Nine Mistakes Dog Bite Victims Should Avoid - Part #1
A person who is the victim of a dog bite attack has a legal
right to recover compensation as long as liability can be
imposed against the owner or person responsible for the
dog. Given this right, the insurance company who is
legally obligated to compensate the victim will go to great
lengths to either deny the claim or minimize the amount of
compensation it has to pay. In fact, most people who enter
the claims process are very much surprised to discover just
how far the insurance company will go to avoid paying a
fair settlement. As a result, there are certain steps that
a dog bite victim can take to protect his or her rights and
maximize recovery. Or put another way, there are at least
nine mistakes that I see dog bite victims make. Committing
one or more of these mistakes can have devastating
consequences in the legal claim, or significantly reduce
the amount of compensation the insurance company is
required to pay.
That being said, you should understand that this chapter is
not intended for people who may wish to bring a frivolous
claim or for those who may want to recover an unreasonable
amount of compensation for an injury that is minor or
insignificant. If you bring a frivolous or unfounded
claim, it doesn't matter what you do or don't do because
the insurance company will go to extraordinary lengths to
defeat that claim. Also, when I say that victims should
maximize their recovery, I mean that there are certain
mistakes to avoid so you have the greatest chance that the
insurance company will pay out the maximum amount of
dollars to settle the claim. Here are the mistakes to
avoid:
Mistake #1 - Failing to seek medical treatment promptly.
If the injury is serious enough to warrant medical
attention, then you need to promptly consult with a doctor,
or go to your local emergency room. Insurance companies
may refuse to believe that the injury is serious unless
prompt medical attention has been received. Also, a visit
to the doctor will result in the creation of a chart note
that becomes a permanent record in the case. The magnitude
of the injury, as well as your symptoms, will be recorded
by a professional and this information can be used later to
prove how bad the injury is.
Mistake #2 - Failing to notify the proper authorities. If
you have been bitten, the proper authorities should be
immediately notified. This may include the police or the
local animal control agency. An investigation by the
authorities can produce information and witness statements
that may be critical in helping you establish liability
against the animal's owner. Sometimes the most important
question to answer is, "Who owns the dog?" If you are not
familiar with the dog, or if the dog runs away after the
attack, then an investigation by the proper authorities may
become even more important to your subsequent legal claim.
Mistake #3 - Failing to take multiple photographs of your
injuries and wounds. This is extremely important. Often
times the value of a dog bite injury is heavily dependent
on the appearance of the initial injury, along with the
appearance of subsequent disfigurement and scarring that
develops over time.
You should take multiple photographs over the period of
time that it takes the injury or wound to heal. Insurance
companies will often put a great deal of weight on
photographs, especially if the injury is significant and
any subsequent scar or disfigurement is severe. We have
all heard the adage, "A picture is worth a thousand words."
This is no less true with photographs depicting severe dog
bite injuries, disfiguring wounds, or prominent scars.
About the Author:
Christopher M. Davis is a Seattle attorney focusing on
personal injury cases. He is also known as a dog bite and
animal attack lawyer and has written the book 'When The Dog
Bites' as a legal resource for dog bite victims. For more
information about Washington State dog bite law visit:
http://www.injurytr
imal-attacks.
Friday, June 26, 2009
Nine Mistakes Dog Bite Victims Should Avoid - Part #1
Saturday, June 20, 2009
Dog Food Reviews - 6 Reasons To Read Them
Title: Dog Food Reviews 6 Reasons To Read Them
Author: Dr. Mayra Alfonso
There are many different types of dog foods out there on the
market today and with the dog food recall scare, more people are
being cautious about the foods they purchase for their dogs.
Many dog owners are turning to dog food reviews to help them
pick out the best dog food for their pets. Usually you'll find
that these reviews are quite easy to find, especially if you
look for them online. If you are concerned about the well being
of your dog, you'll want to know more about their food before
you purchase it. So, the following are some important reasons
that you should take the time to read dog food reviews before
purchasing a dog food product.
Reason #1 Easy Compare Prices of Dog Foods One great reason
for reading dog food reviews is to find out about the prices of
different foods so it is easy to compare different prices. Yes,
you'll want to be sure to get dog food that is quality; however,
you'll no doubt want to make sure that you get a good deal on
the dog food as well. So, reading reviews can help you check
into the prices of the food so you can find the best possible
deal when you go out to buy it.
