Dog Surprise Party

Picture it: you and your dog return from your afternoon walk, and Rex assumes that, as usual, you'll plop down on the couch together. Imagine his amazement when the front door opens and instead of an empty sofa, there's a room full of his best human and canine friends, just waiting to congratulate him on making it another seven dog-years.

Pulling off a canine surprise birthday party is not unlike planning a human surprise party--your ability to keep mum will be your biggest challenge. 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.

Not the surprise party type?

Keep in mind that some canines, like some humans, are just not the 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. He may trot into the house and head straight for his water dish, just as he does after every walk. If he ignores the guests entirely, even failing to greet Aunt Edna (who he hasn't seen in months), don't despair.

It's not that he isn't thrilled, touched, and thoroughly surprised--he's probably just trying to keep himself from urinating on the carpet.

Surprise party invitations
Surprise party decorations
Surprise party favors
Surprise party food
Surprise party games
What to wear for your surprise party
Surprise party photos

See all dog party themes.