Dog Birthday Party
Children love birthday parties and if your family owns a dog you can bet somewhere along the line, your kids will want to have a party for your puppy or dog. Dogs in any case are social animals and providing there are no really bad tempered animals attending then a dog birthday party can be great fun. In order to have a successful party you need to think about which of the children's friends have dogs and more importantly which of their friends parents can attend. Of course the party normally ends up as a party for both the dogs and the children but with the right sort of planning and buying great dog party supplies, you can have a memorable day that everyone really enjoys.
Of course there are other excuses for a birthday party such as completing a dog training course or winning prizes at a dog show but whatever the occasion, it will be up to you and your children to come up with the ideas. So we at dog party supplies thought you might like some of our ideas on our website and some of the great dog party supplies in our party shop.
Firstly why not start off with a badge for your party. This badge of course will depend upon the occasion and we have some great party banners for you. You can of course buy small party hats for your dogs (don't forget the larger variety for the children). Maybe your children might even want to make the motiff themselves with pictures of bones that can be cut out and ribbons and other items of doggy decor added. On other occasions the party can be badged with a motiff suitable for the occasion such as a mortar board for a puppy graduation.
Planning the Party
Location, Location, Location
Where do you intend to hold the party? Obviously you need to determine the venue before sending out the invitations. Is the venue suitable for both your doggy friends and human friends? First stop is usually the back yard but what is access like? Are you going to be happy with lots of dogs and humans trampling through your house. It may be better to consider having the dog party in a local park or convenient BBQ and picnic setting, maybe a local farmer will lend you part of a meadow for the day. There are even some venues in towns that will allow pets and this could then be an indoor party - great if you hit inclement weather.
Sending out the Invitations
Just who do you intend to invite. Not a good idea to invite strange dogs or humans that your dog has never met before. Remember your dog's sense of smell is far superior to yours and the dog will recognise its friends. The dogs and people you should therefore invite are those that you met when your dog attended puppy training classes or you meet regularly walking their dogs at the same time as you and neighbors and family who have come into contact with your dog.
When you have your party list to manageable proportions you can then send out doggie invitations and start planning your two menus. Send the invitations as soon as possible so that everyone has plenty of time to prepare for the party.
The Menu
This of course will be the part that your dog will love the best! Don't forget though you need two menus as your dog's human guests will also want to eat and not of all them will like the food you intend to feed your dog. It also makes sense to stick to finger food as everyone will have their hands full with their canine friends and upset plates with buffet food is a lot easier to deal with on the floor than chicken and rice. In some areas there are a few dog bakeries and even if you decide not to use them, it is worth taking a look at their menus so you know what will work.
You will of course need enough bowls so that each dog has its own otherwise chaos could reign supreme. Don't forget of course that it will be a fun packed exciting day for your dog and friends so plenty of water bowls will also be needed.
Party Games
What fun can be had by everyone. See how well your dog has been trained by "fetch the sausage" Will your puppy be the one to make you proud and bring it back rather than the magic dissapearing act down their throat. Make sure you organise games that involve both the dogs and their owners. A few simple props like old car tyres for jumping through and bamboo canes to weave through will create much merriment. If you have enough doggy friends you can even have team games which will make it even more exciting for your doggy friends. One of the easiest games is of course a fancy dress contest or fashion show. A pair of plastic sunglasses and fake diamond encrusted collar make a good costume. Of course you will have to sing "Who Let the Dogs Out!" In which case you could make it a scooby doo party for adults and get them to come in fancy dress too!
Dog tricks can be used as a contest with the dog doing either the hardest or most tricks as the winner. Don't forget though to reward prizes to every dog just a bigger sausage for the winner. Owners also like to be rewarded especially children so have plenty of cakes and sweets on hand.
It will be a great day for everyone so don't forget the camera, you may even want to video some of the party as well. At dog party supplies we even have a special album that you can put the photos in. Alternatively get the children to make up a scrapbook of the party, it will be a treasured memory when they have children of their own.
A dog party will never run as smoothly as a party for your children but with some little forethought and careful planning it can become organised chaos where everyone, old, young, human or canine has great fun and looks forward to next year!
