What is a dog party?
A dog party can be anything you want it to be—a birthday bash for your pooch, a celebration to commemorate the date of their adoption or a casual get-together that recognizes their "graduation" from obedience school. In addition, many pet parents choose to blend several milestones into a single event that falls on June 21, which is National Dog Party Day. No matter the approach, plenty of on-theme decorations, appetizers and games make for a paws-itively memorable occasion.
Who to Invite
Deciding who to include in your pup’s special day is probably the most important decision you’ll make in the party planning process. Why? Getting the guest list right determines the tone of the event. For instance, extending invites to those (of both the two- and four-legged variety) that your dog is unfamiliar with can lead to territorialism and other possessive behaviors. Be sure to take a practical approach when creating the guest list, keeping the following factors in mind:
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•Your dog’s personality. Is your pooch friendly and outgoing?
Or are they more skittish? Do they enjoy being the center of
attention, or does too much stimulation stress them out? Whatever
your dog’s demeanor, be sure to create a guest list that complements
their disposition—it is their party after all.
- •Special note for senior dogs: since older pups tend to tire more quickly, keep the guest list small—sticking with guests, both human and animal, that have mellow personalities.
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•Other dogs’ personalities. When it comes to your friends’
pups, be sure to invite only those whose behavior and training level
is known to you. Think regulars from the dog park and doggie
daycare, as well as classmates in obedience school.
- •Pro tip: do not invite pets and/or humans that your dog has never met. Doing so, especially if hosting the event at home, can lead to protective behavior from your dog. If you are required to make impromptu introductions, do so outside.
- •Supervision. Make sure that each pet parent you invite is able to stay throughout the duration of the event—ensuring active supervision at all times. If one or two need to leave early but still want their dog to socialize, ask dog-free friends and family members if they’d be willing to help keep an eye on the party.
Where to Host
With the guest list finalized, it’s time to find a place to host your dog’s bash. When deciding on the ideal location, there are several considerations to take into account—party size, weather and safety included. Whether hosting a large event or scaling it back for an intimate gathering, make sure to provide ample space for human attendees to mingle alongside playing pets. Some options that are always viable: fenced-in backyards, your local doggie daycare and favorite dog park. If opting to make your yard the party hub, have a contingency plan in case it rains. Think moving everyone to the basement for a round of fetch or a group workout session that includes handshakes to help strengthen their shoulder muscles and rolling over to help with their core. No matter your approach, make sure your dog party’s locale is escape-proof.
Picking the Theme
You’ve got the guests sorted and a location set, what about a theme? It’s safe to say that this is the easiest step in the dog party planning process. How so? Any arrangement that works for humans also works for pups. Think streamers, garlands and personalized banners if celebrating a birthday or adoption date, and don’t forget to set out a wrapped present or two as well. If you’re having everyone over for Halloween, encourage pet parents to dress their pooch up for a costume contest—with the winner receiving a brand new bone. Either way, be sure to hang decor, such as balloons, up high. If one pops, the sudden noise might startle the animals. Does your dog have a calming effect on people? Opt for a dog yoga-inspired event instead. In any case, make sure the theme is fun for you to set up and that it complements your pet’s personality.
Dog Party Activities
What’s a party without organized fun? Just as a kids’ party features favorites, such as pin the tail on the donkey and piñatas, dog parties have their own set of memorable activities. For instance, a popular choice during the summer months is to fill a kiddie pool with water—keeping a close eye on your pup as they splash around with their friends. Don’t have a pool? No worries, a sprinkler works just as well. If you’re looking for games that require less drying off, consider putting a dog-friendly spin on bobbing for apples. Just fill a basket with tennis balls, then mix in their favorite type of treat or bone for them to dig for. As a safety precaution, have the dogs play this game one at a time to avoid food possessive behavior. Fetch is a classic choice as well, as long as you provide multiple balls and frisbees. Don’t leave human invitees out of the fun. Set up a photo booth, complete with props for pet parents to take family photos with their four-legged friend. In addition, it’s important to have an area set aside for relaxation as well. Make sure it has plenty of shade, seating and water.
Note for senior dogs: some of these games might be a bit fast-paced for your older pet. Some alternatives: tug-of-war with softer toys and treat hide-and-seek, where you place a set of disposable cups on the floor, then hide their favorite kibble underneath one of the cups and wait to see how long it takes them to figure out where it’s hidden. As with any food-centric activity, have your four-legged attendees play individually, minimizing potential conflict.
Dog Party Activities
The key to a successful party: a delicious selection of food and drink. This is also true when throwing a fête for your dog—the only difference being the palate. When coming up with a menu for the occasion, be sure to include appetizers and snacks that cater to both pets and their humans. Looking for a few dog-safe recipes? There are several that are easy to make. Homemade cakes are always a popular choice, as many only require ingredients already found in the kitchen and they can be enjoyed by humans as well. If this dessert isn’t being shared, consider topping it with dog biscuits and kibble. For pet parents wanting to give their dog something lighter, consider pup-sicles instead. This fun spin on the refreshing treat requires freezing your dog’s favorite flavor on a cookie sheet, then breaking it up. Popular choices include xylitol-free peanut butter, chicken and banana. Be sure to stagger feeding times and put plenty of space between each dog as they eat, too.
When it comes to your human guests, provide on-theme snacks, such as miniature hot dogs, sandwiches cut into bone shapes and trail mix that resembles kibble. Vegetable and fruit trays are traditional choices that satisfy healthier appetites. In any case, dog-shaped cookies make for a tasty dessert.
Safety First
As with any event that involves the combination of animals and humans, especially children, there are some precautions to take. In addition to active supervision, here’s a short list of other safety measures to keep in mind:
- •Make your local animal hospital or family veterinarian a contact in your phone. This allows for immediate contact if a dog gets sick or injured.
- •Keep in mind that even if a dog is well-trained, too much stimulation might cause them to react in a defensive manner. Be on the lookout for indicators of agitation, such as growling, bared teeth and pushed back ears.
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•Keep an eye on any children in attendance, especially when
they’re interacting with the dogs. This includes making sure they
know basic etiquette, such as:
- •Never assume a dog is friendly
- •Always ask before petting
- •Hold out your hand upon meeting, letting the dog sniff
- •Provide plenty of water on hot days.
- •Pay attention to the day’s weather report.
As every pet parent knows, your dog deserves to be celebrated just like the human members of your family. Have you recently hosted a dog party? Show us how it went at the hashtag #CrateStyle.
