For some, New Year's Eve is a quiet affair: a night in with a little nosh, some cuddling on the couch and a sip of something sparkling at the magic hour. For everyone else, New Year's Eve is a party — a big one.

The question, party people, is: Should your dog get an invite?

If your dog survived Christmas without an emergency trip to the vet or a gastrointestinal crisis, congratulations. You obviously took care to keep him away from the buffet and out of the garbage. But for all the festivities of Christmas, New Year's Eve is the ultimate celebration for many. The music is loud, the hours are late, the party is on.

If you are not hosting, leave your dog at home. Even the most social of dogs would rather be home in familiar surroundings than in a strange place full of strange people behaving strangely.

But what if the party's at your place?

Home might not be so sweet for your dog if you are hosting that big New Year's Eve bash. If your dog is shy or skittish or very young or very old, consider asking a friend, relative or neighbor to let your dog sleep over that night. He doesn't need the stress.

If you're hosting and you're convinced that your dog is game for the party of the year, take care to consider his needs in planning your blowout.

—Is he microchipped, and is the chip connected to your current contact information? Party people coming and going through front doors and back gates could get sloppy, and stressed dogs run. That's what they do. Make sure your dog, should he become lost, can easily be returned to you. Current tags and a microchip are key.

—Does your dog have access to a quiet, peaceful retreat within your home? If your dog typically sleeps in your bedroom, and that room going to be a coatroom for the night, then set him up in another room, a room that won't be available to revelers. Put his bed or blanket, his favorite toys and a water bowl in this temporary space, and introduce him to his new setup beforehand.

—Exercise your dog the day of the party. A good, solid workout will tire your dog and help him to feel relaxed and content even amid the chaos.

—Keep candles out of tail's reach.

—Keep party snacks, especially sweets, out of snout's reach.

—And don't let anyone get your dog drunk. It's not as fun as the frat boys say, and you might end up spending more time tending to your sick dog than to your guests.

Remember, you're the party animal. He's the actual animal — and probably the only member of your circle who's hoping not to get an invite.

Happy New Year!

Woof!

Dog trainer Matthew "Uncle Matty" Margolis is co-author of 18 books about dogs, a behaviorist, a popular radio and television guest, and host of the PBS series "WOOF! It's a Dog's Life!" Read all of Uncle Matty's columns at www.creators.com, and visit him at www.unclematty.com. Send your questions to [email protected] or by mail to Uncle Matty at P.O. Box 3300, Diamond Springs, CA 95619.