It’s that time of the year for Christmas parties and gatherings. But, we can’t leave our furry friends out of the fun! So, read below for tips on throwing a canine Christmas party.
Theme
Doggy Treat Making and Decorating
The holidays are all about the food. So, have some fun and make dog-friendly treats and decorate them with your friends and their companions! You can make some cute Gingerbread Men or delicious classic Christmas cookies. No matter what treat you decide to make, don’t forget to add lots of love!
Pet Product White Elephant
The white elephant is a gift exchange where everyone brings a gift and the receiver can pick a gift at random or trade it for another guest’s gift. While this game is silly, it can be fun and helpful to swap pet product gifts. Then, your four-legged and two-legged guests will benefit from and love the gift exchange!
Ugly Sweaters
Ugly Christmas sweater parties are fun and entertaining. Seeing your friends in silly sweaters is so much fun and your companions can participate too! You can even coordinate your sweater with your pal so you are a matching set!
Food
If you plan on sharing food with your four-legged guests, be sure it is safe for them to eat! You can serve white chicken or turkey, plain carrots, plain green beans, plain sweet potatoes, cored apples, and plain rice. You should avoid onions, garlic, grapes, raisins, chocolate, and other seasoned, buttered, or oily foods.
Safety
Respect Boundaries
Just like people, canines have boundaries too. Some may be anxious around new people, be scared of loud noises, or may not like being kissed or having their faces touched. Not respecting these boundaries can cause stress to your pal and may even cause them to be reactive. So, inform your guests of your pal’s boundaries. Likewise, make sure your pal respects your guest’s boundaries too.
You can even set up a safe space for your pal to escape the party if they need a break. This can be a separate room or crate. Put your pal’s favorite blanket and toys in this area to make it cozy.
Clean Up
Aside from general puppy proofing, be sure to lock up the trash can and take the trash out frequently to keep your pal from finding a dangerous snack. Not only could the trash contain toxic foods for your pup, but it could also contain leftover bones and other choking hazards. Additionally, clean up plates and other messes to avoid other dangers your pal may get into.
Behavior
To keep Fido on his best behavior, take him for a long walk before the party. This will allow him to get out all of his energy and prevent stress and overstimulation. Additionally, keep some treats in your pocket to reward good behavior throughout the party. This will encourage your companion to keep up the good behavior!
Follow the ideas and tips above to throw the best canine Christmas party around while keeping everyone safe and happy!
