Birthday Present for a German Shepherd

[Edited] We've been invited to a friend's dog's birthday party. Not too sure what to get him.The big day is in 10 days :(

Thank you for your suggestions.

JJB
Edited 01/09 : I was thinking of getting him a soft, mesh harness. He's a bit of a determined puller. Would that be considered rude?

Comments

  • +1

    I read your title before I click and I was like

    "Don't all guys have 3 legs" hmmm

  • A male Shih Tzu and a male boyfriend German Shepard. I would bring a lot of lub…and don't ask me why!

  • +2

    Dog food.

    • +1

      Wouldn't that be the equivalent of giving a kid a loaf of bread as a birthday prezzie?

      • Why am I getting negged for asking a question?

        • -1

          Because you're comparing a kid to a dog.

        • +2

          @ozhunter: I have 2 kids,a dog, a cat and a plastic goldfish. Everyone get something special for christmas except for the goldfish. Our pets are part of the family and we love them dearly.

        • +1

          @Jar Jar Binks:

          Everyone get something special for christmas except for the goldfish

          Discrimination! The plastics have feelings too, as shown in Mean Girls.

      • +1

        of course not, the dog is not human. you might love them but dont treat them like a person.
        food would be what it likes the most.

  • +1

    a female German Shepard

    • Original title and post so no, we, and more importantly our dog, don't want him to get a new 'girlfriend'.

  • +1

    I'm sure he'd like a gift card, enough for tasty snacks for a year. My dog recommends Purina Ruffs Hide & Snack in the beef variety.

    ETA: The Aldi variety of these are pretty much the same, and a few dollars cheaper.

    • A giftcard would be perfect except that my kids want to be involved in the gift-wrapping process. They are thinking of doing something similar to this.

  • +1

    Get new friends. Anybody who gives a birthday party to a dog has their priorities skewed. If you're going to bring a present, bring some food and drinks for the other people who have been conned into this 'celebration'. Maybe bring a hip flask with some of your strongest whiskey because no doubt the owners of this dog are going to be rabbiting on about their prized member of the family and you'll need the lubrication to get through it.

    • +3

      Having skewed priorities isn't necessarily a bag thing. Some dogs deserve a birthday party more than some people I know.

    • I like your suggestion of bringing some food and drinks. cheers.
      Btw, I didn't neg you.

  • +7

    A birthday party for a dog? Wtf…

    • +1

      That was my reaction too when I received the invite in my mail…

      • They even mailed the invites out? It's like 70 cents for a stamp…

        • Yep.

  • +2

    Personally I think it is a bit of fun. Ask the parent of the "furbaby" what would be appropriate; but it just sounds like an excuse for a piss up.

  • +1

    Check if there's particular toys or chewy treats that the dog likes - some dogs love squeaky toys, others like "treat" toys which you can fill with food and they roll (or throw!) them around to get the food out and bigger dogs especially often love things like rawhide chews, although I wouldn't get one of those for a dog that's a powerful chewer. I saw one of our dogs start to demolish one of those big rawhide chews with the big "knots" at each end and had to take it off her before she swallowed too much as rawhide tends to swell up in their stomach and can result in an expensive trip to the vet!

    Whatever you get, make sure you wrap it with lots of paper - a good chance to get rid of any cheapie/crappy wrapping paper lying around the place. All the Shepherds I've had (two German Shepherds and one Belgian Shepherd) absolutely LOVED to tear the paper off and shred it. They'd usually hold the "present" down with one paw and proceed to rip strips off, spit them to one side, rip another one off, rinse and repeat - and if one bit came off too big, they'd shred it into smaller pieces, then go back to "unwrapping" their present. Lightweight cardboard boxes (from cereal, tissues etc) received the same treatment, and were seemingly just as much fun to destroy. Surprisingly they never ate any of the paper or cardboard though. Just make sure you give them the present outside, makes it a lot easier to clean up afterwards LOL.

    • Thanks Simbagirl :)

  • +2

    More gift ideas:
    Voucher to a hydrobath dog wash
    Soft toy or squeeky
    Microfibre snuggle blanky
    Shampoo, conditioner and smelly spray
    Milo & Otis DVD

    • Milo & Otis DVD

      really? :)

      I was looking at getting him a toy but not sure what would be appropriate for a German Shepard.

      • +1

        If you want to be original, achieve a few laughs and give the dog something he will really appreciate

        Image from https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/8d/2f/c4/8d2fc40f4….

        • +1

          Might get one for my dog. Do these come in shih Tzu size?

        • Make for some interesting conversation. Lol. Kids close your eyes.

