You can buy fancy toys for your dog, but why not make your own?It is easy to make a wide range of toys that can provide your pup with mental stimulation and exercise, all you need are items like tennis balls and socks.For hot summer days, you can make chilled toy-TREATS.
Step 1: A tennis ball can be put into a tube sock.
This is simple, but dogs love it.Stuff the tennis ball into the toe of the socks and tie them off.Tie knots at both ends of the ball if you want to stuff it down.Don't use socks that carry your scent, or you may encourage your dog to go to the laundry basket for their next chew toy!
Step 2: Attach the towel to the rope.
You want to end up with 3 towel strands of the same width if you cut 2 slits the length of an old kitchen towel.If you want to knot the loose ends, braid one strand over the other.Try a towel for a big dog.
Step 3: A plastic bottle and a sock are all you need to make a crinkly toy.
Remove the lid and plastic ring from a clean, empty plastic water or soda bottle.Place the bottle in the sock and tie it off after you crush the air out.Many dogs like the sound of this toy.
Step 4: A tennis ball and rope can be used to make a great chew toy.
An old piece of rope is about 46 cm long.The rope can be fed through the holes that are on the opposite sides of the tennis ball.Tie knots in the rope to secure the ball in place.You can keep your hand away from the drill bit if you secure the ball in a clamp.
Step 5: Put the stuffed animal in a bag and sew it back up.
Some dogs prefer floppier toys, while others prefer stuffed toys.If you want to see what your dog thinks, simply cut the stuffed animal open, pull out the stuffing, and sew it back up.If you use stuffed animals with buttons, be careful.
Step 6: There is a plastic milk jug.
The milk jug has a cap, plastic ring, and label.Pick out a treat your dog likes and that just barely fits through the jug's opening, and stuff up to a dozen inside.Every last treat out of the jug will be worked on by your dog.There is a plastic juice bottle that can be used for smaller dogs.
Step 7: They're going to sew.
Pick a stuffed animal that your dog really likes, get a separate piece of fabric and cut out a square, and sew 3 sides of the square onto the toy to make a pouch.The pouch should be big enough to hold your pup's favorite treat.Your dog will use their mouth, paws, and other body parts to get the treat out of the pouch.
Step 8: A tennis ball can be turned into a treat-dispensing puzzle.
The tennis ball has a slit in it along one of its seams.To open the slit like a mouth, squeeze the sides of the ball.Let your dog figure out how to get the ball to open its mouth.If you want to protect your free hand when cutting the ball, you can use a thick glove or a clamp.
Step 9: There are tennis balls in a muffin tin.
There are 6 or 12 cups in the old muffin tin.Put a treat in half of the cups and then cover them with a tennis ball.Your dog will try to find the cups and the prize.You have to switch up where you place the treats.
Step 10: A sweet potato rope toy can be made.
Cut a sweet potato into small slices, cut a hole in the center of each slice, and bake them for 5 hours to dehydrate them.Then, thread the dehydrated rings onto an 18 in (46 cm) section of rope and knot the rope at each end.The rings will make a tasty reward if your dog is able to free them from the rope.
Step 11: You can build a tube out of the pipe.
Cut a 2 ft section of 1.5 in pipe and drill a series of small holes along its length.Sandpaper can be used to remove burrs or shards.Attach the end caps of the pipe with treats.Your dog will roll, carry, and bash the pipe around until they figure out how to release their treats.
Step 12: You can make dog treats out of a toy.
An ice cube tray is filled with a mixture of water and chicken.Place a bone-shaped dog treat or half of a rawhide chew stick into each cube if you want them to stand upright.Pop the treats out and serve them.Add a whole rawhide chew stick to the disposable plastic cups for big dogs.On a hot day, you can give these Popsicles out as treats or add puzzles to turn them into toys.
Step 13: Put the popsicle in a food puzzle.
You can stack them in a jug or bottle.They can be slid into a 1.5 in ( 3.8 cm) length of PVC pipe with small holes drilled in the sides and end caps.Your dog will have to work to get their frozen treat.Give them the treat without all the work if it is hot outside.
Step 14: For the simplest frozen toy option, freeze a knot of socks.
Stuff one tube sock into the other.Attach a double knot to the outer socks.Put the ball in the freezer until it is rock solid.Give it to your dog after that.If you want to use your old socks for toys like this, you should use fabrics that don't carry your scent.You don't want your dog chewing on your clothes.