Combo Question!! Pets and Party Advice Please!!! :)

hey,
Can't really give you advice on the puppy issue, but I have heard raising a puppy is just like having a child, so I am sure that it can be harder at times!!!

As for the party question. The park where you will be, can you BBQ there? We had my daughters party a few weeks ago and we just did hot dogs. Sanwiches are good idea, but can get costly depending on how many people you have. Plus its hard to know who likes what on them. Hot dogs you can't go wrong, plus kids are usually pretty fond of hot dogs. If you have a costco or sams club membership you can get pretty good size packs there. Add some potato or macaroni salad, maybe some baked beans... chips. I did hot dogs, home made potatoe salad, chips and home made fruit salad. The hot dogs were easy, the potatoe salad was great and the adults loved it. The kids snacked on the fruit salad throught the day and then had chips with the hot dog. We had bottled soda and water and then a dispencer of pink lemon aid. It was very reasonable (considering there were 60 guests). For the fruit salad i bought a couple cans of mandrin oranges ($1 each), a big basket of strawberries ($5 basket), a bag of grapes ($2) a big basket of blueberries ($5) and a fresh pinapple ($3). I decided to make it myself because most kids are not fond of melon and most premade ones you buy are largely cantelope and honeydew... waste of money I thought (about $18 for the whole thing, but it made a HUGE salad equal to 3 or 4 of the $10 full of melon ones you get from costco). I would have put watermelon (most kids and adults love it)but it wasn't quite the season and they were too expensive.
You said the party was going to be late morning/early afternoon, so depending on what time you start you might want to have a few snacks out before lunch. Maybe put the fruit salad out with bowls, or some cheese and cracker type thing. Easy things. You can still have snacks at a park like you would have at home, you just have to prepare them the night before. Good luck!

I have a 12 month old daughter and have a similar pet problem but with a cat. Our daughter literally rolls over the cat, pulls on every part of him and he just lays there and takes it. When she does it, I've started picking her and the cat up, sitting down, and showing her how to pet nicely. She's probably too young to catch on but I think your children are old enough to get it if you started this strategy. Show them how to pet nice and then praise them through the roof when they do it correctly. When I'm too busy to sit with them (making dinner, etc) then I just remove the cat from the room when she starts in on him.

as for your first question--we're doing a late morning/early afternoon party at a park for my daughter's birthday next month. we decided to go with getting some sandwich stuff from togo's and then picking up some stuff from costco like potato salad and fruit. just making it as simple as possible. hope that helps. :)

Sandwichs are always a good idea also are salads there area lot you can do with both fruit salad and the kids I hope/think like fruit. Cut up some melon and add a few grapes and you are half way there. Celery sticks with dips. Dips of any sort are a easy way to go. Also just because its in the midmorning doesnt mean that you have to have morning foods. Lasangna, something that can feed a lot and most people enjoy and it doesnt have to be piping hot just room temp.

About the dog now is the perfect time to pratice soft gentle. Show them how to play with the dog also tell them if they can not be gentle then they can not play with him

Your kids, because they are so young, don't know how to have a pet, you need to teach them how to handle and play with the dog, make it fun, and not stessful. If they forget, remind them of the proper way to handle the dog. It may take several times to get them to remember. It would be the same if you brought a new baby home, you wouldn't just set the baby on the floor and let the kids play with it, you would teach them how to be gentle with the baby and so you must teach them the same with the dog.

First, for the party question: call Albertson's deli department and find out what their prices are for large quantities of Fried Chicken, and all the sides that you normally would get with it. Figure about 2.5 pieces per adult and 1.5 per child. (This allows for the few adults that make take 3 pieces, and the kids that might take 2.) They may cut a bigger deal if your willing to take more wings and legs then average. (Kids usually like these pieces.) They also sell cakes, so you may be able to do a "one stop, birthday shop". They often include a "birthday girl/boy" cake for free if you ask in advance about it.

