WHY do we want to go to #Barkworld??

WHY do we want to go to BARKWORLD??

I think a more appropriate question would be WHY WOULDN'T you want to go to BARKWORLD?!  :D

BARKWORLD IS AWESOME!  If you've never heard of it, it's a pet social media convention held in Atlanta, GA.  This year it's in August.

They have classes that help you become more social media savvy.  (And don't worry- they have beginning to advanced level classes... something for everyone.)   (And the skills I learn at these conferences help me in my regular full time job too!)   It's an INCREDIBLE place for networking with other pet companies and pet lovers.  

If you don't know my dog Jasmine, she's a talented trick dog.  We've been to the past 2 BarkWorld's.  (2011 and 2012)

My first year at BarkWorld, we taught a class called "How To Make Your Pet a YouTube Rockstar".  (Since Jasmine's popularity took off when I created her original YouTube video "Dog Goes Shopping"... which is now up to 222,590 views!)   And from there, Jaz became well known on social media, and now has a very loyal following of friends all over the world!  

Jaz actually got several opportunities to be on TV because of connections we made!  (She perfomed her dog tricks on Animal Planet's "Who Let The Dogs Out" and the Anderson Cooper show..... all because of connections we made at BarkWorld!) 

And now... we're trying to get back to BarkWorld again!  The expo is Aug. 22-24th, 2013.  

And Pruven from 3M is sponsoring one lucky blogger to go!  

But I need your help!

Here's an easy way to help send Jasmine back to BarkWorld!  Tweet at BarkWorld (and Pruven) that you would like them to pick My Favorite Pup Jasmine to send to Atlanta!  Or write it on their Facebook page!  (I made a Rafflecopter thingy just to make it simple)  There's no prizes involved, but I really would appreciate your help!  (and I didn't write any terms & conditions since it is just a friend helping out a friend!)  And there's no limit to the # of times you can contact them, and encourage them to pick Jasmine!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

P.S.  In case you are still curious about BarkWorld, here's a teaser video I made about our trip out there!  We loved it!!!  :)  :)  :)

#EukanubaPawsInMotion to BarkWorld

Last Oct, Jasmine and I went to Atlanta, GA to attend the BarkWorld Expo. We had so much fun!!

We met Lauren and her trick dog Paige there for the first time!

And together, we gave a presentation on "How To Make Your Dog A YouTube Rockstar"! :D

We shared our unique story. Both of our dogs started off as YouTube trick dogs, and through social media both have now been on TV and commercials!

We each gave tips on how to make popular YouTube videos, how to network, and how to train your dog to do tricks. (We both use positive reinforcement- clicker training.) Then we did a trick dog demo, and answered questions after the presentation.

Lauren and I both had a fantastic time at BarkWorld! What an experience! I had no idea anything like that even existed! I made a lot of connections- some really cool friends and some professional contacts. And I attended classes to help me (CJ) become a little more tech-savvy! :) (which I need!) (Although I now use Twitter, I still can't say I fully understand it!!) LOL

But I'm pretty good with YouTube and Facebook. :) And now we just joined Pinterest, but so far that seems pretty easy to figure out. :)

I absolutely loved this convention! One of the best parts was being able to meet Victoria Stillwell!!! From the Animal Planet TV show "It's Me or The Dog". She's a big advocate of positive reinforcement training, so it was sooooo cool to meet her in person!! We went to her class to hear her presentation. Absolutely LOVED it!!

Here's the little promo video I made of our trip to BarkWorld!



We would love to go back this year too! Eukanuba is sponsoring a sweepstakes to win free airfare/hotel/transportation to Atlanta! It's called "Blog Your Way To BarkWorld".

(This is my entry!) If you would like to enter too, here's the link: http://www.barkworldexpo.com/attend/blog-your-way-to-barkworld-2012/

Maybe I'll see ya there!! :D

Interviews from BarkWorld!

Jasmine had a FANTASTIC time at Barkworld- in Atlanta, GA!

