In writing about our personal experiences, we sometimes mention products & services that we use or recommend. This page may contain affiliate links for which we receive a commission.
Our dogs have always enjoyed rope-style tug toys — especially if they have things attached to them and incorporate different textures.
If your dog loves to tug and you have a little free time on your hands, then you can make your dog a tug toy for free using things you already have around the house. Basically, all you need to do is braid together pieces of rope or fabric, and add a tennis ball or other dog toy (like a Kong) for added challenge and bounciness.
Making your own dog tug toys sure beats paying $15 for a tug toy at the pet store! Granted, they probably won’t last as long, but I’ve had dogs destroy expensive tug toys in less than a day before. So, if you’ve got the materials lying around the house anyway, then why not make some fun and interesting tug toys for your dog?
Here are some easy ways to make tug toys for your dog…
First, A Warning:
I do want to make one thing clear…
I strongly recommend that you watch your dog closely anytime he is playing with a tug toy that he can easily tear to shreds or otherwise destroy.
The reason? Because you don’t want your dog to swallow any long strings, scraps of fabric, or rope. Long stringy items can wreak havoc on your dog’s tummy and can get caught up in the intestines or even cut off circulation in some cases.
So, be sure to cut off and remove any long & loose parts that your dog may have shredded, as you notice them.
In our house, tug toys are not long-lived. They only survive a few play sessions anyway — depending on your dog’s level of chewing and hard play. That’s why it’s usually better to make tug toys than to buy ’em!
Tug Toy Instructions
Make Dog Toys From Tennis Balls
What you need:
- 1 old sock
- 1 tennis ball
- piece of rope
How To Weave A Strong Fleece Toy For Dogs
What you need:
- 3 long pieces of fleece
- 2 rubber bands
How To Make A Tug Toy From Jeans
What you need:
- old jeans
- sewing needle
- strong thread
Make A Dog Tug Toy From Old Dish Towels
What you need:
- 3 old dish towels
Make Your Own Dog Kong Tug Toy
What you need:
- 2 Kong toys
- synthetic sheepskin fleece material
How To Make A Rope Tug Toy
What you need:
- 1 tennis ball
- rope
Make A Braided Fabric Dog Tug Toy
What you need:
- 3 long strips of fabric
I like to help Dog Parents find unique ways to do things that will save time & money — so I write about "outside the box" Dog Tips and Dog Hacks that most wouldn't think of. I’m a lifelong dog owner — currently have 2 mixed breed Golden Aussies that we found abandoned on the side of the road as puppies. I've always trained my own dogs and help friends train theirs, as well. Professionally, I worked at a vet and have several friends who are veterinarians — whom I consult with regularly. (And just because I love animals so much, I also worked at a Zoo for awhile!) I've been sharing my best ideas with others by blogging full-time since 1998 (the same year that Google started… and before the days of Facebook and YouTube). My daily motivation is to help first-time dog owners be better prepared from the first day your new puppy enters your home. I like to help dog owners understand what's 'normal' and what you can expect in terms of living with and training your dog — how to get through the ups & downs of potty training, chewing, teaching commands, getting your dog to listen, and everything else that takes place during that hectic first year! When I'm not training, walking, grooming, or making homemade treats for my dogs, you will find me at the corner of Good News & Fun Times as publisher of The Fun Times Guide (32 fun & helpful websites). To date, I've written over 500 articles for dog owners on this site!
