smaller space, to minimise overstimulation, and where they can instead learn to chill and relax while they are on their own. Coupled with that, they need structured exercise and other forms of enrichment that provide important mental stimulation and an outlet to satisfy their breed instincts, as well as installing an off switch (impulse control).

👟 Trying to wear a dog out with physical exercise alone, generally just creates a super athlete with more stamina, but mental stimulation will tire a dog out more quickly and more completely.

Structured free time, as opposed to a free for all, offers an opportunity to build a relationship. It can occur in the back yard, through play or training, or elsewhere through an obedience club, scent work, agility, weight pull, herding and a myriad of other fun but structured activities which require them to use their brain. Training means teamwork, and this helps to develop a strong bond with your dog.

✅ The great thing about this is that they can absolutely live in a home with a small backyard and still have their instinctual needs met in other ways. Or, if they do have the luxury of a big back yard, we often recommend a self-contained smaller penned area that keeps them from practising the behaviours we don’t want to encourage when left to their own devices. Similar to using a crate in the house, but bigger for the back yard.

Of course, it is not appropriate to stick your dog in a pen at the back of the garden and never let them out or engage with them but, if used correctly, it can lead to more freedom for your dog.

👌 Tighter boundaries mean more freedom down the track. The end goal is to teach dogs how to successfully be at liberty (not constantly in a commanded position or situation). We initially use management (like dog runs and crates) to implement boundaries, structure and rules, while we are teaching and shaping the behaviours that we want them to have at liberty. We need to guide them. Then we must give them the opportunity to make choices. Good choices mean more freedom, more time at liberty.

🙅‍♀️🙅‍♂️ So don’t let anyone tell you that you have to have a big backyard to own a working breed. But, be prepared to put the work in to meet your dog’s needs, mental, physical and instinctual.

28/06/2020

Ineffable German Shepherds

25/05/2020

Bhuachaille German Shepherds

Here we go again, dog owners and new puppy buyers can't be reminded of this too often, so you will see it again, quite possibly in a different format, sometime in the future.

29/03/2020

COVID 19 Response and business rules

23/03/2020

Hi everyone

We have had a couple of customers ask if there is any issue with us continuing to supply Raw 4 Paws for your four legged mates. The good news is we have been advised there is no current issues with supply and we are expecting our next delivery by the end of the week, so freezers will be full again on Monday.

In saying that, unfortunately Goat is now off the menu until further notice. This is a supply problem that has nothing to do with the current COVID-19 situation.

We will also be having a short 4 day break over the Easter weekend, so if you do need food over that time, can you please order and collect prior to Friday 10 April.

Thank you to all of our valued customers and we will make every effort to continue to provide you with updates should there be any changes to the above.

Keep safe and keep hugging those pooches - they are the best medicine when times get a little rough.

Jacki & Cheryl

15/04/2019

Hi Everyone
Please note that we will be closed for the full 4 days over the Easter break.

Also, our business hours have permanently changed to Monday to Friday from 8.00am to 10.00pm. No weekend or public holiday tradining at all.

Thanks for your ongoing support.

28/03/2019

Pet Food Reviews - Australia

How harmful are irradiated treats from China?

Irradiated meats are known to cause neurological damage in cats, with many cases in Australia proving fatal. The RSPCA wants irradiation of pet meats banned, stating “there may be as yet unidentified health effects on dogs”.

Many reports of Fanconi Sydrome, a form of kidney failure, have been linked to dogs fed large amounts of imported jerky-style treats. Perth-based Cottesloe Vets have stated their is evidence of an outbreak of the syndrome from the PetFAST system (used to report pet food related incidents).

You may be surprised how many treats sold in Australia are imported and irradiated from China.

A visit to a popular pet store showed many popular brands of treats to be sourced from China, only apparent by reading small print. Products from BlackDog, VitaPet, MasterPet, and WAG use Chinese meat products. This is not a complete list.

The potential harm from irradiated treats increases with overfeeding. Cottesloe Vets say dogs under 10kg are mostly affected, but any dog can be affected and there are also reports in cats.

Some of the treats listed above are sold in 1kg bags, which makes excessive feeding a worrying concern.

As of December 31, 2015, the FDA (US Food & Drug Administration) had received approximately 5,200 complaints of illness associated with consumption of chicken, duck, and sweet potato jerky treats, many of which related to products imported from China. This is inclusive of more than 1,140 canine deaths.

We recommend you do not feed irradiated pet meat products from China.

