National Dog Party Day

Happy Wildout Whiskers Wednesday!

And...Happy National Dog Party Day!  Yes, you heard me correctly--it's Dog Party Day.  Okay, so just, what in the world, does that mean?  From what I can gander, it appears to be a day to bring out the party animal in your pooch.  In other words, it's a day to either put on a party for your pup and some other friendly canines, or to plan one.

I found two cool articles on ways to plan a canine "pawty".  The first article is courtesy of Northbrook Animal Center, and the other comes from, Vet Street.  Please take time to check out these cool party ideas for your favorite Fido.

http://brooklynparkvet.com/2017/06/15/coon-rapids-mn-vet-dog-party-day/

National Dog Party Day

Fido’s Friends

Invite some friends and family members with gentle, friendly dogs over for this fun, pup-tastic occasion. If you have a puppy, this is a great way to help socialize little Fido! Have a potluck or barbeque for the people, and set out toys and treats for your furry guests. Just make sure that all of Fido’s playmates are trained, well-mannered, and current on their vaccinations and parasite control products.

Pupcakes

No puppy party is compete without treats! You can find lots of recipes for doggy cakes or ‘pupcakes’ online. You can also offer frozen treats, like pupsicles or pet ice cream. Just make sure you are only using dog-safe ingredients. Do some research, and ask your vet for recommendations.

Toys

Set out lots of fun toys for your four-legged guests to play with. Make sure there’s plenty to go around! You can also liven things up with automated ball launchers. (Tip: bacon-scented bubbles are going to be a surefire hit with Fido and his pals.)

Splash Time

Many of our canine pals love to cool off by taking a dip on hot days. Get a kiddie pool for Fido and his friends to splash around in. You can also set out some sprinklers for your furry guests.

Presents

In order to throw a proper puppy party, you’ll want to pick up some presents for your four-legged buddy. Toys, treats, or new beds are all good options. If you’re working with a tight budget, look online for great DIY doggy toy ideas. (Note: to avoid conflict between Fido and his guests, give your pet his gifts after everyone has left.) Picking up small party favors for the other dogs will be a thoughtful touch.

Photos

This is a wonderful chance to get some great photos of Fido and his pals. Here are a few tips: snap your photos at dusk or dawn, to take advantage of the best natural light. You may also find it helps to sit or lie down, so you are at eye-level with your furry subject.
Do you have questions about your pet’s health or care? Contact us, your Coon Rapids, MN animal clinic, today!

7 Tips for Hosting Your Own National Dog Party Day Shindig

By Arden Moore | June 15, 2012

 

http://www.vetstreet.com/our-pet-experts/7-tips-for-hosting-your-own-national-dog-party-day-shindig

Pick the Perfect Location
Before you announce your party, size up site options, factoring in your budget, time availability, theme and number of guests. Cozy affairs with fewer than five dogs can usually take place in your home or in a fenced-in backyard. Parties of 10 or more pets require additional supervision, so a dog-training center or a dog park might be a good fit. Just be sure to inquire ahead of time about any necessary permits or advance reservations.

Craft Your Invite List Carefully

It's OK to be picky about the pooches you invite. Dog parties are intended to be fun and safe, and you don’t need to worry about breaking up fights. If your best friend has a dog who loves people but not other dogs, save her pup from unwanted stress and kindly ask that she leave her pet at home.

Enforce Party Rules

At National Dog Party Day events, all canine attendees must be up to date on their vaccinations, well-socialized and leashed, unless otherwise instructed. Do not confuse well-run dog parties with yappy hours where people enjoy libations while their canines race around uncontrollably. The purpose of a dog party is to bring people and their pets together.

Serve Healthy Refreshments

Dogs possess powerful noses, so ensure that the people food served at your party is safe for dogs in case there are spills. That means substituting carob for chocolate, ousting any dish with onions and avoiding grapes and raisins. Ask guests in advance if their dogs have food allergies, and avoid those ingredients in any canine snacks or cakes.

Designate Different Party Zones
 
Identify a corner area for canine bathroom breaks (and provide plenty of poop bags!), as well as a game area and a refreshment station that's accessible to people but out of paw’s reach.

Stage Creative Games

For a one-hour party, aim for two games. For parties that last more than two hours, offer four to five games. One of my favorites: canine musical chairs, which tests the power of sit among dog contestants. Music plays as people walk their leashed dogs around a line of hula hoops spaced three feet apart on the ground. (There should be one fewer hula hoop for the number of teams.) When the music stops, people must get their canines to sit in a hula hoop. Too-slow dogs are eliminated. Remove a hula hoop for each round until you have two teams competing for access to one hula hoop.

Give Out Goody Bags

Consider gift certificates for wellness checkups at veterinary clinics or a local doggie wash, pet picture frames, healthy treats and safe toys.
Bottom line: Dogs learn best in a fun setting. Plus, pup parties give you a chance to live in the moment and truly connect with your dog.

I hope today's articles gave you some good ideas on planning a pup-tastic party for your special pooch.  If, like me, and most of the working world, you're at work today, why not plan an upcoming shindig for your human and canine friends, for this weekend? 

Sidebar:  Any future date will do, but I must advise you not to do it for 4th of July.  There'll be way too many loud noises, (fireworks), and too many hazards.  But any other time would rock!

Okay, that's all for now.  We'll see you back here on Friday.

Until then,

This is your host J,
signing off.......

Who's ready to party?