Let's Party!

Little Bit, Trick, Tsunami, Dora, Kylee, Dreamer and Tori

Have you ever thought about giving your Shiba a birthday party? Well, it's time to stop thinking about it and do it! Our furry children are social creatures. They appreciate a good party just as much as we do.

We decided to throw Tsunami a birthday bash to celebrate his "coming of age" as he turned 2 years old. Seven of his best buddies were invited. His good friends include a Rottweiler, Chows, German Shepard Dogs, and a Gordon Setter. Invitations were sent. Food was planned for the adults and treats for the dogs. Games and prizes were arranged.

The festivities started with free-play for our hairy kids. Adults took advantage of this opportunity to eat while socializing with each other. Next came games with prizes for the winners and their owners. The dogs played 1) bobbing for hotdogs, 2) find your owner's shoe, 3) walking on a loose leash, and 4) musical dogs.

After the games and a potty break, the birthday cake was presented with all joining in for a delightful rendition of "Happy Birthday." What a hoot to see seven dogs sitting in a row with their cake in front of them waiting for the adults to give the go-ahead to eat it! The cake was a homemade carrot cake with freshly grated carrots. Half was iced for the adults and half was un-iced for the "kids." Once the cake was devoured, Tsunami opened his birthday presents (and cards). His friends gave him indestructible toys, a doggie photo album, a treat dispenser, and steak. Yes! You heard right…Tsunami received 2 New York steaks…still raw and ready to be cooked to his liking. And they call this a dog's life!!!

Tsunami eagerly checks his presents with Mom, while Little Bit and Kylee look on.

As his guests were leaving, Tsunami thanked them with a party bag filled with dog treats and a tennis ball (for his buddies) and massaging foot lotion and lollipops (for his buddies' owners). Thank you cards were sent within the week.

So what are you waiting for (except your Shiba's next birthday to roll around)? But remember, you don't have to wait for a birthday to party. Throw a Christmas or holiday party. Throw a seasonal party. Throw a party simply to enjoy friends. As you plan your celebration, consider the following suggestions.

Send party invitations with an RSVP request so you will know how to plan for the big event. Be creative with the invitations. Use fun shapes such as a dog bone or fire hydrant. Use messy handwriting, a fun font, and/or misspelled words to give the impression the invitation was penned by the dog.

Select a large space, indoors or outdoors, for the party location. Be considerate of the dog of honor. He should be comfortable in the locale you choose (i.e. if your dog is territorial, select a neutral space).

Attention should be given to the selection of party-goers. Make sure you select dogs that get along comfortably off leash. They should all be familiar with each other. This is not the time to introduce a new dog. Avoid possible conflicts due to age or disposition. Be aware of how the dogs respond in groups or a pack. We were able to open Tsunami's gifts and toss them in the middle of the room so the other dogs could play with new toys and not feel left out. We could do this because we knew prior to the party how the dogs would react and anticipated there would not be any negative responses.

Have fun with decorations (i.e. streamers), they add a festive touch. It is best not to use balloons. If the balloons are popped, the more introverted dogs may become spooked or some may choke on them. Balloons may be fatal if swallowed. Some dogs may be fine wearing party hats (for a short time). Other dogs hate them. Don't force a dog to do something that makes it fearful or uncomfortable. Consider party bandanas. Whether you use party hats or bandanas or both, personalize them with the dog's name. It will be easier for adults to call each dog by name.

When planning activities, allow for fun free play while the adults socialize. Of course, you will be keeping an eye on those rambunctious kids at the same time. There are a number of great games to play. You are only limited by your own imagination. Remember to keep the games simple enough that the dogs can be successful. Never force a dog to play a game that makes it uncomfortable. Games are a fun way to practice learned skills. Some examples of games include:

1. "Bobbing for hotdogs" - Place a towel under a container filled with water. Use a smaller container for little dogs and a bigger one for the larger breeds. Drop a hotdog in the water for each dog. The prize goes to the dog that grabs his hotdog the quickest. Hint: raw hotdogs don't float.
2. "Where's Fido?" - Allow plenty of room for exuberant movement. Place a towel over the dog's head. The dog that gets the towel off the quickest wins.
3. "Where's the Treat?" - Place yummy treats under upside-down plastic cups and keep some cups empty. See who is the quickest to find the treat. Fastest dog wins.
4. "Toss the Cookie" - The owner tosses a cookie for the dog to catch. The team that tosses and catches the treat at the longest distance is a winner.
5. "Musical Dogs" - Have placemats (the number of dogs minus one) on the ground. When the music stops, the owner has to get the dog to a placemat and into a sit or down. The last one 'standing' wins.
6. "Find Your Owner's Shoe (sock, glove)" - Place one shoe (or other article) of each owner in a pile. The dog that selects his owner's article wins.
7. "Walking on a Loose Leash" - The owner has to walk up and back while holding a spoon with a shelled, hard-boiled egg in the leash hand. The egg should be shelled in the event it falls and the dog reaches it first.

Little extras to plan for during a party include making sure there is plenty of water available for drink. Don't forget to allow for potty breaks (if you are hosting an indoor party). There are great recipes for yummy dog treats and cakes. When planning the treats, remember that some dogs (and humans) have dietary restrictions or allergies. Check with the owners before hand and ask for alternative treats if needed. Never include chocolate in any doggie culinary delight. It is toxic to dogs.

Keep party time to a maximum of 2 hours. Your party should end with favors that each dog can take home as a reminder of the fun that was had by one and all. Place a tennis ball and dog treats (maybe something for the owner too) in a colorful cellophane bag tied with a festive ribbon. Send a thank you note a week after the party. Insert a party picture.

Shibas believe the world exists for their pleasure. At a birthday bash…it does! So, what are you waiting for?

Let them eat cake!

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