#SuperDogSunday Twitter Party:Who to Follow and How to Win

by Carrie Boyko, CEB

© AllThingsDogBlog.com
Reach for the Treat, Oliver!

If there's one thing my dogs would tell you if they could, it's always important to know who has the treats and how they can score one. Today's Doga practice landed each of them a Z-Filet for effort. Oliver did a nice job dancing and twirling, while Tanner supervised Patches--no easy task during this photo session. 

Watch for more of our #SuperDogSunday antics after the party date. We'll be sure to share some bloopers as Patches photobombed our picture session in an effort to score her own Zuke's Z-filet. What a hoot she is!

Now, back to the important messages for this post:

• Who to follow: As always, @EventBarkers will be handing out the prizes, so keep an eye out there and be sure to RT the winners. Just as important, please follow @ZukesPets and be sure to give them a high five for sponsoring this shindig. Without them, there would be no prizes. Finally, you'll want to follow our Event Barkers team members who will all have tips and messages of importance to your Super Bowl experience with your pups: @AllThingsDog, @5MinutesforFido, @DogTipper, @ToDogWithLove, @RoccoHavanese. More on our themes of discussion below.
• How to win: Winners are drawn from participation, so all you have to do to be in contention is chat the hour away. Be sure to bring some favorite photos of your active pups and be ready to share these too. Every few minutes we'll draw another winner from our "Chatty-Cathy's", and announce their handle along with the prize. If your handle is mentioned as a winner, double check that you are following @EventBarkers so you'll get your DM after the party. We'll need important information like your name and address, in order to ship your big box of prizes.
• Themes: Get your dog in the game - activities for a doggone good day! 

1.     Pre-game training tips — Games and training to condition your pup and keep them in top shape  (until 8:25)

2.     Ideas for game day activities — Activities for both physical and mental stimulation; your reward… a tired, happy pup! (until 8:45)
3.     Tips on how to keep pups happy around a house full of guests — training and tips to keep your dogs safe, relaxed and happy (until 9)

Remember to show up early and say hello to our team, using the #SuperDogSunday hashtag. Our opening will include the naming of the pre-game prize winner drawn from the #SuperDogSunday social media widget. Be sure you've jumped in for this one; you'll find it at the link. Finally, stick around for the naming of the Grand Prize winner, to be announced about 9 PM ET. All of the prize packages are large and tasty, but the Grand Prize will be super duper huge!

Happy #SuperDogSunday, 

As a member of the Event Barkers team, I'm offering this Twitter Party information as a part of our work with Zuke's to share information about their products. You'll find these details and more on our partners' websites: DogTipper.com and ToDogWithLove.com. These events are open to US households and entrants age 18 and older.Void where prohibited.

We Double Dog Dare You! Join Us at the #OrganicPet Twitter Party

by Carrie Boyko, CEB

Buffer

Jerky Chip Cookies Make Great Doga Rewards

Today's the day we finally get to give away $750 in Castor and Pollux foods, treats and tasty, wholefood supplements. Are you ready to join in the fun tonight? Here are my recommendations:

• Review my advice on selecting which handles to watch at this link so you're ready to go when the action starts. Use the #Discover function, placing the party hashtag in the search box to allow you to watch the party feed. Join in to Tweet with us, and you'll automatically be entered to win great prizes.
• Plan to be ready to sign on by 7:45 PM ET at the very latest. Be sure to say hello to @EventBarkers and @CastorPolluxPet, using the #OrganicPet hashtag, so we know that you've joined us. #browniepoints
  
• Beforehand, here are my never miss To-Do's: Grab a Starbucks to stay alert in the fast-paced environment, put on my comfiest yoga clothes, place a few snacks and some dog treats on my desk, snuggle the pups in at my feet for that cozy feeling, and make sure my laptop is charged up and ready to power-Tweet. 
• Finally, the most important tip I can offer is to REFRESH frequently as the party rolls. The Tweets will be flying at a furious pace, so using the #Discover feature to watch the party feed will help, but it's still going to go by quickly. Skim for the handles you're watching and put on your speed-reading glasses. See you tonight!

Here's to your #OrganicPet,

Event Barkers is producing this Twitter Party on behalf of Castor and Pollux, their client.  As my primary advertiser, I am providing my services for this Twitter Party gratis. All opinions shared are completely my own. Prizes will be provided and shipped by the sponsor. 

