Treat Puzzle Review - Dog Treat Maze by Nina Ottosson

This is a review of the Dog Treat Maze by Nina Ottosson. I would recommend this toy and am offering you a way to purchase it through an affiliate link. This will provide a small income to me and Bella to help us further our cause for happy active dogs everywhere. You are not required to purchase it from us. If you decide to do so, know that we very much appreciate it. 🐶

Bella's Review:

If you love to eat - and who doesn't...SRSLY. - then you wanna try a meal in this baby. It is round and has colors and it spins. Most of all it has food and treats in it. So you wanna spend some time with it because when you first get it you are gonna think you just have to bite it to get to the yummy smells inside. And then you will learn techniques like SPIN, BOUNCE, SLAM, PIROUETTE, THROW and maybe even make up some of your own. Make sure they put food and treats and not just food because that makes it better. And better is always better. Get this one. You won't regret it. Unless it's empty. And with emptiness comes regret. I read that somewhere once. I don't remember where. Seems to fit here though, no? I hear this one is size large. If it came in an extra large I would want that because I bet you could fit more treats in it.

Just the Facts: 

The Dog Treat Maze by Nina Ottosson is a spherical maze that is shaped like a dome on both the top and bottom. This gives it a wobble that is fun to watch. It also allows your dog to get their paw or nose under it to wobble it, tumble it and turn it end over end. It spins nicely on hardwood floors. They can use the openings to grab it with their teeth for throwing and dropping. The maze inside on the top and bottom are 90 degrees off center of each other so the top and bottom mazes don't react the same way. This makes filling easier and play longer and more engaging. There is no way to take it apart for cleaning, so only dry treats/food are recommended. There is no way to increase or decrease difficulty of this treat puzzle. Treat/food filling can be done on the top and bottom of the maze and each section is separate so treats do not co-mingle between sides.

Trista's 2 Cents:

We have had this treat puzzle since the beginning - so over a year. It was the first toy of its kind that we got Bella and our first experience with a treat puzzle. It was under the tree for Bella's first Christmas. We pre-filled with some training treats and wrapped it with paper and bows. I remember she opened the package - wrapping paper and all! - and then proceeded to try to open the puzzle. Oops. Didn't think that one through! This puzzle definitely took some training for her to get the hang of it. So worth it!

My first piece of advice is be prepared to train your dog to use this treat puzzle. It's a maze so they have to move the puzzle around to get the treats out. I highly recommend using a positive reinforcement tool to do this. We used the clicker to enforce the actions that would get the treats - pawing, pushing, spinning, tumbling end over end. And we discouraged her when she began to bite it in frustration. The time you spend training should go quickly if your dog is fairly smart. We did get some damage at first (I blame my lack of preparation with training needed) but the treat puzzle has held up..and all that damage (see right) is from the early days. This is one of the pricier treat puzzles we have purchased - at around $15 to $20 - so we have stuck with the original since it still works perfectly fine. 

This treat maze has also stood up to Bella's tendency to get bored with her toys. There is no figuring out a trick to empty the contents .. and repetition of the same movement over and over will not get the results she is looking for. Varied movement is required and therefore this is a long-term treat puzzle that your dog will enjoy for years to come. Our experience is that it will stand up to the abuse it gets while treat-seeking, as long as your dog is not left to gnaw on it. For that reason, I recommend supervised play. By that I mean - not alone. This is definitely in my arsenal of things for Bella to do when I need to get work done.

Here's a funny thing that happened last night - We were sitting on the couch for some late-night wind-down TV. Bella jumped onto the couch arm so she could reach her treat box that lives on the top of her crate. She took almost a minute picking something out. And then - voila! The toy she chose was the Nina Ottosson Dog Treat Maze! It was empty but she kept picking it up with her teeth and dropping it until we filled it up. I like that she chooses it when she wants to find something to do by herself. It's so much better than a fairly new habit she has started - Finding and then destroying boxes of tissues...not just the boxes but also the tissues! :-/

We are happy with this toy and would recommend it, and purchase it again.

