"I tell you one thing, boys! That ain't no golden retriever, that there is a Golden Receiver!"
– Coach Finelli in Air Bud: Golden Receiver
Dogs are no strangers to sports teams. Social media is flooded with posts and videos of pooches supporting their beloved owners’ sports teams. Plenty of canine collegiate mascots are chosen for their courage, strength, and determination representing their team’s unique spirit.
“Tail”gaiting with your puppy is a tail-wagging experience enjoyed by fans across the nation, a time to eat delicious food decked out in team colors gathered to support your team. It’s a great socialization opportunity and a fun way to bond with your puppy by inviting your puppy to the party. Puppies can bring an element of fun and excitement to an already boisterous time cheering on your team for the sports event of the season.
Tailgating with your puppy can be a wonderful time, but you need to prepare to make the experience as comfortable for your puppy as possible. The same reasons humans love to tailgate may cause stress to your puppy, but with solid, thoughtful preparation, your puppy will be the star of the party in a safe manner. Follow our tips for tailgating with your puppy so you both can enjoy the big game while making memories and cheering for your team.
What Do I Do With My Puppy During the Game?
Every party must come to an end as you prepare to go to the game. Unless it’s a special “Bark in the Park” event, sports venues do not allow pets. Sporting events are several hours long. Given the entrance and time restrictions, you’ll have to decide what to do with your puppy when the party’s over and the game is about to begin.
“Well that’s easy,” you may say. “I could put my puppy in the crate in the back of the SUV with the windows cracked. That way, he’ll be secured and get some fresh air. Or since the weather’s nice, I can tie him to the car and let people pet him as they walk in. He’ll love that!”
Not so fast!
If you do not tailgate at your house or local dog-friendly spot and are at the Big Game, you’ll need a safe plan for your puppy. Designate someone in your party to be responsible for your puppy during the game. This could look like leaving to go back home or to a pet-friendly hotel to enjoy the game on TV.
While some of these scenarios may be obvious, we want to remind people to never do the following when tailgating with your pet:
Never tie up your puppy and leave him attached to your car or in an open-air truck bed. This is a great way to traumatize your puppy and leave him exposed to puppy thieves.
Don’t leave your pet in the car to go to the game, even if it’s a crisp, fall day. According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, the temperature in your vehicle can rise rapidly. Despite popular belief, cracking windows makes no significant difference. The AVMA explains:
The temperature inside your vehicle can rise almost 20º F in just 10 minutes, and almost 30º F in 20 minutes. The longer you wait, the higher it goes. At one hour, your vehicle's inside temperature can be more than 40 degrees higher than the outside temperature. Even on a 70-degree day, that's 110 degrees inside your vehicle!
While he might steal a hot dog, you don’t want your puppy to turn into an actual hot dog! Heat stroke in puppies can happen quickly. If you are not around to watch for signs, your puppy could pass away from heat stroke, a totally preventable death. A fun afternoon would turn tragic and be a day to remember for the wrong reasons.
How to Prepare For Tailgating With Your Puppy
With some preparation and safety measures taken well before the kickoff, you and your puppy will be ready to make long-lasting memories from tailgating. Check the venue to see if your puppy is allowed to tailgate in the first place! Follow these tailgating tips for puppy owners to have a great time due to your proactive preparation.
Socialize and train your puppy
Socializing exposes your puppy to different sights, sounds, smells, and experiences they encounter in everyday life so they do not show fear or aggression later. Training shows our puppies what we want them to do rather than what we don’t, as they look to you for leadership.
Socialization and training should be an ongoing effort, starting small with objects in your home and progressing to manners out in public. Prepare weeks in advance as an ongoing activity. Don’t just assume your puppy will do fine by showing up in a loud crowd with unfamiliar surroundings without easing into it. At home, watch a game on TV at a high volume to introduce crowd noises. Start with a small gathering and gauge interest following your puppy’s cues, working up gradually to a tailgating atmosphere. You could host a dog party for your puppy pals with a football theme or a gathering in your dog-friendly backyard to introduce your puppy to the tailgating atmosphere. Later, move on to a dog-friendly sports bar to watch the game.