Second, for your dog: WHY do dogs put up with this junk when you bring them home as a puppy?!? I have an Australian Shepherd, Border Collie, Black lad mix, or as I call it "an Australian ColliDor". We bought him from a rescue when he was only 9 weeks old. He puts up with ANYTHING that the kids (have a 2 year old, baby-sit a 2 year old and a 7 month old) do to him. For his own protection, when he was still a tiny pup, I would put Chauncey in the back yard or in the hall with a gate up when they started getting out of control. Now he’s big enough, and USUALLY smart enough, that I don’t worry as much about them hurting him. Now that I’m not so worried about them killing him with “kindness?!?”, I tell them they’ll get a time out when I see them starting anything unsafe with him. (I.e. If I see them starting to sit on him I say “Get off of Chauncey!” after they get up I say “If you sit on Chauncey again, you go to Time Out. Understood?”) He’ll be a year in July and now (FINALLY) out weighs my son at 47 lbs. He is SOOOOOOOOOOO docile that he has only defended himself against my son once, and that was because my (charming! Not!!!) son was poking his eyes, for the 3RD time in an hour. Even that was just a growl and a threatening click of the teeth. He didn’t even bite him. (DARN IT!!) I know, I sound terrible for wishing my dog would actually do something to my kid, but I think it would teach him SO much more than an endless cycle of Time Outs. I learned at a pretty young age that I shouldn’t hurt the cat, ‘cause she would scratch the heck out of me; eventually! After about 20 run away and hides, growls, hisses, and no claw swats. Yeah, yeah! I liked to push my limits. (If you ask my hubby, he’d say I still do!) If Chauncey would get him once, just hard enough to scare the living You Know What out of him, OH what a DAY it would be!! (No broken skin, and need for the ER, just a GOOD! scare.) The other two dogs here don’t put up with any of their antics, so they just stay in the rooms the kids aren’t in.

Anyway, if you can put the dog in the hall with a gate, in his crate if he’s crate trained, or outside when they misbehave with him, it may help. Also, one of the 3 dogs can jump a baby gate, so he goes over the gate to get out of their reach on his own. If he’s not big enough to jump, you might try putting it just high enough off the ground to let him squeeze under, but keep the Kiddos away from him. Train him by throwing the ball under the gate for him to fetch or by shakeing treats at him from the other side of the gate.

I know it’s hard to think of him as LESS than a family member, but try to treat him more as a toy you’re taking away from them until they can calm down enough to play with him properly. It will probably work best if the dog is somewhere where they can see him, but cant reach to touch him.

If your up to it, you could also take them all (2 kids and the dog) for a walk every time they get too wild. The dog will LOVE it, and it will wear out the kids too. If their ALL tired, they might start to be calmer with each other.

BTW, I agree for the most part that kids are easier than dogs; but dogs potty train by 6 months (tops), they learn what you want easily, their always fair, never talk back, and provide absolute unconditional love. I guess that makes them almost a substitute mom! J\k :O)

You’ll figure out the best plan for your dog, AND kids. Enjoy your pet and the party, -J- (Sorry it’s so long)

Hi Robyn. i don't really have any idea about the first part of your question...but the dog issue I might. We got a cat when my son was about 5 months old. He never leaves her alone. He either wants to kiss, hug, or hit her all the time. I tried the " pet her nicely" things and it kind of worked out. But, I hate to say this, you need to let the dog take care of herself. Stop the big stuff, hitting and things, but let them ride her, tug at her ears a little, stuff like that. It helps to build a bond between the children and the dog. My dogs love my son. He plays with them constantly and tail pulling was a big problem, I thought, at first. Now, it seems like the dog enjoys the attention. And when they've had enough they simply walk away or lick his face until he backs off. I hope this issue doesn't worry you too much. the dog, and your children, should be fine. Best Wishes and Good Luck, T.

Hi Robyn ~ As for the first part of your question, I guess it depends on the hour that you're having your party. I think if mid-morning is around 10 ish, I would go with a fruit tray/basket with a variety of muffins (banana nut, blueberry, apple cinnamon) (all could be made a day or two in advance). You could also put some bowls out with snacks in them (pretzels, nuts, cheese crackers) If it's 11:00 ish, you could barbeque and put some sides out, maybe a couple of salads. Just a thought and hopefully a helpful one.

