Dog Toys for Heavy Chewers

These easy to make colorful rope toys are great for any size dog. Just scale up or down the diameter of the rope to fit your dog, 1/4" for small dogs or 3/8" for large dogs. Directions given are for a basic toss/tug toy pictured below. Pictured are several variations based on the basic knot that can be created with a little practice and creativity.

Step 1: Finding Center of Two Lengths of Rope

Start with two equal lengths of rope, I recommend no shorter than 5' each length. Find the middle of each length by folding the rope in half and lining up the cut ends.

Step 2: Finding Middle of Each Rope

After locating the middle of each rope, cross each rope at right angle to other rope.

Step 3: Secure With Small Zip Tie

 Then use a small zip tie to secure to the two lengths together at the centers.

Step 4: Begin the Knot

Lay crossed ropes over fisted hand with thumb extended.

Step 5: Loop Around Thumb

Loop first rope around thumb and over second rope, using thumb to hold first rope in place (see image)

Step 6: Loop Second Rope

Loop second rope over first rope and go over rope three, using thumb to hold in place.

Step 7: Loop Third Rope

Loop third rope over second rope and go over forth rope, use thumb to hold third rope in place.

Step 8: Loop Fourth Rope

Loop fourth rope over third rope and then insert fourth rope into loop created by first rope.

Step 9: Tighten Up Loops

Tighten each rope by pulling the tail of each rope.

Step 10: Continue to Tighten Loops

Pull all ropes tight until a small four section knot is created.

Step 11: Trim Off Zip Tie

Trim off zip tie tail, and place knot with zip tie side facing up.

Step 12: Repeat Steps 5-9

Repeat steps 5-9. Loop first rope around thumb and over second rope.

Step 13: Repeat Steps 5-9

Repeat steps 5-9. Loop second rope over first rope and over third rope holding in place with thumb.

Step 14: Repeat Steps 5-9

Repeat steps 5-9. Loop third rope over second rope and over fourth rope holding in place with thumb.

Step 15: Repeat Steps 5-9

Repeat steps 5-9. Loop fourth rope over third rope and feed tail of fourth rope into loop created by first rope.

Step 16: Tighten Up All Ropes

Continue to tighten up all ropes pulling together to form a four section tight knot.

Step 17: Tightened Knot

Tightened knot shown here from above and side view.

Step 18: Repeat Steps 5 Thru 9

5. Loop first rope around thumb & across the top of the second rope .

6. Loop second rope around first rope & across the top of the third rope .

7. Loop third rope around second rope & across the top of the fourth rope .

8. Loop fourth rope around third rope & insert tail end of fourth rope into loop made with first rope .

9. Tigthen up all ropes until a tight four section knot appears

Repeat until only short lengths of each rope remain

Step 19: Repeat Steps 5 Thru 9 Until Only Short Lengths of Rope Remain

Repeat steps 5 thru 9 until only short lengths of rope remain

Step 20: Tucking in Tails & Finishing Off

Insert hemostats or needle nose pliers into knot grabbing one
 rope tail and pulling it threw knot.

Step 21: Continue Pulling Rope Tails Threw Knot

Continue pulling rope tails threw knot.

Step 22: Trim Back All Rope Tails

Trim back all rope tails

Step 23: Trim Away Center Core of Rope

Push back outside braided cover & to expose central core and trim away to reveal leaving only the outer nylon cover

Step 24: Melt the Exposed Nylon Rope and Push Back With Side of Lighter

Melt the exposed nylon rope and push back with side of lighter

Step 25: Finished Dog Toy

Finished Dog Toy. From two 5' lengths of rope the finished toy will be 6" - 7".

Comments

[Guitarist87]

I made your idea for 18 month old lab husky mix she really enjoyed it while playing fetch then when she started chewing on it let’s just say that it was destroyed within a 1 minute or so. Is there a stronger type of rope that my dog won’t chew through as fast?

[ArthurJ5]

Kevlar.

[meadowlark73]

What kind of rope is safe to use for dog toys?

[J3443RY]

Sorry for the slow reply but sisal rope, cotton rope & hemp rope are all considered to be safe for dogs. I should really update that instructable with new rope and designs...it is almost 10 years old. Thanks for the inspiration!

[Usmctxcowboy]

This is a repeating crown knot

[PdaDoggdaddy]

How do I make the y design one you did in the picture

[MaisiSig]

How do I change the shape of the toy? I can see you did the stick one, the one with a circle and line, and the one with three sticks, how do you make them?

[CathyM109]

IF YOU GO STRAIT ACROSS INSTEAD OF CORNER TO CORNER IT WILL BE A SQUARE INSTEAD OF ROUND

[SandyM123]

Easy to make amazing instructions. My chow/rott and chiweenie loved theirs. However my pitt bulls on the other proved why they hold the gold as heavy weight chewing champs and had theirs destroyed in a matter of minutes lol. Will still use for other pup kids though! Thank you!

[KaydoO]

I made the rope toy and it felt super sturdy. Took me about an hour to put together. My pit has had it less than ten minutes and already has the ends pulled out. I tried to fix it by tying regular knots but that was child's play for her. Wish there were a better way to tie it off at the end. I'll keep hunting. Thanks for the tutorial!

[SusanD113]

Okay, got this figured out. It makes a cool toy but would have been easier to follow if you had used 2 different colors of rope. Good instructions though.

[AnnabellaMarie]

It almost requires 4 different colors! Look up instructions on making gimp lanyards (plastic lacing). I want to try some leather shoelaces.

[AnnabellaMarie]

Nice! I would never have thought of this. I acquired a Chihuahua puppy just last night and, being totally unprepared for dogginess, was anxious to create something for her to chew on besides me. This fit the bill, especially after I realized I'd made tons of lanyards using this technique! I'm going to try your Y-shaped 'ible next. OH..I used bakers' twine because she is very teen tiny and my nylon rope was just too big.

[SarahW148]

You can find them at a sports store, or a place like Lowes has rope like that.

[Jackryckeley]

make a youtube video

[Evanhout53091]

Where is the best place to get rope to make these?

[farley123]

Is hemp rope the correct rope to use? Don't the strands get wound around the dogs intestines ?

[KristinM5]

No, use regular nylon rope (like rappelling rope)

[Brenda L Rusnak]

Stacey,this is something you can make for Baby Jax!!!

[JesperN1]

awesome tutorial, very detailed instructions