Reason #2 See What Others Have to Say Reading dog food
reviews can also help you see what others have to say about the
dog food as well. You'll find out how it worked for their dog.
This allows you to find out how a dog food reacts without having
to buy it yourself and try it on your own dog. So, you get the
benefit of someone else's experience.
Reason #3 Learn About Recalls When you take the time to
read dog food reviews you will also be able to learn about any
recalls that may have been associated with that type of dog
food. You may not know about all the dog food recalls that are
out there, but when you read reviews, often you'll find out if
there are any current recalls you need to know about. This can
save you from having a serious problem with a dog food because
you weren't aware there had been a recall on it.
Reason #4 Find Out Where to Purchase the Food You'll also
learn about where the best place is to purchase the food when
you take time to read the reviews as well. The same dog food may
cost a different price at different stores. When you read
reviews you'll be more likely to find where you can find the
best deal on that particular brand of food.
Reason #5 You'll Get More than a Sales Pitch If you take
the time to read dog food reviews, you can be sure that you'll
get more than just a sales pitch. You'll learn what real people
have to say about the food and you won't have to worry that they
are just trying to sell it. Reading what the company has to say
about their food only gives you a one sided opinion, so reading
reviews can help you get a more rounded view of the dog food.
Reason #6 Discover Any Possible Problems You will discover
any possible problems with the food when you read the reviews
about it as well. If it caused a dog a problem, you can find
that out when you read what the review of that dog food has to
say. This will allow you to learn about problems without having
to experience them yourself.
As you can see, reading reviews on dog food is definitely a
great idea. These are just a few of the reasons that you should
take the time to start reading the reviews. You owe it to your
dog to make sure he gets the best possible food, so take the
time to read dog food reviews to make sure your dog gets a food
that will benefit him.
About The Author: Increase the happy years of your dog by
checking out my free e-book. In it I reveal all the secrets I've
used to develop a happy, healthier dog. Visit Dr. Alfonso's
http://www.cooldogh
dog food blog right now
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Should You Adopt That Little Puppy?
Title: Should You Adopt That Little Puppy?
Author: Dr. Mayra Alfonso
A cute little puppy is a great addition to your house. This
cute cuddly wonder will fill your house with happiness. If you
are thinking of bringing a puppy to your home, you could adopt a
puppy from a local animal shelter or you could get a puppy from
a reputable breeder. In this article we are going to focus on
adopting a puppy from a shelter.
There are several animal rescue centers that provide dogs to
people who want to adopt dogs. These dogs require home and love.
If you think that only `problem dogs' are available in these
shelters, then you are wrong.
It is sad but true that many older and adolescent dogs are
thrown into these shelters every day. These also include
unwanted puppies and puppies abandoned by their mom-dogs. You
would be surprised to find purebred dogs and puppies in most of
these animal shelters.
According to a research conducted, there are around more than
eight million surrendered dogs each year in the United States.
Adopting these dogs will provide them a house of their own.
These homeless puppies are innocent and want a loving home where
they can get love from their family members. Many of these dogs
are as healthy as you can buy from any breeder.
You need to spend a lot of money when buying a purebred puppy
from a breeder. You may have to spend somewhere around six
hundreds dollars or more. However, if you buy a purebred puppy
from a dog shelter, you can save a lot of money. These puppies
are available for anywhere between an amount ranging from
seventy five dollars to a hundred dollars. You can pay even less
for mix breed puppy.
You can also save a lot of money in other ways when you
purchase a puppy from rescue center. First and foremost, these
puppies are spayed and even provided all of their shots. You can
also get discounts on several privileges including training
classes for puppies.
Another important thing is that you would be giving a new life
to someone. You may not know but the fact is that millions of
dogs are euthanized each year. These dogs are perfectly fine.
The only problem they face is lack of family and a home.
Once you adopt a homeless puppy, it will prove to be the
perfect mate for you. You can adopt little puppies, adolescent
ones and older pups according to your desire. This depends on
whether you want to take care of the dog from a very younger age
or buy a trained one to stay out of hassles of obedience
training a dog.
Adopting a puppy will let you do something for a creature that
is living in misery for no fault of his. It is a life saving
matter. All you require to do is to give a home of some love to
the adopted pup and it will prove to be a perfect mate for you.
