So how do you all manage your pooches when you have a gathering of people at your place?? On Sunday we had about 10-15 people over for a spontaneous "watch an important football game" party : and it was a bit of a nightmare. Snacks and food on the table for people to help themselves, lots of new people, some of which had to sit on the floor....I'm sure you are getting the picture. Just before they came I took Simba out for a walk as he had been alone inside for the AM. When I got back it quickly became obvious that said dog could not handle the whole thing. I put him outside with his very first raw bone ( ) which he loved and happily chewed on for about 45 minutes or so, but I can't leave him outside much longer than that due to the temps outside. So, back in the house, into crate with frozen kong (clever mummy). Crate is upstairs, TV and people down a half flight of stairs on the next level. I was pretty sure he would happily chew on kong and then fall asleep....but a little girl decided that Nice Doggy needed to be liberated from crate and the next thing I know, there he was! But kong just half done, so he settled down to eat the rest. But once it was done...well, I had to take him out for another walk because he just couldn't handle the food/people temptations. What do you all do in these situations??
Re: Party animal?? Usually shut the baby gates and leave him in the kitchen. Then he can see the goings on but not get to everyone. He usually settles on his mat after a while to watch the world go by. We had three little ones and their parents round and the house just isn't big enough for him to not knock a toddler over accidentally. He has been taught to go to his bed but it can be hard work to keep him there if life is too exciting, also one of the toddlers loves him a little too much and although he's a complete sweetheart I wouldn't risk something going wrong.....we keep lizzie out of Riley's bed and away from his food bowl. I figure those should be child free for him.
Re: Party animal?? Stuck record here in terms of a solution - I don't have much imagination...it's "mat"! And pen, if it all gets a bit much. Plus instructions to keep wine glasses high. And invite the right kind of people. Charlie doesn't nick snacks (I don't know why....probably because we've never fed him when we're eating). OH simply tells people who are staying overnight that the bed, dinner and breakfast "tariff", good wine included, is 2 hours playing with the dog each. : ;D ;D ;D Charlie is allowed to fetch the corks though! So long as he takes them back to his mat. champagne charlie by JulieTandCharlie, on Flickr
Re: Party animal?? Yup, definitely have to work on the "mat" command....but his bed is in the TV room, so not sure how that would work. Problem being you can't really proof this kind of thing until the actual event, if you know what I mean....
Re: Party animal?? It doesn't have to be an actual mat or bed - you can use a towel, and make the towel smaller and smaller until he will just stay in the place you ask. We can't just do space, but we can do towel. : You do have to have a quiet space though. Yes, you have to start small, you can't start with a party. That would be wonderful though!
Re: Party animal?? Hmm, think we just warn people to pick an armchair rather than the sofa if they don't like dogs. Spaniel tends to howl if he misses the party... settles on the floor under the table or stays right by me. He doesn't tend to nick food - that was the old cat we used to have, if anyone was too slow with dips and chips he'd bat them right out of their hands and clean up. As to Brew, well, when we have got through the Christmas social season, I'll let you know then... Julie, I don't believe you have a chewer who just delicately sniffs the scent of the champagne cork! One good chomp and that would have crumbled in a most satisfying manner. Clare
Re: Party animal?? Like Julie we just invite the right kind of people Obi sometimes needs to be on lead if there are small kids (as he'll take their food) but otherwise he is allowed to wander. However he has to lie down when we are eating if it's a dinner. At a party we never have anything that might get stick in a doggie tummy (no skewers or toothpicks) just in case.
Re: Party animal?? [quote author=ClareJ link=topic=3353.msg36455#msg36455 date=1384893041] Julie, I don't believe you have a chewer who just delicately sniffs the scent of the champagne cork! One good chomp and that would have crumbled in a most satisfying manner. [/quote] He'd just got back with it, he would most definitely eat it, yes! I take them off him pretty quick, or rather swap them for a biscuit, anyway. I read somewhere cork isn't good for pups.
Re: Party animal?? Oh Lisa,I have this all the time.....it's so hit and miss.If it's casual like your do sounds and there's a volume and mixture of people who are just milling around the house dexter is allowed out until food comes out.....he won't steal but he will beg and it's bothersome so he gets a frozen kong And gets put behind his gate...that will go 2 ways,he will settle down after he's finished it or he will whine to come out ......if he whines,we let him out onto his bed but I tend to go on dog duty and police him and rely on guests to help themselves and chris to understand my pointing ,nudging and winking to keep on top of looking after people ;D chris can't do dog duty,he loses concentration and Dexter ends up doing Lady's chin pose on someone's white trousers or over the wall onto the golf course because someone has gone outside for a smoke.... Sit down dinners inside he lies under the table on my feet :-[......it's not right ,I know but it works and gives everyone peace ..... Sit down dinners in the garden ....starting to get tricky,he will whine and sometimes bark so,he's let out into the lounge where he's quite happy and will settle but guests have an annoying tendency of wanting to go in and out the house ;D so then it's game on and he's over the wall hunting cats on the golf course,nothing will distract him,we've tried the long line but that's total safety hazard for everybody but mainly dexter... Bbqs for a big number of guests are a thing of the past as I can't keep track of all the hazards ;D ie ,dog whereabouts ,traffic back and forth through the house ,food prep,and wine stocks ;D I totally agree with you about the proofing thing....how do you build up to this?then what kind of party is it where the hostess is totally trying to train her dog in the etiquette of mass gatherings? I am sure the day comes where exposure settles them down as I've seem my parents and friends have parties without the dog creating havoc.....bit that's not the case for us.. yet.....I hope ;D I think you managed really well....maybe a lock on his crate next time to prevent liberationists? Also ,guest profiling is definately the way forward..... Oh this is a great post,I hope there's a good response,I'd love and really benefit from some tips ..... X
