How to Throw a party for your dog

Pampering your pet on his birthday or maybe his adoption anniversary? What better way then to throw a party! Dogs deserve celebration as mans (and women's) best friend. And any reason to throw a party is a good one!

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Dog Treats
• Dog Toys
• bags and ribbon
• paper for nametags
• people food
• rugs or placemats
• Lint Brush (for after)

1. Set a date. A time frame will help determine the rest of the schedule. Ideally give yourself about 1 month but even if your time frame is next weekend you can get this done in style!

2. Make a guest list. Start with friends with pets, friends who love pets. Include your pup's pals from the local dog park or doggy daycare facility.

3. Choose a venue. Make sure it is large enough to accommodate all your guests, or small enough that people and dogs won't feel isolated depending on your possible invitees. Also evaluate your time frame. Are you planning for next weekend? Then keep it simple. You venue could be your house, the local dog park, or even a local kennel club or dog training facility. Perhaps you have a dog friendly hotel near by and you could make it a party for pets and owners alike!

4. Create a Theme. I know, your thinking isn't this already a dog theme? You could coordinate your party with your dogs breed, his favorite color and leash (mY pups is red), his favorite toy, or just a general theme of dog bones or fire hydrants.

5. Send invitations. Your choices are many, you could initiate word of mouth invites at the local dog park if you are pressed for time, or e-vites are a great instant service. Have more time or want more glitz, mail invites with a color scheme or dog pattern to match your party theme.

6. Get supplies. To have a successful supply trip, make a list at home. What do you need? Start with a variety of treats, a few dog toys, people food (keep it simple, pre-made appetizers are great) Lots of water for the pups and people alike. Milkbones are a staple and can be used everywhere for treats and decoration alike. I suggest getting enough treats so that every guest can go home with a doggie variety bag. Clear cellophane(plastic) Tied with a bow and tag with the guests name written on it. Be creative here. Coordinate ribbon colors, dog bone shaped tags, this is where the "them" comes into play. Or even brown lunch bags with a dog shaped tag glued to the front works well.

7. Have the Party. Give yourself a few hours to prepare. Have the table set ahead of time, heat up or thaw your premade appetizers, Have doggie bags made for all those who RSVP'ed plus a few extras. Set up an area for the dogs to meet and play. Even be ready for doggy games. You could play "Owner says" (similar to Simon says) or my favorite: Musical Sit. (this will require some sort of markers for the dogs to sit on. I use rugs or placemats. Most of all have fun!!

Tips & Warnings

• My suggestion: Be careful, don't go buying a bunch of themed napkins, streamers and such or it will look like a kid party, unless that is what your going for. Pick a color and throw in a few bone shaped accessories as a centerpiece, or your dogs own items work great as decor also! Less is usually more in the theme department! I own a border collie and all his accessories are red so I usually go with a simple black, white and red scheme (with a few dog bone shaped items thrown in on tags and centerpieces).
• Make sure the dogs have ample room and time to greet. Not all dogs get along and it is important to test this before putting all the dogs together unsupervised. On that note, the dogs should NEVER be left unsupervised in this type of social setting. Most of all, have fun!