Party Games for Dogs

    Planning a birthday party for little Cesar?  Going all out with a cake and treats (just a little plug - we make beautiful birthday cakes, favor boxes, and dog hors d' oeuvres which can be picked up or shipped, just send us an e-mail!)?  Now that you've got the menu set and festive decorations in place, it's time to think about what you'll do while Cesars friends are there.  Here are a few great games to play with your dogs:

• "What will your dog eat?" - simply set a variety of dog safe (but not necessarily dog-loved) foods on paper plates.  Each dog and owner team makes the round, trying to get their dog to eat what's on the plate.  Whoever has the most indiscriminating palate wins!  Some foods to try?  Pickles, sliced orange, bell pepper strips, celery, pitted olives, raw broccoli or cauliflower, sliced mushrooms; the list is endless.  Just make sure they are dog safe.  It's very important to intersperse your "yuck, I'm not eating that!" treats with some most dog's love - cheese, treats, cooked liver or chicken breast.  Again, the list is endless.  Labs almost always win this game!!
• Bobbing for hot dogs - first, most dogs prefer cooked hot dogs, so that's what I'd use here, cut each one into several pieces.  This game requires a small plastic tub or two.  Fill them with water, then float pieces of hot dog on the top.  Some dog's catch onto this right away, some need a little encouragement.  If your dog is getting frustrated, give him a break - hold the hot dog so he can grab it.  What fun is a game if you never win? 
• Spoon and potato race - for this little gem, set up 2 chairs about 20' away from the starting line (you can set them farther away, then the game just becomes more challenging).  Each handler is given a spoon, which must be held in the same hand as the leash.  Into the spoon is placed a potato.  Handler and dog must move down and around the chair, coming back to the starting line. Dropped potatoes must be picked up and put back in the spoon.  This game is a riot.
• Hot dog relay - Divide dogs and handlers up into 2 teams.  Place 2 hot dogs about 10' away (if you have small dogs, cut them in half).  A dog and handler from each team race to the hot dog.  The goal is for the dog to grab the hot dog, at which point dog and handler race back to the finish line, where the dog gives whatever is left of the hot dog to the handler; meanwhile, a new piece of hot dog is put down for the next dog.  The second pair in the team can't start until the first dog relinquishes his treasure.  This game is a lot of fun for both dogs and their owners, even if the "win" is garnered from one tiny little piece of uneaten hot dog!
• "Paw Painting" - This is lots of fun, and everybody goes home with something to stick up on their fridge.  It's definitely an outside activity!  Using dog friendly homemade "paw paint", put down sheets of freezer paper (available at your friendly neighborhood grocery), shiny side up.  Using a sponge, apply paint to dog's paws, then have him walk over sheet or hold his paw and "paint".  When done, wipe or hose feet off, and let dog's play for awhile.  The recipe for the paint follows
• • 1 cup cornstarch
  • 6 tablespoons sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 4 cups cold water
  • food coloring

                In a large saucepan, mix dry ingredients together.  Gradually add water.  Cook, stirring constantly, over medium heat until thickened and smooth.  Divide into storage containers, add food coloring until desired shade is reached.

    Disposable camera's are a great invention, and perfect for a party like this. Just leave a couple out and invite guests to snap away.  Who knows, you might just get a great shot!