So next time you decide to purchase a purebred dog from a
breeder, think twice. Try to visit a dog shelter and have a look
at some cute little puppies that are waiting for someone to take
them home. Take home a friend for yourself. Adopt a puppy!
About The Author: Increase the happy years of your dog by
checking out my free e-book. In it I reveal all the secrets I've
used to develop a happy, healthier dog. Visit Dr. Alfonso's
http://www.cooldogh
dog training blog right now
Monday, June 15, 2009
How to Train Your Dog to Sit
How to Train Your Dog to Sit
The Dog training DVD is very helpful in home dog training
for those who had bought a dog for the first time. With the
puppy training videos, you would be able to learn easily
how to train a dog to sit. Several highly professional dog
training DVDs are available on the Internet, which helps
you to teach your dog to sit without yelling at the dog or
confronting it aggressively. Gentle dog training is an art.
Hiring an outside dog trainer is an option but it might
prove to be inconvenient due to the timings that the dog
trainer is able to come to your home. Further, the charges
of the dog trainer might be quite high. On the other hand,
with a dog training DVD, you could teach your dog to behave
and obey all the dog commands. Further, many dog training
videos on the Internet are free or available for very low
charges.
The dog training tips in these videos teach you how to
train a dog. You could teach your dog to come, teach your
dog to stay, and teach your dog to sit. Dog house training
is made easy with such dog training videos. You would learn
how to train a dog with these videos because dogs are
obedient by nature and they are fast learners. Further,
dogs also like to keep their den environment clean and they
never like to soil their living area. If you are alert, you
could take them outside whenever they need to relieve their
bladders or bowels. Young puppies might need to be taken
out several times a day but older dogs could be taken out
twice or thrice a day.
One of the fundamental points insisted in the dog training
DVD is to make the dog understand the dog commands given by
you and relate each one to a particular action. Whenever
you want the dog to sit, say the word ësití and then gently
force him with your hands to sit. Repeat this process
several times until the dog is able to relate your command
to sitting. For each command, this process should be
followed until the dog is able to understand all the dog
commands and perform them. Slowly you would be able to
teach your dog to sit, teach your dog to stay and teach
your dog to come.
The dog training DVD would teach you how to make the dog be
attentive your dog commands. When you are able to get the
attention of the dog to what you say, your job of dog
training is half done. You should also encourage the dog
whenever it responds to your command. This could be an
offer of an enticing food or a spicy biscuit. Dogs like to
play and hence you should have a mix of games in home dog
training. All these and more dog training techniques are
furnished in the dog training videos available on the
Internet. You could try them and decide on the best one
that suits you individually.
About the Author:
Discover the Dog Training Method that has launched more
success stories that any other this year. Finally, A
Complete All-In-One Course That Will Train Your Dog To
Break Their Bad Habits And Become The Pet You Always
Wanted! visit http://dog-training
Sunday, June 14, 2009
Important things to consider before deciding to take on a deaf dog
How to enjoy living with a dog who has lost his hearing
Owning a deaf dog can be both a rewarding and educating
experience. Owning a dog that has good hearing and sight
can often lead us into being a little lazy, when it comes
to establishing effective patterns of communication between
us and our pet. For the most part we struggle through with
a few voice commands and maybe the occasional hand signal,
that often change depending on the situation. Fortunately,
in a lot of situations our dogs learn to navigate their way
around our impromptu communication style and, begin to
'catch on' to what it is we want from them.
Owning a deaf dog however is a different story; many
owners of deaf dogs testify to how much their lives have
changed since their deaf dog come to live with them. Often,
deaf dog owners talk in terms of how different and, in many
cases how much better their relationship is in terms of
both communication and depth
Variation sentence 4.
A dog can be deaf due to a number of reasons; many dogs are
born deaf. This type of deafness is referred to as
Congenital Deafness, it's cause is due to a defective gene.
Other causes of deafness in dogs are usually the result of
accidents, illness or old age.
If you are thinking of sharing your life with a deaf dog,
then understanding, patience and, a willingness to adapt
will put you in good stead. Amongst the most important
things to consider are keeping your new pet safe,
developing an appropriate means of communication, and
making your home a comfortable and, secure place for your
dog to live.
