Indestructible Dog Toys

Another blog first. Making dog toys. Kolby could be the poster dog of an "aggressive chewer". Buying toys for him, even Kong, is usually worthless as he makes it his mission to not only destroy the toy but destroy it in as little time as possible. I've decided to start making my own toys with leftover supplies to try and save some money. They don't look pretty but so far he enjoys them and hasn't been able to destroy most of them.

My first two (the green snake and brown dog bone shaped thing): I found extra fabric scraps and decided on a pattern. Bone and dog shape. Then I cut the fabric, I made it double lined for extra durability. So I cut out four dog shapes for the one and just doubled the snake. Then I sewed them together and filled with bubble wrap (makes a great inside for dog toys!) and sewed them shut! For the snake I added eyes with a marker and cut little strips on the end just for fun. Kolby enjoys chewing on these and making the bubbles pop.

Fleece fillers: I didn't really know what to call this. I had an old sweatshirt and just cut off of the arms. For one I filled with a used water bottle and sewed the ends shut. Then clipped the ends. For the other I put a squeak toy inside and sewed it shut. Kolby LOVES the crinkling of the water bottle and hasn't destroyed the toys. He ended up loving he squeak toy one EVEN MORE as he never gets those toys. He made it his mission to get the toy out and did...pretty quick. So I sewed a towel around the sleeve which he promptly tore apart. This would could be called a fail...

Puff balls: I had a couple of old sweatshirts and found this idea on pinterest. You cut up strips of fabric about an inch or inch and a half wide and four to six inches long. The website said to cut about 30 and tie them together in the middle with a string. I did this and within minutes Kolby was able to pull each strip out. So, I took the pieces and just started tying them together until it formed a ball time thing. He still tries to tear it apart but it is harder now.

One last dog idea. It isn't a toy but a game. With the winter weather we have been having it isn't always easy or enjoyable to be outside. Kolby; however, still has a crazy amount of energy so we've had to get creative. (I actually was reading an article online about running with your dog and it placed GSP (german shorthair pointers) in the category for having the ability to run 10 miles, run at a 7 minute pace, and do well on trails as they are sure footed). I read online about playing on the stairs to wear your dog out. (No worries Kolby is very agile) So, many mornings we can be found me sitting on top of the stairs throwing an off brand cheerio down to the basement Kolby runs down. After eating I put one on the top stairs and he runs up. And we repeat. Good way to burn off some energy.