The first step to party success is location. Finding the right location for the number of dogs and time of year, as well as for your party’s theme is imperative to hosting the perfect party. Consider the time of year, sizes and age of dogs you’re inviting, as well as potential safety concerns, and weather. Some great dog party locations include your own backyard, dog friendly swimming area such as a beach or lake, and doggy parks. Every location offers its own set of entertainment opportunities and challenges.

Now that you have your perfect location it’s time to send out invitations. Before you start inviting all your pup’s DoggySpace pals here are some things to consider:
Size: smaller dogs might not mix well with their bigger pals. For easy celebrations it may be a good idea to stick to doggy pals that are your pet’s size.
Personality: some dogs just aren’t party animals. Excluding dogs you know have social anxiety will save them from an uncomfortable situation.
Manageability: Even though the canine guests will have their own moms and dads there to watch them, as the host you are ultimately responsible for your guests. Don’t invite more dogs than you can handle keeping an eye on, and still have a good time. Between 3 and 8 guests should be plenty for dog-gone good fun.
Special needs: some dogs have special dietary needs or other concerns. Make sure to put a note in the invitation reminding the doggy parents to contact you if they have special dietary needs.

Finding the right doggy treats for your pup guest is easier than it might seem. From ice cream formulated for pets, often available through pet stores or local health food stores, to cookies and cakes baked just for them (available through local canine or pet bakeries) the options are endless. Make sure to order your cake or cookies at least a week beforehand to ensure timely delivery.

Other things you’ll want for your party include:
Plenty of water dishes and food bowls for your canine pets. They’ll get mighty thirsty and hungry with all that playing.
Goodie bags. These should include dog treats, a doggie toy, and baggies for cleaning up after the four legged guests.
Games to entertain your pets friends. Good games for canine parties will get the guests moving, but won’t cause arguments. Agility games are great, indoors or out. If you think your guest dogs can handle the challenge hide-and-seek treat games can also be a big hit. If you choose simpler games like fetch, make sure to provide enough discs or balls for every dog.
Decorations. Decorations can be found at pet supply stores, online, or even at party stores. The best decorations have a dog theme, like Scooby Doo or SuperDog, and are placed in areas where dogs can mouth or choke on them.

Before your party, make sure you remove any valuable items, or dangerous ones (like balloons that can be reached by a jumping dog). Close all gates and doors that might lead to trouble. When your guests arrive hand the mommies and daddies a goodie bag and make sure to point out that it includes clean-up bags as a subtle reminder that your guests need to clean up after themselves.

The key step in reducing your pet’s risk of cancer is to support a healthy immune system. Experts believe that a healthy immune system is essential to holistic risk reduction. Diet is an important factor in helping your dog maintain a healthy immune system. By providing your pet a diet that is full of healthy real food fats and proteins instead of substitutes like chicken meal or fillers like wheat and corn, you will provide your dog with the vitamins and minerals necessary for healthy growth. Antioxidants and vitamins that are designed just for dogs can also help boost immune systems and reduce risk of cancer. Proper exercise and a happy home life can also help reduce your dog’s risk.

Environment can also take a toll on your dog. If your dog is exposed to toxic chemicals like pesticides, fluorinated water, exhaust fumes, or second hand smoke he or she is more likely to develop canine cancer. As recent studies have shown that over vaccination can increase cancer risk, getting your pet Titers instead of vaccination boosters, or limiting the amount of vaccinations your pet has, can also help decrease risk of cancer.

While there is still no one proven prevention method or cure for cancer you can guard your dog’s health, and ensure that he or she lives a long and happy life.

Prepare and bring a ‘doggy diaper bag.’ This should have: gifts for the hosting dogs, a couple of treats, food if your dog’s on a special diet, water, bowls for your dog to eat and drink from, a leash, a special treat for the car ride home, and – most importantly – bags to pick up your dog’s poop. Even though Fido will undoubtedly make his or her mess outside, no one wants to spend the day after a party picking up after a houseful of hounds. Picking up your dog’s poop will set you and your pet above the rest of the “party poopers.”

When you’re at the party, make sure to keep a close eye on your pooch. Besides introducing him or her to new playmates and party attendees make sure to keep an eye on where your dog is playing and what he or she is eating. With a lot of other doggy mommies and daddies around, things may get a little out of hand, and the only way to not be caught by surprised is to be aware of your pup’s whereabouts.

Leaving can be the hardest part of a good dog party. You’re tired and want to go, but your dog is still busy enjoying him or her self. How you leave can make or break a party. During the party, make sure to interrupt your dog’s play, calling him or her to your side and rewarding his or her obedience with a treat. If your dog doesn’t respond, calmly go over and lead them back to where you were standing, then praise them for their obedience. Repeat this all throughout the party, until your pooch comes running whenever you call. This way, when it’s time to go he or she will gladly come to your side and you can snap on the leash and walk away without a fuss.

