2015 #SuperDogSunday Winners Score Big

by Carrie Boyko, CEB

© AllThingsDogBlog.com
Patches Photobombs our Shoot

#SuperDogSunday certainly did come off well last night. We all had fun, learned a lot, and our sponsors dished a bunch of prizes. Thank you to Zuke's for sponsoring! And finally, thank you to all of you who have supported this event for 5 years running. You guys rock!

If your were unfortunate enough to miss this fun event, you'll still be able to read some of our great tips on the Zuke's blog, posted here. You'll find more great tips and ideas on our blog  as well as our team's blogs: Dogtipper and To Dog With Love.

What's more, we all enjoyed seeing photos of your active pets. Even our Patches got into the mix, showing off her propensity to be a dog treat thief! While we were running a photo shoot for this event, Patches decided she was not going to be left out; participate is definitely what she did. Watch for our Photobomb video coming soon as an All Things Dog Blog bloopers reel.

While Patches was having her fun with Tanner and Oliver, one of our long time readers was creating a thank you note to our team and our Zuke's sponsor that I just have to share:

© S. Gilbert
Thanks to Sharon for Creating this Adorable
#SuperDogSunday Memory

Now, let's announce the winners of this year's event. Scoring more than $750 in Zuke's treats, our #SuperDogSunday winning Tweeters were: 

Pre-Party prize package included 10 bags of assorted treats: @Veetadog

Party prizes included 10 packages of assorted Zuke's treats: @NYHomeGrown,@nikki2kids, @beanparty, @BlondeTexan71, @Lilyurn, 

@MOMandSPORTS, @stephan94848598

Our Grand Prize winner scored 18 bags of Zuke's: @poomy_fl

© DogTipper.com
Prizes Included 5 Zuke's Product Lines 
in Multiple Flavors

These winners will receive their prizes directly from Zuke's while the Event Barkers team cleans up our photo shoot messes and prepares for the next event. Stay tuned for more fun coming your way and thanks again for joining us.

Didn't win? You can find the nearest retail store to you that carries the Zuke's products here: Zuke's Store Locator. To make sure you don't miss a single Twitter Party announcement, you can subscribe to our Event Barkers emails at this link.

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.

#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.

#SuperDogSunday: Active Minds and Bodies

by Carrie Boyko, CEB

© AllThingsDogBlog.com
Doga Workout: Good for Us All!

Here at All Things Dog Blog we've got our own funky way of dealing with #SuperDogSunday. Many would say we're nuts, but the dogs and I enjoy our mental and physical activity in lots of fun ways--often with #doga--yoga with the dogs.

In order to share some of our silliness with you, hubs shots some pics of our adventure through two or three simple poses. Oliver did some great stretching, balancing and twirling, Tanner worked on his self restraint by leaving the treats alone, even when I placed them on the floor in front of his toes, and both boys practiced running in for the Doga session when I called "Come!". Football players do something similar at the opening of the Super Bowl, but they aren't so lucky as to be rewarded with Zuke's treats:

When the dogs and I are well worked out, we'll be ready for the big game and all that sitting. I'll admit I'm not one to jump up and cheer unless the Packers are playing, which sadly, they are not. They did come very close, but not close enough. Meanwhile, the dogs are all dressed out for the game and ready to run in and kick off some fun:

While we watch the game the dogs will likely be snoozing after their doga workout. Especially Oliver, whose balancing twirls can sometimes get a bit tiring. Tanner tires out more easily these days, pushing onward toward age 9 now. I like giving him treats that are good for his joints, since Retrievers are prone to hip displaysia. That's why one of his favorites is Hip Action with Glucosamine and Chondroitin. So far so good for this boy's hips. He continues to swim regularly and we keep his weight on the light side to assure there's no stress on those joints. Hip Hip Hurray for Zuke's Hip Action!

Watch for more doga fun, rewarded by Zuke's treats, coming soon. And don't forget to RSVP to join the party. We hope to see you all on Thursday evening at 8 PM ET, when we'll be handing out more than $750 in Zuke's treats. Be sure to bring your active pet pics to share. We love seeing your pups in action! In addition, you can enter our pre-game #giveaway here.

Here's to #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.

#SuperDogSunday Celebrates Active Fidos

by Carrie Boyko, CEB

It's finally here. The special day we announce today--#SuperDogSunday--was created 5 years ago as a way to enjoy the Super Bowl with our dogs front and center. Each year's version has morphed a bit, responding to the changing interests of our sponsors and our readers. Our 2015 version is designed to celebrate our active dogs. Thanks to Zuke's for sponsoring this event. Read on for some important details and jump right into the widget at the bottom of the post to grab your entry for the big pre-event prize: A terrific package of 5 different kinds of Zuke's treats!