Here are some additional helpful details:

• It comes in 2 sizes - small and large
• Use small training treats and small food pellets that do not crumble easily. The food will need to fit into a fairly small opening and will get knocked around quite a bit before escaping from one of the openings
• For longer play, fill both the top and bottom mazes with treats
• When filling the holes, here's what I do for maximum treat capacity (and maximum play time) - first fill one side, then on that same side tip the maze toward a NON opening side, flip the maze and repeat
• Mix treats and food so there is a lower calorie/fat content and still the interesting smell of treats
• As you get used to how long your dog will want to play, you may end up with treats and food leftovers on the floor - Bella empties it but doesn't always finish the contents at the initial sitting
• This is a great way to feed your dog if you have a fast eater

Treat Puzzle Review - Outward Hound Kyjen Star Spinner Dog Toy Puzzle

This is a review of the Outward Hound Kyjen Star Spinner Dog Toy Puzzle
I would recommend this toy for beginners and dogs that are not overly astute at solving puzzles (no judgement!). I'm offering you a way to purchase it through an affiliate link. This will provide a small income to me and Bella to help us further our cause for happy active dogs every where. You are not required to purchase it from us. If you decide to do so, know that we very much appreciate it. 🐶

Bella's Review:
I like this puzzle because I was able to get to the treats easily. Sometimes you have a tough day waiting for your humans to come home and watching the cat run around and you just need to unwind and not think too much. This is the perfect thing for me. I think of it as the Paw-tini. Dirty.

Trista's 2 Cents:
A great use for this is to slow your dog down in how quickly they eat. It hold about 1c of dry dog food between all the sections.

The way it works is the dog moves the top and middle sections with their paw or nose to get to the treats or food. Once spun, the toy opens up and all the sections of the level(s) are exposed. If they already know how to use their body parts as tools they will be able to solve this quickly. Once learned, it no longer poses a challenge.

We were not so much looking to slow down eating (we already had a great option for that at a higher difficulty level). So for us this was not a good choice. The 3 pieces are supposed to tighten to create more resistance and increase the difficulty. My experience was that it was never tight enough to pose a challenge for Bella.

Some Good Information:

• Don't over fill 
• Evenly distribute the treats among all openings
• For dogs not great at puzzles, start with the top tier only and then gradate to the lower tier
• Use the resistance screw on the bottom to slightly increase the difficulty level
• Avoid OVER tightening as this can cause the unit to break apart and then you may need to call my husband to fix it (I did...)
• Call me if you want mine - it's basically new 

Here are some additional details:

• It comes in different colors - you can sometimes find blue instead of green
• It ranges in price from $10 to $15 at the writing of this review
• You can get it here with cash back

Treat Puzzle Review - JW Pet Ever tuff Pod Treat Dispenser Dog Toy

This is a review of the JW Pet Ever Tuff Pod Treat Dispenser Dog Toy
I would recommend this toy and am offering you a way to purchase it through an affiliate link. This will provide a small income to me and Bella to help us further our cause for happy active dogs every where. You are not required to purchase it from us. If you decide to do so, know that we very much appreciate it. 🐶

Bella's Review:
I ruv this toy! Ok, enough with the puppy talk...listen to me what I am saying. Get this for your dog. It's important. My love is their love. And I love this toy. The boney end is perfect for gnawing. And the fun bubbles have yummy things inside of them so I have fun getting them out. This game is fun and it's also a toy when it's not a game and I hear it could even be funner with wet stuff in it but no wet stuff is ever in mine. But I don't care because - as humans say - it has rocks in it.

Trista's 2 Cents:
Bella means "It rocks." This was an impulse buy for me. I saw it and thought it had pretty colors. I was looking for some variety for Bella because she tends to get bored (due to her intelligence) as she gets good at a toy puzzle. She's also a destroyer so I have to say I liked the price. It was less than $10 - a great price for treat puzzles that are usually at a much higher price point. I can't remember but it may even have been the extra thing I put in my cart to get the free shipping.

We have had it over a year and it has held up and held Bella's interest. We are replacing it because the bone ends are now sharp from chewing and we don't want to create opportunities for Bella to cut herself on them.

The colorful pods have held up and have not been broken, ripped or pulled apart by Bella - a well known power chewer.

We are happy with this toy and will purchase it again.

Some Good Information:

• Use smaller treats for easier filling efforts - training treats and treat discs work best. A broken up milk bone or similar tend to stretch out the pod over time making the toy easier to empty after a while.
• Vary treats so there is something new in each pod. Variety is the spice of life and will reduce boredom.
• Avoid allowing your dog to use it as a chew toy to lengthen the life of the toy. Bella has been gnawing on the bone ends for a while now and they have become jagged and sharp. I'm in the process of replacing it to avoid injury of her or my bare feet.
• Avoid wet treats as it's not the easiest thing to clean. The pods are not removable and it does not come apart for easy cleaning.
• See the way it's facing in the photos - turn it the other way to fill it. They are showing it to you with the large pliable end towards the bottom and this was quite confusing to me when I first tried to figure out how to fill it. 
• There is something in the directions about sliding the pods to make room for treats. This seems like it would work but in my experience it really didn't. I pry the large end open with a finger and squeeze the treats in. It's not the easiest thing I have ever done. But it's so worth it. =)

Here are some additional details:

• It comes in small and large. We got the large, which is the perfect size for Bella.
• It ranges from $5 to $13 at the writing of this review
• You can get it here with cash back

Have you tried the JW Pet Ever Tuff Pod Treat Dispenser Dog Toy? What are your thoughts about it? Please share...and include pictures! =-)

Dog Friendly Stores with In Store Pick Up - A Holiday Miracle for Last Minute Dog Loving Shoppers! (and a Holiday poem!)

