DIY Craft: How to Throw a Puppy Party

Have a special birthday coming up? Want to celebrate a special holiday with your pooch by your side? Need an excuse to drink champagne before midday? Time to throw a puppy party! You can even use the dog cake recipe to make a masterpiece. The great thing about a dog lover’s meet up is you get to meet likeminded people and your pup gets to play with other doggos to their heart’s content. These days, we’re all meeting so many dog friendly people through Instagram and Facebook that it makes sense to take that friendship off screen. But how to do it? It’s never been easier to get your own party started.

The Guest List

Define your invite list. Want to connect with other dog lovers in your local area? Want a breed specific get together? Want to meet your Insta friends in real life? Use social media to arrange and invite like-minded dog lovers and you’ve got yourself a meetup! You never know, it might be the start of a lifelong friendship

Smash it! How to do a Doggie Cake Smash
Photographed by Lauren Dobish Photography

The cutest cake smashes of all time? Doggo ones. A fun, fairly easy way to celebrate a milestone birthday, dog cake smashes combine a sweet treat with the most adorable photo opportunity. Here’s how to pull off an all-time pupper cake smash you and your dog will love.

Choose Your Cake

Make sure you opt for a dog-friendly cake, as human cakes are not good for dogs. Either enlist the help of your local dog bakery or make your own dog cake. Keep in mind the size of your dog to ensure the cake is an ideal size for her to eat. Include dog-friendly frosting (see recipe below) on your cake as it makes for a better ‘smash’ and lots of licking shots.

Choose Your Location

Off leash dog parks are not an ideal location for cake smashes as, frankly, every dog there is going to want to eat that cake.

Style Your Shot

Personalized bandanas, party hats or bows can dress up your dog, while flower displays, balloons or garlands can enhance the backdrop. 

Capture the ‘Cake Smash’ Moment

If they’re really good (or haven’t worked out the cake is for them!), give them a little frosting on their snout and let them lick it off—this makes for adorable photos. Once you give the ok to dig in, make sure you’re set up and ready to take a lot of pictures in a row—that cake will disappear fast! Above all, keep it fun (for you and your pupper) and never forget—often the best photos happen when things go wrong!
 

Great Pupper Party Ideas

Valentine’s Day Party—no better time to show the real loves of your life what they mean to you.

Super Bowl Party—don’t forget to watch the Puppy Bowl first!

Easter Egg Hunt—replace chocolate eggs with dog friendly snacks.

Halloween Fancy Dress—have prizes for the best-dressed person and pooch pair!

Holiday Party—Organize a ‘Secret Santa’ gift exchange prior so every dog gets a gift on the day.
 

DIY Dog Cake Recipe
Makes: 2-3 mini cake layers to form one cake

Cake:

• 1 ¾ cups almond flour
   
• 2 Tbsp honey
   
• 3 eggs
   
• 5 small fresh strawberries (diced; hulls removed)
   
• 2 Tbsp coconut oil

Icing:

• ½ cup plain organic yogurt
   
• 3 Tbsp natural peanut butter

Method:

Preheat oven 175°C / 345°F. Use coconut oil to grease two small ramekin dishes. Depending on the size of your dishes you may have enough batter for 3 layers.

1. Mix flour, honey, and eggs in the blender until a smooth batter forms, then fold in the diced strawberries.

2. Pour batter into the prepared ramekin dishes, about 3/4 of the way full.

3. Bake for 15 – 20 minutes or until golden brown and a skewer comes out clean.

4. Allow cakes to cool in pan for 5 minutes and then transfer to cooling racks.

5. While your mini cakes are cooling, make your icing. Combine the yogurt and peanut butter and mix until smooth.

6. Once your cakes are completely cool, spread your icing onto the tops of each layer and stack. Drizzle the remaining icing over the top of the cake, garnish with berries of your choice, and serve.
 

Adapted from Dog Mama, Serena Faber-Nelson’s must-read new book filled with over 200 tips, trends, and how-to secrets for stylish dog lovers!