How to Make a Dog Cookie Arrangement

This past summer I created my Bow Wow Blooming Cookies arrangement for a friend's dog who was getting ready to go through obedience training. Like a lot of people, I don't have time to bake, but I wanted to create a memorable dog cookie bouquet.

Here are the materials I used that you will also use to create this unique dog cookie "flower" arrangement. Remember, all the goodies in this arrangement are for the dog!

1. Paw print Snapware dog treats container purchased at a local Petsmart.

2. Small organic bone-shaped dog training treats purchased at a local pet spa boutique. Purchase a big enough box or bag to fill the entire inside of the Snapware container with the training treats.

3. Premade organic dog cookies, as pictured here, purchased at a local pet spa boutique. You can purchase premade cookies in many different shapes and sizes and are limited only by your imagination.

4. Tissue paper in various colors to match the dog cookies. As this was a summer arrangement, I used two tones of several sheets of green tissue paper.

5. Floral foam purchased at a local craft store.

6. Wilson lollipop covers (or cellophane bags) purchased at a local craft store. Check the baking aisle for the appropriate size clear cellophane bags you need AFTER you've purchased the dog cookies.

7. Extra-long Wilson lollipop sticks purchased at a local craft store. (These can be trimmed down to the appropriate height to keep the dog cookies above the top of the container yet should be able to securely fit into the floral foam.)

8. Green cloth ribbon, purchased at a local craft store. This ribbon is used to tie the cellophane bag at the base of the cookie to the stick and is used as a decoration.

9. Optional print cellophane used like the tissue paper for a decorative accent. The paw print cellophane is what I use in my gift shop for wrapping pet gift baskets and what I used here, but it cannot be found in a craft store.

10. Clear cellophane tape.

11. Decorative cloth ribbon tied into a bow to cover the lid of the Snapware container.

To start, cut a chunk of the floral foam with a knife (to fit in the center of the container) and wrap the foam in cellophane like it is a present. Wrapping the foam in cellophane protects the treats from the foam. This chunk of floral foam is then taped on its bottom to the middle of the inside of the Snapware container. (Don't worry if the foam is somewhat wobbly as once the cookie stems are placed into it and the treats added to fill the container, the foam will stay in place.)

Once the floral foam is secure at the bottom of the container, add enough of the small dog bone treats to fill the bottom sides of the container to meet the top edge of the floral foam. As you add each cookie stem, add treats to cover the cookie stems, and so on until all cookie stems are arranged the way you want them, secure in the foam, and treats fill the entire container up to where the bottom of the lid meets the container. Be sure as you're gradually adding the treats that you check all sides of the container to make sure there are no gaps. You don't want to see the cookie stems.

Take each sheet of tissue paper, gather it as per the video, and add the sheets of tissue paper between each cookie stem. Push the bottom edge of the tissue into the dog treats.

Watch this YouTube video by Karen's Cookies and see just how easy it is to make your own dog cookie arrangement. The video will fill in the gaps that I missed here.

You may use any type of container or mug and use however many cookies you desire. Again, just use your imagination and create something spectacular and one-of-a-kind!