Dogs Gone Shopping - A Christmas Poem by Bella Victoria

Where ya goin? Can I come too? 

Yes, Yes said she! We're headed to bed. Curl up on the quilt and lay down your soft head.

Were you leavin'? Can I come with you?

Yes, Yes said she! We're going to friends'. With Calico and Cricket the fun never ends!

What's up with your feet? Can my paws follow suit?

Yes, Yes said she! We're PetSmart bound! We ordered online now we head into town!

Who you seein'? Will my leash surely do?

Yes, Yes said she! To the Groomer and Vet! They can't wait to see you and give you a pet!

But what about shopping, it's Holiday bliss! The stores are all filled for both Mr. and Miss!

No, no silly girl. That's for Service Dogs working. Not Cattle Dogs leashed, and sniffing and jerking. 

But wait, what is this? There is good news afoot! Stores don't just approve Santa covered in soot...

They also rejoice at your four furry paws and your tail wagging round and your clackity claws!

This is great, this is cool! I'm a dog on the town! You just wait there, we are coming right down!

Tis a holiday story wrapped up in a bow! Last minute shopping with furry friend in tow.

You ordered online, and they shopped just for you. I won't tell a soul of what's green and what's blue.

We'll go down the aisles...we'll walk and we'll run! The children and staff will get licks just for fun!

So when you get your presents from under the tree. Don't mind the  paw prints from my wrapping spree.

I helped pick it out. I can help unwrap it too. Merry Christmas to she and to him and to you!

The Full Story - A Holiday Miracle for Last Minute Dog Lovers - by Trista Polo

Bella is an active Cattle Dog mix and needs 3 hours of activity per day - a mix of physical and mental work is best for her. She's a working dog breed and she really needs a job. The daylight is shorter, the weather is cooler and my schedule is fuller. All of that adds up to limited work/play time for Bella and me.

In the car, ready to shop!

I have been racking my brain with how to juggle my busy schedule and Bella's need for activity. How to get it all done - the running around that seems to fill the Holiday season - and still keep Bella's mental and physical well being in tact.

If only I could kill two birds with one stone! There are so many hours in a day, Christmas is fast approaching and there is still so much to do!

I'm happy to say that I found a great way to get everything done, spend plenty of time with Bella and leverage the little amount of time I have.

Here's my sure fire Holiday Miracle for Last Minute Dog Loving Shoppers in 3 easy steps:

1st - Occupy Puppy!
Make sure you have fully stocked food puzzles, frozen Kongs or other indoor activities that keep your dog busy.

Home Depot, Here We Come!

2nd - Shop Online!
Leverage ONLINE SHOPPING at your favorite stores that meet the following criteria: They have in store pick up AND they let you bring your dog into the store. (More on this later!)

3rd - Leash up and head out!
You and your BFF (Best Furry Friend) can have fun adventures at stores all around town wracking up curious stares, big smiles and happy children everywhere you go!

Below are the details that we learned through trial and error, so your first trip out is as worry and stress free as possible. =)

Occupy Puppy! - This may not be necessary for your pup, but if I'm home, Bella looks for more attention than your average dog. "A tired Cattle Dog is a good Cattle Dog" is an expression quite apropos. Unfortunately, since I don't work a typical office job where I can do my shopping online at work (I know YOU don't do that either!) I have to find time at home to do it. And if I'm home, I should be playing with Bella right? We use food puzzles as our main way to feed Bella. I'll be doing a review soon on many of the available puzzles out there. In the meantime, a Frozen Kong is always a good bet. You can watch my How To video for this option - it's been a a great option to keep Bella busy all year round.

Now that your pup is occupied, it's time to...

These lines are long!

