Homemade Dog Toys for Toto!

Got a dog who goes through toys faster than a man flips through television channels on a Sunday afternoon? Is replacing those toys getting a little expensive? With just a little ingenuity and some things you may have around the house, you can make inexpensive homemade toys for Toto.

Safety

Before I pass on some simple ideas for making toys, I think it’s important to say a few words about safety. Think carefully about the materials you choose to make toys for your dog.

· Choose cloth that doesn’t shred easily and create strings your dog could ingest, and never make a toy out of string. String is dangerous when ingested; it presents a choking hazard and may cause intestinal blockage.

· Avoid using hard plastic since it’s easily chewed into chunks by your dog’s sharp teeth and may cause choking.

Make certain that any materials used are not coated with substances that may be harmful to your pet.

A New Twist on an Old Rope

If Toto loves Frisbee, but seems to get his toy confused with a cookie making it completely incapable of flight, try making your own out of a section of rope. Form a circle out of a section of heavy-duty rope. Fasten the ends together using duct tape or by sewing them. Not only is this a cheaper solution to constantly purchasing new Frisbees, it’s also easier on your dog’s mouth — hard plastic Frisbees may damage teeth or hurt your dog’s mouth.

If you want to add a little flair to your rope disk, cut a piece of colorful fabric into a rectangle large enough to stretch across the circle. Wrap the ends around the rope and sew them—keep the fabric taut. Not only does the fabric make the disk more attractive, it’ll help the disk fly better!

Ball Basics

What would a discussion of dog toys be without the good old standby—the ball! Believe it or not, there are ways to make a plain ball even more exciting for Toto. Try these ideas:

· Poke a hole in an old tennis ball and stick a jingle bell inside. Sew up the hole. Now you’ve got a ball that isn’t just fun to chase—it makes noise when Toto gives it a good shake.

· Soak a ball in beef or chicken broth and toss it into the freezer. Your dog will love the taste and it’s a nice cool treat on a hot summer day.

· Try offering your dog your child’s old soccer ball or basketball. Your son may have outgrown it—but it’s the perfect size for Toto!

Stuffed Buddies

Most dogs love stuffed toys. Unfortunately, these toys are also easy to chew up and get filthy pretty quickly. Fortunately, they are simple to make—so easy, in fact, that your child can make them and present them to his favorite pooch as dog gifts!

Suitable fabrics for stuffed buddies are fleece, cotton, canvas, and other heavy materials. (Remember to avoid “stringy” materials!) It may take you a little time to figure out which kinds of materials Toto prefers, but once you do, consider watching for sales at your local fabric store and buying a few yards at a time. Don’t forget to also pick up some filler, such as cotton batting.

Once you’ve got your materials, follow these simple steps:

1. Make a reusable pattern out of paper by drawing a simple shape, such as a bone, teddy bear, or duck.

2. Using the pattern, cut the shape out of your fabric twice Note: If you’re using an asymmetrical shape like a duck, flip the pattern over before cutting the second shape or fold the fabric and cut both pieces at once.

3. With right sides together, sew the pieces together by hand or using a sewing machine. Leave a small section open to turn the pieces inside right.

4. Turn the shape inside right and stuff it.

5. Sew the opening shut.

If Toto likes noisy toys, insert a bell or squeaker (you can find these at a craft store) before you sew the toy shut.

Just a Few More Ideas

Here are a few more easy ideas for making your own dog toys:

· Braid together strips of heavy fabric and fasten the ends with knots to make a tug toy.

· Freeze small to medium sized containers of water. Pop out the block of ice and let your dog play with it outside. Toto will love the way it slides around the grass or driveway and he gets a great summer cool down.

· Purchase a rubber dog toy with a hole in it (a ball or other shape). Place a treat small enough to stuff through the opening, but too large to fall out easily, in the hole. Your dog will spend hours trying to get the treat out. (Tip! This is a good way to keep your dog busy in the car while you’re on vacation.)

Most of all, just enjoy being creative and coming up with toys both you and your dog will enjoy!