Today pets are treated as family and what family member doesn’t deserve a good party in their honor. Whether it’s a yappy hour or Birthday party, owners are going head-over-tails for canine-centric celebrations.
We, at Three Dog Bakery, are known for our dog friendly events such as Dogs’ Night Out and frequent Yappy Hours so naturally we are masters at planning dog-oriented parties. Follow our 10 easy steps to plan a “puptacular” party they won’t want to miss!
1. Location – Pick a good location for your party. One that is pet-friendly and has lots of space to work with. Ideally you would want a patio and a lawn so the dogs and their owners have plenty of space.
2. Pupdate – Pick the right date for your party. You want the weather to be cool enough for the pets but not too cold for their owners. Spring and fall are great times but summer can be accomplished on a cooler evening or morning. Just make sure the dogs have plenty of water to drink!
3. Rules – Simple rules are always good when you’re hosting a party, especially one that is canine oriented. A couple rules of thumb are bathroom breaks before eating and after, keeping dogs on a leash, and don’t allow anti-social dogs.
4. Choose a Theme – Choose a theme for your party. If it’s a birthday party get party hats, and Birthday cake for both kinds of guests, etc. If it is a Mexican Fiesta play appropriate music and have Mexican themed dishes for both human and pet, for example you can easily make doggie quesadillas out of our entrees and tortilla.
5. Party Decorations & Accessories – The fun part about throwing a party is getting all the decorations and accessories! Haute Diggity Dog and Charming Pet Products have plenty of themed toys, hats, and party collars to choose from. You can find a number of these products at your local Three Dog Bakery Store! If you are on a tight budget don’t fret, you can get party hats at your local party supply store or even make your own!
6. Chow Time – Creating a menu gives you the chance to be creative. When catering to the canines try cakes and Pupcakes from Three Dog Bakery or make your own Yappetizer baskets with Three Dog Bakery goodies! Our favorite is Cheese Fetch-it Sticks, Ciao Wow Cheese Pizzas, and Pretzel Sticks paired with a “drooltastic” dipping sauce! You can also dig out the Three Dog Bakery cook book to whip up some treats of your own!
7. Games – Keep your guests engaged by holding contests! Some examples include longest tail, best costume, find the toy or even an Easter begg hunt for Easter.
8. Playtime – Have a designated playtime either before or after the meal/cake and ice cream. This gives the dogs a chance to socialize and release some energy!
9. Paw-tee Pics – You are the “puparazzi” at this party and you want to capture every moment!
10. Paw-tee Favors – Lastly, you want something for your guests to take home. We suggest a small toy or a fun “doggy bag” full of treats. Three Dog Bakery carries pre-made Party Favors available at select Three Dog Bakery locations and online at www.threedog.com!
Hosting a K9 paw-tee is both fun and unique but with all the excitement expect accidents. Not everything will go as planned but don’t fret; relax and have fun with it!
Fun Tips:
- Make iron-on bandanas for the dogs to wear at the party or for their party favor!
- Have human guests make their own tie dye party collars while the dogs are having play time!
- Get fun drinks for the dogs too; peanut butter or chicken flavored water creates the perfect K9 cocktail!
Fun Recipe: Little Eataly Meatballs
2 cups quick rolled oats
2 large eggs
2 pounds ground chicken or turkey meat
½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 teaspoon dried oregano
½ teaspoon (or a pinch) of garlic powder
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
Combine all the ingredients in a large bowl and mix well, using your hands. Scoop out a tablespoon or two of the mixture and roll it into a ball. Continue with the rest of the mixture.
Place the meatballs on an ungreased shallow baking pan. Bake for 40 minutes.
Cool to room termperature before serving.
Store in a covered container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, or wrap well and freeze for up to 2 months. (Thaw before serving)
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Sniff out a Three Dog Bakery Location