  • +1

    Maybe a dog comb, my dog hates baths/getting wet. Tbh the idea of going to a friends dogs birthday party is a bit too strange

  • -2

    A kitten

  • +1

    Offer to train dog to follow OzBargain 'Deals' page / feed and to fetch bargains.

    Nope?

    Something more for the actual birthday boy??

    (Yes, jv / I didn't neg) Always an appreciated gift,

    as is a belly-rub IOU / canine-meditation voucher

  • +1

    A kong!

    • The black one, right?

    • -1

      I don't recommend getting a Kong. Earlier this week, a dog got one stuck on their tongue, and after having half their tongue removed (and an almost $4000 vet bill), the dog passed away less than 24 hours later.

      • Kong's are not great.

  • -1

    I wouldnt go, it encouraging stupidity

  • +1

    Pege-tables are great for dogs they love them.

  • +2

    You could always donate to the animal welfare league or RSPCA shops as a gift, or there are gifts to buy in their online shops

    • I hate it when people give a 'donation on your behalf' to a charity for a Christmas/Birthday present. If you want to donate to a charity then do it with your own money, not with the money you're supposed to spend on my present.

      • Normally me too, but not in this situation

  • +2

    1* Doggie wash voucher

    2* DIY Poo bags ( for when out on walkies )

    3* Honesty label that says " Yes, that fart was me "

    4* DVD of " Who let the dogs out "

    5* A Jack Russell for a doggie treat.

    • Dark and sombre caution required on that last suggestion…

      Dad owned a J.Russell many years ago. Jack's are crazy-smart little warrior-dogs.
      Envisaged 'doggie treat' scenario could well turn out the other way around!

  • Settled: You must summon all resources to give BBoy GShep a new widdle feathery fwend
    (Hints are 'not fowl' and 'not Simon Cowell')

    My gift to you is that indirect link to that particular earthpix account.

    • +1

      It turns out that BBoy Gshep is not a Gshep but a ChocLab My bad :(

      • That certainly does change everything…

        'German' reminds me too much of the word 'Geronimo' and 'Shep…' reminds of that crappy (alas, Brisbane) band with their crappy song - so feel free to jump-turn your frown upside down :)

        Woof.

        • @ Tas, funny you mentioned Sheppard…I was planning to serenade someone later this evening but still undecided on song choice. I've narrowed it down to Geronimo or Let me down easy? Unbreak my heart was a serious contender until I remembered that I'm going to be sober during said serenading…

          Attire-wise, I'll only be wearing a harmonica holder… and maybe bring my guitar, if its chilly.

        • +1

          @Jar Jar Binks: I'd avoid either of the first two, because twee, but I suppose that if I had to choose (I still won't), it would depend on the nature of the jump / distance to fall.

          In the absence of suitable accompaniment, I trust you realise that this is ALL MADE WORSE by your (shockingly) revealed lack of access to a HERE FRAUDULENTLY MISREPRESENTED, 'German Shepherd'.

          You could have benefited from it.
          Singing to Wiki, in the circumstance, clearly warrants some proper singing gravitas, but there is also some evidence that piano + 'Ewok-sized' dog can also work.

          I'll leave it with you

          After watching that second clip
          I appear to have something in my eye
          Probs just punctuation
          Yes thats it

        • @Tas:

          it would depend on the nature of the jump / distance to fall.

          Literally? There's no vines to climb; no balconies to reach.Short of tripping on my own feet, I should be fine.

          Figuratively? She could call the cops on me for ermbreaking and entering…I'm fairly confident she won't. The neighbours could report me for noise disturbance..It is quite late but they won't for 2 reasons:
          1. I can carry a tune
          2. they know me and are quite fond of me.

          I'm off now. If you don't hear from me, it could be because there's no wifi reception in my prison cell ;)

        • @Jar Jar Binks:
          Update when bailed.

        • +1

          @Tas: Let's see…the lady didn't like the song choice . You were right about those damn punctuations, or lack thereof. It made her cry:(

          she requested a song from Paramore , crappy band from the US of A. You may have heard of them?
          The next door neighbour hasn't. He threatened to call the cops if I didn't "shut the f^%& up!" So much for my ex-neighbours being fond of me. Wiki had to hide me in her bedroom …

          In other news, the kids are back from their sleepover and we made mauritian pancakes (both sweet and savoury ) for brunch.

        • @Jar Jar Binks: Oh…
          That comment below courtesy of not refreshing page before posting.

          Familiar with Paramore. That is a crappy song.

          I remember seeing an interview with Hayley Williams a few years ago. Pretty girl, but as rough as guts. I hate that.

          Pleased that the smiley below isn't just for the squeaky toys.