As for the second part of your question, I don't know if having a puppy is harder than a baby, but I do believe it equals the time and energy you put into each. If your puppy is just laying there and taking it, the puppy is not bothered by the behavior. Dogs love attention and love, your choice in a dog is a good one and is very important when you have little ones around. You just have to constantly watch the kids. I wouldn't be too hard on the kids for lying on the puppy or picking her up, especially if the puppy doesn't care. It's good that she is a puppy and the kids are little this way they grow used to each others behavior and then accept it as life. Your kids are not hurting the puppy and I wouldn't stress out over it if I were you. Just keep an eye on them and the puppy if the puppy gets up and goes away from them, she probably wants some alone time and the kids should respect that. Also remember, if the puppy's hair is not standing up and her tail is wagging, she is happy so just watch for signs. Good luck and hope this was helpful.

L.

I had my kids party at a park and we ordered pizza. You can either pick it up or have it delivered.
If the park you are going to has a BBQ why not hotdogs and burgers are fairly simple too.

Hi! ok, first the party... sandwiches are the easiest for a Park Party. Make a variety of egg salad, tuna salad, peanut-butter & jelly on different breads; whole wheat white, wheat, sourdough. cut up a watermelon, oranges & cantelope, arrange them on a tray with strawberries & grapes. for drinks offer kid sized waters, and juice boxes.
ok, second part of the question... a sweet lil puppy! Congratulations on your latest addition! its hard to ask a 2 & 3 year old to be gentle with this brand new, fluffy soft pup. let them help with feeding the puppy & giving water, brushing the puppy & walking the pup.

Hi Robyn~ I am offering pet advice:
I worked in the veterinary field for 15 yrs..
I also have two toddler boys that harass our family cat. I have taught them how to pet nicely and told them that when they lay on/or pull his tail they can really hurt him. I know they are getting old enough now I think they can understand. My husband keeps calling it a "boy thing". I am sorry, but I have seen personally the damage that kids can do to pets. Not to mention when pets bite children, then are "put to sleep" for it. When nobody really knows what happened or why.
What I do with our cat is, when I am cooking dinner, or am not in the room, (we can't be in the same room all the time).
I put the cat in a room with the door closed to seperate him from my boys.
I am not sure what you are doing training wise with your puppy.
I would seperate the puppy from the kids when you are not around. Put him/her in the kennel or out back or in a safe room. People too often, take for granite that pets won't hurt their children or children can't/won't hurt their pets.
Keep reinforcing being nice whenever you can.

Good luck,
~G.~

As for the party whatever you decide on make it pre-made. Make as little work for yourself as possible. Barbque is nice but make sure you have someone willing to do it for you. You will have plenty else to do with out having to do the cooking yourself. I like the whole fruit thing also. As for the puppy just be patient. 2 is very young to comprehend what exactly you are talking about. Unless they see that they will get hurt they cant understand that they might get hurt. oh and dont worry it gets easier, just like kids dogs learn fast. (somtimes faster) Seperate the kids from the dog unless you are there. Just be consistant and the kids will pick up on how to treat animals. When everything settels down you will have a wonderful pet and kids who are compasionate. Good luck!!

I usually have parties at the park
what i do os order the subs from albertson's they're delicious

Hi!
On the party, I think I would bring breakfast type foods made for being on the move; My big idea- breakfast sandwiches cut into triangles like regular party sandwiches. Egg, bacon, a little cheese, toasted and quartered and secured with a frilly toothpick. I would also bring oj and different pastries and muffins.

You can't assume that children know how to treat animals. You have to teach them. To them, you have bought them another toy. They will trat it as a toy until they are taught that things like laying on the dog, pulling its tail, poking its ears is painful for your dog EVEN IF your dog isn't showing signs of distress. You are teaching your children how to deal with animals in general. Your dog may not bite when he is laid on but plenty of dogs will. How you allow your children to play with your dog is how they will play with other dogs, maybe some that aren't so patient.
When they are are playing gentle with the dog, PRAISE THEM. "I am so proud of you for playing so gently with little Spot! Good job!"
When they are being rough, they get one warning "Kiddos, you know that laying on little Spot is an unacceptable way to play with him. Once more and we will have to put Spot away". Say it nice but be serious. If they continue to play with the dog in a unacceptable way, take the dog to the other room. Following through with your "threats" is the key. The dog will appreciate it and it will teach the children that if you cannot treat the dog nicely, you don't get to play with it at all.
This will not take long. Even the youngest children understand "Cause and Effect" way more that we think.