Many dog owners consider their pups as their children, so birthday parties for fur babies have become a new and fun type of milestone event. Believe it or not, there are actually a variety of venue options for your pooch's pawty. Here are some ideas and tips to help you choose your pet's party venue!
1. Home Sweet Home
Home/Property Damages: You should be prepared to cover any damages that may incur during the party. While the dogs are running and playing, there's a chance that items or property could break, such as that beautiful statue that's always sat on your deck or maybe a paw accidentally rips through your screen door. It can be difficult to see who caused the accident and you shouldn't expect your guests to help cover costs to fix or replace anything.
Public dog parks are a top venue option for parties because all furiends can run freely in a neutral space and the parks are usually equipped with puppy play essentials such as poop bags with garbage disposal, water fountains, and obstacle courses.
Leashes: You should inform your guests of the beach's leash policies. Some beaches may require dogs to be on-leash while others allow off-leash play. There are pups who may be sensitive to situations with on-leash or off-leash friends, so understanding the environment prior to attending may be helpful for guests who are first-time (dog) beach goers. In addition, you should consider advising your guests against using retractable leashes at the beach, especially if you are meeting as a group. The lead on retractable leashes can be very thin and has the potential to hurt a pup or human if it becomes crossed or tangled when engaging in a group. Instead, consider using a 20-50 foot regular leash, available on Amazon. This type of leash can still become tangled (especially the 50 ft length) but will allow your pup to run and avoid the potential dangers that retractable leashes pose at the beach setting.
Party Room Space: If you decide to host your pup's celebration at a daycare, make sure to review the space beforehand. While daycares are equipped for their daily four-legged guests, you should evaluate your party room to ensure that there is enough space for both humans and dogs. This is extremely important to the success of your event. When adding owners to the room, it can get very hot (even with air conditioning on) due to the amount of body heat. Even more, if there is not enough running space for the pups, they are more likely to have fights depending on the breeds' personalities and sizes. It would be best to limit your guest list if your party room may not be able to comfortably accommodate both humans and dogs.
Consider celebrating your pup at a dog-friendly winery, brewery, or café/restaurant! These options tend to be a favorite venue option of the humans! Contact establishments near you for more information and their group & pet policies.