How to Host a Birthday Party for Dogs

Celebrate your dog's big day with a canine-themed birthday bash.

Host a birthday party for your dog -- complete with games, dog-safe treats and presents -- and invite a few of its favorite canine friends to celebrate the big day. Dogs are often considered "man's best friend," so go all out and throw a birthday bash for your furry pal to show it your love and appreciation for all the years of loyal companionship. With a little planning and preparation, you can host a successful party that will have all the neighborhood tails wagging.

Things You'll Need

• Invitations
• Decorations
• Dog food and water bowls
• Water
• Dog food and treats
• Tote bag
• Dog dish favor
• Cleanup bags

Instructions

1. Decide on a date, time and location for the birthday party. Choose to host the party at your house if you have adequate space and a large fenced-in backyard or contact a local dog park and get information regarding park rental, amenities and restrictions. If renting a location, make reservations at least a month ahead of time to ensure getting the date and time frame you want.

2. Decide on a guest list for the party. Limit the list to a reasonable number of guests and dogs for easier party management and, if possible, select dogs that are compatible breeds with your dog to minimize the chance of dog fights breaking out.

3. Send invitations to all party guests and include an RSVP return postcard or contact phone number for guests to reply. Specify a cutoff date for all RSVPs -- around a week or two before the party date -- so you can have an accurate head count when you go to purchase party food and beverages. For a special touch, select dog-themed party invitations and include a small treat in the envelope for the canine party guest.

4. Choose decorations for your doggie birthday bash. Go simple or choose to go all out with canine-themed birthday decor, such as paw-print balloons, paper plates that have a dog bone pattern or even large printed photos of your dog to display around the party. Keep decorations high off the ground, especially in areas where the dogs will congregate, to avoid the decorations being knocked down or chewed on.

5. Make party grab bags for each guest with a decorative dog-themed tote bag. Include in each tote bag a bottle of water, cleanup bags for human guests to dispose of their dog's waste, a small bag of dog treats for the canine guests, as well as a complimentary water dish for a party favor. If the party budget allows, engrave each water dish with the guest dog's name.

6. Plan a menu for the dog birthday party for both the human and canine guests. For human guests, purchase a few party platters at your local grocery store, such as sandwich trays, chips and dips or various appetizers and several beverage options like sodas, water bottles or iced tea. Spoil the canine guests with various dog treats, choice cuts of meat and plenty of fresh drinking water. Scatter water bowls around the party area so your four-legged guests can drink at their leisure.

7. Print a small list of rules for guests to follow and display it near the entrance of the birthday party area. The list will help avoid problems so everyone can enjoy the party. Instruct guests to please pick up after their dogs, separate dogs who are fighting and keep any gates or doors closed so dogs cannot escape the party area.

Tips & Warnings

• If a dog is acting up and continually disrupting the party for other guests, discreetly take the owner aside and tactfully ask him to take his dog home so everyone else can enjoy the party.

• For a summer party, make sure there is shade available and place a few small wading pools around the outdoor party area for dogs to cool off in.

• Limit the length of the party to avoid overstimulating the dogs.

References

• Dog Birthdays and Parties: Dog Birthday Party Guide;
• Bark Talk; Tips for Planning a Dog Birthday Party; Lisa Pallardy; 2009