Once you’ve narrowed your selection to a few sitters that offers the services you’re looking for, call them and ask detailed questions regarding their experience, certification, pricing, availability on short notice, and how they handle emergencies or pet health issues. Ask how many clients they currently serve, and if they are a storefront business ask how many employees they have and what their turn over rate is. This will help you know how satisfied your sitter may be with his or her employer, and how often you and your dog will have to experience a change of sitter.

Make sure to obtain at least three references from current and former clients. The more references you check, the better your ability gauge the quality of the services provided. By calling these references you’ll be able to feel out how well the job was performed, and if the sitter’s on the job performance meets up with your expectations.

Researching your sitter will help you to select a sitter that not only offers a wide range of services but that makes you and your dog to feel like star clients as well.

While choosing a good dog day care takes some investigation, your efforts will result a happy pup and the confidence of knowing that your dog is getting the love and attention he or she deserves.

Here is a small list of some of the more common houseplants that should be kept well out of your dog’s reach:
· Aloe Vera
· Bird of Paradise
· Daffodil
· Elephant Ear
· Ficus
· Jack-In-The-Pulpit
· Jade
· Lilly
· Mums
· Norfolk Pines
· Poinsettias
· Tulips

If your household harbors plants that are a potential source of toxins for your dog make sure to keep them out of your dog’s reach. If your dog eats a toxic or poisonous plant be sure to call your dog’s veterinarian and the poison control center immediately.

Premium dog foods tend to use less fillers and more ‘real food’ proteins. The result is a food that fulfills your dogs nutritional needs, aids in proper bone and joint growth, and is less likely to cause food allergies. On top of that, dogs that eat premium dog foods often need to consume less food to feel full.

Side by side a dog that eats lower grade dog foods may slowly pack on the pounds, or go around languishing for the nutrition he or she needs. Meanwhile a dog that consumes premium dog food will be able to turn those healthy proteins into energy, allowing them to maintain a fit and active lifestyle. If your dog has been struggling with weight, consider changing to a premium brand dog food with real food ingredients instead of fillers like wheat or corn. The change could be just what your pet needs to tip the scale in his or her favor.

Puppies who are heavily socialized are calmer, friendlier, and have an easier time handling new situations. But dog socialization doesn’t end at 12 months, or when your dog’s completed their first puppy training class. A lack of continual socialization can lead to your dog feeling anxious or frightened in new or unusual situations, and fear is a leading cause of aggression in dogs. If your dog is displaying unexplained aggressive behaviors, or is acting aggressively after a move or change in the social structure of the family, socialization may present a cure.

In order to socialize your dog you will want to pinpoint what he or she is afraid of, and target those areas. If people with glasses give your dog a scare invite some eyeglass sporting friends over. If possible, have them go without their eyeglasses until they have been introduced to the dog. Encouraging good play and treat-giving will help your dog overcome their anxiety and learn that these people are generous and fun to be with. If your dog barks at the mailman, try to introduce your dog to the mail deliverer. Walk your dog daily just so that you and your dog can great the mailman in a friendly manner as you pass each other’s paths.

For a dog suffering from under socialization, or a lapse in socialization, it is important to include him or her in every activity you do outside the home. Car rides, park days, long walks, visiting friends, and even shopping at dog friendly stores can all help expose and cure your dog from socialization related fear and aggression.

Fortunately, dog car safety doesn’t mean having to coop your pet up in a kennel, although that is an option for many pet owners. Many dog product makers now make automobile safety devices, like the PetBuckle Seatbelt Harness for all dogs or the PetGear Dog Booster Seat for small dogs. No matter what method you choose it is as important to restrain your dog during any length of automobile trip, as it is to buckle up yourself. Even a fender bender can result in severe damage to your dog if he or she is thrown about or hit by objects that may shift in the vehicle.

Another important aspect of safe dog travel is to ensure that your pet doesn’t hang their head out of the window. A dog whose head is out of the window is more likely to be injured by bugs, flying debris, or severely harmed in the event of an accident. Dogs whose heads are outside of the vehicle can be thrown out of the vehicle or have their trachea crushed by impact with the window frame during an accident.

Any time you transport your dog it is important to make sure that his or her ID tag is attached to the collar. Not only will this help identify your pet in the case of an accident but will help your pet be returned to you should they escape from the vehicle as you are exiting or entering.

Another thing you should carry with you is an emergency list. Creating a sticker, similar to CHAD stickers often placed on children’s Car seats, is likely the best way to ensure your pet’s health and care in the event of an accident. This list should include information such as the dog’s veterinarian’s name and number, and emergency contacts. In the event of an accident this could help your pet to get the medical care it needs, or aid in helping rescuers to return him or her to their family.

We do a lot to prevent injury and loss due to automobile accidents for ourselves, and our canine companions should be no different. By securing your pet while he or she rides in the vehicle, ensuring that your dog is tagged and emergency information is on hand, and protecting them from dangers outside of the moving vehicle, you can give your pet the safe ride he or she deserves.