Party Animal...Doggy Style!

Party Animal...Doggy Style...PART ONE (that's right, this one will have a Part TWO - after the party!)

 

Well another year has come and gone and we’ve been invited to another doggie birthday party. Like any upper crust pup I’m a party animal and I’m just counting down the days until we get to go and do some doggie socializing. We’re excited because this party will prove again to be given by the hostess with the mostess! We’re excited -  we’ve got our gift ready, our own upper crust pup outfit ready in the party’s theme. This hostess always makes sure all the doggies are well fed and I admit I’m first in line for the fabulous birthday treats. I may be short but I’ve got an appetite even a Rottweiler could appreciate! Mom put me on a diet after I lounged around a bit too much this winter but in my defense it was HER that didn’t cut back on offering me treats and it was HER that didn’t want to go out in the cold to take me for a walk. If you ask me it’s HER that should be on the diet…but again, I digress.

So while anxiously awaiting for this fab party I decided to do a little research into putting together a great dog birthday party. Come to find out it’s not much different from putting on a human birthday party (other than generally speaking there isn't the potential for one guest biting another or tinkling on your chair leg - but I'm sure there are a few human-only parties where both of those things have occurred.) but here are some great party tips for dogs I thought I’d share:

 

Can you guess what the theme for this birthday party I attended last year?
"Old Hollywood" (Marilyn's got nothing on little me!)

Birthday parties for dogs are becoming more and more popular and like for many a human’s party a particular party theme is often present. Complete with cake and candles these lucky little fidos can make a wish for their favorite chew toy.
Of course, these tips aren't just for a birthday party...think Super (Puppy) Bowl party, Dog Obedience School grad party...any reason for a gathering of good friends to socialize with their furriest best friend these tips should help make it go off with few snafu's as possible!

So how does one put together a birthday (or any) party for their furry child?

1.    Planning

a.    You probably know your dog’s date of birth or adoption date. Pick a day that is free for most of your intended guests, usually on the weekend just before or after the actual birth day.

b.    Make your list of invitee’s – which would be those with a dog – though some of the dogless out there can appreciate any social gathering. You know your friends best.

                                          i.    You don’t want to leave anyone out and left with hurt feelings but you will be responsible for the safety of your guests and their dogs. If your best friend’s dog is fearful and somewhat aggressive around a room full of other dogs you’ll need to forego their invitation. Maybe plan a day where you and your friend could go to lunch at an outside café that’s dog friendly where her dog won’t get stressed and react inappropriately.

2.  INVITATIONS: Your list of invitee’s is completed. Now to find a venue that will accommodate the number of guests and their dog(s) if your home isn’t big enough. Even if your home is big enough that might not be the best to have a gathering of many dogs. Your dog may be the gentlest soul on the block but that’s not when its home is suddenly invaded with other dogs. Not to mention there’s always that one dog (male – or- female) that thinks new places mean new places to mark, sending off the signal for the rest of the gang to mark one on top of each other. Kinda like that one human guest at a human get-together that inevitable dances around with the lampshade on his or her head. If your yard is big enough and the weather fairly predictable that’s always a consideration.

----> Mail out your invitations about a month in advance – or use the modern version of an invitation, social media, to let people know and plan their schedule to attend. (A reminder about a week before the event is always acceptable and usually appreciated.)

a.    The invitation is where it’s important to stress “No Aggressive Dogs, Please”.  But few think their own beloved dog would ever be aggressive in any circumstance so adding, “Aggressive Dogs Will Be Asked to Leave” in big bold letters might make them start envisioning the embarrassment of being asked to leave and will choose their most docile highly socialized dog as their party date. It’s all in how you phrase things sometimes.

b.    Don’t forget to include a start time as well as an end time. Two to three hours is long enough for any birthday party.

c.    Also, in big bold letters should be the R.S.V.P --- that’s important, since you’ll want to make sure you have enough food and drink for all your guests…furry or otherwise. Don’t forget to include your contact information so they can actually R.S.V.P. --- including a date for final R.S.V.P. will help those that haven’t grasped the importance of respondez s’il vous plait.

4.    Activities:

a.    Like any party you don’t want your guests nodding off or whispering to the townsfolk how bored they were. This is where one might want to consider a doggie-human activity such as a contest. (Don’t forget the prizes).

                                          i.    Best dressed or costume.

1.    Maybe best formal party wear, or

2.    Best party animal costume, or

3.    Best outfit that relates to the party’s theme (you’ll need to make sure your guests are aware of the theme or any contests that will require some pre-planning of their own – include all the pertinent information on the invitations.).

4.    How about a dog race? Is your backyard or venue big enough to send the furry guests tearing around a pre-setup track?



Here I am at a Luau themed party in my little grass skirt
and coconut bra top. Why, yes I did win the Limbo contest!

5.    Use your imagination! Any activity that includes both humans and dogs equally will be enjoyed by all.

5. Food:

Just like when you plan for great aunt Annabelle’s visit with a little gluten free food items consider your guests known allergies. Include a variety of popular food stuffs for both humans and dogs.

a.    Maybe you’re a vegetarian. That’s nice but are your guests? It won’t kill you to have a few meat items for your guests. It may be your party but what’s your party without guests? If your diet consists of seaweed and the majority of your friends eat a steak daily you might want to include an enticing mini menu in your invitation. Nothing’s worse than guests going away hungry or cutting out early for a burger, especially if the party is at normal dining hours. This goes both ways, if you’re a daily meat eater and some of your guests are anti-anything with flesh or eyes you want to be sure and set out a platter with some crackers and carrots (most dogs like carrots so you’ll have two guest types covered!). Uh, yeah mom has incorporated "carrots" into my "diet"  - I can't help but notice she's not eating any carrots, more like "french frys" trying to tell me those are "her carrots", like I'm dumb or something --- hmmph ----Oh and rule of etiquette is never "diet" when you're a guest...that's just rude - works for me anyway. So, I, Carly's number one party rule is: never "beg" but never turn down any food stuff at a party!!

b.    Your menu can be as simple or elaborate as you choose. But don’t forget the doggie birthday cake!

Pampered Paw Gifts

c.    Set up two food tables: One for the humans and one for the dogs. Make sure the table and food items are clearly labeled for which guest type. The fido food stuffs of today look as scrumptious as any human party food. You don’t need either getting sick from consuming the wrong food.

d.    Make sure to include a large water bowl on the floor, check it a couple times throughout the party to make sure it’s fresh and clear.

e.    Provide soda, water, or punch for your human guests, particularly if the party is outside in the summer heat. If serving alcoholic drinks make sure to include a non-alcoholic choice as well.

a.    Make sure any alcoholic drinks are out of reach of any of the furry guests. 

6. Décor:

Here’s where you really get to have fun. You’ve chosen your theme now it’s off to the nearest party supply store.
Tablewear and table décor, activities prizes, streamers all in your theme…make it a party to remember. But pass on the balloons. They’re bound to get popped and that could send more than one dog into a urine-leaking frenzy, compounded by assaults on the nearest dog they think produced that ear splitting sound.

Theme decided, planning done, invitations out, menu, venue, & activities decided and party shopping done You’re set. Have fun and don’t forget to sing “Happy Birthday” to the best and most loyal friend you’ll ever have!

Stay tuned for "Part Two" - where I'll tell you more about a birthday bash fit for any Upper Crust Pup!

 

Be sure and follow me on facebook at: www.facebook.com/uppercrustpup