How to plan a puppy dog party

Have you ever gone to a party for a pet? Although a puppy party might sound a bit indulgent, it’s a great excuse to get together with other dog lovers and celebrate your furry family member.

With a little time and a small budget, it’s easy to plan a party for your best furry friend.

Choose a dog-friendly location to host your party. A neutral, public, dog-friendly space will help overcome any potential territorial issues. Think about things like parking if people are coming from far away and make sure you don’t need a permit to gather.

You can use one of the many free digital apps available to create a pretty invitation to share via social media and create an event page for your dog party. Don’t be shy! Your dog will help you start conversations immediately.

Share your invitation online a few weeks before the party and send out a couple of reminders (one around 3 days before and one the morning of your puppy party). Include clear directions for the location in your invitation.

The good thing about dogs is that they’re easily amused. But it wouldn’t be a dog party without some games to help your guests burn off some energy. A combination of dog-only and human-and-dog games are sure to get everyone involved.

• First past the post: Take 2 pieces of rope or streamers. One will be the start line and one will be the finish line. Lay the rope parallel about 15 metres apart. Ask each owner to line up their dog behind the starting line. One adult (or child under supervision) then stands behind the finish line with a bag of doggy treats. On the command, all dogs are released, and most should run towards the treats behind the line. Every dog is a winner with a treat.
• Scavenger hunt: Scatter some small dog treats and toys throughout the park for the dogs to use their natural instinct to follow a scent. They’ll love the surprises they find.
• Agility games: A variation of agility activities is always fun. Consider bringing along a tunnel that small dogs can run through and a few balls and a frisbee for the more agile dogs.

Your dogs will love digging in to these delicious banana cupcakes. If you have extra time, pop one each into puppy party bags for your guests to take home. A brown paper bag tied with coloured string or paw-print ribbon is a trendy and eco-friendly alternative to plastic or cello bags.

As the host, it’s your responsibility to make sure everyone has a good time. Keep human and doggy guests safe and happy with these easy steps:

• Choose a location that is dog-friendly, safe and secure. Consider a park or beach that you’re familiar with to eliminate any surprises and potential hazards.
• Make sure you have plenty of fresh water and water bowls available to keep the party puppies hydrated.
• Be mindful that with food and toy treats, some dogs may become possessive. Always ensure dogs are supervised. If any dog shows signs of aggression, be ready and willing to ask their owners to leash them or to take them home.
• Take a roll of poop bags with you so nothing is left behind.
• Be mindful of foods that are unsafe for dogs to ingest and inappropriate for a dog party. Leave the chocolate, grapes, and other potentially toxic foods for human-only parties.
• Finally, remove any decorations, directional signs and debris before you leave.