How to Make a Dog Tug With a Tennis Ball

Whether big or small, dogs love to play tug of war. You can construct your own home dog tug out of an old tennis ball and a length of rope, which will work great as a dog tug but also giving you a toy to slingshot dozens of feet for your dog to chase down and bring back to you. Keep safety in mind when making your tug, ensuring that there are no parts that will detach and potentially get stuck in your dog's mouth or throat.

Things You'll Need

  • Old tennis ball
  • Vise
  • 1/2-inch drill bit
  • Drill
  • 1/2-inch-wide length of tough rope
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Instructions

    • 1

      Fasten the tennis ball into a vise and insert the 1/2-inch drill bit into the drill. Exercise caution while drilling a hole straight through the middle of the tennis ball and out the other side. Do not worry about getting the two holes perfectly aligned, as your tug is still effectively even if the holes do not line up.

    • 2

      Unwind the vise and pull your length of rope, which should be at least 12 inches long, through the two holes. Pull the rope so you have between four and eight inches exposed out of one side of the tennis ball, and tie a secure knot so the rope cannot pass back through the tennis ball.

    • 3

      Tie a solid knot in the other end of the rope to act as a stopper, while allowing the tennis ball can move along the length of the rope.

    • 4

      Take your dog out for a walk and test drive your new homemade tug. Ensure your tug is long enough; you don't want your hands too close to your dog's teeth. Make sure your tug is also secure, and that the two knots you have tied are large enough to keep the tennis ball securely on the tug at all times. Retie the knots if necessary.