Shop Online! - Imagine you are going into a store with your pup in tow for the first time. You have your car keys, purse, phone, leash, poop bags (definitely don't forget these! ;-)  ) and now you need to deal with shopping cart, buying things, standing in line at check out, having your things rung up, getting out your credit card...and you are still expected to have holiday spirit! By the way, they don't have those handy-dandy dog leash hooks at every cashier that are so conveniently located at the Vet counter. So at least when you are a shopping spree with dog newbie, get the bulk of your shopping done first. We love to shop at www.ShopWithBella.com - We can still shop at our favorite dog-friendly stores PLUS AND we get up to 50% Cash Back every time we shop. And bonus - we feed our #shoppingannuity with each purchase. If you want to see if your favorite dog-friendly stores offer cash back - you can check that here: http://bit.ly/bellastores. One more tip about shopping at www.ShopWithBella.com - I recommend you download Shop Buddy, a free widget that will get you cash back, current coupon codes and the best price all around the internet even if you forget to ShopWithBella.com. There's a full list of stores that offer the Trifec-dog below (In Store Pick Up + Dog Friendly + Cash Back).

I'll Take This one!

Leash Up and Head Out! - You'll get the hang of this after a few trips, I promise! It's very odd the first time you go to a store like Macy's and walk in with your dog on a leash. I kept wondering when someone would yell at me. I was defensive waiting for a hard time from an employee. It never happened though! We got lots of smiles and even some friendly pets. =) It's definitely worth a little stress and uncertainty at first because once you and your BFF start shopping together you won't want to shop anywhere that says "Service Dogs Only." Here are some things to keep in mind when heading out with your pup. It's not just about pet stores! Yes, PetSmart and Pet Co welcome your furry family and friends. And you may have heard that Home Depot is also a great place to take your pup along. But did you know that Macy's, Lowes and Gap do too? Popsugar.com wrote an article and some great dog-friendly stores made the list. See their full list here. Before you shop, take these tips to heart.

Barnes & Noble Poughkeepsie
Is No Place for Dogs =(

- Call first! Even though Barnes and Noble is on the NICE list in the Popsugar article, our local B&N is Service Dogs only.

- Consider a leash/harness combo for more control in the stores! There are a lot of people walking around the store and you want to maintain the best and most humane control possible. No long leashes and keep a tight reign on your pup when shopping.

- Go during off-peak hours! It's not just about fewer feet in the stores...you also have less parking lot traffic to navigate. It's safer and will ultimately be less stressful.

A $320 toy from MK -  I can has it?

- Seriously! Poop bags! You just never know. Pet stores are great about cleaning up after your pet. Don't expect a Macy's employee to run to your rescue. Be prepared to deal with whatever comes your way.

- Keep your purchases to a minimum or bring another set of hands along! Remember, if you bring your pup into the store, you will be bringing your pup out of the store with whatever else you purchase. So bring a friend along to carry the bags or keep your purchases to a minimum.

Home Depot is a great "Find It" spot!

- Training Treats optional! If your dog responds well to them, as Bella does, you can use them to distract your pup from the merchandise, frightened children and other things that may catch her attention. They are also a great way to grab some fun photo ops or even play a game of "Find It" in Home Depot!

- Be patient and have fun! This is a great option for spending time with your pup and getting some last minute holiday shopping done. Be prepared, be patient and have fun!

Bella is a high energy dog who is still learning to be on a leash and LOVES dogs and people. These tips are based on our own trial and error experiences and we quickly got the hang of it. No teeth marks on leather, no accidents and no embarrassing stories. We'll definitely be doing lots more shopping together!

These 12 Stores make the Trifec-Dog List!

They offer In Store Pick Up, Cash Back and are Dog Friendly! (Plus all of these stores have lots of great coupon savings you'll find when you click the store link)

• Pet Smart (Bella Tested!) 4% Cash Back
• Home Depot - (Bella Tested!) 2% Cash Back
• Macy's - (Bella Tested!) 2% Cash Back
• Bass Pro Shops - 3% Cash Back
• Bloomingdale's - Currently no Cash Back 
• Nordstrom - 2% Cash Back
• Urban Outfitters - 4% Cash Back 
• Gander Mountain - 2% Cash Back
• Michaels - 2% Cash Back (Ship to Store)
• Foot Locker - 3% Cash Back
• Tractor Supply - 2% Cash Back
• Apple Store - Currently no Cash Back

Where have you shopped with your BFF? Any other tips you can share to make these outings awesome?

This post contains affiliate links. 🐶

Dog Meets Wrapping Paper - Great Gift Wrapping Ideas for Dogs and Dog Lovers

By Bella Victoria, A Contemplative Cattle Dog Mix

I LOVE opening my own gifts. Sometimes I love opening the gifts of others. So I asked this year that all of my gifts (I am expecting many because I saw my Hu-Mom shopping during the Cyber Shopping weekend!) be wrapped with dogs on them so I can tell what is mine. I may still open yours if they are near by. I love the smell of cardboard box in my mouth in the morning.

