What you need for a dog school open day

A dog school open day needs more than agility equipment and a few refreshments. Visitors need a clear welcome point, information to take home, name badges and a safe place to watch demonstrations. Plan supplies for both people and dogs, including chilled drinks, coffee service, snacks and materials for the training fields. Buy or collect disposable essentials at least 2 days ahead, then chill drinks and pack welcome materials on the day before the event.

Organize this event for free with Lizzt

What to bring

Grouped the way you'd shop for it, with quantities.

Furniture

Party tentqty 2
Foldable tablesqty 8
Folding chairsqty 60
Beer table setsqty 4
Information desk
Coat racksqty 2

Tableware

Reusable cupsqty 120
Coffee cupsqty 80
Platesqty 100
Cutlery setsqty 100
Serving plattersqty 12
Pouring jugsqty 8

Equipment

Coffee machinesqty 2
Kettlesqty 2
Refrigerators
Coolersqty 4
Speakersqty 2
Microphonesqty 2
Extension cordsqty 6
Power stripsqty 6
Rechargeable batteriesqty 4

Sports equipment

Agility tunnelsqty 2
Agility jumpsqty 4
Agility slalom polesqty 12
Agility touchpoint
Training matsqty 6
Fetch ballsqty 12
Tug toysqty 12
Clickersqty 12
Target Sticksqty 6
Food bagsqty 12
Long linesqty 12
Collarsqty 12
Training linesqty 12
Water tubsqty 12
Dog crateqty 2
Crowd control barriersqty 20
Traffic conesqty 24
Rubber Conesqty 20
Dog waste bag dispensersqty 6
Dog towelsqty 20
Emergency blanketsqty 4

Decorations

Buntingqty 6
Balloon archesqty 2
Tableclothsqty 8
Flower arrangementsqty 6
Name badgesqty 80
Wristbandsqty 100
Directional signsqty 12
Program postersqty 10
Information boardsqty 8

Lighting

LED light stringsqty 6
LED lampsqty 8
Battery lanternsqty 6

Kitchen

Cutting boardsqty 4
Chef's knifeqty 2
Bread knivesqty 2
Serving utensilsqty 12
Thermos flasksqty 6
Ice packsqty 20
Aluminum foilqty 2
Food storage containersqty 12
Food thermometersqty 2

Cleaning

Mopsqty 4
Bucketsqty 4
Broom setsqty 3
Dustpan and brushqty 3
Hand broomsqty 4
Waste binsqty 8
Hand sanitizer pumpsqty 6
Toilet brushesqty 2

Catering

Groceries
- Coffee beans - 3 bags
- Decaf coffee - 1 pack
- Black tea - 2 boxes
- Herbal tea - 1 box
- Chocolate milk - 6 liters
- Semi-skimmed milk - 8 liters
- Oat milk - 4 liters
- Sugar - 2 packs
- Sweetener - 1 box
- Cola - 8 bottles
- Cola Zero - 8 bottles
- Sinas - 6 bottles
- Lemonade - 6 bottles
- Spa Blauw - 10 packs
- Spa Red - 4 packs
- Apple juice - 6 liters
- Orange juice - 6 liters
- Ice cubes - 10 bags
- Mini water bottles - 100 pieces
- Coffee milk - 2 bottles
- Unsalted butter - 2 packs
- Hard rolls - 100 pieces
- Whole grain bread - 6 loaves
- Gluten-free sandwiches - 12 pieces
- Young cheese - 2 kilos
- Aged cheese - 2 kilo
- Ham - 1,5 kilo
- Chicken breast slices - 1.5 kilos
- Hummus - 6 tubs
- Cream cheese - 6 tubs
- Peanut butter - 2 jars
- Strawberry jam - 2 jars
- Cucumbers - 8 pieces
- Tomatoes - 3 kilos
- Lettuce - 6 heads
- Bell peppers - 12 pieces
- Carrots - 3 kilos
- Cherry tomatoes - 2 kilos
- Apples - 8 kilos
- Bananas - 5 kilo
- Grapes - 4 kilos
- Mandarins - 5 kilos
- Paprika chips - 8 bags
- Plain chips - 8 bags
- Tortilla chips - 6 bags
- Salted breadsticks - 6 bags
- Rice cakes - 6 packs
- Nut-free cereal bars - 100 pieces
- Cookies - 8 packs
- Gluten-free cookies - 4 packs
- Vegan cookies - 4 packs
- Brownies - 80 pieces
- Mini muffins - 80 pieces
- Ketchup - 2 bottles
- Mayonnaise - 2 bottles
- Mustard - 2 bottles
- Honey - 1 jar
- Salt - 1 pack
- Pepper - 1 can
- Paprika powder - 1 can
- Olive oil - 1 bottle
- Dog biscuits - 5 kilo
- Dog treats - 3 kilo
- Dog chew treats - 100 pieces
- Poop bags - 1000 pieces
- Disposable napkins - 500 pieces
- Paper towels - 12 rolls
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Garbage bags - 50 pieces
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 2 bottles
- Disinfectant - 2 bottles
- Hand soap - 6 bottles
- Hand sanitizer - 6 bottles
- Sponges - 12 pieces
- Microfiber cloths - 20 pieces
- Paper towels - 12 packs

Tips

Plan drinks for the expected visitor count: allow 2 to 3 drinks per person for the first hour, plus extra water for dogs and trainers. Chill bottled drinks the day before and keep a separate cooler for dog water.
Set aside one complete information-desk kit: printed visitor information, the price list, registration details, name badges and wristbands. Prepare at least 10% more badges and wristbands than the registered visitor count.
For demonstrations, check every agility tunnel, jump, slalom pole, touchpoint, training mat, fetch ball, tug toy, clicker and target stick before loading. Pack small training items in labelled boxes so volunteers can find them quickly.
Do not leave power planning until setup: count coffee machines, kettles, refrigerators, speakers and microphones, then bring enough extension cords, power strips and rechargeable batteries for the venue layout.
Provide enough tableware for the busiest serving period, not the average. Have at least one cup, plate and cutlery set per expected guest, with extra reusable cups and coffee cups for replacements and volunteers.

Frequently asked questions

What should I buy for a dog school open day?: Plan supplies for four areas: visitor reception, refreshments, demonstrations and dog care. That usually means drinks, coffee, snacks, cups, plates, cutlery, printed information, name badges, wristbands and the listed training equipment.
How many drinks do I need for a dog school open day?: Allow 2 to 3 drinks per visitor for the first hour, then add about 1 drink per person for every additional hour. Add separate water for dogs and trainers, especially if demonstrations take place outdoors or in warm weather.
When should I prepare the shopping for an open day?: Buy non-perishable supplies and check collected equipment at least 2 days before the event. Chill drinks, assemble welcome packs and pack labelled equipment boxes the day before.
How much disposable tableware should I bring?: Bring at least one cup, plate and cutlery set per expected guest, plus 10% extra for replacements and volunteers. If coffee is served throughout the day, bring additional coffee cups rather than relying only on the general cup supply.

Start this plan in Lizzt

Every task and item on this page, ready in your own event. Invite people, split the work, and see who has done what.