Here's an interview we did with Nylabone while we were there!



We roomed with our really good friends Lauren and her dog Paige!

Jasmine and Paige were the YouTube Rockstars- and gave a presentation on how to make good YouTube videos, and how to clicker train. At the end of the class, we did a trick dog demo. It was so popular, there was standing room only!! It was awesome! We met a ton of new friends. And had a blast! We'll definitely be back next year!!



I didn't even realize that we did pretty much the same tricks until after I saw Lauren's interview! LOL. Hey- great minds think alike!! ;)

They also taped part of our trick dog demo- but that will be coming in a separate post!

BarkWorld Movie Teaser... :D

Jasmine and Paige went to Atlanta, Georgia for the BarkWorld Expo!! I can't even tell you what a fantastic time we had!! I can't wait to write all about our wonderful trip! But in the meantime, here's a little teaser video for you!!! :) (It makes me grin just watching this!)

I LOVED BARKWORLD!!!!

Doggy Day Care at BarkWorld!

While I was attending classes at BarkWorld on Friday, Jasmine got to stay at Best Friends Pet Care! (with the other YouTube Rockstar Paige!)







When I first left her there, Jaz was being a baby, and trying to tell me "Don't leave me, I want to go with you!!" (This photo cracks me up!)







But I went inside and watched out the mirrored doors, and soon she was just fine. Once she realized I had left, she went right up to another person to get her snuggles!

They took good care of her! They emailed me this picture while I was in class! SO CUTE!!!!! Jaz looks like she's modeling, while all the other dogs are just... being dogs! :D (But I swear, this wasn't a posed pic!)


Paige liked to snuggle too! :D (I snuck out between classes to check on Jaz and snap a few pics of my own!)

Check out this BarkWorld ice sculpture! It was pretty cool! It was a fire hydrant, and a water bowl for the dogs!! :D Pretty sweet!

This was so nice that the doggy daycare was located right out on the terrace on the same floor of the hotel as our classes.

They were SO sweet to the dogs!

I loved watching these dogs play! This isn't a good picture of it, but there was a really cute Frenchie named "Bello"- who was Jasmine's friend. By the end of BarkWorld, we had met and become friends with all these dogs! (And their owners!)

Lauren had loaned us one of Paige's old kennels for Jasmine to use while we were there. But it's obvious from this picture that she still remembers it's hers!! LOL.

Of course Jaz was overjoyed to see me when it was finally time for me to pick her up. First choice was to be with me. If that's not possible, then the next best thing was to hang out with her new friends at Best Friends Pet Care.

Atlanta.... Here We Come!!

I am getting so excited about our trip to Atlanta for the BarkWorld Pet Expo! (Jasmine is less excited.... lol... but she'll be okay.) I think she'll do better this trip because she's going to be under the seat in front of me on the plane. When we went to NY for the Letterman audition, she was in cargo, and that was kind of traumatizing for her! Lauren & her superstar dog Paige will be there with us! We're both giving the presentation on "How To Make Your Dog A YouTube Rockstar"! :) This is one of those presentations that could also be titled "Things I Wish I Knew 3 Years Ago!" There's a lot of good info! There's a little bit of everything- clicker training, editing videos, SEO, marketing, and the background story of Paige and Jasmine, to list a few! It's all the things Lauren and I have learned through experience! We've got the powerpoint presentation all done- and emailed to BarkWorld. So it will be ready for us when we arrive.

I'm trying to make sure I don't forget anything!! Jaz groomed... check. Vet health certificate... check. Now I just need to pack, and buy a new memory card for my camera! (So we can take a ton of pictures of our awesome trip!) We leave on Thursday!!

Life is insanely busy of course! Remember how Jaz was a Top 5 finalist in that "Dog Days of Summer" contest? Well, the meet & greet with the judges in this Wednesday! (to pick the final winner!) I'm so glad it was on Wednesday, not Thursday!! Or we would be in Atlanta!! so- it's go-go-go for us!! :D (But it's fun stuff, so it's all good!) :D