Cheap and Simple Homemade Dog Toys

How to Build a Better Bond with Your Dog Without Going Broke

Dog toys can be very expensive and can't always stand up against the ferocity of chewing it will endure. Toy companies realize this and therefore they are able to jack up the prices on their merchandise. While kongs and tennis balls make great toys they don't always realistically fit into the budget. There are other things you can do that are bottom basement prices or made from things you probably already have in your house. I have three dogs who are considered to be medium sized which to non-dog lovers usually means "big dog." Dogs of medium sizes are able to chew quite a bit and can cause a lot of damage to personal items as well as structural things like yards, doors and even walls if not given something else to do with themselves. Here are the toys I like to give my dogs and directions on how to make them.

Tugs are super easy to make but can also be super expensive to buy. I sew and for me that means, I have scraps of fabrics stashed away. I like to cut 27 strips, the longer the better and make 9 braids. Take those 9 braids and braid again until all you are left with is 3 large braids. Braid the remaining braids into one final thick braid. I was surprised to find that because I was using very thin materials that even bunched up my braids were thin enough to work with and didn't create an overly heavy rope. The tricky part is making sure the ends are knotted tight enough so they won't come undone. If they do come undone you'll have to repair all the braids. The way I do it is by leaving about 5 inches of material at the bottom unbraided. It'll be a fringe. Separate the fringe into two sections and tie a good strong double knot. That's it, you're all done. If you don't have scraps of material around the house old t-shirts, socks, towels that are falling apart, old bed sheets or whatever material you have on hand will work just fine.