DIY tug toy for dogs from old jeans: how to make it

Key points

• Use 100% cotton denim and remove buttons, rivets, zippers, labels and thick seams first.
• It's made from three strips about 6 cm (2.5 in) wide, braided and finished with very tight knots.
• It's a toy for tugging with you, under supervision: put it away when you're done.
• Swallowed threads can cause a linear foreign body: throw it out as soon as it starts to fray.

A DIY tug toy for dogs made from old jeans is tougher than most store-bought ones: denim is thick, stands up to pulling and doesn't fall apart on the first try. With a pair of jeans you no longer wear, some scissors and twenty minutes, you'll have a firm braid with a handle and knots your dog can get a good grip on.

Like all fabric toys, it's for playing with you, not for chewing alone. Played well, tug of war is a great game for burning energy and practicing self-control. Here's how to make it, which parts of the jeans you can't use, and when it's time to throw it out.

Safety: what to remove and when to throw it out

The risk with any fabric toy is the threads and strips a dog pulls off and swallows. A long thread can catch in the stomach while the rest moves on through the intestine, which bunches up around it: that's a linear foreign body, and it usually needs surgery.

• Remove anything hard: buttons, rivets, the zipper, snaps and labels. They can come loose and be swallowed, or break a tooth.
• Discard the thick seams along the sides and waistband: they're sewn with very strong polyester thread.
• Avoid stretch denim (with elastane, spandex or Lycra): it breaks down into fine fibers.
• Wash it before use to get rid of fabric softener residue and loose dye.
• Supervise and put it away: don't leave it in their bed or the yard.
• Throw it out as soon as it frays or a knot comes loose.
• If you see a thread hanging from their mouth or rear end, don't pull it: call your vet.

Rules for playing tug of war

Tug of war doesn't make a dog aggressive. On the contrary, with a few simple rules it's good self-control practice:

1. You start the game and you end it.
2. Teach "drop it": stop pulling, hold the toy still and, when they let go, reward them with something like oat and chicken treats, then offer the toy again.
3. If teeth touch your hand, the game stops for a few seconds.
4. Pull side to side, at the height of their head, without lifting them off the ground or jerking upward in a way that strains the neck and back.
5. Let them win sometimes: it keeps them interested.

With puppies that are teething (from around 3-4 to 6-7 months), play very gently and stop if their mouth seems sore. For dogs with neck or spine problems, check with your vet first. For other toy designs, see the T-shirt rope toy or the rest of our DIY dog toys.

Size by dog

Dog	Width of each strip	Length of the strips
Small (under 10 kg / 22 lb)	3-4 cm (1.25-1.5 in)	40-50 cm (16-20 in)
Medium (10-25 kg / 22-55 lb)	5-6 cm (2-2.5 in)	60-70 cm (24-28 in)
Large (over 25 kg / 55 lb)	7-8 cm (about 3 in)	80-90 cm (32-36 in)

Braiding and knotting take about a third off the length. What matters is that there's enough distance between their mouth and your hand.

What you need

• A pair of old 100% cotton jeans, with no elastane
• Large fabric scissors
• A ruler or tape measure
• A clamp or a weight to hold the braid (optional)

Step by step

1. Remove the hard parts

   Cut off and discard the waistband, the fly with the zipper, the riveted pockets and the thick side seams. You're left with the plain fabric of the legs.

2. Cut three strips

   Cut the legs lengthwise into three strips, using the width and length in the table for your dog's size. If they come out too short, use both legs.

3. Make the handle

   Line up the three strips and fold them in half. Tie a very tight knot about 10 cm (4 in) from the fold: that leaves a handle for your hand and six loose ends.

4. Braid it tightly

   Group the six ends in pairs and braid, pulling tight on every pass. Clamp the handle to a chair or step on it so you can pull hard.

5. Add one or two knots along the way

   Halfway down the braid, tie a knot with the whole bundle. It gives your dog a grip point and keeps the braid from loosening.

6. Finish and trim

   End with a very tight knot and trim the ends, leaving a fringe no longer than 5 cm (2 in). Wash it before the first use and check it before every game.

Frequently asked questions

Is it good to play tug of war with my dog?

Yes, as long as there are rules. It burns energy, strengthens your bond and teaches self-control: letting go when asked and stopping if teeth touch your hand. There's no evidence it makes dogs aggressive. Pull side to side, without lifting them or yanking upward, and play gently with teething puppies.

What fabric is best for making dog toys?

Thick cotton with no elastane, like rigid denim or cotton T-shirts, and fleece for scent toys. Avoid fabrics that break down into fine fibers, anything with elastane or Lycra, and any garment with buttons, zippers or decorations. No fabric is safe for a dog to chew on alone.

How often should I replace my dog's rope toys?

As soon as they start to fray, the knots loosen or your dog manages to pull off threads or strips. That could be weeks or months depending on how they play. Check them before every use and wash them now and then in the washing machine with hot water. If it's only used for tugging with you and put away afterward, it will last much longer.