In most of the USA, summer is the season of barbecues! Whether you’re hosting a backyard bash for a special occasion or ‘just because,’ I have some easy tips and tricks you can use to host a dog friendly BBQ!
Let’s be honest – all events at my house are dog friendly, so I do this often. But if you have never hosted a dog friendly get together at your home or you’re looking for new ideas, look no further. I have you covered!
How to Host a Dog Friendly BBQ
Whip Up Some Delicious Snacks
Frozen treats, chicken salad, cookies. Sounds delicious, right?! Well I have all of those recipes…for dogs! Yes, I have a DIY chicken salad for dogs! Get acquainted with my long list of simple DIY dog treat recipes, and I’m sure you’ll find a few that will be perfect for your barbecue!
Get the Pool Ready
If you don’t have a pool in your backyard, consider getting a kiddie pool (or a couple, depending on how many dogs will be at your house) for the pups to play in! If you have big dogs that like ice (perhaps a Husky) you can fill a small pool with bags of ice! You can pick up doggy pools at PetSmart or kids pools at a retailer like Walmart for a small price. Not only is this activity fun for dogs, but it’s a great option to make sure they stay cool. And remember to always watch your dogs around water 🙂
Offer Plenty of Shade
Whether it’s a canopy, covered patio or big trees, make sure you have plenty of shade for the dogs. You definitely don’t want any dogs subjected to heat stroke. The best case scenario is that the dogs can retreat inside your air-conditioned home at any time.
Make Your Guests Aware
Be sure that your guests know that dogs will be at the BBQ. Some people are scared of dogs. Others may want to bring their dogs, but perhaps their dog won’t do well around yours. Whatever the case may be, respectfully inform your guests that dogs will be present at the BBQ, and their dog/human friendly dogs are more than welcome to join!
Have Safe Human Foods
Although you probably know what human foods are good or harmful for dogs, your guests may not. Alleviate some of the risk by providing foods that are mostly dog-friendly. Great options are foods like hot dogs or watermelon. Avoid things like grapes, chocolate or onions. I always have a fear that something will fall off someone’s plate and my dogs will eat it, or a guest will give one of my dogs food without knowing it could potentially kill them. I always go the safe route and let my guests know ahead of time.
Keep Collars on Your Dogs
With lots of people swarming your home, doors are opening and barriers could be compromised. Make sure your dogs have a collar on with updated identification. Make sure your pet’s microchip info is also current.
Create a Safe Space
Pups can get easily overwhelmed with too much human chaos, so it’s a good option to have a nice, cool, quiet room where dogs can relax and get away from humans or other dogs. Whether it’s your dog or a guest’s, I always recommend creating a safe space for dogs to retreat if they get anxiety or just need some time alone.
Have you ever hosted a dog friendly event at your home? What tips would you add?
Forest Poodles says
This is great! I appreciate the addition of the safe space. A few years ago we went to a family thanksgiving with 5 dogs. By the end of the day they were overwhelmed and cranky with each other. A quiet room would have prevented this!