Tips for Planning a Dog Party

How to Throw a Dog Party

If you have a dog that enjoys being around other pups, you may find yourself looking for tips for planning a dog party. Social gatherings with your dog are a great way to keep your dog active and socialized. With a little planning, a successful puppy party can be within your reach! Use these 9 steps to set you and your dog up for a fantastic party that you both can enjoy. Use this guide to help keep your guests safe and entertained so you can throw a party that your friends will be talking about for years to come.

1. Pick a Place

Decide where you will throw the dog party. Will it be in a park, your home, or a local business? When picking a place, think about the weather and general safety. Are there shady spots or A/C so the dogs can get out the sun and heat? Is it big enough for the number of guests you would like to invite? Is there anything that a dog can get hurt or stuck on? Before your guests arrive, make sure to walk through the area to check to make sure all fences and gates are secure, and that any trash is removed.

2. Create Your ‘Guest List’

Decide which of your dog’s friends and how many of them will be invited to the dog party. Keep in mind how all the different dogs play and interact with each other. Some dogs may play too rough for others. There may also be dogs that do not do well in large groups. Consider all these factors so you will have the best chance of hosting a safe party that all the guests will enjoy.

You will also want to make sure that the dog’s owners are also capable of handling their dogs and can be trusted to watch them closely. It is important to try to stop incidents BEFORE they happen, and it is always best that the dog’s owner is invested to monitor their dog’s behavior.

3. Food and Snacks

A good host provides snacks! Check to see if any of your canine or human guests have any dietary restrictions when you plan the menu or snack bar. Some dogs are sensitive to different proteins or may have food allergies. Be aware of any special needs your guests may have. Remember to clearly label what each container of snacks is (some dog treats look like human treats so this will help to avoid most mix-ups).

4. Behavioral Concerns

When gathering information about your canine guests, be sure to clarify if there are any behavioral concerns that you need to be aware of like leash, food, or toy aggression. This does not mean that they should not be allowed to come. It just means that you may have to change your party plans by not having toys or bones out and that you will need to have guidelines concerning treats and food for your guests to avoid issues.

5. Dog Introductions

Try to make sure as many dogs as possible have met each other before the party. This way the meetings can go as slow as the dogs are comfortable with. It is much less stressful for dogs to meet each other one on one versus a new dog coming into a pack of strangers. Doing introductions beforehand will also help clue you into which dogs may not get along. Keep this in mind when you are refining your guest list, creating the party rules, and planning the party activities.

6. Leash or Unleashed

Think about the dogs (and owners) that are invited. Take into consideration the space you have selected to throw your puppy party in. Would it be safer (or less stressful) to have the dogs remain on a leash? Remember that a successful dog party is one where no one gets hurt! Depending on how the dogs interact with each other or what activities you have planned, it may be best for the first few parties to be leashed. This may also be the case if small children will be in attendance to keep the kids safe.

7. Make a Plan

It’s always best to have some sort of plan in place for a party. Will there be a theme? Will you be playing dog games like “Pin the Tail on the Pup“? Is it a pool party or movie night? Maybe you just want to pup and chill? Do you want to set up for Dog Olympics?

How long should the party last? Even if you and your friends could hang out all night, make sure you aren’t pushing your dogs’ social limits. I know that our dogs like to go to bed by 10 pm. So any gathering that they go to needs to be done by 10 pm otherwise they get grumpy. You will also want to avoid pushing the dogs past their dinner times. Hangry is a definite thing!

Once you have a game plan, you can start planning on how and what you will need to make it a success. You can get dog popcorn for movie nights or start making some DIY dog enrichment for your guests. You can even gather items and have the dog owners make the enrichment at the party!

8. Set Ground Rules

Rules may not be considered fun, but they are important, especially with multiple dogs (and their owners) in play. By setting ground rules for dog behavior like whether they need to stay on a leash, or how rough they can play with other dogs before they need a brief time out, you can avoid awkward situations. Everyone’s dog is an angel in their eyes. By stating what behaviors are allowed, you will hopefully avoid offending a pup’s owner by seemingly coming up with a rule ‘targeted’ at their dog.

9. Prepare Your Party Space

There are a few things you will want to make sure you do when you are setting up for your party. Keep in mind that you will be hosting numerous dogs that may not always get along with each other.

Provide Multiple Water Stations

Keep your guests hydrated by having plenty of water bowls available to drink from. Make sure you keep the water bowls full and far enough apart so that a timid dog will not have a problem getting a drink. You can even set up a kiddie pool or sprinklers if it is really hot out to give the dogs another way to cool down.

Back-up Leashes

It always pays to be prepared. Have backup leashes placed in different areas around the party space. This is helpful in case someone’s dog gets out of hand when they are off-leash, or if a leash breaks and a backup one is needed. Time is of the essence. It is much easier to get the situation under control with the proper tools nearby.

Have a 1^st Aid Kit

A First Aid kit is always important to have on hand in case anyone (dog or human) gets hurt. This could be due to a bug bite/sting or something more serious like a puncture wound. Having one of these will help you treat the victim until they can get professional help (if needed). If you would like help creating a first aid kit for both humans and dogs, look at our DIY First Aid Kit post.

Create ‘Time Out Spaces’

Everyone can use a ‘time out space’ at one point or another during a party. This can be a crate in a far corner or a separate room. As humans, we can go sit in the bathroom or step outside away from people if we need a minute to ourselves. Dogs do not have that option without our help. Create at least one ‘safe place’ where a dog can be put if you notice that they are starting to get stressed out, overwhelmed, or over excited.  When you notice a dog is getting too worked up, let them calm down and relax in a place where they can be apart from the craziness and overstimulation for as long as they need. By not pushing the dogs’ limits, you are setting them up for success and avoiding negative interactions among them.

Puppy Party Time!

Now that you have the top tips to help you plan your next dog party, let the fun begin! Pick a theme and start planning the decorations and festive snacks. Don’t forget to relax so you and your pup can have fun and enjoy your hard work. I hope this will be the first of many dog parties in your future! 

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