Dog Biscuit (cookie) Cutter From Soda Can

So many dogs!

My wife suggested giving home made dog biscuits to some friends and family as an inexpensive gift idea for the holidays.

I agreed and thought it cool if we could make our own biscuit cutters in the shape of a dog bone.

Hmmm...

Step 1: Starting the Cut

Cut the can. You can use a knife but go very slow and (saw) it back and forth gently. To avoid cutting yourself try scissors.

Step 2: Using Scissors

Scissors can be used for all cuts. Cuts made around the can perimeter with scissors will be crude. The rough areas will be removed later.

Step 3: Add Tape to Aluminum for Strips

Make 2 aluminum strips with common 3/4 tape. The tape edges will be guides for cutting perfectly straight edges for the cutter and it provides additional reinforcement.   The cutter strip will need to be perfectly straight (on the bottom) to work well.

Step 4: The 2 Strips

I used red marker to highlight the strips, totally unnecessary.

Step 5: Fold One Strip for Backer

The backer is made by folding one aluminum strip in half.
Starting this over a table edge makes it easier

Step 6: Holding the Backer With Cutter Below

Step 7: Start Bending the Backer

Approx 2" from an end, start bending the rounded ends with a pencil

Step 8: Backer Half Finished

It will take some fussing to get here, and it doesn't need to be perfect. After one side is shaped, press the two ends together forming a loop. Tape closed the loop. Determine the opposite position for the other bends and bend them using the pencil to help form the tight bends.

Step 9: Insert the Cutter Into the Backer

The hardest part. Some destruction of what you done is unavoidable. Slip and slide the the cutter into the backer while bending and forming it with the pencil.

Step 10: Forming the Cutter to the Backer

The backer is the form for bending the cutter. No magic here just keep working and forming cutter to fit the backer shape. I took off the tape holding the backer together, to help move the cutter along the backer seam.

Step 11: Fasten It Back Together

When the shape is right, fasten the backer/cutter together to make it whole again. Keep forming the shape as you proceed.

Step 12: Pinch It Into Shape

Everything is about right here. Pinch the sides to help form it. Hold it together with some tape

Step 13: Add a Handle

It will be more durable with an aluminum strip instead of tape.

Step 14: Test It

I made some dough to test it. It worked fine but cutting on a soft surface would be more effective by cutting completely through the dough. My wife had better results cutting a denser and thicker (real) dog biscuit recipe.