This year I am again participating in the Go Pet Friendly Pet Blogger Challenge.  Actually it is their 4th annual, but this is only my second time.  (You can read last year’s post here.)  This challenge is a great way to review the past year, set goals, and seek help from other bloggers with problems or challenges you might be facing with your blog.

Pet Blogger Challenge Jan. 10

Here are the questions for this year.  I have mixed in some recent pictures of the brown dawgs having fun in the snow.

1. How long have you been blogging? Please tell us why you started blogging, and, for anyone stopping by for the first time, give us a quick description of what your blog is about.

I started blogging in February 2009 to update friends and family about the things we were doing with our dogs.  My blog is about “the escapades of our Chesapeake Bay Retrievers”.  We do a lot of fun things with our dogs including: training, hunt testing, showing and of course hunting.  The blog is my attempt to chronicle them.

2. Name one thing about your blog, or one blogging goal that you accomplished during 2013, that made you most proud.

I did not plan to, but I started a blog hop called This ‘N That Thursday which other bloggers have embraced.  I’d like to thank everyone who has supported the hop.  As the name implies, it’s a hop with few rules other than it opens on Thursdays.  🙂

Storm
Storm

3. When you look at the post you wrote for last year’s Pet Blogger Challenge, or just think back over the past year, what about blogging has changed the most for you?

I am not sure too much has changed except I am more savvy about the technical aspects of my blog’s site and recently redesigned it.

4. What lessons have you learned this year – from other blogs, or through your own experience – that could help us all with our own sites?

I value comments and think it is important to make it easy for people to comment.  I try to do as little moderation on my blog as possible.  I used to have my blog set to approve every comment, but that got to be a hassle.  Now I have it set so that normally I only have to approve the first comment and once I have done that, the commenter should be able to leave future comments without the need to approve them.

Sometimes I visit other blogs and have a hard time leaving a comment.  CAPTCHA is becoming really difficult to use.  It seems the codes are getting longer and more complicated to type.  It is really frustrating to have to type a series of 15 numbers when I just want to leave a short comment.  Then after I have done all that, my comment is still held for moderation.  I never have any idea if the blogger actually saw my comment.

Thunder and Freighter
Thunder and Freighter

Also, I am unable to comment on blogs that use google+ because I can’t leave a comment in the name of my blog.  I wish they would fix that.

I would urge bloggers to consider making it as easy as possible for people to leave comments.  For myself, I need to check through the spam comments more frequently because sometimes I find that non-spam comments have been put there.

If you could ask the pet blogging community for help with one challenge you’re having with your blog, what would it be?

I would like to be more active on Twitter.  My account is like a no-man’s land.  Retweets?  Favorites?  They speak in code.  I need a primer or something.  🙂

5. What have you found to be the best ways to bring more traffic to your blog, other than by writing great content?

I don’t worry too much about traffic, but I have found that Twitter and Facebook both seem to generate traffic.  I was surprised about that because I incorrectly assumed that people would not click from there to here.  Now if only I could figure out twitter…

Freighter And Thunder
Freighter And Thunder

6. How much time to do you spend publicizing your blog, and do you think you should spend more or less in the coming year?

I really don’t spend that much time publicizing my blog, other than commenting on other people’s blogs and joining hops.  I spend a couple of hours a day (average) on my blog which includes writing and commenting.  It would be more if I include taking pictures and editing them, but I would do that even without the blog.  🙂

7. How do you gauge whether or not what you’re writing is appealing to your audience?

The comments I receive tell me whether people are interested.

How do you know when it’s time to let go of a feature or theme that you’ve been writing about for a while?

Mostly I write what interests me.  However, if I notice there is little or no reaction to a topic then I may move on.

Thunder
Thunder

8. When you’re visiting other blogs, what inspires you to comment on a post rather than just reading and moving on?

If I read a blog, I try to leave a comment.  (Except see my answer to #4.)

9. Do you do product reviews and/or giveaways?

Yes I have done both.

If so, what do you find works best, and what doesn’t work at all?

I pick products to review that I have thought about trying myself.  In fact many of the products I go on to purchase regularly after the review.

I have done a couple of giveaways.  I had a really great giveaway from Frosty Paws last summer.

I don’t do many reviews or giveaways because I don’t want my blog to be just about those and I usually have a lot of other things to post about.

If not, is this something you’d like to do more of? What hurdle is getting in your way?

I do one review about every other month.  If I was approached about a great product or giveaway, I have no problem with adding to that schedule.  Readers seem to enjoy them in moderation.

Storm, Thunder And Freighter
Storm, Thunder And Freighter

10. When writer’s block strikes and you’re feeling dog-tired, how do you recharge?

I take pictures and they usually inspire me.

11. Have you ever taken a break from your blog? How did that go?

No

Have you ever thought about quitting your blog altogether? What makes you stay?

No.  I enjoy taking pictures and writing so a blog works for me.

Freighter
Freighter

12. What goals do you have for your blog in 2014?

I blog Monday through Friday.  I would like to keep that schedule.  I finally started my Canine Health Screening Series, (a goal from last year).  I would like to continue it.  I would like to conquer Twitter.  😉    Finally, I would like to improve my photography.

