6 Boredom-Busting DIY Toys for Your Dog
Does your dog get bored? Dogs can get tired of the same old, same old—which is why it’s imperative to keep them stimulated with fun toys, puzzles and more! DIY toys are a great way to keep things interesting for your dog. Making your own toys is an inexpensive way to keep things fresh for Fido.
A quick word about DIYing dog toys: Always supervise your dog during DIY toy playtime, never use any sharp materials that a dog could cut themselves with, and make sure to throw away any leftover toy bits and pieces to prevent choking.
Check out these 6 super fun, boredom-busting toys any dog will love… and your wallet will thank you, too!
1. DIY Agility Jump
Okay, this agility jump from Gone to the Snow Dogs looks awesome! You’ll need to be a little handy (and use the proper equipment), but this could be fun for years to come!
If your dog loves to always look at and follow you, is highly food motivated, loves to chase things and sniff, run and pull, then you might have a dog that would love a little agility training! No time for building but need to get some energy out of Fido now? Check out these 6 Exercises to Keep Fido Fit and Strong for Life.
2. Muffin Tin Game
I love how easy and convenient this game is. Grab a muffin tin, tennis balls, 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 enrichment and mental stimulation, and is also the perfect game to practice natural foraging skills.
3. Denim Dog Rope Toy
I love denim for a dog toy because it’s sturdy and durable and we all know that’s a requirement for any of our heavy chewers. Here’s a cool DIY denim dog donut toy. You’ll need a needle and thread to make a few stitches, but there’s a yummy bonus peanut butter treat recipe at the end, or try this DIY denim braided chew toy…no sewing required!
4. DIY Snuffle Mat
Snuffle mats are an interactive feeding mat and scent-work game that uses food to encourage sniffing and mental stimulation. There are a lot of creative ones out there. Here’s a DIY Snuffle Mat that I think most pups would totally love!
5. Shoebox Hide and Seek
Take your dog’s favorite treat and hide them in shoe boxes! Leave some boxes empty and place treats in others. Have your dog go around searching for the boxes with treats. Make it more challenging by putting the lids on, after cutting a few holes in them so the treats can be sniffed.
6. Pupsicles!
Popsicles for dogs. Y-U-M! There are so many great recipes out there. The Dog Bakery has some awesome pupsicle recipes to try! If you make these, go drop a photo of your final product on our Facebook page.
Note that what may appear to be boredom, like restlessness, lethargy, or lack of appetite, could be a sign of depression, 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 @DogsBehavingBetter on Facebook!