15 DIY Dog Toys From Things Around Your House

Your puppy or dog may have already made themselves a chew toy from things you didn’t want them to find around your house. Why not make your own dog toys out of items you actually want your pup to have? Save money by recycling regular, everyday objects into a dog toy.

We’ve collected a list of 15 DIY dog toys that teach you how to make dog toys of your very own and from things around your house – including all the supplies you’ll need. You’ll find toys that help with mental stimulation, appease chewers, provide your dog with exercise, and are ideal for puppies.

Keep in mind that you should always monitor your dog’s toys for damage and discard loose pieces that can become choking hazards. If your dog is an aggressive chewer, be selective to choose more durable DIY ideas.

1. Tennis Ball Foxtail From Instructables Living

This fun toy designed by Instructables Living takes tossing a tennis ball to the next level. With some sewing skills, you can make this foxtail for far less money than buying one. If your dog or puppy likes to play fetch, they’ll get plenty of exercise.

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2. Water Bottle Treat Puzzle From Proud Dog Mom

In less than five minutes, you can make a more challenging way for your dog to earn a treat. Simply take an empty water bottle and convert it into a treat puzzle. Your dog will need to figure out how to roll it just right to release the treats through the holes you cut into it.

• Fun Tip: This puzzle can be used with a washed-out milk jug, which dogs like chewing on

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3. PVC Treat Puzzle From Dog Tipper

If you want to make a durable treat puzzle and are handy with tools and have extra PVC pipe taking up space in your garage or shed, you can make this fun, interactive treat puzzle from Dog Tipper. After cutting the PVC pipe to a reasonable length and drilling several holes, cap up one side, add treats or dry kibble, cap closed the other end, and give it to your dog.

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4. Ball and Tug Toy From She Knows

Make this fun chew toy from She Knows in about five to 10 minutes. Made from an old t-shirt and a tennis ball, this DIY project doesn’t require sewing skills. Be sure to click the instructional video for the exact steps. You could also make this toy out of a long sock.

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5. Flirt Pole From German Shepherd Corner

This clever toy from German Shepherd Corner will provide your puppy or active dog with plenty of playtime fun. Follow the five easy steps to make one of your own for your pup.

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6. Braided T-shirt Chew Toy From Bark Post

This braided t-shirt chew toy from Bark Post is easy to make. The soft chewing material eases your puppy’s gums. If you use gently worn t-shirts that still have your scent, your puppy can be comforted from separation anxiety as well.

• Fun tip: You can make this braid out of rope for more durability

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7. Tennis Ball Muffin Tin From Cheerful Hound

For this simple brain teaser created by Cheerful Hound, place one small treat in each or some of the muffin cups and cover each of the muffin cups with a tennis ball. Your dog will need to figure out how to remove the tennis ball and get to the treats.

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8. Water Bottle Chew and Toss Toy From Ammo the Dachshund

This post from Ammo the Dachshund has two great DIY ideas for chew toys that you can toss. For the water bottle directions, scroll down to the second part of the article. We chose to feature the water bottle DIY craft for its crunchy sound and texture that your puppy or dog should enjoy enormously.

• Fun tip: You can substitute a sock or a t-shirt for the fabric

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9. Doggy Ice Lick From Life Hacker

On a hot day, keep your dog occupied and cooled off with this frozen toy from Life Hacker. We recommend giving it to your dog outside to avoid the mess.

• Fun tip: You can freeze treats and bully sticks in this water and chicken broth mixture. Use a muffin tin for individual pup popsicles

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10. Knotted Denim Chew Toy From Instructables Living

Take your old denim jeans and turn them into a sturdy chew toy for your dog. Instructables Living has easy-to-follow steps with helpful photos. Your dog should get much satisfaction out of gnawing the denim knot. You can knot other materials such as dish towels or socks.

• Fun tip: On a hot day, soak the knot in water and freeze it before giving it to your dog

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11. Busy Box Treat Puzzle From Jacksonville Humane Society

Your dog will have to work to get a treat with this busy box puzzle idea from the Jacksonville Humane Society. The best part is that you can find everything you need right in your kitchen.

• Fun tip: You can also make it with an empty plastic tub of butter or an empty jar

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12. Tennis Ball Treat Puzzle From Instructables Living

This super simple idea from Instructables Living gives your dog a modest challenge to get their treats. Make a cut or a crosscut into the tennis ball, pop in a treat or two, and test your dog’s problem-solving skills.

• Fun tip: You can hide treats in the fingers of an old glove

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13. Toilet Paper Roll Treat Puzzle From Instructables Living

Instructables Living offers a fun place to hide treats: a toilet paper roll. Follow the easy instructions for how to fold the ends, and you’ll have a toilet paper roll burrito to keep your dog busy for a short while.

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14. Toilet Paper Roll Boredom Buster From Club Dogue

You’ll need to collect several toilet paper rolls for this treat puzzle from Club Dogue. This challenge involves assembling the toilet paper rolls vertically in a container, dropping some treats into the open ends, and placing this whole setup on the floor for your dog to have at it.

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15. Pulling Fabric Toy From Club Dogue

For this interactive idea from Club Dogue, you’ll need a dog chew toy with open spaces. After wrapping a dog treat in a smaller size sock or a piece of fabric recycled from an old t-shirt, stuff it into the opening of the chew toy. Repeat filling and stuffing until nearly all the openings on the toy are filled. Your dog should be occupied for at least as long as it took you to learn how to make a dog toy.