Simple handmade toys that will delight your beloved dog
Even when you buy toys for your beloved dog, they often get destroyed right away, don’t they?
Dogs relieve stress by chewing, so you can’t simply tell them not to chew.
Many households are likely looking for durable toys or ones that are easy to replace.
If you could make toys easily at home, both dogs and owners would be grateful, right?
In this article, we introduce ideas for making homemade toys for dogs.
We also feature toys that dogs will love, including educational (enrichment) types, so be sure to make some and enjoy seeing your dog’s delighted reaction!
Simple DIY toys your dog will love (1–10)
chew toy
Many people struggle because their dogs quickly destroy toys.
That’s why I’d like to introduce chew toys.
As the name suggests, they’re designed for chewing, so they’re also resistant to breaking.
To make one, first buy four cords at a craft store.
Choosing different colors for each will give it a cute finish.
Cut the four cords to about 7 cm and tie them using a method called the diamond knot.
Then braid them into your preferred shape, and the toy is complete.
There are various ways to make them, so checking YouTube for tutorials is also recommended.
Snaffle Ball
Do you have your dog do nose work? Nose work is a play activity that uses their sense of smell, and it’s said to be great for relieving stress.
A perfect item for nose work is a snuffle ball.
All you need is felt.
Cut it into palm-sized circles.
Next, fold each circle into quarters; make several of these and bundle them together, then sew them so they form a ball.
Even if you’re not good at sewing, this seems doable, right? By the way, snuffle balls are ideal for nose work because dogs can distinguish the scent of sheep.
Pull ball with a T-shirt
You often see toys at pet shops that have a ball with a rope attached, right? Actually, you can make one yourself.
First, get an old T-shirt and cut off a sleeve.
Next, roll up one end of the sleeve and tie it into a ball.
Twist the remaining part to make it like a rope, and you’re done.
It doesn’t cost money or take much effort.
Since there’s no sewing involved, it’s easy to fix if it breaks.
By the way, if you change where you cut the sleeve, you can adjust the toy’s size to match your dog’s body size!
Shaka-Shaka Frisbee
If you want to make a unique toy, I recommend the Shaka-Shaka Frisbee.
First, prepare your favorite fabric! Cut it to 50 cm wide and 10 cm long.
Next, as if making a scrunchie, thread elastic through it and form it into a loop.
Finally, place a sheet of plastic inside the loop, and you’re done.
By simply changing the fabric, you can create a one-of-a-kind toy.
Since you’ll be using needles to make this, be sure to carefully check that none are left inside the Shaka-Shaka Frisbee before giving it to your dog!
paper cup educational toy
Some people worry that their dogs just won’t get enough exercise.
In that case, making a paper cup enrichment toy might help.
First, prepare two paper cups and poke small holes in each.
Next, place the rims of the cups together and secure them with tape.
Finally, put some treats inside the cups, and it’s done.
With this, your dog will be eager to play to get the treats out.
Before giving it to your dog, show them how the treats come out—it’ll make them even more interested.
carrot field
Among dog lovers, a trending item is a nose work toy modeled after a vegetable patch.
When dogs pull out the toy vegetables that are “planted,” they can find and eat treats.
It’s great for mental stimulation and physical activity.
Buying one can cost several thousand yen, but there’s actually a way to make it yourself.
First, prepare a sponge to serve as the soil of the garden, then use felt to create the vegetables.
There are videos that explain the detailed steps, so be sure to check them out for reference!
A bone-shaped amigurumi
Because they look so cute, many people probably give their dogs amigurumi toys.
While most people buy ready-made ones, making them yourself can reduce costs and make you feel more attached to the toy, so it’s recommended.
Among them, bone-shaped amigurumi are popular for being easy to make and stylish.
If you’re a beginner, check YouTube or websites for detailed crochet instructions.
By the way, when making one for small dogs, using about a size 8 crochet hook will give you a nice, just-right size.
T-shirt tug-of-war rope
Believe it or not, you can make a toy just from items you have at home.
First, prepare an old T-shirt you no longer need.
If it has buttons, remove them.
Next, cut off the sleeves and tie the ends tightly.
Then stuff the rest of the T-shirt inside, secure the back with a rubber band, and you’re done.
If you want to make it look cuter, add eye pieces to make it look like a fish! Also, if you use the owner’s T-shirt, your dog will like it because it smells familiar.
Nose work mat
If you want to give your pet play that’s closer to hunting, a nose work mat is perfect.
Making one is very simple.
First, buy a sink mat and some felt at a 100-yen shop.
Be sure to choose a kitchen/sink mat with a mesh design.
Then just tie strips of felt through the holes, and you’re done.
You can also substitute a gardening mat or similar.
Also, be careful: if the felt knots are loose, there’s a risk of accidental ingestion.
fabric ball with a bell inside
Many dogs love bells, right? So here’s something I’d like to introduce: a fabric ball with a bell inside.
It’s made in a way similar to a beanbag and is easy to craft.
First, prepare six types of fabric you like.
Then cut them into diamond shapes and sew them together as you would when making a beanbag.
Before closing it up, add a bell and some stuffing, and you’re done.
Also, plastic bells tend to ring more easily! By the way, for those who aren’t sure how to make the ball, there are websites that share printable patterns, so be sure to look for them.