• Sponsor: Zuke's makes dog treats for high energy dogs that enjoy activity and engaging in busy days with their families. We'll be sharing a variety of Zuke's treats with you as prizes, so don't miss out on this event! Mark your calendar now.
• This year's event will be a one hour Twitter Party on Thursday, January 29, during which we'll be sharing lots of ideas for getting into the game--enjoying a doggone good day with your pups. Join us with your own tips. Participation will qualify you to be a potential winner!
• Be sure to enter the social media sharing widget below, giving you the opportunity to win a pre-party prize, as well. Inside this widget, you'll have the chance to RSVP for the party, Tweet about the party to your friends on Twitter, follow some of our team members and our sponsor, Zuke's, and more. One winner will be drawn from these entries to grab a big batch of goodies before the party even opens. Their name will be announced at the opening of the party, so be sure to be on time. Finally, make sure to stick around for the naming of the Grand Prize winner at the close of the event: 9 PM ET.
• Prizes: About $750+ in Zuke's treats will be handed out in fantabulous packages every few minutes throughout the party. Our winners and their dogs are sure to enjoy these shipments, filled with a variety of Zuke's delicious, nutritious snacks. We'll be featuring Mini Naturals in our pre-game training incentives and game day activities, Hip Action treats that are perfect for pre- and post-game joint health,  Genuine Jerky with lots of protein for strong muscles and energy, Power Bones that provide a great energy source for a day of playing, and  Z-Filets, perfect for pre-game training incentives and game day activities. 
• Why do we celebrate active dogs? Just like you and I, dogs need activity. It keeps their minds active, their bodies fit, and helps them learn problem solving skills. Watch for ideas on all of this at the party, as the Event Barkers team dishes some of our best ideas.
• Who to follow: Start by following @Zukespets, of course. Your Event Barkers hosts will be calling the plays at this game, so don't miss any of them either: @AllThingsDog, @ToDogWithLove, @DogTipper, @RoccoHavanese, @5MinutesforFido, @EventBarkers, @EBParties, and @AllThingsDoga. Prizes will be announced by @EventBarkers!
• How to win during the party: Simply join in and participate on Twitter, using the #SuperDogSunday hashtag. For extra opportunities to be seen, share your photos of your fido keeping this theme in mind: "Get your dog in the game - activities for a doggone good day!”  

  

  © DogTipper.com

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.

Barkworld Swag Bag Goes Home

by Carrie Boyko, CEB

Oliver is Off Duty Now With Prize Awarded

Since I returned home from the recent social media conference, the entries have been flying to win this bag full of goodies from Barkworld. This bag of sponsor items includes 2 tote bags, pet food samples, a pet food scoop and bag clip, a flying disc for dog park fun, a children's storybook by best-selling author Dean Koontz, and 2 bags of top name dog treats that are US-made. 

I've relieved Oliver of his job and I'm ready to ship. The winner has been announced on the widget at the original giveaway post here. All I need is to hear back from our winner, All Things Collie.  I'll email this winner via AllThingsDogBlog@gmail.com. Please watch your inbox and your spam file for my message. Congratulations!

Happy tails,

The items in this surprise bag come from various pet industry companies. All were acquired as a conference thank you gift and will be sent to the winner of this giveaway.

Healthy Treating for Dogs

by Carrie Boyko, CEB

© All Things Dog Blog
Tanner and Oliver Get Rewards
 for Practicing Doga with Me

If I told you it was okay to eat a half a bag of cookies each day, you’d likely be shaking your head in disgust that I would offer advice such as this. Just like you and I, our dogs need to limit their treats, taking in only that amount that they need to maintain a healthy weight along with adequate energy for their daily activities.

Whether your dog’s job is one that provides a service to your family or is simply a companionship addition to you and your household, Fido’s treating needs are still much less than the average dog treat commercial on TV may infer. Keep in mind that choosing a healthy treat is as important as knowing when to cut off your pup from the cookie jar. Lower fat, higher fiber treats have health benefits and work to help his overall health stay in line with what you would wish for him. 

Here’s how I look at treating. When I’m training my dogs, they are earning their treats by performing behaviors that I ask of them. The energy that goes into these performances is much like a dog that herds, provides a service to a family member, or actively guards your home. They have to think about what they're doing in order to get it right, at least until it becomes habit. And then they have to physically perform the action. It's my job to energize this with the appropriate nutrition and reward in order to keep the behavior building to my goal.

© All Things Dog Blog
Tanner's Hip Makes a Great Yoga Block

If you take this step a little further, you can see that a dog that competes in athletic activities such as dock diving or sheep herding (Yes, some dogs actually do this for farmers, but competitions also exist.) will most certainly burn more calories and require more food and/or treats than the average pet of similar size and breed. All these factors come into play.

I suppose you see where I'm going with this. Healthy treating really depends on your particular dog and his unique health and activities. Below, I'm going to share some of the best #TreatRight tips from the #TreatRight Twitter Party, held Sunday, October 27 by Event Barkers on behalf of Merrick Petcare:

• Choose treats with no artificial colors or preservatives.
• Your dog will love fresh fruits and veggies and lots of real meat.
• Know where your treats come from. Like Merrick pet food, Merrick treats are USA-made with NO ingredients from China. 
• Look for treats that are grain- and gluten free with no corn, wheat or soy. 
• Healthy treats can help reinforce good behaviors. Look for treats with nothing artificial. 
• When selecting a chewy treat, look for ones with no corn, soy, wheat or sorbic acid. 
• When seeking high-proten treats, choose ones with meat as the #1 ingredient, with wholesome fruits and veggies, too. 
• Remember that even dental chews count as treats in the calorie department. Merrick Dental Chews clean dog’s teeth with fresh ingredients like alfalfa and parsley to help freshen breath naturally.
• Further, the Merrick Dental Chews are grain free and gluten free with no sorbic acid or sodium copper chlorophyllin.
• When choosing dental treats, choose ones recommended for the size of your dog.  
• For the safety of your pets, observation is recommended when giving your pets treats or chews.
• Treats can help boost brainpower, build confidence, reinforce good behaviors and provide bonding moments. They're perfect for encouraging
  
  your dog to join your for yoga practice! Join us for the All Things Dog Blog yoga instruction that includes your dog as a partner. Grab a mat and your dog; then click the link to join in!
• Use the Merrick Pet Care Store Locator to buy near you: http://www.merrickpetcare.com/find-our-products
• Finally, remember that a good variety of treats keeps your dog interested in the activities you train him for, making for all around better performance and bonding.

Join us next Saturday for more tips on how to build a better bond with your dog.

Happy tails,

We are worked with Merrick Pet Care through our partnership in Event Barkers to produce this Twitter party and share product news with our readers.