Dogs that can not hear are often touch sensitive and, can
also become startled much easier than dog who have no
problems with their hearing, for example, if somebody
approaches them from behind and touches them, or if roused
from sleep. When owning a deaf dog you will need to keep
this in mind and, adapt the ways in which you approach and,
handle your dog. This is especially important for those
with young children, as children can be boisterous at times
and, a child running up and touching a dog that can not see
him or her coming could cause the dog to become nervous or
even try to bite.
To help your deaf dog adjust, try approaching him head on,
stamping your feet as you approach your dog from behind can
also be very helpful, as the vibrations will alert him. If
you have children teach them to approach your dog calmly
and to touch him gently.
If your deaf dog is over sensitive to your touch, try to
help him by giving him a tasty food treat each time you pet
him. With practice, your dog will begin to associate your
'unexpected' touch with a feeling of pleasure.
Two more important things to consider when making your home
a safe and pleasurable place for your dog are, not to leave
doors or gates open, so as your dog can escape and be left
unattended, as this could be disastrous. If your new dog is
going to be left alone for some time during the day, you
may consider it wise to train him to spend time in a dog
crate. However, do keep in mind due to your dog not being
able to hear he may become restless, or even frightened at
being left alone in his crate. Deaf dogs can also be
particularly prone to separation anxiety, so do make sure
your dog has plenty to occupy himself with during the time
he spends alone.
The biggest dangers posed to your deaf dog will be when you
are out and about, especially if you live in a town or
city, where there is a lot of traffic. Keep your dog on his
leash, at least until you are in a place where it is safe
to manage him off leash. However, it is important to do
this only when your dog is performing a consistent recall.
Working on building a way of communication that both you
and your dog are familiar with is vitally important to
sharing your life with a deaf dog. As your dog will not be
able to hear you, only hand signals will do. In fact dogs
are well ahead of us in terms of being able to read body
language. You can use hand signals taken from sign language
designed for humans, for example, British or American sign
language, or use signs from these languages that have been
adapted especially for using with dogs, or alternatively
you can design your own signs. smiling and speaking your
commands, although the dog will not hear you, will also
help to reinforce your new hand signals, however, the key
is keep your hand signals consistent and simple, so as not
to cause your dog to become confused.
When it comes down to it owning a deaf dog is not
dissimilar to owning a dog that can hear. All that is
needed is a little extra patience, understanding, love some
consistent work on your part and, you will come to develop
a relationship with your dog that is difficult to compare.
About the Author:
I have been interested in dogs, training and their
behaviour since the 1980's. I have studied canine
psychology and, dog training and behaviour, to degree
level. I live in France with my French Bulldog Hilton. For
free information please visit my blog
http://www.toptrain
Tuesday, June 09, 2009
Teaching Your Dogs The Basics Of Dog Training
Title: Teaching Your Dogs The Basics Of Dog Training
Author: Dr. Mayra Alfonso
What is the definition of dog training? Basically, dog training
is when you teach something to your dog and he responds to you
the way that you expect him to do.
You know when your dog is well trained after he persistently
follows your commands without you having to scream or yell at
him. Your pet training should be based on positive dog training
techniques, and it consists of the basic concept of praising
your dog or giving him treats when he behaves the way you want
him to.
A well trained dog is a delight to be around. An undisciplined
dog is a bit of a nightmare. Everybody desires a well
disciplined dog, merely it will not come about overnight, and it
will not happen on it's own. You as the dog owner, are required
to put time and effort into training your dog, but your payoff
will be a pet that everyone enjoys to be around. Often times dog
owners think that dog training is something that is done to
teach the dog tricks or some artificial behavior on command, but
reality is that obedience training is essential for your dog's
safety and well been.
Dog obedience training starts with a few basic concepts. You do
not have to be a professional dog trainer or go to a dog
training course to be able to teach your dog these basic dog
training techniques.
Among the first things you want to train your dog to do is to
go outdoors to do her business. One way of making this happen is
to take your dog outdoors and abide by his site, until it has
gone to the bathroom, and then bring the dog indoors once again.
Do this at regular time intervals and the dog will before long
learn that if it goes to the doorway, it will be let out. If
your dog is a pup, you require to taking him out 15-20 minutes
after eating, and right away after arousing from a nap.