Pick the right game
Try to choose a day with a fantastic weather report. No one wants a wet, muddy dog stomping in puddles due to rain, playing in snowdrifts due to winter weather, or dodging sleet and hail. Your puppy will be uncomfortable if it’s too hot or too cold, and the temperature can be unpredictable during fall weather. Even though ticket sales often happen in advance, check the weather first to see if it’s a good decision to tailgate with your puppy.
Cookout safety for puppies
Tailgating is an opportunity for humans to eat delectable foods that make your mouth water. The dips, grilled meats, salads, and desserts are to die for! However, you need to create a safe cookout experience for your puppy. Designate someone to be the Puppy Minder to keep them away from grills, eating areas, or cars headed to parking spaces.
If you are going to be cooking out with hot grills and even plugged-in crockpots or skillets, practice fire safety for puppies to prevent terrible accidents. Maintain space around a grill and keep your puppy away from the grilling area. Put out coals where your dog can’t step on the smoldering pile, and turn off the heat when not in use.
Don’t leave food unattended, and keep your dog away from the eating area. Your puppy could get into foods toxic to dogs, so provide fall-themed puppy snacks made from foods safe for dogs. As a grillmaster, there’s nothing worse than spending hours perfecting a lovely hunk of meat only to have your puppy destroy it in seconds – not to mention the puppy GI issues that will follow!
Be current on health, vaccinations, and identification
Your vet should ensure your puppy is healthy and ready to be around people, typically finishing vaccinations by 16 weeks. Microchipping your puppy along with ID tags on a collar with plenty of updated contact information also helps keep your puppy’s identity safe in case you are separated somehow from your puppy.
What should I bring with me when tailgating with my puppy?
Like babies, you should bring a stuffed pack full of items you might need when tailgating with your dog. You’ll be so glad you took the time to be prepared for any scenario! Pack these items in a special tailgating bag:
- Fresh water and a portable bowl
- Food including high-value training treats
- Leash and harness
- Pet ID tags
- Proof of puppy ownership
- Doggy first aid kit
- Waste bags to avoid a “turd down in the quarter”
- Fun, interactive toys
- A sweater or coat if they get cold
- Number and directions to the nearest emergency vet
- Special treats like a frozen kong or doggy beer
- A crate or portable safe, calm place
Make Your Puppy’s Tailgating Time a Fun Experience
Your puppy will appreciate your effort in making their tailgating experience a blast. Go the extra yards to score big in your puppy’s eyes!
Special outfits and accessories
Fans come decked out in clothing, accessories, and face paint sporting their favorite team. Don’t leave out your pooch! Get a special outfit like a pet jersey or an accessory like a bandana or collar to show your team some support.
Doggy “beer”
While you should never let your dog drink actual beer, let him enjoy a cold one with a specialty doggy beer. Doggy beer comes in a can like real beer and usually consists of pork, beef, or chicken broth with herbs, spices, vegetables, water, and other pet-friendly ingredients. Not only is it good for them, but doggy beer can also help prevent puppy dehydration along with access to fresh water.
Pay attention to your puppy’s mood
Pay attention to your pet’s mannerisms. Have a good attitude and put your puppy first above the love of attending the game. You have to do what’s best for your puppy even if it’s sacrificing your original plan. Notice when they’re winding down, overexcited, or overtired, as your puppy is more apt to make bad behavior choices or get in the way of others’ fun by “ruffing” the passer!
In addition to watching your puppy’s signals, be aware of the crowd. Tailgating can sometimes bring rowdy crowds with people acting more outgoing than they normally are. People get excited when they see a puppy, extending their arms and making squealing noises. Your puppy will have many fingers in his face with some people wanting to pick him up. Don’t let people pick up your puppy because you cannot guarantee his safety, and inebriated people won’t handle your puppy properly. Some might be downright disrespectful or reckless around your puppy. Be your puppy’s advocate and keep them away from precarious situations. Dogs that have never bitten before may feel threatened and act out of character trying to protect themselves and you. Keep your wits about you, and don’t get too carried away with the fun.
Find a Golden Receiver to Tailgate With at Pawrade
Looking for a wide retriever of your own for some tailgating fun with your puppy? Pawrade can help. With our convenient travel options, you can have the puppy of your dreams at your doorstep in no time with a smooth, safe adoption experience. Check out our puppies for sale to pick your best game day buddy!
