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.