Do-it-Yourself Dog Toys

Dog toys can be costly and often don’t last very long, they either get destroyed or lost in the back yard or behind the couch. Or worse.. you spend a bunch of money on a fancy dog toy and your dog shows no interest in your expensive doggy gift.

So, why waste so much money buying dog toys when you can easily make some of your own out of things you have lying around the house? Plus its just  a lot of fun to watch your dog or puppy play with something you made especially for them.

Here are some DIY dog toy projects I found online that I thought were cool, easy and fun and that I thought that my dogs would actually like.

DIY Braided Dog Toss and Tug Toys

Braided Tug Toy: Got old socks, T-shirts, old towels or old fleece blankets? Any of those can be used to make a strong tug toy. Fleece makes a particularly strong tug toy. Cut three strips of fleece. Each should be 2-3 inches wide and 15-24 inches long depending on the size of your dog. Braid the strips together as tightly as you can and knot the ends securely.

You’re ready for endless tug matches with your dog! You can also braid three old sport socks together or lengths of old towels together to make this toy. Soaking the toy in beef or chicken broth (then letting it drying completely or even freezing it) will make the toy even more enticing.

Step by Step Instructions

The Empty Teddy Bear Dog Toy

You will need:

• 1 old cuddly toy (bit obvious?)

Don’t buy one of those expensive dog toys that look like a Build-a-Bear before it got stuffed. Just take an old stuffed toy (one that your kid doesn’t want any more, or you can buy one for pennies at Goodwill) and then just remove all the stuffing and sew it back up. Done.

Save yourself $10 bucks for a stuff-less dog toy at the pet store. Remove plastic eyes, noses and other pieces that could be a choking hazard.

Water Bottle Crinkle DIY Dog Toy

My dogs favorite “dog toy” is an old pair of socks. Shocking I know. So, why not put a plastic bottle in a sock – Tie it off and you’re done! They’ll love the new noise that old sock makes and have hours of cheap and safe chewing fun. I would remove the cap before inserting the bottle myself.

Step by Step Instructions (if you really need them)

DIY Ball Dog Toy

Supplies Needed:

• Old ball (a tennis ball works great)
• About 1/2 yard of Fabric
• A piece of ribbon
• Scissors

Step by Step Instructions

A milk jug. Dog Toy!  That’s it? 

This is for playing in the backyard WITH your dog not something you’d want to just give them and walk away. Might also be a fun toy for a flirt pole.

A Dog Toy Popsicle

Freeze your pup’s toys for hours of summer fun! Maybe not this big of a Pupsicle. I would maybe make a smaller version of this idea for my dogs. I’m pretty sure they would give up fairly easily if it was this big.

Step by Step Instructions

DIY Fleece Puff Ball Dog Toy

Not the best for super chewers. Cute idea for puppies and small dogs that are not aggressive chewers. Fun for them to carry around and play catch or finders keepers with other dogs.

Step by Step Instructions

Make your Puppy his own no-sew puppy blanket! 

Click to Learn How to Make a Fleece TiInstruction

 

DIY Tennis Ball Treat Puzzle for Dogs

This Instructable describes how to quickly turn a tennis ball into a puzzle toy for your dog.  Tennis balls work well since the felt keeps the rubber from splitting.  There are numerous ways to make this toy harder or easier depending on your dogs determination, it’s likelihood of destroying the ball, and the size of your treats.

Step by Step Instructions

A Cereal Box with Treats Inside (Destruction intended)

Put some treats inside an empty box and watch your pup tear it to shreds. : )

The instructions in the link below suggest taping the box closed but I personally don’t think this is a grand idea..  just close it like normal or fold the top closed and they’ll have just as much fun with it.

Step by Step Instructions (if you really need them)

DIY Plastic Bottle Toys & IQ Challenge

Oh the ubiquitous empty plastic water bottle. I know you’ve got some lying around waiting to be recycled. Before you dump them in the recycling bin, let your dog have a go at them.

Water Bottle Crinkle DIY Dog Toy – Step by Step Instructions

The Treat Dispenser Step by Step Instructions 

OR…. 

Just put a few treats in a 16-ounce or larger size bottle, cap it, then toss it for your dog. He’ll chomp on it, bat it around, and do anything he can to get those treats out.

Supervise your dog when he plays with this to prevent choking. Take the bottle from him when he gets the treats out. This cheap dog toy also provides an IQ challenge. Propel bottles are quite sturdy.

DIY Toilet Paper Roll Treat Stash

This is an easy, fast and cheap toy and mental challenge for your young puppy.
All you need is toilet paper roll, dog kibble or treats and 5 seconds of your time.

Fold the first end of the roll and put the treats in. Then just fold the second end of the roll.
Your puppy will love to play with his TP stash toy! Plus it’s pretty harmless if swallowed (as far as I know).

DON’T USE clue or tape to close the stash toy. It’s not meant to last forever.

DIY Doggy Flirt Pole

Sometimes when the weather’s not cooperating or you don’t have a ton of time available, there is nothing better than a flirt pole for quickly getting your dogs tired and happy. If you’ve ever been in the cat aisle of the pet store  and have seen one of those fishing rods with a feather tied on one end, you’ve seen a flirt pole; dogs just get a bigger, stronger version of that.

Step by Step Instructions

Flirt Pole DIY Video

Places to Shop for Cheap Dog Toys

Check out your local Goodwill because they have some very cheap stuffed animals especially the Beanie Babies or the Beanie Baby sized toys. I’ve found the real Beanie Babies to be very durable and they make great toys for young puppies. I also like to buy blankets, towels and pillows for my dogs at Goodwill and since I breed dogs I needs tons and tons of blankets and towels for my newborn puppies. As a dog owner and dog breeder..  me and Goodwill have become very close friends.

Home Depot is a great place to shop and come up with some of your own creative inventions to entertain your dog. They have all kinds of ropes and cords that you can use to make creative toys for pocket change. A great example of things you can make at Home Depot would be the flirt pole mentioned above (Watch the video..she’s actually at Home Depot).

Your local dollar store (if it’s anything like ours) should carry lots of cheap dog toys like rope toys, balls on ropes, rawhides, tennis balls and simple squeaker toys. Can’t beat a buck when they sell the same quality toys at Petsmart and Petco for 3X as much sometimes even more! I also buy buckets for water and dog collars and leashes! 

Gotta love the dollar store.

More DIY Ideas? Check out Instructables.com

*make sure you always supervise your pet when letting them play with homemade toys. Remove immediately if they start to chew or swallow any pieces. We aren’t responsible for any injuries caused from following our homemade dog toys tutorial – so play responsibly! Have Fun! 

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