DIY Dog Toys: Week 5 - Calming and Nosework Toys

Welcome to Week 5 of our DIY Dog Toy series! This final week focuses on calming and nosework toys that will help soothe your Doberman's nerves and engage their natural sniffing instincts.

1. Scented Sock Toy

Create a calming or stimulating toy by filling a sock with dried herbs or spices like lavender or cinnamon.

Materials Needed:

• Sock, pet safe dried herbs or spices (such as cinnamon, or mint)

Instructions:

1. Take a clean sock and fill it with dried herbs or spices of your choice.
2. Tie a knot at the opening of the sock to secure the herbs or spices inside.
3. Optionally, you can reinforce the knot by sewing it closed with a needle and thread.
4. Your scented sock toy is now ready for your dog to enjoy! The aroma of the herbs or spices can provide sensory enrichment and relaxation for your dog during playtime.

2. DIY Snuffle Mat

Craft a snuffle mat using fleece or fabric scraps tied onto a rubber mat. It's perfect for nosework games and provides excellent mental stimulation.

Materials Needed:

• Rubber mat or base, fleece fabric or old t-shirts, scissors

Instructions:

1. Cut the fleece fabric or old t-shirts into long strips, approximately 1 to 2 inches wide.
2. Take a rubber mat or base and tie the fabric strips onto it using knots, spacing them evenly across the surface.
3. Continue tying the fabric strips onto the mat until the entire surface is covered, leaving no gaps.
4. Once finished, fluff up the fabric strips to create a textured surface that resembles grass or shag carpeting.
5. Hide treats or kibble within the fabric strips, encouraging your dog to use their nose to sniff out and forage for the hidden goodies.
6. Your DIY snuffle mat is now ready for use! It provides mental stimulation and encourages natural foraging behaviors in your dog.

Wrapping Up Week 5

And there you have it, folks – Week 5 is complete! We hope these calming and nosework toys help soothe and engage your Doberman. Thank you for joining us on this five-week journey of crafting creative DIY toys for your pup.