Toy #3: The No-Sew Fleece Braid – A Perfect Tug and Fetch Toy
While puzzle toys are fantastic for mental exercise, sometimes dogs just need a good old-fashioned game of tug or fetch. Our third DIY toy is a durable, washable, and wonderfully soft no-sew fleece braid. It’s much safer than traditional rope toys, whose threads can be ingested and cause serious internal blockages. Fleece is gentle on your dog’s mouth and your hands, and making one is a relaxing, satisfying project.
What You’ll Need
This is the ultimate low-cost, high-reward interactive toy.
Fleece Fabric: That’s it! You can use an old fleece blanket that’s no longer in use or purchase a yard of fleece from a fabric store. It comes in countless colors and patterns, so you can customize it to your heart’s content. A single yard will make several toys.
Scissors: A sharp pair of fabric scissors will make the cutting process much easier.
Step-by-Step Instructions
If you can make a simple braid, you can make this toy. It’s that easy.
Step 1: Cut Your Strips. Lay your fleece fabric flat and cut three long, even strips. The dimensions will determine the size of your final toy. For a medium-sized dog, a good starting point is cutting strips that are about 4 inches wide and 3 feet long. The braiding process will make the toy shorter and thicker.
Step 2: Tie a Starting Knot. Gather your three strips together, aligning them at one end. Tie a tight, secure knot about 3-4 inches from the end. This will give you a nice, fringed handle to hold onto.
Step 3: Braid the Fleece. Now, simply braid the three strips together. Pull the braid tight as you go to create a dense, durable toy. Don’t stretch the fleece, just ensure there are no loose gaps in the braid. You can do this while sitting on the couch watching TV—it’s very meditative!
Step 4: Tie the Finishing Knot. When you get to the last 3-4 inches of your strips, tie another tight knot to secure the end of the braid. Make sure both knots are as secure as you can make them.
Step 5: Trim the Ends. Use your scissors to trim the fringe on both ends of the toy so they are even and tidy. And that’s it—you have a beautiful, custom-made toy ready for playtime!
How to Play Safely with Your Braid Toy
This toy is designed for interactive play between you and your dog. It is not a chew toy to be left lying around. Establishing some ground rules for play will keep it fun and safe for everyone.
When playing tug, the goal is for it to be a cooperative game, not a battle of strength. Keep your tugging motions gentle and from side-to-side, not up and down, which can be hard on a dog’s neck and spine. The game should be fun, not frantic. It’s a great opportunity to practice impulse control by teaching a “drop it” or “release” cue. After a few seconds of tugging, say your cue clearly, become still, and offer a tasty treat near your dog’s nose. When they release the toy to take the treat, praise them enthusiastically and then immediately invite them to play again. This teaches them that letting go of the toy is rewarding and doesn’t mean the fun ends.
One of the best features of this toy is that it’s machine washable. When it gets covered in drool and dirt, just toss it in the laundry (maybe in a delicates bag) and it will come out clean and ready for the next game. Always inspect it after washing for any signs of wear and tear, and discard it if it starts to unravel.