  • +1

    I box full of different squeaky toys.

    If it was my dog, she would be so excited and wouldn't know which one to play with first.

    • :)

      • I'm interpreting that smiley as being a post-watchhouse-release squeak from you,

        Or an indication of some joy (non-Vance) from last night's efforts,

        Or you - yourself - are sitting in a box full of squeaky toys.

        • +1

          you- yourself - are sitting in a box full of squeaky toys.

          Soon,hopefully. Wiki and D'twinz have gone 'shopping'. I didn't get an invite …so I'm assuming they're on the hunt for the perfect superdad's present!!! :)

        • +1

          @Jar Jar Binks:

          Or just doing a runner from insane Daddy Jar Jar…

        • @Tas: Nah. I'm the best Dad in the world. I have the mug to prove it!

          I was humming along to Kryptonite from 3 Doors Down. I hope they got the hint :)

        • @Jar Jar Binks: Superman suit or a lock for your bike?

        • @Tas: A batmobile!!!

        • @Jar Jar Binks:

          Buckley's, Binks.

          I'm Batman

          Scotty won't let you have it.

        • @Jar Jar Binks:

          I assume that I am meant to assume that you are actually looking forward to the Ben Affleck film.

          I assume that I am meant to assume a recommendation to Ben that he consorce with Jennifer Garner and serenade her with Sheppard songs.

          I assume that you have assumed that I have very accurately assumed that you are in fact not a 'Jar Jar Binks', but a 'Jarman Sheppard' - widely known as The most troublesome of all the dog breeds and also (most shockingly) as notorious writers of misleading OzBargain posts.

          Ultimately revealed by your interest in both squeaky toys and howling serenades.

          GO OUTSIDE.

          Not under a window!

          BAD DOG!!

        • @Tas: the only thing you are wrong about is the consorce bit. I have no opinion on consorce. Now on best friends with benefits … I'm feeling a little used, like a squeaky toy that you are happy to play with when you're bored and then chuck in a corner when you have more important things to do.

          I liked being married…. and yes, I was talking about wiki:) Did you think I was talking about you? I wasn't. You're awesome. Thanks for being my devil's advocate and for not letting me make too much of a twee of myself.

          Hv to go …kids trashing my living room. need to attend to that.

          Edit: Btw, you most definitely are not batman. The Batman would never say "Buckley's" or "twee". I had to google both and I'm still not sure if Twee can be used as a noun. Can it?

        • +1

          @Tas: If my reply read like I was drunk, its because I was. We had unexpected guests:Wiki's friend from mother's group. Our kids are best friends. They came over this afternoon to share the good news: they're having a baby!

          I had to break out the King George V to celebrate.That thing is potent and I'm not much of a drinker. Also that news…it knocked wiki for six. The twins on the other hand are super excited.All they can talk about is how much they would love to have a baby sister or brother. How could such a perfect day end so badly :(

          Hope you had a good weekend.

          p.s: I'll let you take my batmobile for a ride sometime.

  • +1

    get it a nice big, meaty bone from the butcher.

  • What about something like this

  • What games will you play at the party? Pass the doggy bone? This post is a first for me JJB. I am a huge dog/animal lover but i think the dog would be happy just going for a play in the park. Poor dog.

    • Its probably just an excuse for the humans to party…

      • If you have young kids, maybe to make it fun for them..what about a picture or write a book for the birthday doggy. For the sake of the kids but the doggy might appreciate it too. May eat it also. Lol. Have fun.

        • They are making the wrapping papers using pet-safe food colouring. The gift is going to be wrapped in several layers of wrapping paper.we're thinking of hiding a couple of dog treats in between the layers. The whole thing is then going in a box which will be made to look like a mice,like this

          They've got it all planned. My job is finding the gift.I was thinking maybe a squeaky toy and a dog harness. He's quite the determine puller and he's so strong. I saw a nice , soft, mesh dog harness which has reflective straps which would be perfect for him. It even comes with a seat belt attachment.

          However not sure how the owners will react to that gift.

        • @Jar Jar Binks: I can't see any problem. Sounds good.

        • +1

          @Jar Jar Binks: The harness would be a good idea with the seatbelt attachment if the dog travels on a seat (as opposed to in a crate or behind a barrier in a station wagon/4WD etc) as it allows them to travel safely in the car, but probably not such a good idea when walking the dog - a dog who is already a puller (and very strong, as you said) will usually pull even harder with a harness on and they can throw their whole weight into it.

          The wrapping paper and present "design" sounds great - he's going to love unwrapping his presents!

  • +1

    How did the party go?

    • It was fun :)

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