At nights, when you don't wish to be outdoors with your dog,
then take her outdoors just prior to bedtime, once she's
finished, take her in and put her in her assigned sleeping
quarters. First off, in the early morning, bring her outside
once again. If you're gone from home during the daytime, and she
is left alone, abide by the same routine. Take her outdoors
merely prior to you parting, place her in her assigned sleeping
place, and immediately after you come back, take her outdoors
once again. You've to admit that there will be a few accidents
along the way, merely persistence will pay off.
You should teach your dog to sit, and to lay down very soon in
his early life.
To teach your dog to sit down, then sit on the flooring with
your dog. Pick out her favorite toy and play with her with it.
Hold it above her head, as she will frequently sit in an attempt
to keep on her eyes on her toy. Once she does this lightly push
on her back hind, and say the command `sit'. Eventually she will
act it without the toy. You might need to hold your hand up a
bit so that she looks at it. Each time your dogs sits, make
certain that you give her allots of love and care.
After your dog has learned the sitting command is time to teach
the stay command. One technique is to mildly hold the dog's back
hind down on every effort that he attains to arise after the
sitting command, and say the word, stay. Don't allow the dog to
arise from the sitting position until you release him with an
Ok.
In the same way, you will be able to teach your dog to lay
down. Once again get onto the floor with your dog and provide
her great deal of attention. Tell her to `sit', and once she
does, this time, lightly pull her front legs a little so that
she will lie down. For each one time you do this, say the
command `lie down'. Every time she does this, make certain you
give her tons of love and attention. She will before long be
doing by herself every time you say the command.
Remember to practice these commands with your dog every day for
fifteen minutes. Make the training rehearses fun, by giving him
a few treats and praising him when he abides by the commands. A
well trained dog is truly a great dog to have, and both you and
your dog will be very content. The installment of good manners
and confidence in your dog by training your dog will be the
first step in preventing the development of bad behaviors, such
as nipping, digging, barking and chewing.
About The Author: Increase the happy years of your dog by
checking out my free e-book. In it I reveal all the secrets I've
used to develop a happy, healthier dog. Visit Dr. Alfonso's
http://www.cooldogh
dog training blog right now
Monday, June 08, 2009
Canine obsessive compulsive disorder how to spot it and how to treat it
Canine obsessive compulsive disorder how to spot it and how to treat it
Does your dog exhibit repetitive and quirky behaviour such
as chasing it's tail, biting the air, or licking parts of
it's body constantly? If the answer is yes, then your dogs
behaviour may be a result of an anxiety condition known as
Canine Compulsive Disorder. This article looks at the
condition known as Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) in
relation to dogs, how to detect it and, how best to help
your dog overcome this potentially debilitating behaviour.
It is estimated that around 2% of the American dog
population are living with Canine Compulsive Disorder. The
root cause for this condition will vary with each
individual dog, however, boredom , stress and anxiety are
the usual factors associated with OCD. Dogs that have
developed phobias, or who experience separation anxiety for
example, can often divert their stressful feelings by
behaving in ways that can become repetitive. If left
unchecked, these repetitive behaviours can become more deep
rooted and, could eventually lead to the dog developing a
'true' obsessive compulsive condition.
Not all dogs develop OCD due to boredom or stress however,
it has been found that some breeds are more predisposed to
developing compulsive behaviours due to their genetic make
up; in fact, many researches suggest that irresponsible
breeding is a primary cause of the condition in some pure
bred dogs. Dobermans, German Shepherds, Dalmations, and
some Bull Terrier breeds are a few examples. Obsessive
behaviours which seem to be common within each of these
breeds are tail chasing or spinning in German Shepherds and
Bull Terriers, and obsessive licking in Dobermans.
Obsessive behaviours that are typical of this condition in
dogs include the following:
Spinning in circles Tail chasing Snapping at the air
Constant licking of various parts of the body Obsessively
mouthing toys Freezing Incessant or rhythmic barking Self
mutilation
Not all obsessive behaviours are easy to detect for
example, a dog harmlessly chewing a toy for long peiods of
time may seem normal enough and no cause for concern,
however, the behaviour may have an underlying stress
related cause.
Treatment for this condition should begin with a thorough
examination of the dog, so as to rule out any possible
medical cause. This type of examination is best carried out
by a veternarian who specialises in diagnosing and
treating this kind of behavioural problem, if possible.
