Picture it: you and your dog return from your afternoon walk, and Fido assumes that you’ll plop down on the couch together. Imagine your pup’s amazement when the front door opens and instead of an empty sofa, there’s a room full of their best human and canine friends! A surprise party is the perfect way to congratulate your canine companion on making it another seven dog years.
Hosting a dog surprise party
Pulling off a canine surprise birthday party is not unlike planning a human surprise party. Your biggest challenge is your ability to keep mum! In the days leading up to the big event, avoid talking about Rex’s daycare buddies or the nice puppy he met at the park last week. It’s just too easy to slip and reveal there’s a surprise in the works.
Next, plan a date and time that works for your pup’s closest canine pals and their parents. Choose a dog-friendly venue, such as a spacious backyard or a local dog park, to ensure plenty of space for frolicking. Then, design creative invitations with a dog-themed touch and send them out discreetly to avoid tipping off your four-legged guest of honor.
On the big day, ensure the party area is decked out with dog-safe decorations and provide an array of dog-friendly treats and toys to keep tails wagging. Capture the heartwarming moments with plenty of photographs and even consider hiring a professional pet photographer. Lastly, top it all off with a cake made specifically for dogs, complete with dog-safe ingredients. With thoughtful planning and an enthusiastic spirit, your surprise dog birthday party is sure to be a barking success!
A surprise party alternative
Keep in mind that some canines, like some humans, are just not surprise-party types. If your dog doesn’t do well with crowds, consider hosting a surprise play date instead of a full-on bonanza blowout. And if your pup’s at all sensitive to noise, skip the balloons. The sound of one popping is enough to send some timid Terriers into the coat closet for the rest of the afternoon.
Finally, don’t take it personally if your dog doesn’t act the least bit surprised. They may trot into the house and head straight for their water dish, just as they do after every walk. If they ignore the guests entirely, even failing to greet Aunt Edna (who they haven’t seen in months), don’t despair.
It’s not that your dog isn’t thrilled, touched, and thoroughly surprised. They’re probably just trying to keep themself from peeing on the carpet.
