Super Doggedly Seeking Mutt Monday

by Carrie Boyko, CEB

Hip! Hip! Hooray! Thanks so much to our Super Dog Sunday Cheer Team for all their help. We couldn't have done it without them. Please give a hearty Super Dog thank you to our support system. You'll find all their social media information at the link.

And now let's get on with Mutt Monday. As I shared last week, we're going to be theming this week's posts with Simple Training Tips. I'll be looking for lots of your ideas for easing the strain of training our dogs. Link up as many posts as you like.

And next week, let's try something more along the lines of 

Valentine's Day

I'm asking pet bloggers to please dig deep into your archives and share posts on special party ideas, treats for Fido and other topics related to your celebration. Have fun with this. I look forward to seeing you next week.

Mutt Monday Counts Down to KickOff

by Carrie Boyko, CEB

Mutt Monday is so excited about Super Dog Sunday™ that we're going to share some pet photo tips today as our theme of the day. Hopefully you'll all find some ideas that will help with your live photos or even your graphic themes for our FREE photo contest that closes on Sunday, February 3 at 6 PM ET.  

I'm hoping some of my blogger com padres who are also camera afficianados will join in, since I'm no expert. (My Spanish probably needs some work too. Anyone?) My photography approach is more from an artistic vantage point than a tech one. 

If you're a blogger who would like to join in our themed hop next week, let's try 

Simple Training Tips

How simple can we get? There's a challenge for ya! Me too; I'll really have to dig into my archives on this one.

So, here's some tips for today's post from me:

• Create a small pouch to clip onto your belt that holds a few tools of the trade. I sometimes put it next to my treat pouch, when using treats for the really tough jobs. We've finally gotten to the point where they'll wait for the treat--yay!
• Inside this pouch you'll want a laser pointer to put attention where you need it, a small squeaky toy to get attention on you (treats work well for this also), and my favorite tip of the #SuperDogPics Twitter Party--a Duck Call! That to @LifeandDog for this one. This tool is great for getting a really dramatic look and sometimes the elusive head tilt, as well.
• Choose your backgrounds carefully--contrasting colors to make your subject pop, and remove items of distraction or that detract from the subject's beauty.
• Two solutions for wiggly pups: Candid shots (you'll probably have to take a ton, but you're bound to get one that works) and high tables or stools. Once you place your little one on a small, high spot, he's likely to sit still and stay put till you offer to be his elevator again.
• Need your dog to look at a specific spot that you can't use the laser pointer for? Try setting a small treat there, just out of sight of the camera.
• Can't get the dog into the right spot facing the correct direction? Use a treat lure and circle him into the spot you like, lifting the treat to encourage a Sit. Ask for the stay and offer the treat as a reward when done with the shot.
• When using photo props, every dog needs a unique approach. If your Fido is wary of objects near him, place the items in the location you need them, well before the photo shoot. Put a few treats around them and let Fido get acquainted and used to their presence as he sniffs out and devours the yummies. When done, place your pup and snap your shots while he's happy to have found these new photo props that served up treats.
• On the contrary, if your pup needs to be settled before the props move in, that's easy to do as long as you plan his position in advance. Try setting up the props, allowing space and locating his exact required position before you begin.
• Steer clear of the flash whenever possible. Red eye and Green eye are challenging to remove even with photo correction. Point lights at the ceilings and walls to reflect it around the room.
• Choose early morning or post-sundown times when there's no glare, but still plenty of light. When these times don't work, try a shady spot outdoors--plenty of light and no sunlight streams through your photos.
• Embrace your bloopers. Sometimes they win prizes!

Mutt Monday Takes a Winter Walk

by Carrie Boyko, CEB

Last night's #SuperDogPics was such a rush. What fun we had learning new photo tips, saying hi to old friends and new, and watching the prize announcements with great wonder. I, for one, had a blast! I've drug myself out of bed to put this post up, and then I've got the fun job of getting our prizes ready to ship. Woo hoo!

Today's Mutt Monday is Tips for Winter Walks. I know we have a lot of bloggers in the North and I'm counting on you guys to link up your applicable posts. Don't stop at one; bring 'em on!

