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A dog birthday party is a great excuse to get your friends and family—and the dogs, of course—together for some fun! Here are some ideas for putting together a small birthday celebration for your furry friend.

Invitation

You don’t have to spend money on printing and postage; send out an invitation online through e-mail or Facebook instead. Get a cute photo of Fido and just add the details: who, what, when, where. If you’re really digitally inclined, Photoshop a birthday hat onto your dog for a festive invite!

Location

Spring, summer, and fall birthday parties are great because you can invite friends over for a backyard BBQ or to a local dog park, where the dogs can run around. When it’s too cold to hang out outside, consider having your dog’s birthday party at an indoor venue that’s tailored to his needs. Many indoor dog parks and “camps” allow all the dogs to run around and play together. You can even schedule some time at a beginners’ agility course for a small group of dogs—this is fun for both the pooches and their handlers.

Activities and Games

• Hide some toys and bones around the party and allow the dogs to take them home when they find them.
• Leave a couple of ropes with multiple ends around in case the dogs want to play tug-of-war.
• Have a contest of who can catch the Frisbee the most amount of times—winner gets to take the Nylabone Frisbee home.

Treats & Goodie Bags

It’s not a birthday party without some cake! You can either custom-order a dog-friendly cake or make your own with  these recipes. When the party starts to die down (i.e., the dogs fall asleep because they’ve had so much fun), send each owner home with a goodie bag full of edible bones & treats.

Keep in Mind

• Never take your eyes off the dogs!
• Always have plenty of cool water available.
• Make sure that all the dogs invited have had their shots.
• Keep any people food out of reach.
• Birthday hats are cute, but they can make dogs uncomfortable. If you want the birthday pup to feel special, tie a colorful ribbon around his collar. (Secure the ribbon so that it doesn’t catch on anything.)

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Is your dog still going through the “puppy terrors,” or is he well behaved?

Even a well-behaved dog might get nervous around a scenery change and large crowds. Test out his socialization skills at a large family gathering before bringing him to the big day. Typically, a quiet, smaller dog will have an easier time acclimating than a larger, high-energy dog.

Will the dog frighten your guests?

Unbelievable as it may seem, not everyone is a dog lover. You may think slobbery kisses are adorable, but your cousin in her brand-new dress may not agree.

Is the wedding indoors or outdoors?

If you’re having an outdoor event, is it gated or secluded to keep your dog safe? If indoors, is the venue dog-friendly?

Will you leash your dog?

If so, who will be responsible for holding onto him throughout the wedding? The person should be someone both you and your dog trust. Some weddings run for several hours, so make sure that the person holding your dog has a conveniently located seat from which to take your dog for a walk if he gets restless.

Will your dog have a job?

Many people find it cute to enlist their dog as the ring bearer. This is a great way to include him in the wedding if he can behave well enough. Fasten the rings to the collar with a festive ribbon, and have someone walk him down the aisle. Just be sure to put the rings on right before he walks down the aisle or you risk losing them.
 
If your fur-baby is part of the wedding, pay him plenty of attention. Carry some treats around to reward his good behavior, and give your guests treats with which to reward him as well. Remind your guests that they should not feed your dog table food because it can make him sick. And always keep a bowl of fresh water close, especially for those hot summer outdoor weddings! It may be a good idea to prepare a package for your dog that includes his bed and favorite toys to provide a sense of comfort and security.
 
If you ultimately decide not to have your dog in the wedding, it’s not the end of the world. You can still have your photographer snap some photos of your family at home before the ceremony! Just be sure to find your pup a safe, comfortable place to stay while you’re gone for your wedding and honeymoon.    

The post Saying “I Do”…to Having Your Dog in Your Wedding appeared first on Dog House Chatter.

Four-legged friends are now invited to join in on the fun at the ballpark! What dog doesn’t love a good major league baseball game? These events provide your furry companion with an exciting day out to meet other dogs in the area, and some of the teams even raise money for shelters and homeless dogs. Check out these great photos from previous “Bark in the Park” events. (Always bring plenty of water and shade to keep your dog comfortable outdoors during warmer temperature. Read up on Safety Tips for Bringing Your Dog to the Ballpark!

*Calendar from BreedTrust.com

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