Twitter Party Tips on Mutt Monday

by Carrie Boyko, CEB

It never ceases to amaze me how quickly each week's Mutt Monday arrives. Wasn't it just yesterday that I wrote last week's edition? Like they say, time flies when you're having fun!

Event Barkers has another Twitter Party coming up on October 1, so we're eager to share our Twitter Party tips and tricks for enjoying the party. Hopefully we'll have some other tipsters join in. DogTipper, maybe?

So, to make sure you're ready to glide right through #Coupaween, we hope you'll enjoy the posts that are linked up below. Give us a little help with getting the word out, will ya? I'm embedding two Tweets about next week's party to reach all your Twitter friends:

I'm reading up on how to follow the #Coupaween Twitter Party. U can learn more here: http://t.co/KT5Qtyls56
— Carrie Boyko (@AllThingsDog) September 22, 2013

You can save big bucks @Coupaw on Halloween Costumes + more. Sign up 4 Daily Deals when you visit http://t.co/NI5bxr65iV
— Carrie Boyko (@AllThingsDog) September 22, 2013

After you've signed up to receive Coupaw's daily deals, don't forget to RSVP and mark your calendar! Watch for more info at next week's Mutt Monday when I'll be sharing assorted posts on deals and... 

Halloween Savings + Deals 

This could be really fun if we get more bloggers involved. Care to give me another click:

#Pet Bloggers link up Halloween #giveaways, savings & tips at #MuttMonday Sept. 30-Oct. 6: http://t.co/aRLYLJduI4
— Carrie Boyko (@AllThingsDog) September 22, 2013

Mutt Monday Fall Fun with Dogs

by Carrie Boyko, CEB

With October in sight, my family is beginning to think about more outdoor activities.  The Summer months are brutal here in Florida, but we're almost out of the worst of it. Winter is glorious here, and that's the time when me and the boys do more of our favorite Fall activities. 

In the planning process are a number of camping trips to cooler locations where plenty of natural areas will provide great hiking and dog-friendly outings. I can't wait to find some nice cool spots to enjoy a picnic and let the boys explore...on leash of course!

Today's theme is obviously Fall Fun for Dogs. I hope that some of our blogging friends will join in and link up their similarly-themed posts from their archives. You can help me locate more bloggers to join in by sharing this Tweet like a "Come" command:

#Pet bloggers can join in #MuttMonday Blog Hop w/their archived posts on Fall Fun 4 Dogs: http://t.co/rejq8TyrzS
— Carrie Boyko (@AllThingsDog) September 16, 2013

Now let's move on to next week's plan. With another big Twitter Party in the planning, I'd like to share some Twitter and Twitter Party tips next week. I get lots of questions about how to best follow along and these will be my most helpful posts.  So stop in again next week to see what you can learn that will help you enjoy these events even more:

Twitter and Twitter Party Tips

September 23-29

Teaching Woof to Respect Meow's Space

by Carrie Boyko, CEB

© AllThingsDogBlog.com
Tanner and Oliver Learn to Give Patches her Privacy

This photo above was a major catch. I just happened to be coming into the laundry room from the garage, holding the camera, when I saw this sight. With a quick command to STAY for Oliver and Tanner, I snapped a few shots looking through the laundry and the adjacent powder room, into the hallway where Tanner and Oliver were observing their feline housemate. Yes! they got a terrific treat along with a lot of praise.

While preparing for the #LitterChat Twitter Party, I pulled together some tips for helping your dog respect your kitty's space and thereby working wonders on their relationship. Today I'm sharing some of what I Tweeted on Tuesday. I'd love to hear your ideas for working on this very tough task as well.

1. Cat poo smells like protein to dogs. To reduce their interest in the litterbox, clean daily.
2. Try Treasure Hunt barriers like cat doors if you have large dogs with great interest.
3. If you have a small dog, there are cat doors that operate only when a kitty with a special collar passes nearby. Check out Sureflap.
4. Baby gates will deter Fido, while allowing cats to jump over to their private area. 
5. When using a baby gate, work w/Fido to train him to watch and not approach, treating when successful.
6. Training Fido not to enter kitty’s private area will protect her food and litter from invasion. 
7. It's also good for Fido's health to learn to leave the Treasure hunt behind.
8. Some feline families create raised areas for litterboxes and feeding spots, just to keep dogs out of trouble. 
9. Selecting a single room for kitty’s food and litterbox allow all pets to have access to the rest of your home. 
10. Curious dogs can be trained to respect the cat’s area. Have your dog SIT or DOWN. Praise and treat when successful. Practice frequently!
11. Try using a rug or towel as a spot 4 your dog 2 observe from. Again, use praise and treats when Fido complies. 
12. Still having trouble? When Fido is in position, offer a whiff of a favorite, high-value treat; watch him be more willing! 
13. Keep practicing by filling kitty’s water, cleaning her box and so on, as Fido watches. Praise and treat! 
14. Practice the above tip daily to continue getting Fido used to seeing kitty in her space--less excitement from "same 'ole, same 'ole".
15. Troubling Fido? Try leashing him while practicing SIT STAY as you watch kitty in her area.  Sit with your dog and praise when he remains calm.

