Best Winter Toy for Dogs: Fun & Safe Options for Cold Days!

Okay, so winter's coming, and my dog, Max, gets super bummed when he can't run around outside as much. I gotta keep him entertained somehow, or he'll start chewing on my shoes again! So, I figured I'd try making him a new toy. I am not good at DIY, but I thought I would try to make something he likes.

Brainstorming Ideas

First, I thought about what Max likes. He loves to tug, he loves to chew, and he REALLY loves anything that involves food. So, I was thinking along the lines of something durable, maybe with a treat hidden inside.

Gathering Supplies

I raided my old clothes pile and found some old jeans I didn't wear anymore. Perfect! Nice and tough. Then, I grabbed a tennis ball from Max's overflowing toy bin – he's got way too many. I also grabbed some dog treats.

Putting It Together

• First, I cut the jeans into long strips, maybe about 2 inches wide. I wasn't precise about it, just eyeballed it.
• I took three strips and tied a big knot at one end. Super simple, like braiding hair, which I'm also not great at, but I managed.
• Then, I kind of wrapped the tennis ball with the fabric, and continue to braid.
• When I got near the end of the strips,I tied another big, ugly knot to secure it.
• Finally, I wedged some of those small dog treats in between the fabric strips, making sure they were pretty snug so Max would have to work for them.

The Test

I tossed the new toy to Max, and he went nuts! He shook it, he tugged it, he chewed it. He even figured out how to get the treats out after a while. Success! It's not the prettiest toy, but it's sturdy, and most importantly, Max loves it.

It kept him busy for a good hour, which is a win in my book. Plus, it saved me from buying another expensive dog toy that he'd probably destroy in a week anyway. I might even make a few more of these, just to have some backups. Winter boredom, be gone!