Tips for Planning the Paw-fect Dog Birthday Party

Dog birthday parties. It's really not such a far-fetched idea!
I mean, honestly...what took us so long? Our dogs are our babies. Our babies have birthdays. So let's celebrate!

Need some ideas to help make Fido's birthday bash a paw-ty that won't soon be forgotten? Read on for some great hints and tips about everything from location to invitations to decorations to fun games to treats.

Location, location, location. In the world of dog birthday parties, it's probably the first most important decision you'll need to make when planning the birthday bash. When choosing a location for your dog's shin-dig, you'll need to consider the size of the party you plan to have, as well as the size of your 4-legged guests!

Outdoor dog parties can be fun and rambunctious, and popular places range from your own backyard to an area dog park, obedience training center, even a doggie day care may have accomodations for a dog party (be sure to check to see if you need a reservation!). Remember, you'll need to consider the weather and have a back-up plan should you need to bring the festivities inside.

Inside dog birthday parties can be held in your own home, or check with a local doggie day spa for a fun day pampering your guests. Another fun place might be a local hotel or conference center that is “doggie friendly” or check with your favorite dog bakery to see if they have accommodations for a dog party. Either way, inside or outside, you must provide easy access to a place where your 4-legged guests can “take care of their business.” But just in case, be prepared for an indoor accident with appropriate cleaning supplies to quickly clean up the “spill.”

Guest list. After deciding the location of your dog's birthday party, the next important decision is the guest list. The number of guests you invite will be determined by where you've decided to host your dog's party. An outside gig will accommodate more dogs, naturally. If you're having your dog's party inside, keep the number small and manageable (and refer back to the paragraph above that reminds you to be prepared with appropriate cleaning supplies!).

It's extremely important that all the dogs that will be attending the party have socialized before, and you know for certain that they play well other dogs. Your living room isn't the ideal place for two dogs to work out which one is the alpha! And feel free to invite your friends who don't have dogs....as long as they love dogs, they will be a paw-fect fit to your celebration.

Invitations. Now that you've worked out the logistics, it's time for the fun part of selecting dog birthday party invitations! BarkTalk.com (http://www.barktalk.com/) is an online retailer that specializes in dog birthday party invitations. BarkTalk has a huge selection of invitations to choose from, and can even personalize any invitation. A gift idea, if you'd prefer that your guests not bring gifts, is to ask for a small donation for your local animal shelter.

Refreshments. While this is not at the top of our list, you can be sure it is at the top of your guests' list as the most important part of a dog birthday party! First, be sure to have plenty of fresh water available for your 4-legged guests, along with easy access. Consider having several containers or dog bowls brimming with fresh water, and be sure to refill frequently, especially if your dog's party is outside in the hot weather. If you're at a dog park, you may want to bring a cooler of bottled water to pass out to your thirsty guests. A great idea I've seen is to purchase an inexpensive dog bowl for each guest, personalize the bowl with the guest's name, and let your guests take these home after the party as a small thank you gift.

Birthday cake (or pup-cakes) is an essential for a dog birthday party! You can make these from scratch following recipes you can find on the internet, or order from your local pet bakery.
If you plan to feed your 2-legged guests a meal, be sure to plan a meal for the 4-leggers as well. If your dog's party is held outside and the humans are having a cook-out, perhaps a fresh-grilled burger for the dogs would be a special meal to celebrate special day. (Check with the dog's owner first to rule out any allergies or other unpleasant side effects.)

Dog Birthday Party Activities. And let the fun begin!

Fun inside dog birthday party games can include something as simple as providing each guest (the 4-legged kind) with a dog toy that can be filled with a special treat. That will usually keep them entertained for quite a while! A talent show showcasing each dog's special trick can also provide lots of laughs and is a great way to include everyone in the celebration. Another fun idea is to have a “look-alike” contest, where your guests vote which dog/human combination look the most alike. Or have your guests bring some dress-up clothes for their dogs, and have a beauty contest.

When you host your dog's birthday party outside, your games can be a bit more rambunctious. Think balls and frisbees! Ropes for tug-of-war! Relay races! Agility races! The possibilities are endless. It's a great idea, especially in hot weather, to have a small kiddie pool filled with cool water for your guests to refresh themselves in. Or toss a dog treat in the pool, and time your guests to see who can retrieve the treat the fastest!