I hope you joined us for the #LitterChat Twitter Party. We had a blast! One thing's for sure, there was a lot of information flying around. If you were having challenges keeping up, here's a couple of tips for next time:

• Read my post on the day of the Twitter Party to see which handle will be offering what information. This will help you decide in advance what handle to participate with in conversations. 
• Read the posts under "Twitter 101" in my left sidebar for help with other ways to keep up with the pace. There are many techniques to select from. 
• Finally, if you have specific questions, I'll be happy to answer them here. Just leave them in a comment and I'll answer them as they come in. Thanks for your interest!

One Last #WorkLikeaDog Reminder

by Carrie Boyko, CEB

© Event Barkers
10 WorkLikeaDog Prize Packages
Just Like This!

This is your very last reminder. Our #WorkLikeaDog Twitter Party on behalf of Zuke's starts

tonight at 8:30 PM ET and will run through the 10th prize package--the Grand Prize--that will be awarded at 10 PM. That Grand Prize will include $150 in extras to include a Ruffwear backpack, collapsible bowl and 3 training videos.

To make sure we're expecting you to join us to participate in the fun, be sure to RSVP at this link. After that, all you really have to do is show up and speak up! By that I mean please join in the conversation so that we know you're with us. Participating party guests are entered in the prize drawing pool, so join in and maybe you'll be one of the lucky winners of all that swag you see in the photo above.

Need some help with party tips or which handles to watch? Here's some assistance:

• For newer Twitter Party attendees, we recommend Tweetchat.com for ease of use. Note that you'll be able to adjust the speed of the refresh with this tool. Just sign into your Twitter account, add the hashtag, and you'll be able to enjoy the party without any other Twitter messages in the way.
• Remember that your refresh key is your best friend. As you scroll through your Tweets, hit that refresh button frequently to keep up with the conversation and announcements.
• Follow @EventBarkers Tweets for prize information and winners' names.
• Interested in what Zuke's has to say about their products? You can ask a question of our expert. Simply toss out your Q to @DogTipper and she'll get your answer shortly from @ZukesPets in real time. Stay tuned :)
• Follow @DogTipper for all the info on Zuke's terrific treats including your Q&A with our Zuke's representative, @ZukesPets.
• Follow @AllThingsDog to get training tips for your pooch.
• @5MinutesforFido--in the voice of Oliver--and @HollywoodDogs will be sharing the photos that have been submitted as Rafflecopter entries from our readers. You'll enjoy these fun, often inventive pics. Please RT!
• Have questions during the party about how to participate? Tweet @WoofWoofMama for assistance. She's our Chief Watchdog and Help Desk!
• Check out @ParisandJohn for some fun Q&A about your dog's day at your workplace. It's sure to be enjoyable and will help you participate in an silly, laugh out loud sort of way.
• If you're an expert Twitter Party guest and want a more regimented view, here's a TweetGrid that's all set up for you. Sign into Twitter and then simply add your handle to the right hand column. You'll be all set to watch the party streaming.
• Feel free to join in from any Twitter-based venue you prefer: Tweetdeck, Tweetchat, Hootsuite, Tweetgrid, or phone apps for any Twitter service. 
• Worried about what happens if Twitter is down? No worries; we've got your umbrella. Just scroll down to my previous post which shares info on our Rain Date and back up plan.
• FYI, while everyone may participate in the #WorkLikeaDog fun, winners must have a U.S. address to qualify due to shipping regulations. 
• Finally, if you're really in need of the Basic 411, check my left sidebar for Twitter 101 classes right here on my blog.

FYI, the party opens promptly at 8:30 PM ET with the announcement of the first winner. Don't miss it!