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Dogs have quite a few needs that can be filled using homemade pet toys. They need to scratch to keep their claws in good condition, play, and climb because many Dogs feel more comfortable up high. One easily made Dog toy is a stuffed mouse. All one needs is a pair of small children's socks, a short string or piece of yarn, some Dognip, and a non-toxic marker. Place some Dognip inside one of the socks, then place the sock containing Dognip inside the other sock. Tie the end of the outside sock into a tight knot. Tie your string above the knot, forming the "tail" of the mouse. You may then use the marker to draw the eyes, nose, and whiskers of the mouse or any other design you want.
Materials
Choosing materials is largely up to personal preference. Consider the skills you have and work with materials from those skills. Knitters may have an abundance of wool on hand, which makes an excellent material for dogs that are tough on their toys. When wool is subjected to heat, moisture and agitation, the fibers "lock up" and become harder to break. Sewing enthusiasts may find that braided fabric scraps make excellent tug-of-war toys. Casual hunters find that their bones don't go to waste.
Similarly, cat owners have found that nearly anything can become a cat toy. A braid of yarn with long, hanging fringe or squares of fabric sewn and stuffed with catnip will entice even the pickiest feline.
Types of Dog Toys
Active Toys
Active toys keep your dog mentally and physically active. These toys are generally made of very hard rubber so that they won't get easily worn when chewed upon by the dog. They are easy to carry around and come in innumerable shapes, colors and sizes. There are rope toys that you can use to tease your dog by wiggling them on the floor or making it jump in the air, as the dog tries to catch it. These active toys generally come in wand-type shape or bone-shape. Dog bone toys made of sturdy rubber will certainly impress your dog.
Distraction Toys
Distraction toys are filled with bits of treats and peanut butter, to keep the dogs and puppies happy for hours. Puppies love chewing these toys to get the treats. These toys prove to be quite useful while training the dog using positive reinforcement method, for dogs just love them. Then, there are 'busy-box' toys for dogs consisting of large rubber cubes, in which you can hide favorite dog treats. Dogs love to explore these cubes using their nose, mouth and paws to find the goodies. They get as excited and interested in these toys as if they are kids on a treasure hunt adventure.
Comfort Toys
Comfort toys can keep your dog cozy while sleeping and are perfect targets for all the dog tricks. These toys are the soft stuffed toys and are not suitable for all dogs. These small and light toys can easily be carried around and give quite a target for dogs to 'shake' and 'mock-kill' games. They can be made in the size and shape of the small animals for the purpose such as mouse, rabbit or duck. If your dog is friendly, these toys can be his best pals, and he can even hug them or sleep with them, to feel cozier and more comfortable.
Safety
When making dog toys, it's important not to skimp on materials. Your dog's teeth are sharp and while you may save yourself ten or fifteen cents a yard by purchasing thinner materials, you're also presenting your best friend with a possible choking or intestinal blockage hazard. A few thoughts on safety:
1. Try to stay away from plastics. Most plastic toys are easily chewed into small bits by your pup. This is a dangerous choking hazard that can easily be avoided by staying away from hard plastics and thin rubber.
2. Don't use string. It's okay to attach heavy twine, cotton roping and nylon rope to your homemade dog toys, but string is a choking hazard.
3. Never give your dog an old shoe. Once you've told your dog it's okay to chew on shoes, he has no reason not to grab shoes from your closet that you're still wearing. You need to set guidelines for your animal. Refrain from giving him any "old" things that he could be confused about.
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