Ever thrown a dog party? Ever wished you hadn't?

Just as people parties can implode without the right combination of guests, food, and activities, so can affairs thrown for your four-legged friends. Torn up favors, half-gnashed party cake, urine stains on the crepe paper--a dog party gone wrong isn't pretty.

To save you from the shame of a party gone bad, we've got a few planning tips that should make whatever you want to celebrate--from a Bark Mitzvah to a Puppy Shower--a pack of fun for dogs and humans both.

Invite the right crowd

Here's what you don't want: Your guests growling, circling, and snapping at one another. Your chances of hosting a friendly gathering are much greater if your dogs already know--and get along with--each other. So invite a group you and your dog have buddied up to at the dog park. And don't feel bad about leaving out the rabble rousers; if you don't tell them, they'll never know.

Even non-dog people will like this: Ever wondered what it'd be like if a dog threw a dinner party? The only way to find out is to read The Dinner Party, which we highly recommend if you need a jolt of levity, or other distraction.

Serve your guests out of separate bowls

Want to ruin your party? Set  [Continued]