Parties are the soul of holidays and a way for your dog to socialize with other canines and humans. There are already many rules pet parents follow to ensure their dog\u2019s safety, and hosting a party includes more such pointers to the list. The 9 Tips To Host A Dog-Friendly Holiday Party are:<\/p>\n
Well-thought decorations can set the aura of your party and provide the guests with a relaxing and funny atmosphere. Though humans are generally safe from decorations (unless children are involved), dogs require special care concerning decorations. Try to keep the decoration away from your dog\u2019s reach. If that\u2019s not possible, make sure Fido can\u2019t reach the breakables and small ingestible decorative pieces.<\/p>\n
Inviting a person or dog that doesn\u2019t fit with the party\u2019s vibe can degrade everyone\u2019s experience. Therefore, carefully curate your guest list, for both humans and canines. Invite humans and dogs that Fido has met previously and is comfortable with. However, if you\u2019re inviting unfamiliar canines, prefer dogs that are the same size as Fido so that they have an equal energy level and don\u2019t try to assert control over each other. Also, make sure any of your guests aren\u2019t allergic to dogs.<\/p>\n
A great (and recommended) step would be to organize a meet-and-greet with the pets and their parents that will be at the party. This would help everyone to understand each other, know the boundaries, and find that comfort zone. In that meet-up, you can discuss the rules that everyone needs to follow. For example, no one should offer unsafe food to dogs and shouldn\u2019t drop food on the floor. You can also talk about the potential health risks associated with such parties and the steps that need to be taken to ensure the dog\u2019s good health.<\/p>\n
Though many dog-safe party foods are available in the market, homemade treats and cookies are healthier and give you a creative edge. Materials like chocolate, cheese, raisins, onion, grapes, artificial flavorings, and walnuts are highly toxic to dogs. Note that this isn\u2019t a complete list and if you\u2019re making treats, always double-check if every ingredient is dog-safe. Pumpkin, cored apples, unseasoned carrots and corn, plain sweet potatoes, white meat chicken or turkey, and peanut butter (without xylitol) are safe for your dog.<\/p>\n
The number of activities at a party can dehydrate dogs. Ensure that you have a steady source of freshwater for thirsty canines and give hydration breaks at appropriate intervals. Also, look for signs of dehydration in fur babies and learn how to deal with it.<\/p>\n
You don\u2019t want the dogs to turn on their explorer instinct during the party. Barricade the rooms and spaces where you don\u2019t want the canines to roam. If you\u2019re having an outdoor party, fence the ground so dogs can\u2019t go outside the limit. Though you might not think of this, the trash can is one of your dog\u2019s favorite spaces. The trash can of a home hosting a party contains many objects that can be fatal to canine health. Therefore, you should either get a locking trash can or find a way to keep the dogs out of the can\u2019s reach.<\/p>\n
The party\u2019s atmosphere can be overstimulating and stressful for dogs. Create a safe space with a calm, quiet environment and a comfy bed where anxious dogs can rest when they feel stressed.<\/p>\n
Tiring your pup before the party is the best way to keep his energy levels in check and avoid overstimulation and a hyper-excited state. Taking a long walk or playing vigorously with Fido are great ways to harness his energy and tire him out. Since a party is an unusual environment for dogs, they tend to develop behavioral issues like barking and jumping up after seeing something scary or exciting. To avoid these situations, reinforce your pet\u2019s obedience skills by training before the party. You can also award treats to your pup during the party for showing good behavior.<\/p>\n
From playing with toys to opening Christmas presents with your dog, there are many fun activities to do on a party eve. You can organize events like dog-biscuit decorations, photoshoots, dressing competitions, etc. When everyone is about to leave, you can hand over goodie bags as a memoir that contains red-and-white striped rawhide, candy canes, scarves, etc. Going to celebrate holidays away from your dog? Book a trained and caring sitter now from Cuddlytails before their slots are filled.<\/p>\n