30 THE NEW BARKER www.TheNewBarker.com “Our wedding would not have been complete without our dogs being a part of it. Our dogs are our children. They go everywhere with us, and our life, together, revolves around them. We knew our two oldest rescue chil- dren would be our flower girl and ring bearer (Reese and Baron). Even though our two golden years kids took most of the spotlight, we still incorporated our other two rescue dogs and three working dogs into our wedding.They all hung out with the wedding party as we were getting ready for the special day.Then the photographer took beautiful photos of our whole family.The dogs made our special day perfect and complete.” Samantha and Matt STK9 Dog Training 1. Ask if your dog has what it takes. Weddings can be stressful and over- whelming for a dog that does not adapt well to new environments or is uncomfortable around strangers. Sociable dogs that are outgoing and friendly often cope better with the extra attention they are likely to receive. If your dog is shy and uncom- fortable around people, leave him at home where he is safe and secure. 2. Decide what part of the ceremony you would like your dog(s) to attend. Involve your dog in the ceremony but not the reception,as receptions tend to be overwhelming — especially those with an extensive guest list and loud music. 3. Make sure that you tell your brides- maids or groomsmen of your intentions before the day. Many people are aller- gic to dogs, so giving them ample warning will help them prepare if they suffer from allergies. Inform your guests so they can plan accordingly, as well. 4.What role is your dog going to play? Whether she is the ring bearer or the hound of honor, start preparing early for the tasks she is going to do during the ceremony. 5. Rehearse as much as you can with your dog. Leave ample time to practice during the actual rehearsal so that your dog (and his or her handler) knows exactly what to do and when to do it. 6. Don’t forget to schedule the groom- ing appointment so that your dog looks and smells good on the big day. 7. Ensure that your dog is well-con- trolled around your guests. A jumping dog will not be appreciated. If your dog has a tendency to jump up, take time well before the day to teach him an alternative behavior, such as greet- ing a person by sitting and giving his paw rather than jumping up. If his excitement level is too high, he might find it hard to control his impulses — in which case, keep him leashed and controlled at all times. 8. Consider hiring a pet sitter or dog trainer who will be responsible for bringing your dog to the ceremony, taking him home or watching him during the reception.This will relieve any pressure you might feel to make sure that your dog is behaving. Is Your Dog Wedding-Attendant Worthy? Tips fromVictoria Stilwell, best known for her role as the star of Animal Planet’s hitTV series It’s Me or the Dog and best-selling book author.