I found some great options so you don't have to. You can send all of my gifts to Bella Victoria - The Cattle Dog Mix in Poughkeepsie.

Here's my favorites -

Eat Sleep Play Wrapping Paper

Eat Sleep Play Wrapping Paper: Pet Party Printz is a pet-friendly gift wrap that is safe for your pet to unwrap their own presents. Eat Sleep Play, a play on Eat Pray Love, is an everyday deep brown gift wrap with colorful bones and block writing. Our gift wrap is made in the USA. $8.01 | $0.48 Cashback | 0.48 IBV

I Love My Dog Wrapping Paper

Pet Party Printz is a pet-friendly gift wrap that is safe for your pet to unwrap their own presents. I Love My Dog, a play on I Love New York, is an everyday white gift wrap with red hearts and black bold writing. $8.01 |$0.48 Cashback | 0.48 IBV

 

Pet Party Printz The Red Nose Doggie Gift Wrap

Pet Party Printz is a pet-friendly gift wrap that is safe for your pet to unwrap their own presents. The Red Nosed Doggie, a play on Rudolph, is a holiday light green gift wrap with white doggies wearing antlers and red noses. We do not treat the paper with chlorine or bleach, like traditional wrapping paper. The gift wrap is made using soy-based ink, which is safer for your pet and a better choice for our environment. Our Rip-N-Stick edge eliminates the need for tape, which is a major choking hazard. Our gift wrap is made in the USA.  Sale $17.41 | $0.70 Cashback | 0.87 IBV (4 rolls)

Pet Party Printz Candy Cane Treats Gift Wrap

Eat Sleep Play Wrapping Paper: Pet Party Printz is a pet-friendly gift wrap that is safe for your pet to unwrap their own presents. Eat Sleep Play, a play on Eat Pray Love, is an everyday deep brown gift wrap with colorful bones and block writing. Our gift wrap is made in the USA. Sale $17.41 | $0.70 Cashback | 0.87 IBV (4 rolls)

 

Pet Party Printz Holiday Greetings Gift Wrap

Pet Party Printz is a pet-friendly gift wrap that is safe for your pet to unwrap their own presents. Holiday Greetings is a light blue holiday gift wrap for dogs and cats with red, white, royal blue, and green loving words that remind us of our four legged friends. From happy holidays to long walks; from kitten to meow-meow, this print shows holiday love. We do not treat the paper with chlorine or bleach, like traditional wrapping paper. The gift wrap is made using soy-based ink, which is safer for your pet and a better choice for our environment. Our Rip-N-Stick edge eliminates the need for tape, which is a major choking hazard. Our gift wrap is made in the USA. Sale $17.41 | $0.70 Cashback | 0.87 IBV (4 rolls)

 

Pet Party Printz Pattern Puppy Love Gift Wrap

Pet Party Printz is a pet-friendly gift wrap that is safe for your pet to unwrap their own presents. Puppy Love is an everyday light pink gift wrap accented with pink and brown Dachshunds and hearts. We do not treat the paper with chlorine or bleach, like traditional wrapping paper. The gift wrap is made using soy-based ink, which is safer for your pet and a better choice for our environment. Our Rip-N-Stick edge eliminates the need for tape, which is a major choking hazard. Our gift wrap is made in the USA. Sale $17.41 | $0.70 Cashback | 0.87 IBV (4 rolls)

 

Pet Party Printz Pattern Silhouettes Gift Wrap

Pet Party Printz is a pet-friendly gift wrap that is safe for your pet to unwrap their own presents. Pattern Silhouettes is an everyday checkerboard design with colorful patterns of orange, light blue and brown dog silhouettes. We do not treat the paper with chlorine or bleach, like traditional wrapping paper. The gift wrap is made using soy-based ink, which is safer for your pet and a better choice for our environment. Our Rip-N-Stick edge eliminates the need for tape, which is a major choking hazard. Our gift wrap is made in the USA. Sale $17.41 | $0.70 Cashback | 0.87 IBV (4 rolls)

 

Dogs and Cats Gift Wrap

Eat Sleep Play Wrapping Paper: Pet Party Printz is a pet-friendly gift wrap that is safe for your pet to unwrap their own presents. Eat Sleep Play, a play on Eat Pray Love, is an everyday deep brown gift wrap with colorful bones and block writing. Our gift wrap is made in the USA. $3.89-$34.00 | $0.08-$0.68 Cashback | .16-1.36 IBV(15'-100')




Does your pup open her own gifts without help?

For the full list, here's a TREND SHOP with all these styles and more.