Once it has been established that OCD is the cause of the
dogs obsessive behaviour, appropriate treatment can begin.
The usual method of treatment involves combining drug and
behavioural therapy. The types of drugs used to treat
Canine Compulsive Disorder, are similar to those used in
the treatment of OCD in humans. Behavioural therapies
include reward based training used to reinforce more
desirable behaviours, desensitisation techniques designed
to gradually decrease the the dogs state of arousal in
stressful situations, and techniques that involve creating
an alternative and stimulating routine for the dog to
follow.
As with all behavioural problems it is important to treat
causes rather than symptoms, therefore, understanding and
patience will be called for, as you learn more about your
pets problem and it's cause. It is important to understand
that punishment is not only an inappropriate way to deal
with a dog who has little or no control over it's
behaviour, moreover, punishment in many cases will have the
effect of making the problem worse.
About the Author:
I have had a keen interest in canine behaviour and training
since the late 1980's. I have studied successfully for
several qualifications relating to canine psychology, care
and behaviour, up to degree level. I now live in France
with my French Bulldog Hilton. Please visit my blog for
more free information. http://www.toptrain
Overview of Washington State's Dog Bite Laws - Part #2
Overview of Washington State's Dog Bite Laws - Part #2
Liability Imposed Against the Dog's "Owner"
Washington's dog bite statute only imposes liability
against the "owner" of the dog. So occasionally a dispute
arises about who actually owns the dog. For instance, if
the person who harbors and takes care of the dog is not the
true legal owner of the animal, can this person still be
liable for the injuries inflicted by the dog? The answer
is usually yes. Although the dog bite statute refers to
liability of the dog "owner," there are court decisions
that broadly define the owner to include one who possesses
and/or cares for the dog.
In one case that occurred back in 1988, the dog was
purchased and "owned" by a young woman. But the woman kept
her dog at her grandmother'
with and cared for the dog during a three-year period
before the dog bit and injured another person. The
question was whether the grandmother could be held liable
for the injuries when she was not necessarily the true
owner of the dog. A Washington State court answered yes.
The grandmother'
dog over a three-year period was sufficient conduct to make
her an "owner" of the dog for purposes of imposing
liability under the statute. The court seemed to focus on
the fact that the grandmother acted like the owner of the
dog over a long period of time. Perhaps this case sends
the message that if you act like the dog's owner, or if you
hold yourself out to others as the owner of the dog, you
may be responsible for any injuries or damages that dog
inflicts upon others.
Furthermore, there may be various local regulations and
ordinances that also broadly define the owner of a dog. In
King County a dog owner is broadly defined as "any person
having an interest in or right of possession to the animal,
or any person having control, custody, or possession of an
animal...or by reason of the animal being seen residing
consistently at a location, to an extent such that the
person could be presumed to be the owner." This
definition is broad enough to include any person who
harbors or keeps the dog for a period of time that is
sufficient to cause one to believe that the person may be
the true or legal owner, even if that person is not.
The question may arise: what period of time is sufficient
to cause one to believe that one who harbors the dog is the
true or legal owner of that dog? This is a factual
question that may need to be resolved by a jury.
Certainly, the longer a person acts like the dog's owner,
or engages in conduct similar to the owner, means the
greater likelihood that this person may also be legally
responsible for the dog's dangerous or vicious propensities
toward other human beings.
Although the dog's "owner" may be defined quite broadly,
there are certain limitations that exist. For instance,
the question has been raised whether a landlord can be
considered an "owner" of the dog for purposes of subjecting
the landlord to liability under the dog bite statute.
Washington courts have clearly stated no. A landlord will
usually not be considered the dog's owner just based on
that person's status as a landlord. Thus, if the dog
owner is a renter or if the dog attack occurred on property
that was being leased, the victim cannot rely on the dog
bite statute to attempt to impose liability on the person
who either owns or controls the property, unless that
person also shares the responsibility of keeping, feeding
and harboring the dog - tasks usually performed by the
dog's true owner.
About the Author:
Christopher M. Davis is a Seattle attorney focusing on
personal injury cases. He is also known as a dog bite and
animal attack lawyer and has written the book 'When The Dog
Bites' as a legal resource for dog bite victims. For more
information about Washington State dog bite law visit:
http://www.injurytr
imal-attacks.