How to Throw Your Dog a Party - Canine Campus Dog Daycare & Boarding

There’s nothing quite as satisfying as seeing your dog in pure bliss. So why not celebrate a special day with your dog and throw him or her a party? Not sure when your dog’s birthday is? No worries – you can either pick a day or celebrate the day you adopted your sweet pooch.

A dog party is a great excuse to bring your human and canine friends together, plus bring a little more joy into all your lives! From playful to extravagant, there are many ways to decorate, make dog-friendly treats and let your dog have so much fun.

Ready for your party to run smoothly? Here are some great tips to get your (dog) party started.

Step #1. Guest List

One of the most important things to decide is who’s going to be invited. If you are including kids, be careful to consider their ages and different levels of experience with animals. You will want to make sure you have adequate supervision to ensure kids and dogs will be safe and have a good time together.

It’s best to invite dogs your dog already knows, such as playmates from Canine Campus, obedience class buddies or dog park regulars. Make sure you take the time to introduce your dog to any new dogs ahead of time. If you find yourself introducing your dog to a new dog, be sure to do it outside before the new dog enters your home to avoid any initial territorial issues.

Be sure your human guests understand they should stick around for the party, rather than just dropping off their dog for a few hours. Invite a few dog-less friends or family members to help with supervision.

Some dog parents prefer their dog be the only pup at the party. In this case, only invite your dog-loving human friends and family over to dote on the party-pooch.

Step #2. Location

Once you’ve decided on the humans and dogs you’d like to invite, you can choose the best location. If there will be multiple dogs at the party, your best bet is to have the party outside, especially for large dogs.

Here are a few things to consider when choosing a space:

Will there be enough yard space?
Will it be an indoor and outdoor party?
What will the weather most likely be?
Do you have enough shade? If not, you may need to rent a shade structure.

Here are some ideas for locations to host your dog party

Your home
Local park
Dog beach
Friend or family member who loves dogs
Local dog-friendly venue. Here in Colorado Springs we have Pub Dog Colorado.

Step #3. Theme

There are lots of great dog-themed party decorations available, but you don’t have to stick to a dog-related theme. There are lots of great party themes easily converted to a dog-theme.

Summer luau
Carnival party
Hollywood stars complete with a red carpet
Fairytale theme
Retro party to celebrate your dog and your favorite decade
Nautical (with kiddie pools)
Sports

Want help with a theme? Brit+Co partnered with The Noseprint to create some great dog DIYs and a dog personality quiz to help you decide what type of party is best for your dog.

Step #4. Invitations

In the age of social media, it’s easy to forget about invitations. But party invitations are a nice touch.

If you would like paper invitations perfectly tied to your theme or featuring a photo of your dog, consider editable printables from Etsy.

If you prefer a digital invitation, consider e-vites.

Remember to be specific about who’s invited and who should stay during the party.

Step #5. Decorations

The most important thing about decorations is doing what’s fun and manageable for you. If you love decorating for parties – don’t hold back! Enjoy decorating for your dog party.

But if decorations are not for you, skip them entirely or just go for some dog-themed plates from your local party store.

When it comes to decorating for a party, social media comes in handy. Pinterest has some great ideas as does Instagram. I recommend the hashtag #dogparty.

Be sure to use biodegradable confetti for guilt-free fun!

Step #6. Food

No party is complete without food! While a dog party may be a little more work than a party for humans, it still might be easier than you might think.

*Word of caution: be careful about the food you offer dogs. Some foods, like chocolate and xylitol, are potentially dangerous and even toxic for dogs. Check this list for foods you can – and shouldn’t – feed your dog.

For the Canines

There are lots of great snack ideas for dogs.

A cake is essential, especially if you’re celebrating your dog’s birth or adoption day.

There are lots of options for dog-friendly cakes.

Make your own. Here’s a recipe for a piñata cake you can fill with your dog’s favorite treats. There are many other dog-friendly cake recipes available online. Here are a few to consider:
- Smash Cake for Dogs
- Dog Cake with Fluffy Frosting
- Milk Bar Inspired Cake
- Cheesecake Treats (made with lowfat cottage cheese)
- Red Velvet Cupcakes (the red color comes from beets and strawberries)
- Carob Mini-Cupcakes with Peanut Butter Frosting
Bake a dog birthday cake from a mix
Order one from a dog bakery
Order Birthday Bakery Dog Treats
Make some Doggie Ice Cream to go with the cake

For the Humans

There are many party food ideas and recipes available. Let your theme and food preferences of your guests influence your menu.

You could go with party foods like barbeque, picnic, finger foods, pizza, tacos, fajitas, pinwheel wraps, cheese/crackers/cured meats, etc. The list is endless.

#8. Activities

What better day to help your dog enjoy the activities he or she enjoys the most? Here are a few ideas:

Backyard pool party

Many dogs enjoy the water, so get out the sprinklers or kiddie pool and let them romp and splash. Add some balls and toys and let the rumpus begin.

Agility fun

A homemade agility course is a great activity for dogs and their guardians.

Fetch

What dog doesn’t love a rousing game of fetch? Provide lots of balls for guardians to throw and dogs to fetch.

Photo booth and props

A dog party is the perfect photo opportunity! Make your own photo backdrop (or buy one) and add in some props for fun!

#9. Party Favors

What’s a party without a jam-packed favor bag? Here are some items you might want to include:

Small, theme-related toys
Chew treats
Dog bones
Party hat or bandana (or both)
Stool bags (just in case)
On-the-go treats for people, too
Favor bags

#10. Do’s and Don’ts

Here are some do’s and don’ts when it comes to planning a canine-centered party.

Do check your local pet store for inspiration

They may know someone who makes special occasion dog treats or cake for canine party-goers.

Don’t overwhelm your dog

Dogs do best when there’s a routine and familiar activities. So try to keep things simple and familiar as much as possible.

Do practice good sanitation

Especially if the coronavirus is still spreading, opt for an outdoor celebration. And be sure to keep hand sanitizer handy.

Don’t force your dog to join in on the festivities

It’s okay if your dog wants to spend time in his or her crate. The party won’t be fun for anyone if your dog is stressed.

Do introduce dogs to each other safely

Make sure you introduce dogs in an outdoor space before going inside to limit territorial issues.

Do keep everyone hydrated

Make sure there’s plenty of water for your two-legged and four-legged friends so everyone stays hydrated, especially in the summertime.

Don’t take things too seriously

The point of a dog party is to have fun! Your pooch may not understand the significance of the day, but he or she will pick up on your mood so make it a happy one! This is your dog’s special day and as long as you have a great time, your dog will too!