This post contains affiliate links. 🐶

BarkWorld Expo by I-5 Publishing - A Review for Pet Influencers

Trista with Lisa Illman

By Trista Polo

I had never heard of BarkWorld. As a new blogger and pet-based business I had been focusing on general internet marketing training and am pretty new to twitter and networking with other pet-based businesses.

Usually I hear about these things a few weeks AFTER the event or worse yet just hours after the replays expire. So when I saw a post about it on Twitter from one of the event speakers, I was intrigued. A bunch of dog people all in one place? You had me at "Bark".

What Is BarkWorld Expo?

Gus Kensworthy talks Sochi Pups

In case you are in the same boat I was, let's start there. BarkWorldExpo.com is virtual home of a yealy conference that attracts bloggers, writers, authors and promoters of all things cat and dog. Oh, and also it attracts a lot of actual cats and dogs. 

Shorty Rossi talks Pittbulls and More

The sponsors are there to create potential connections that could turn into sponsorships, endorsements or affiliate relationships. There is training as well that would be of interest to bloggers, writers, influencers. This year they had topics including how to get into media publications, how to do quality pet review videos, how to SEO your blog and more. There were also some great Keynote speakers this year, including Shorty Rossi, Gus Kensworthy and the creators of DogsOfInstagram. The event is pretty jam packed with sessions, parties and networking and there are plenty of vendors to talk with in your down time.

BarkWorld was founded by Denise Quashie and happens yearly in Atlanta, GA. This year, Denise partnered with I-5 Publishing, the creators of Dogster.com, Catster.com and Petcha.com. The next BarkWorld is being held October 13-16.

Who Should Attend?

This is a place to learn how to be a blogger/influencer or to catch up with the many alumni that have been attending for years. It's also a great place to make connections that could turn into business opportunities. There is a lot of education and a great way to learn about new products and companies. You also have an opportunity to meet rescue organizations and companies that share their proceeds with rescues.

I established AccordingToBella.com less than a year ago and my goal was to pass along what I am learning about active dogs, rescue and fostering as well as create a community. I have been working on expanding my content, my influence and my income. And I'll admit, I have been struggling to find our voice. 

So if you are on a new journey, BarkWorld is a great way to spend a weekend. But it's definitely not just for "Newbies". Many attendees have been attending since the event was establish and some have very large followings already. There were bloggers (both very established and new), product inventors (both very established and new), writers, authors, rescue organizations and they all got value from being there.

Should I Bring My Dog?

First thing I will say is I'm glad I didn't bring Bella for my first time. It was so fun seeing all the dogs there, and they did offer doggie yoga and day care..but as a first timer I felt much better without the added maintenance and attention to Bella. Not only that, Bella is pretty excited around other dogs and just can't control herself yet. So I'm adding "being calm around dogs" to Bella's Training To Do list for next BarkWorld.

What Can I expect Before the Event?

Talk about creating a community. The BarkWorld organizers are experts! The moment I was registered, I was added to the attendee-only Facebook group. This group is active, interactive and supportive. Seasoned attendees, "Newbies", Sponsors and Speakers all chatted, posted and shared photos. I felt like the event had already started! In addition, some of the sponsors began educating the group on their products so you already felt like you had a leg up when you arrived. It was also nice to feel like I was walking into a room full of future friends that I had interacted with...instead of a room full of strangers.

I also got important updates and opportunities on the Facebook group, including an inquiry for attendees interested in attending one of the Sponsor Dinners. A Sponsor Dinner is just what you may guess - dinner with one of the Event Sponsors. It could be an intimate group with presentations or a laid back social event. I was able to snag one of the spots with Diamond Sponsor, KuddlyPets, on the night before the event kicked off. It was so amazing to learn about their company and their mission over dinner with the creators, their amazing staff and a small group of the attendees.

I would recommend registering as early as possible. It may save you on the cost of the ticket, but more importantly it will afford you opportunities for invite-only/space-limited activities like speed networking.

What Can I Expect During the Event?

It's a full schedule but you can pick and choose what you want to attend. There are Keynote speakers and smaller speakers. There is also a roundtable session where you can talk in small groups with industry experts on topics like branding, SEO and more. All of the meals are included so you can expect continental breakfast, buffet lunch and some sort of activity around dinner ... launch parties, sponsor dinners, etc. You have an opportunity to set up your schedule beforehand, which I would recommend. This way each morning your day's schedule is waiting for you in your email.

