Bird-dogging is a tactic used to directly engage policy makers when they make public appearances at campaign events, town meetings, or speeches. The aim is to put tough questions to elected officials or candidates and force them to answer when they are in front of their constituents, voters, and the media. To promote bird-dogging as a strategy in the fight against HIV/AIDS, the 08.Stop.AIDS campaign developed a guide for its partners Birddogging 101. Although the guide centers on the issue of HIV/ AIDS policy, it is a helpful how-to manual for all issue advocates on using bird-dogging as an effective advocacy strategy. Here is a summary and some examples:

• The Fundamentals of Public Advocacy
  • Advocacy Strategy: The Fundamentals
  • Choosing Tactics for Your Advocacy Campaign
  • Elements of Strategy: Constituents, Allies and Opponents
  • How Do I Get Started in Advocacy?
  • Writing, Calling or Visiting a Legislator or PolicyMaker
  • Transcript: The Need for Clear Rules for 501(c)(3) Groups at Election Time

• Public Testimony
  
  • Preparing Public Testimony
  • Testifying Before a Political Body

• Meeting With Elected Officials
  • Guide to Meeting Elected Officials
  • Building Public Relationships with Elected Officals
  • Planning Briefings for Legislators
  • Telling Your Story to Policymakers
  • Techniques for Working with Policymakers

• Letter-Writing Campaigns
  • Writing a Letter to the Editor and Op-Eds
  • Hosting a Letter-Writing Table
  • Writing to Members of Congress

• Financing Your Lobbying Efforts
  • Three Easy Steps to Calculate Your Lobbying Budget