Holidays with dogs - Gatherings & Holidays

There are many gatherings you can organize for your dog and his friends. Recently birthday parties and weddings have become quite popular.

However, why wait for a whole year to pass or a once in a life time event to take place to organize a canine club meeting. Picnics Plan to meet both your two-legged and four-legged friends from the dog park for an afternoon of fun and frolic. Have everyone bring their own lunch and snacks for the dogs. Once everyone is content, initiate games with both humans and dogs such as catch, hide and seek or chase.

Barkbeques

Don’t just use your backyard as an oversized playpen for your pooch. Open it up to her doggie friends and their parents for a barbeque. Prepare some dog-friendly food, throw it on the grill and enjoy. Chicken, without the skin, is often more tolerable for dogs who aren’t used to eating “people” food. In addition, there are many vegetables that are very beneficial for dogs including carrots, celery and broccoli.

If you aren’t comfortable serving “people” food to your four-legged guests, feed them dog food and their parents can enjoy the grilled food. After the meal has been served and stomachs have settled, why not play a few games? If you are hosting the barbeque at night, you may not want to play games that involve running around. And anyway, unless you have a huge backyard, you won’t have the space to fully enjoy these activities. Instead, play “Find the Treat” or “Smash the Piñata” (see Party Games).

When it is time to see your guests off, send them away with little loot bags - fill a plastic bag (which can then be used as a poop bag later!) with some yummy treats, tennis balls or chew sticks. Both the dogs and their masters will appreciate this token.

Holiday Parties

Why should bi-peds have all the fun during the holiday season? What about organizing a festive-season dog house party for your faithful friend’s faithful friends? Bake doggie friendly treats, play games and distribute homemade gifts. Passover and Easter can be celebrated as well. Hide doggie treats around the yard for a Treatser egg hunt or hide a piece of rawhide in the house so your dog can find the Afikomen.