Even though the talks are great and quite informative, I felt like I had PLENTY of time to network with other attendees and with the sponsors. The expo piece is a great place to create potential future relationships that could turn into collaboration or business partnerships in the future. While there, I had an opportunity to meet with some amazing companies that I may end up working with in some capacity in the future. And in most cases you are meeting the founder, creator, owner of the company so you really get to know what they are about. Keep in mind, these companies are looking to meet influencers and click with possible future reviewers and endorsers of their product. So it's a different experience than going to a home show where everyone with a booth is hoping you will buy from them. In this case, you and the sponsors are looking to create symbiotic relationships and it creates a whole new opportunity to relate.

Did I mention the dogs? So many amazing and fabulous dogs! Some of the sponsors' dogs were there representing and plenty of the influencers and bloggers brought their dogs as well. Many of these dogs have quite large followings so you may have recognized the dog before their owner if you are a fan. The stars of DogOnlyKnows.com, PrestonSpeaks.com, LittleDogInTheBigCity.com and TunaMeltsMyHeart.com were in attendance. There were even a couple of cats in attendance and there was a special cat blogger breakfast where cat bloggers could meet with cat-focused sponsors.

How Can I Take Best Advantage of This Event When I Attend?

Inspired by one of the speakers, Lisa Illman, I decided to use this event as a platform to LAUNCH @bellascope, AccordingToBella's Periscope channel. I knew there would be a ton of opportunities for content and a perfect place to introduce #hopescopes - a Periscope themed segment on highlighting rescue organizations and their stories. In fact, BarkWorld ENCOURAGES social media interaction. People are filming, tweeting, Instagraming and scoping their way through the event. There were lots of corners where interviews and chats were going out into the social media waves during the event. In addition, you were able to collect lots of content opportunities for the weeks and months following the event. You may want to plan to review the event (um...that's what I'm doing right now!), the swag (so much swag!!) and begin to explore partnerships that were sparked while in attendance.

The opportunities to create new business relationships, friendships, partnerships and trusted friendships is limited only by your willingness to participate.

I would love to hear your take-aways from BarkWorld if you have attended - what nuggets can I take with me next year to get even more value out of my weekend?

Bonus tips:

• If you are new to this, make sure you have a nice foundation of content and internet presence established before you go - this will work in your favor when companies check you out before offering you business partnership opportunities.
• Bring comfortable shoes you'll be walking a lot.
• If you plan to scope or record, bring a good phone camera or ipod, tripod and mic for best quality final product.
• If scoping, make sure to use Katch.me or save your scopes on your device because you can re-purpose all those great moments later.
• Get photos with as many of the product owners, famous dogs and cats and attendees as you can, so you have lots to choose from when planning your BarkWorld-inspired content.
• Keep the NOTIFICATIONS on for the Facebook group during the event for additional "wanna meet up, I'm headed to dinner" opportunities.
• Say YES to whatever is offered (sponsor dinner, speed dating, media opportunities with Keynote speakers, demo volunteers) you never know what opportunities will open up from that YES.
• Have a goal to talk to a new person you haven't met yet at every meal. Saunter up to someone eating a muffin and strike up a conversation...sit at a table with an entirely new group of people at lunch...join a group for a drink at a launch party.
• Do your best not to end up in comfortable groups of your old friends - it could prevent you from a life-changing interaction.

3 Steps to Get Puppy Paws Prepped for Winter

We live in the Hudson Valley part of New York and the winters have been pretty brutal the last few years. Last year it was particularly cold. It was New York's 17th coldest winter since 1895, according to weather.com.

Bella LOVES playing in the snow. Check out this video for some fun snow romping! Unfortunately, her paws did not. After just a few minutes outside on the snowy ground, Bella would be hopping around trying to keep at least 2 paws off the ground at all times.

Of course, this NEVER kept her from enjoying herself. But it made it much less enjoyable for us.

So here are some things we will be doing this year, to reduce her discomfort and still respect her no-clothing preferences.

1. First we will make sure her paws are trimmed of all excess fur. For Bella, this is probably not going to be an issue because she is a short haired dog. But I remember how feathery our Golden Retriever's paws would get if we didn't keep them trimmed.

2. Second, we will make sure to add Pad & Paw Balm to Bella's feet before she goes outside. It will create a protective barrier for her paws so she will have less discomfort and will have the added benefit of keeping them moisturized and supple even in the dry months of winter.

3. Finally, we'll be proactive when she comes in to wipe her paws with a warm washcloth. This will warm her up slowly and melt any ice or snow that has attached itself into the crevices of her paws.

These steps will make sure Bella's paws have as much fun in the coming snowy wonderland as she does!

What other tips can you recommend for winter paw protection?

This post contains affiliate links. 🐶

My Dog Rolls Around in Smelly Things - AND Has Senstive Skin! Now what??