RSPCA standpoint on irradiation - https://kb.rspca.org.au/what-is-rspca-australias-position-on-the-irradiation-of-imported-pet-food-products_307.html

Cottesloe Vets - https://www.cottesloevet.com.au/fanconi-syndrome/

FDA Investigation of Animal Illnesses Linked to Jerky Pet Treats - https://www.fda.gov/AnimalVeterinary/NewsEvents/ucm360951.htm

Further information on irradiation - https://www.petfoodreviews.com.au/faq/irradiation-of-pet-food-imported-into-australia/

Our treat recommendations - https://www.petfoodreviews.com.au/pet-treats/good-healthy-treat-guide/

23/03/2019

Pet Food Reviews - Australia

Are you feeding your pets IRRADIATED CHINESE MEAT PRODUCTS?

Many pet “treats” are nothing more than imported products from China, a country with a history of exporting harmful pet products.

Popular Australian brand WAG duck and chicken breast treats are irradiated Chinese meat products.

How can you tell?

On a small discreet sticker on the packaging, in very small letters, you’ll find the words “Product of PRC”. If you don’t know what PRC means, it means Peoples Republic of China. Meat products from China are irradiated, a process known to be harmful to cats. It is unknown what harm can be done to dogs.

Concerning, wouldn’t you agree?

If you want our opinion on good treats made in Australia or New Zealand 👉 https://www.petfoodreviews.com.au/pet-treats/good-healthy-treat-guide/

16/03/2019

If you are looking for a great quality raw food for your dogs, then you can stop looking!!
We have our freezers full of this great product Raw 4 Paws which is available in 5 different varieties - Beef; Chicken; Kangaroo; Lamb and Turkey. Available in 1kg containers and 1.8kg patties.
The single protein varieties are suitable for all dogs and if your dog has a food intolerance, then one of our varieties might be just right for your dog. We can offer you advice on feeding and changing up your dog's diet so they are getting optimal nutrition.

You can order straight from our website: www.tuckantugs.com or message us from our FB page.

27/02/2019

TUCKA 'n' TUGS

27/02/2019

Artistic work by Jacki Darnell and digitalsed graphics by Tanya Lee.

Our business Logo!! Great work girls.

27/02/2019

Promotions

17/02/2019

Hi Everyone

From March, 2019, the new prices for our Raw 4 Paws balanced raw food will come into effect. Raw 4 Paws have now announced their new product recipes have been finalised and packaging as we continue to move away from single use plastic to reusable containers and patties packs. 🙂. All Raw 4 Paws products meet the NRC, AAFCO and FEDIAF standards for Adult Dogs.

TUCKA 'n' TUGS (TnT) will endeavour to minimise these price rises as much as possible, but unfortunately we must pass on some price increases through increments throughout the year. Raw 4 Paws will have yearly increases in line with CPI in the future.

As you know, TnT values our customers and are keen to keep you as happy as your dogs are, eating great Raw 4 Paws quality balanced dog food.

We can assure you that with these new changes and improvements, our products are as economical as possible and still great value for money.

And don't forget that between Jacki and Cheryl, we have 60 years experience in owning and raising dogs. We also have knowledge and experience in dog training and can advise on appropriate training equipment and Cheryl, as a Canine Nutritionist, can advise on nutritional requirements for your dogs.

Regards the TnT Team
Jacki & Cheryl

17/02/2019

Raw 4 Paws quality balanced raw food which meets nutritional standards NRC, AAFCO and FEDIAF.

Great whole diet or to add to enhance your dog's dry food diet.
All human grade quality Australian products.
Order online at www.tuckantugs.com or send us a message from our page.

25/12/2018

via ripl.com

09/12/2018

Morning all

Some exciting news for the new year for all R4P customers. R4P has been working hard over the past couple of months on improving their product recipe and also the packaging. As we have have already seen we have moved away from single use plastic bags (the rolls) and gone to reusable containers and the new recipe will have some great additions 🙂.

In the two years we have been stocking R4P we have not had any increase in prices, however, with the improvements and changes, we have been notified that there will be a price rise for all our products effective 1 February. This has already occured with the some of the patties (given they are now in coming in 1.8kg pack - 9 x 200g).

TnT values our customers and realise that any price increase can be difficult, therefore, we are hoping to absorb as much of this as possible and keep our product as economical as possible and still provide great value for money.

Regards the TnT Team
Jacki & Cheryl

11/11/2018

Remembering the loyalty and outstanding contribution of animals on this special day of remembrance

20/10/2018

HER Gift Balloons with Love

"Support the maker's- Artists, Craftmens, Photographers, Writers, Designers, Musicans, The self-employed, The individuals, The go-getters and the Do-it-yourself-ers."

Every little bit counts.