Next week? 

Photo tips for pets

I'll be sharing some of the #SuperDogPics ideas Tweeted last night by @Dogtipper and @LifeandDog sometime this week. Hope you'll join in and offer your own ideas. 

Don't forget that linkups today enter you to win this adorable dog-themed tote bag, perfect for your laptop, your pup, or just usual handbag stuff. See you soon!

Mutt Monday Shares Clean Up Tips

by Carrie Boyko, CEB

Good Monday morning to ya! The weather in our neck of the woods has absolutely been stellar lately, but sometimes that makes for dirty paws when the dogs come inside. And let's not even talk about what happens when Tanner rolls in the garden dirt and mulch. Ack!

Today's theme is 'clean up tips' for pets, interesting and simple ways to keep them from bringing in the outdoors to your carpets, couches and beds. Tips for getting out stains and removing smells from pups who've gone exploring int he woods works too. Please search your archives for any and all posts that fit this category. They don't have to be current. As a matter of fact, that's the goal here--digging up our archives.

I'm looking forward to your linkups and meanwhile I'll offer up a theme for next week so you can ponder old posts that you'd like to seek out:

Tips for Winter Walks

I'm sure you're all shaking your heads. After all, what could I possibly have to offer on this topic, here in 80 degree Florida. We do have an occasional cold spurt. I call them spurts because they rarely last beyond 2 PM. I'm still hoping we'll get one this year and I may have a chance to break out a lonely turtleneck to try on for size. Sigh.

So, that said, next week's all on the bloggers that stop by here; let's hope they can pull this off. I may struggle to find an appropriately themed topic. I'll do my best, but I'm counting on you to come through for me. After all, it is winter. Do me proud!

© AllThingsDogBlog.com
Great Tote Bag
Perfect for the Dog-Loving Blogger

One quick tip: Product reviews are more than welcome, as this may be a great way to offer a winter walking tip, whether it be a special coat, paw booties, paw pad salve or warming harness, I'm up for anything that works in this theme.

I'll tell ya what; let's sweeten the pot to get some more activity here. I'll throw in a prize--darling dog-themed handbag that was handmade in Thailand. This tote bag in fully-lined, has a zipper closure, an inside pocket and hand-stitched doggie design. What's more, you can fit a full-sized laptop inside when you're headed to a pet conference or just your neighborhood Starbucks. Each one varies slightly from the photo, but the wheat color is what I have available. 

I bought a batch of these while on vacation when I fell completely in love with them. One lucky linkup with a Tip for Winter Walks entered next week, will be drawn from the entries to win this handbag. This prize winner will be announced on Tuesday, January 22. All you have to do to qualify for the drawing is link up a themed article from your archives that can be considered a tip for winter walks. Good luck; hope to see you next week.

The handbag being given away on Monday, Jan. 22 was purchased by me and is being given away as an inducement for Mutt Monday entries on Monday, January 21. This prize is available to any blogger worldwide; void where prohibited, including Quebec, Canada.

Mutt Monday's New Years Goals

by Carrie Boyko, CEB

What are your plans for Fido this year? Better training? More exercise? Perhaps you'd like to socialize him more. There are so many things we want to do with and for our pups that sometimes their 'To Do' list can get overwhelming. Putting it in writing can help you prioritize your ideas.

Some of my past years' lists have included all sorts of fun things like agility classes, Rally, CGC training, Meet Up Groups and more. The list is endless, so take your time and keep your goals small--achievable is good.

Today's Mutt Monday is an opportunity for pet bloggers to share their posts that are relative to New Years resolutions, goals, and bucket lists for our dogs. While we take any linkups that are pet related here, today we're looking for ways to help our readers with their plans for their 2013 dog days.

Next week's theme for Mutt Monday will be 

Strategies for Clean Paws in Snow and Rain

Whether you've got products or ideas for keeping your floors and carpets clean, we want to hear them. We all go through seasons when our dogs are constantly coming inside with messy, wet, muddy feet. Your tips will be welcome here on Monday, January 14. Happy tails,