Does your pup get bored? Does she sometimes look for other things that aren’t exactly toys (shoes!) Charlie has shown a little more interest in them!
Dogs can get tired of the same old, same old—which is why it’s important to keep them busy with fun toys, puzzles and more! DIY toys are a great way to keep things new for your dog. Making your own toys eco-conscious way of doing good for pup and planet, is especially great for dog’s who are just going to destroy the toys or drop them repeatedly in the water bowl.
A quick word about DIYing dog toys: Always keep pet safety top-of-mind. Avoid project materials your pet can chew up or get tangled in. DIY should be creative, fun AND safe!
Check out these 6 super fun, boredom-busting toys any dog will love…and your bank account will thank you, too!
- T-Shirt Rope Toy
We all probably have plenty of old T-shirts around the house; I know I do! And now I’m going to share how to use them for a dog rope toy! (I will NOT, however, part with ANY of my dog t-shirts, no matter how old they are! 😄
Making a rope toy out of t-shirts looks super fun and not too hard (Charlie is still a puppy and she loves to flip things around.)
IDEAS: https://www.tiktok.com/@theviewabc/video/7042700681035255087
https://www.instagram.com/p/B5GLtchH9L5/ ]
- DIY Agility Jump
Okay, this agility jump from Gone to the Snow Dogs looks like so much fun! I completely forgot to look for a sale on Prime Day so…I’ll have to follow the guide above. Charlie is a mix of 4 energetic breeds. I’ve wanted to have her an agility jump/etc. a try. She’d be a GREAT test model! You’ll need to be a little handy (and use the proper equipment), but this could be fun for years to come!
Have you ever watched agility courses? Oh my gosh, I’ve been so in awe. Charlie is next! (I also just went on Marketplace and…ruh roh! I might have to add this for my dog models so they can burn off some energy!)
3. Muffin Tin Game
I can’t wait to try this one with Charlie! Grab a muffin tin, tennis balls (appropriate for dogs) and your dog’s favorite treats! Randomly add treats and cover them with tennis balls. Your dog will need to sniff and paw out their reward! This is great for mental stimulation, bonding time & giving their nose a workout!
4. Shoebox Hide and Seek
Take your dog’s favorite treat and hide them in shoe boxes. A favorite in my studio is WILD WEENIES! Dogs looooove them!
Leave some boxes empty and place treats in others. Have your dog go around searching for the boxes with treats. Make it more chellenging by putting the lids on.
5. Frozen water + toys and treats
Great for those dog days of summer! Grab a bundt or cake pan and fill it with treats and water. Any small treats would work for this.
Freeze and let your dogs have fun cooling off! Since Charlie loves ice cubes so much, I think this would be right up her alley.
6. Go Fishing
Hey, it’s not only cats who love this game! This would be great for small, energetic dogs in small spaces.
Make a fishing pole with a slim PVC pipe, rope and your dog’s favorite toy attached to the end as the bait. Go fishing for… your dog. Make it extra fun by using a toy that treats will fall out of!
Some signs of apparent boredom, like lethargy and lack of appetite, could be a sign of anxiety or an unseen health issue. If your pup acts disinterested, or doesn’t perk up when invited to play, it’s time to check with your veterinarian.
Got a cool DIY dog toy you think other doggies would go woof for? Tag me @annwagamanphotography_pets (Instagram) or @AnnWagamanPhotography (Facebook)
