Birthday Parties for Dogs

If you're thinking of throwing a birthday party for yourself or a friend, be sure to read my "Five Tips for a Great Dog Birthday Party" first.  They're sure to help you have the best dog birthday party possible.

1) Birthday Parties for Dogs: Preparing the Guest List
As a dog birthday party planner, I’m often asked to help prepare the guest list.  It should come as no surprise that I always recommend inviting friends with money since they usually bring the best gifts.  If you and your human significant others are considering inviting children, my advice would be not to.  Children are noisy.  They will also compete for attention and may try to eat your cake.  If someone is trying to convince you to invite cats to your birthday party, my advice again would be no.  I’ve heard too many horror stories of catnip-spiked bully sticks.

2) Birthday Parties for Dogs: The Location
The backyard is an ideal location for a dog birthday party.  However, you must be sure to use the scooper before your guests arrive, if you know what I mean.  If you live in an apartment, keep the group small.  (Choose your guests by income level per my advice in “Birthday Parties for Dogs: Preparing the Guest List” above.)  I’m not a big fan of hosting events at a local dog run.  Too many dogs of questionable character may try to crash your party.

3) Birthday Parties for Dogs: The Food
Unless you’re the type to raid the pantry days before your guests arrive, it’s best to order the dog treats, cookies and cake ahead of time.  If you do most of the prep a day or so before the party, you’ll have more time to open your presents when your guests arrive.  As for choosing between a sit-down dinner and buffet, it’s really a matter of personal preference.  But, I can tell you from experience (as a professional dog birthday party planner) that if you choose to have a buffet, it’s better to invite the friends with the shortest snouts.  (If this conflicts with choosing your dog birthday party guests by income level, choose by income level first and snout length second.)  Either way, make sure you have enough dog treats, cookies and cake for leftovers.

4) Birthday Parties for Dogs: The Decorations
Note:  If ordering a piñata, make sure there will be a human available to hold a stick and give the piñata a good whack.  Otherwise, save your money.  Party hats, matching plates and balloons are always a nice touch.

5) Birthday Parties for Dogs: The Party Games
One of my personal favorites, “Red Rover, Red Rover Let Rover Come Over” is always a good choice if teams are relatively equal in size and no one’s name is actually Rover.  “Pin the Tail on the Cat” is very popular in the Northeast.  All you need is a Manx, some tape and a rope.  (You’d be surprised at how much cats love this game.  Really.  They do.)  “Duck, Duck, Golden Doodle” is popular among younger party-goers because it involves so much running around in circles.

If you’d like help planning a birthday party, either for yourself or a friend, feel free to contact me at baron@whiskergifters.com.

Baron
Director of Dog Stuff
WhiskerGifters.com

P.S.  If you or a dog you know has a birthday coming up, don’t forget to join the Whisker Gifters Birthday Club for Dogs.