Our dogs are like our children, and it’s because of this that the idea of hosting a birthday party for man’s best friend is becoming more and more common. We invest so much time and energy into the birthday parties of our (human) children, but it’s all worth it when we see the delight on their faces as they open their presents, play with their friends and eat their very own special birthday cake. Why can’t our furry children enjoy this experience as well?
Planning a dog party can be a simple afair that can take place in any enclosed space that your furry friends can run around in and entertain themselves. But before you start hanging the streamers and balloons you should consider a few safety aspects to make sure your dog’s party is comfortable and safe for dogs and humans alike.
CONSIDER THE DOGGIE GUEST LIST
If you are interested in hosting your own dog party a good idea is to make sure that your dog knows the other dogs that have been invited. Dogs will try to establish their place in the pack when they meet a new dog, and if your furry baby is protective they might not be so welcoming to strangers. To ensure that everyone is happy and safe, try and arrange a few supervised puppy playdates before the actual party, so that your dogs have a chance to get to know each other and will be more welcoming. It’s important to consider size and temperament when planning your dog party as well. Try and stick to inviting pooches of similar sizes, ages and play styles. You need to consider that some dogs play rough, and others are just too large or aggressive to play with smaller puppies or the more sweeter-natured, so consider the kind of dog you are inviting over and make sure they are roughly even with the guest of honour.
ALWAYS SUPERVISE YOUR PETS
Supervision is the key when training and playing with dogs, and is just as paramount at a dog party. Learn to the read the signs when it comes to canine body language—both for your own dog and other guests. Owners are more than happy to supervise their four legged friends, but you need to make sure that you monitor the situation and are aware of your dog’s play. If children are around, make sure that they are supervised as well because they may not be as aware of your dog’s body language as you are. In saying that, it is still a party, so make the owners are as comfortable and welcome as possible while they supervise their dogs play by providing some simple snacks and drinks to keep everyone engaged and happy. Keep it simple and light-hearted and the humans will enjoy themselves just as much as the dogs do!
Courtney Hope | Author 