So here's a fun new activity that Bella uncovered in the warm summer months - she likes to find something stinky in the yard and REALLY REALLY roll in it. She starts with her nose and painstakingly makes sure her whole body from nose to butt connects. She does this several times to make sure she has thoroughly made herself smell like that thing.

Pedigree has a great article talking about theories behind this. Lots of stuff on instinct and per-domesticated behavior. My favorite theory is that they want their pack to know where they have been. This seems most likely since Bella thoroughly smells where I have been every time I come home. Her favorite is when I have been with dogs and other cats - but her investigation does not discriminate.

The article also states something that doesn't surprise me at all - that dogs generally do not find perfumed shampoos pleasant and that those scents are for their humans more than for them.

Add to the pile that Bella is also highly sensitive and allergic. She is even hypersensitive to flea and tick treatments in fact..another unfortunate discovery we made recently.

So how do we deal with this trifecta - smelly rolly polly + sensitive skin + distaste to perfumes?

I am so happy I found a solution...Pet Health Hypoallergenic Shampoo. According to the website, it does the following:

• Cleanses and polishes coat
• Moisturizes and conditions
• Non-irritating, non-stinging, even in the eyes
• pH balanced
• For normal, dry and sensitive skin
• Sulfate free
• Phosphate free
• Alcohol free
• Preservative free
• Paraben free

Here's a video about it   AND  Here's where you can get it

What does your dog LOVE to do that has a less than desirable result? ;-)
This post contains affiliate links. 🐶

Dog Boarding and Day Care facilities that go the extra mile

Dog Boarding and Day Care facilities that go the extra mile love Pet Health Pad and Paw Balm.

Here's one owner, Gail O. -

"We have concrete kennel runs with a rough finish so it is not slippy. Dogs that are not used to it can get sore paws. This has been a great help. Also had a puppy that got sore pads when he went out in the snow/ice for the first time. Paw Balm healed it right up. Next day he was MUCH better."

We want to help local Boarding and Day Care facilities provide this extra layer of care - but at a small price.

Contact Trista - Head Human at AccordingToBella.com
914-456-5803

This post contains affiliate links. 🐶

Watching Your Dog Age Doesn't Have to be Painful for you...or for them

Before Bella stole our hearts over a Facebook news feed post from Crate Escape, we were lucky to have 2 amazing dogs for 17 years. A golden retriever named Brandy and a shepherd mix named Audrey. They were inseparable and the best of friends to us and each other. Brandy, the retriever, had the typical issues of a golden including hip displasia. She also contracted Lyme - the ticks in our yard LOVED her no matter how much diligence we kept with the flea/tick treatments.

We were able to keep the symptoms of both of these issues at bay for most of her life and we believe it was in part because of a wonderful anti-oxident + glucosamine*. Pet Heath OPC-3 for Dogs and Cats was added to Brandy and Audrey's food every day from the time they were about 10 years old and I only wish we had been introduced to it sooner.

We noticed many benefits but the best one was how surprised our Vet always was by how long and high-quality their lives were. It was only in the last 6 months or so that they began to show their age and finally left our home and moved into our hearts.

I would recommend Pet Health OPC-3 for Dogs and Cats to anyone that wants to help their furry family with any of the following:

• Combats free radicals
• Helps maintain healthy cholesterol levels
• Helps maintain healthy circulation
• Helps maintain joint flexibility
• Helps promote cardiovascular health
• Helps support visual health/visual acuity
• Powerful free radical scavenger
• Supports healthy blood vessel dilation
• Supports healthy nitric oxide levels
• Supports healthy blood glucose levels
• Supports healthy platelet activity
  
  
  
  Here are some reviews from ShopAllThat.com
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  *These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

Review - Jar of Bacon Glory from BarkFeed Dog Toys You Can Make From Things Around the House

BarkFeed posted an article about dog toys you can make from things around the house and we thought it would be fun to try 'em out!

So of course from the 33 we had to choose from we chose the one with BACON GREASE! 🐾🐷😋

Luckily, we had bacon from Barb's Butchery that morning for breakfast and a well used plastic cup from Dunkin Donuts.

The bacon grease gets sloshed around the sides of the jar/cup and refrigerated. Once solidified the rest is up to your pup.

We found a few issues - we didn't have a lid on the cup during prep which created some unanticipated awkwardness and mess. Also,

Bella ATE the cup to get to the bacon because it was too tall for her snout/tongue to reach to the bottom and she doesn't give up that easily.

Check out the video - including tips on how to create a fun and effective Jar of Bacon Glory. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V_B1Ux6upIs