Easy Fleece Tug Toys

by Patti F
(Nampa, Idaho)

Seen the ones in the store? My pack of four can destroy them in minutes playing tug. Solution: I made my own!

I had some leftover fleece and started experimenting, with help from the pack. A yard of fleece will make several sizes, depending on your dogs. My dogs are big, so I take 4' x 4" (four foot x four inch) strips and braid them. Annie helps by tugging, but if you don't have a 4-legged helper, knot three strips and have a friend hold and pull tight while you braid. You want it as tight as possible! I put an extra knot in the middle for long tuggies. Be sure to get those knots tight, too. I'm not very strong so I pull each strip individually and leave them a little long until the dogs have pulled the knots tighter. I then cut off the excess length.

You can incorporate balls into your braid, or if you're really good, add "arms" to it!