Rope toys are one of the most common types of dog toys. Whether your pup likes to fetch, tug or chew, a rope toy will meet his needs. Making a DIY Dog Rope Toy is a great way to recycle old materials and make a fun plaything for your pup.
I like making homemade rope toys for my dogs and to give as gifts. You can sale the diameter of the rope up or down depending on the size of the dog. I usually use 1/4″ rope for small breeds and 1/2″ rope for large breeds.
I like DIY projects because they save money, recycle materials and you can be proud of the finished product. As I mentioned, a DIY dog rope toy would also make a great gift for any pup on your list. Nothing says you care like a homemade gift from the heart!
DIY Dog Rope Toy: 3 Cheap Ideas
1. DIY Dog Rope Toy for Heavy Chewers
Start with two equal lengths of rope. I recommend each piece be at least 12″ long. Find the middle of each piece by lining up the ends and folding the pieces in half. Cross the center of the ropes at an angle and secure with a small zip tie.
With your thumb extended, lay the crossed ropes over your fist. This part gets a little tricky to explain, but you can watch my step-by-step guide above to see how it's done.
Loop the first rope around your thumb and over the second. I use my thumb to hold the first rope in place. Now, loop the second rope over the first rope and go over the third rope.
Loop the third rope over the second rope and go over the forth rope. You'll see a square-shaped knot begin to form. Tighten each rope by pulling the tail end of the rope. This will secure the knot.
Repeat these steps until only a short length of each rope is left (about 1″). To hide the ends of the ropes, insert needle nose pliers through the center of the knot and pull the ends through the knot. Trim away the excess rope and melt the end of each rope with a lighter.
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2. Traditional-Style Rope Dog Toy
Begin by unraveling the three strands of a piece of rope. Unravel about 6″ of the rope. You can put tape around the end of each piece of rope to make tying the note easier. This isn't absolutely necessary, but it will make it easier for first-timers.
You'll need to tie a Matthew Walker note on each end of the rope. You can watch my step-by-step guide above to see how it's done step-by-step. Once you've knotted each end of the rope, fray the ends to make it look nice.
3. Recycled T-Shirt Rope Dog Toy
This is a simple way to recycle old t-shirts, jeans, sweatpants, etc… Cut the material into at least 6 strips of equal length. Tie the strips together on one end with a large knot.
Separate the strips into 3 sections and braid them from the knot down. Leave about 2″ of material on the other end of the braid to create a knot that will hold it all together.
No matter which DIY dog rope toy you make, your pooch is sure to love it! Encourage your pup to play fetch or tug for some extra exercise. The best thing about all of these options is that they are machine washable for easy cleaning.
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