Safety for a Big Party
Gathering with friends and family is a huge part of the holidays, birthdays, or any other big celebration (like the Super Bowl). Yet with lots of people, unfamiliar smells, and loud noises, a party can be very overwhelming and even scary for your dog.
We’ve compiled some of the best party habits to try, before and during your event, that will keep your dog enjoying their time with loved ones as much as you do!
Before the Party
Tire Them Out: One of the best things you can do for your pup before hosting a party is to preemptively tire them out. You can do this by taking them on a long walk, playing fetch (or their favorite game) with them, or giving them a training session before people start arriving.
This can make a huge difference in their calmness and behavior throughout the party. They will not have as much pent-up energy or anxiety, which will prevent them from displaying any obnoxious or unwelcome behaviors - such as jumping all over guests, or going through the trash.
Allergies: Know which guests are allergic to dogs, and if your pup is a jumper, let the guest know ahead of time how they can distract your dog. If a guest is severely allergic, consider keeping your pup in the backyard or a contained section of the house without guests. This way, your guests are comfortable, and your dog can get the attention they deserve from other partygoers!
Doggie Best Friends: If you love a big celebration, bring along one of your pup’s canine friends to keep them preoccupied during the party. Most dogs prefer the company of other dogs to humans, when given the choice - and this could allow the pups to tire each other out. It may be courteous to alert your guests that multiple dogs will be joining the party!
Keep Their Stomach Busy: Bulk up their breakfast a little from the usual size, so they’re less hungry throughout the day and therefore less incentivized to beg from your friends during the event. Obviously, this should be done in moderation: the last thing a host needs on the day of the party is to clean up puppy-puke.
Identification: If your dog’s collar has an identifier, make sure it’s on! With lots of people coming and going, and the craziness of hosting keeping you constantly preoccupied, your dog has more opportunities to escape outside. Keep their collar on them for game day or party time, just in case they make a break for it. If they are microchipped, take a moment to ensure that all of the information associated with your pup is up to date.
During the Party
Playing the Long Game: Give your dog a long-term treat! Kongs or other puzzle toys are great for keeping them distracted for longer periods of time than a regular treat would - and will preoccupy their stomach with a dog-safe treat! This is especially effective for dogs that are very food and treat-motivated.
Clean Up As You Go: Dirty plates and half-full drinks sitting out in the open with no people around are a big green light to dogs! Leave multiple trash bags for guests to immediately use around the house, and keep them out of reach of your dog.
Keep A Quiet, Safe Place Just for Them: For the pups that need a moment of silence to themselves during a loud and exciting day, a quiet place can be a huge relief. Lots of people and sounds in their space can be agitating, overwhelming, and even scary at times.
Keep a room closed off with some of their favorite toys, a bowl of water, and their bed, just in case they become overwhelmed during the chaos. Some other helpful items to keep in their safe place include a fan or white noise machine, a lick mat or slow feeder with their favorite treat, and/or a chew that can be safe to have unsupervised.
Stick to A Schedule: Dogs appreciate and thrive on schedules, and party day should be no different. On a day with a lot of chaos, try to keep their food and walk schedule to around the same time and amount as any other day to ensure they’re just as happy as usual.
Food Precautions: Know which foods need to be scooped up off the floor immediately, and which are safe for pups to eat.
Chocolatey, spicy, oniony & garlicky, very sweet and very fatty foods are all big no-nos. Also, keep other dangerous foods such as alcohol, grapes or raisins, tomatoes, and bones from meat out of reach. Be sure to keep toothpicks and skewers out of reach as well, or forgo their use completely.
There are certain human foods and fruits & vegetables that are perfectly safe for dogs to eat (in moderation). To help avoid any confusion about what your pup can and cannot have, and make sure any harmful or toxic foods are kept safely out of reach, here is a list from the AKC on people foods that dogs can and can’t have, and another list from the AKC on fruits and veggies that dogs can and can’t have.
Manage Guests Intentionally: Tell guests not to feed your pup, so that they do not get sick. Also, ask people not to crowd, hug, or chase them so that your pup can stay calm and collected. Keep doors monitored to the best of your ability; you can also ask another guest or co-host to help you do this - as parties dramatically increase escape risk. If your dog tends to jump on people, gets anxious, or resource guards their food or toys, use baby gates or keep them separated during peak activity to avoid any potential accidents.
In Summary
These are some of our best tips for including your dog in the party-day fun, but most of these ideas can be adapted to your dog’s own personality, as well as their likes and dislikes. If your dog loves lots of new people, isn’t fussy about having dinner at a certain time, or can celebrate for hours along with everyone else, then you might not need to bother preparing everything on this list! You know your dog best and know what makes them either excited, overwhelmed, or generally happy. If you’re a first-time host, however, keep an eye out for behaviors that scream “I’m uncomfortable!” and keep that safe space ready to go. Once you’re all prepped for your day of fun then grab a drink, find your favorite snack, and enjoy the gathering with everyone else!
*This blog may contain affiliate links
Written by: Dog Tired Adventures Team
Co-author & Editor: Jessica Hays
Lead Dog Walker, Social Media/Community Outreach Associate
Sources
AKC Staff. “People Foods Dogs Can and Can’t Eat.” AKC, American Kennel Club, 4 June 2026, www.akc.org/expert-advice/nutrition/human-foods-dogs-can-and-cant-eat/.
AKC Staff. “Fruits & Vegetables Dogs Can or Can’t Eat.” AKC, American Kennel Club, 4 May 2026, www.akc.org/expert-advice/nutrition/fruits-vegetables-dogs-can-and-cant-eat/.
https://www.nutrenaworld.com/blog/super-bowl-party-pet-safety
https://hsdayton.org/2022/02/host-super-bowl-parties-without-stressing-pets/