Freighter, Storm And Thunder (Left to Right)
Freighter, Storm And Thunder (Left to Right)

Thanks to Go Pet Friendly and Will My Dog Hate Me? for putting together and hosting this year’s challenge!

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40 thoughts on “Pet Blogger Challenge 2014”

  1. We think it is important you please yourself as otherwise it would not be enjoyable. We love your pictures and we don’t see any need to improve them. The brown dogs are so interesting and fun and thank you, we have learnt such a lot. Have a fabulous Friday.
    Best wishes Molly

    1. Thanks Molly! I got a couple of new camera lenses that I am itching to try. One is a stronger zoom. Can’t wait to play with it.

  2. I love how you have been incorporating photos of your dogs at play, you have been doing that more lately and I love it. Love the current blog theme that you are using, the colors are so delightful! Your photos are just great!

  3. You’re right about the chapters relating to comment. My mom thinks that it is hard to get to comment on some blogs using WordPress. For the most part, she did not get to comment. She does not know why.

  4. I agree with you completely about how hard it can be to leave comments on other people’s blogs. I get to frustrated when I type out a comment and then it either disappears, I have to type in a code or try to use google+. I also wonder like you do if the blogger ever sees my comment!

  6. I loved reading your answers and am so glad you decided to join!

    I agree with you about the captcha, sometimes I honestly can’t read the darn thing. If it becomes too much, then I just don’t comment, which I find sad.

    You were smart to add some photos, I could look at the brown dawgs all day long. 🙂 Have a great weekend!!

  7. I agree on the comments…I need to work on that on my own blog…and I always have trouble with Disqus for whatever reason. Really enjoy your blog, the health series is great information. As a budding competitor in hunt/field I’ve learned a LOT from your posts…the pictures are just gorgeous and I love seeing photos of sporting dogs doing their thing! As a side note – the redesign is really pretty and I met the owner/founder of frosty paws on a plane one time…fun conversation!

  8. LOVE the pics!

    I have the same commenting issue that you do. One particular host usually requires a series of captchas with two per page. I have no time for such things.

    If you would ever like a Twitter tutorial, just email me. It’s my favorite platform (besides WP, of course!). It took a while to figure the ins and outs. I’d be happy to walk you through.

  9. Love your new look! The thing that’s amazed me most about the challenge this year is how so many of my favorite pet bloggers have redesigned and gone for a nice, clean design. Thanks for taking part!

  11. I enjoyed reading your answers to the questions. Always enjoy the amazing pictures of the brown dawgs!!! Hugs and nose kisses

  12. You know I just love all your photos! I cannot believe you need to improve in that area.

    I moderate my blog’s comments through email. It’s a pain, but I had to do it last year because of all the spam I received. That said, I do NOT use the captcha – I HATE it. I’m finding the older I get, the more I cannot read any of the darn codes. It takes more than two tries before I can leave a comment on some blogs.

    I love Twitter. It is my all-time favorite social media! If you need help, just let me know. I would surely help you out!

    Cairn cuddles
    Oz

  13. I seriously mean to start putting my #ThrowbackThursday on your hop but can’t remember where it is! I agree about the commenting there is one that’s Disquis? I can’t figure it out at all if I see it I just move on! I can get you going on Twitter Dolly has almost 3,000 followers, its actually where I started and led to my blog. Sandra & Dolly

  14. Love the snow pics! The fifth is my favorite. Hate captcha’s too. Commenting, moderating, and filtering spam comments on WordPress blogs seems to be much easier than other blogging platforms. I’m not very good at twitter either, although I’m really trying. It is getting easier and more fun. Same with G+.

  16. Oh man – you have so many great photos in this post! Love the dogs playing in the snow and the way their ears flap around! That photo after question 5 – looks like they’re trying to backwards mirror each other!
    I second all of your comments about commenting on other blogs and wrote something very similar myself. I could understand if people used captcha codes because they didn’t have a moderating system, but to do both baffles me. I set up the same way you do – once I approve your comment once or twice, you’re vetted forever. Easy for all.
    The picture of the 3 of them in the snow that shows up in the bottom right of the page – adorable! Large-medium-small! I think I’ve said this before, but I really like your new layout.

  17. Improve your photos? (gasp) You already know what I think of your photography. I love your new blog design and the way you’ve switched things up for various holidays. Totally agree with your re: the Captcha and G+ comment things.

  18. Sure agree about captcha – a lot of people do. I love your Canine Screening series, so I’m glad you started that…and I lot that last shot of the crew – how do you tell them apart?

  19. Great to learn some about your blogging world!!
    This is mg first time doing this hop, so I was excited about to also!
    If you have any questions about twitter, feel free to ask me, I am daily twitter user and have no probs explaining it to you!
    You can contact me through my Fb page or through the contact form in my blog. Fb name is HuskyCrazed SibePage. And blog is http://ownedbyahusky.blogspot.ca
    ((Husky hugz))

  20. I think your photography is great already! And I like your redesign. It’s clean and bright and welcoming. I recently changed my comment system to become easier. I didn’t realize it was a hassle until someone commented.