Decorations and Paw-ty Favors. Your decorations can be as simple or as elaborate as you are comfortable with. (Paw print balloons and dog party hats are a must!) Why not consider having your party decorations double as a party favor to give your guests at the end of the day. Or use them as prizes for the winners of the games and activities that you and your guests play. Another great idea is to take a digital photo of your guests when they arrive at the party. Give your guests an inexpensive dog-themed photo frame at the end of the party, then mail your guest's photo when you send out your dog thank you cards.

Don't forget your manners! Just like mom taught you, you should always remember to send written thank you cards to all your guests. BarkTalk.com has a large selection of dog thank you cards that coordinate beautifully with your dog birthday party invitations!

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About the Author: Lisa Pallardy is the owner of http://www.barktalk.com/ specializing in dog parties. You'll find a huge selection of dog birthday party invitations, puppy shower invitations, dog wedding invitations, dog party favors, and even Holiday cards for dog lovers.

Tips for Planning the Perfect Puppy Shower

It is becoming more and more common for people to remain single and childless. As a result, traditions are beginning to change. Since many people feel as if their dogs are their family, it seems only natural that new or expecting “puppy parents” would appreciate the gesture of a puppy shower. The result is a growing trend in puppy shower paraphernalia. And why not? Shouldn’t we extend such a wonderful tradition to shower these expectant new mothers and fathers with love?

Following are some tips to guide you in planning the perfect puppy shower:

While friends or family members may decide to host the puppy shower, it is just as acceptable for the new puppy parents to organize the event as well. And it can be scheduled to be held either before or after the puppy arrives. Holding the puppy shower after the puppy has arrived will give everyone the opportunity to meet him, as well as give the puppy an opportunity to meet, mix, and mingle with the puppy shower guests.

Once the guest list has been made, invitations need to be mailed. And trust me, nothing says “chic” like a professional, custom-made puppy shower invitation. (For the biggest, "chic-est" selection, check out http://www.BarkTalk.com/puppyshowerinvitations.html )

Now for the party itself. The whole reason for a puppy shower is to honor the new puppy parent. To help them feel special about their new family member. To provide them with some of the new puppy essentials that every new dog owner needs. But above all, you want the gathering to be fun!

It is definitely appropriate for the guests to bring gifts. Gift certificates are a wonderful choice, as the new puppy parents can use them to purchase necessities such as collars, food and water bowls, bedding, crates, and even puppy food. Most large pet supply retailers offer gift certificates, which can be purchased either online or in person at the store. In fact, many large pet supply retailers even offer gift registries, similar to bridal registries, which allow the new puppy parents to choose their favorite new puppy necessities.

The decorations for the puppy shower can be as simple or as extravagant as you desire. Paw print balloons are a simple, fun decoration and are available at http://www.barktalk.com/puppyshowerinvitations.html A trip to a local party supply store will no doubt result in a large selection of dog-themed table-ware and other dog-themed decorations. A fun idea for a centerpiece is a bone-shaped or fire-hydrant-shaped dog toy box. Then, when the puppy shower is over, the guest of honor can use the toy box to carry home the gifts, as well as use the toy box to store her new puppy’s toys.

Games are always a must at a puppy shower. Be imaginative and tailor the usual baby shower games to puppy themes. For example, a simple game of BINGO can be created using the new puppy’s name and dog-bone shaped game pieces.

The puppy shower menu will vary depending upon the time of day. If it’s a mid-afternoon puppy shower, simple snacks will suffice. However, if it’s a luncheon, be creative and cut sandwiches using a dog bone or fire hydrant shaped cookie cutter. Find human edible cookies in dog shapes like paw prints. Freeze ice cubes in fun shaped ice cube trays. Use ribbon with paw prints or fire hydrants to tie the tableware. And don’t rule out a casually elegant evening puppy shower, complete with scrumptious hors’ devours and fine vintage wine.

Remember, the reason for a puppy shower is to honor not only the new arrival, but to honor the new puppy parents, as well. This doesn’t just mean showering them with gifts to help ease some of the financial burden the naturally goes along with the adoption of a new puppy, but, more importantly, to provide a fun couple of hours to all in attendance

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About the author: Lisa Pallardy is the owner of http://www.BarkTalk.com, a website specializing in pet paw-ties. Dog birthdays, dog weddings, puppy showers, dog thank you cards, holiday cards for dog lovers, paw-ty hats and paw-ty balloons.