  21. I logged in to Twitter just so I could find you! Heather and Mr. K will have to introduce you to a few of our friends. I don’t know how much more you can improve on your photography…we think your photos are pretty great! Much love, The Scottie Mom.

  23. Improve on your photography? You are doing awesome with that and inspiring me to get out and do it more! If I’m ever up your way again, you need to teach me a few things!

    Twitter can be intimidating at first but once you get it, you got it for good-you just have to use it, which is where I’ve been struggling lately!

    Love all your honest answers here! Thank you 🙂

  24. Great interview, I think you and I are on the same boat about things. Capsha ticks me off! I thought you were a twitter goo roo and was going to ask you for help as I have a acct and don’t do much with it either as I know nothing about it. I just started using instagram and # my photos but do I know what the hell that means Nope! I love how you added photos to your interview! Beautiful!

  25. We totally agree on that captcha thing! We so dislike it and if we mess it up the first try, we may just skip it altogether! We didn’t get Twitter at first, but then we spent a few months on there daily (10-20 mins a day on and off), interacting with other, building a follower base of several hundred, then started backing off a bit. Now we are almost to 4000 in about 2 yrs time. Triberr is a great way to get tweets our there, people will find and follow, and it gives you lots of tweets in your account. I haven’t seen your posts in any tribes I am in, but if you aren’t on there, you may want to get that going. That was a tip I got last year on this hop and it was well worth doing.

  26. I really do love the redesign of your blog! The colors are great. Thank you for mentioning captcha! Hopefully more will get rid of it! Twitter is a lot of fun, and when I first started it was pretty confusing. But it really is simple. I’d say just hop on and tweet some of your amazing photos. People are sure to comment on them and then you can start an engaging conversation and make new friends! There are other things you can try, but your photos are really captivating so just a thought for you.

  27. Great goal with “Canine Health Screening Series, ” and continuing that. I’d love to read those. Hope to see you at BlogPaws in May! Many wags!

  28. Love all of the photos of your dogs romping 😉 It’s great to have a creative outlet and we are the lucky ones that get to enjoy it!

  29. Loved your answers! I agree about CAPTCHA. It’s a pain and I’m dyslexic. I usually end up sitting there refreshing them until I get one with just numbers (for me, they’re easier than the letters, haha) or I just leave.

    I also have a hard time with Twitter. I need to spend more time on it so I can get the hang of it.

    Great photos, by the way! Your dogs are just gorgeous.

  32. First, love your redesigned blog! And yes there is definite agreement here in comments – no more CAPTCHA’s! I’m with Oz they are just too difficult to read. I have comments set up just like you do, with approve first comment and you are good after that. I also have to check spam folder to make sure there are no comments there that need approving. I see you have a self-hosted WordPress site. If you have a smart phone get the WordPress app; it will let you easily approve comments on the fly. That has been the biggest help for me!

    I’m not sure what you mean about being unable to comment on blogs that use google+ because you can’t leave a comment in the name of your blog. Do you have a gravatar set up on Gravatar.com? Are you able to register your chosen blog name on a gmail account?

    On Twitter – I just signed up to follow you. You certainly could fool me, your Twitter site is beautiful, and you have far more tweets than I do! Like others here, though, I say put more of your wonderful photos out there because they are so eye-catching! Here is a super site for Twitter info (w/links to Facebook, Google+ etc.). It’s http://www.zazzle.com/assets/graphics/_zletter/2013/0903_tipstricks.html.

    I love your photos, especially since you have working dogs and have great action photos of them! I just completed my first video of some Photoshop tips and will post tomorrow. It is titled for folks interested in product listings, but would generally work well for anyone interested in editing their photos in Photoshop or Photoshop Elements. I so love that through blogging everyone helps each other!! Now off to check out Triberr…

  33. I’m not a pro in Twitter, but I have a pretty basic approach: I try to tweet about once an hour (when I’m online), and I try to follow back everyone that follows me. I think I’m only engaging with Twitter on a basic level, but it might be a start for you! Hope you can work it out in 2014. 🙂

  34. Hi Y’all!

    Slow gettin’ around! In more ways than one if you saw my post today.

    Think your photos are great! Don’t know why you’d want to change anything.

    My Human and I have found we don’t have time to do more than auto post on Twitter and Facebook…well, seems we almost never get there. My Human worries a lot about allowing me to have my public blog and maintaining family privacy.

    Y’all come by now,
    Hawk aka BrownDog

  35. I totally agree with you on the commenting thing. Nothing turns me off faster than having to do a CAPTCHA and then finding out my comment’s being held for moderation on top of that. It really seems like overkill. And I have the same issue with those G+ comment pages!

  36. Love your beautiful and informative blog, and totally agree with you on the importance of making commenting easy! Looking forward to another wonderful year of 2 Brown Dawgs Blog posts!

  37. I totally agree with you on the commenting!
    I am on Twitter but don’t really do a whole lot with it, that is something I should spend more time on also, because I don’t really understand it!

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