Dog DIY: Craft projects for dog parents
By: Karyn WoffordLooking for a fun dog-focused project while you’re at home? These crafty ideas—from DIY doghouses to dog treats—will help you stay busy and bond with your pooch.
A sense of satisfactions comes with doing something yourself—and it is even better when using those skills to craft items, with love, for your precious pup. At home, treats can be made with wholesome ingredients that are much healthier, the average doghouse can become a castle, and a dog bed can be transformed into something fit for a princess or prince. DIY dog projects can take an object from average to magical, and they’re a unique way to enhance bonding (especially in quarantine).
Homemade Dog Treats and Other Unique Eats
A lot of great brands are on market shelves these days, from jerky that humans could probably eat, to all-natural baked goodies. But with a few simple ingredients, fur babies can enjoy peanut butter balls, oat cookies, and a list of other drool worthy creations, straight from the oven.
Peanut Butter Honey Chicken Jerky. Only three ingredients are needed to make this scrumptious doggy delicacy, and the name pretty much sums that up.
Frozen Bone Broth Dog Treats. When it’s toasty outside, those tails will be wagging when icy bone broth treats, with extra bacon bits are served. Bone broth is great for joints, energy levels, and countless other things.
Pet Ice Cream Sandwiches. (Yet another recipe humans might be tempted to eat.) Creamy ice cream sandwiches with a crunchy baked peanut butter exterior, and smooth banana Greek yogurt center. While a few more steps to make than our latter recipes, we think pups would say they are worth it!
Chicken Pup Pizza.So, apparently the sky really is the limit these days with dog recipes. Pets will get a dose of cauliflower, veggies and protein packed meat with this winner of a chicken dinner.
Figo’s Scarf’d pet recipes feature several detailed dog treat ideas, should you be inspired to cook for your pooch. Tip: Check with a veterinarian before serving your pup human food.
Pet Caves (aka Dog Houses)
There are some solid basic guidelines to consider when designing and building a doghouse that will last for years. Does it need to be insulated? How big does it need to be? Figo's doghouse DIY blog can help you with the technical specifications. Below are some of our favorite creative ideas for your doghouse project.
Metal Camper House. How cute would it be for your baby to have their very own metal camper nestled in the corner of a life size motorhome?
Bone Shaped Mini Pool. Not a house, but a precious extension. Even just adding this personal pet pool to the backyard would be awesome.
Eiffel Tower Hang Out.Not every pup could be so lucky to visit the real deal, but with some good woodworking skills, pet parents can provide the second-best thing.
Indoor Cottage.Under the stairs space can become a dreamy escape for furry little ones, with a touch of love and detail. You can take this in many directions. Cottage, cabin, spa and so on.
Modern House with Living Roof. We kind of thought about including Paris Hilton’s dog mansion, but we brought it down several notches with this wooden bungalow with clean wood lines, and a lovely grass roof.
Your Pooch, Sleeping in Style
Whether just during the day or as an attempt to reclaim your bed, a snuggly spot for your baby can become a fun project.
Murphy Bed.While you can just buy one from Wayfair, something more unique might be the end product if done by pet parents. Murphy beds are great space savers.
Moon Pallet Bed. We’ve seen traditional reclaimed pallet beds, and they are beautiful. But by shaping the space as a moon, a level of utter gorgeous-ness is achieved.
Old TV Cabinet Bed. Do you have one of those vintage televisions with the wooden cabinet built around it? They often roll, and probably saw much better days in the 70s and 80s. Well knock the TV out (carefully) and create a snuggle space for dogs!
Strut New Threads
Hone in on those sewing skills, and get ready to create custom cuteness!
Simple T. An old t-shirt can be recut to fit dogs, and from there, your creativity can take root. Kids can create designs with fabric paints, or simply use Sharpies and rubbing alcohol to make tie-die designs.
Simple Dress.Every puppy princess deserves a frilly dress, and beginners can start with a simple pattern, then elevate to more complicated pieces. Pick a cute fabric and have fun.
Spiffy Collar. Not everything has to be sewed, to the relief of many. This collar may not have practical use, but it sure is handsome. Just cut the neck part off of an old dress shirt, fit to your pup by adding a new button, and voila.
DIY Dogs Games
Items lying around the house can become interactive stimulation. These ideas can be especially wonderful for a rainy day.
Hot and Cold. Trainers suggest this classic game as a clever way to pass time, and to teach listening skills. Use a familiar toy, and begin saying “cold” if they are going further away, and “hot”, when closer. Easy peasy.
Muffin Tine Madness.Muffin tin, tennis ball, treats—that’s all that is needed to put together a puzzle game for pups.
We hope we’ve inspired you to spend a day at home getting crafty with your best friend. DIY projects are an incredible bonding opportunity for both dogs and their families.
Karyn Wofford is a “Mom” to her fluffy, sweet dog Halli. She spends much of her time traveling and advocating for Type 1 diabetes—and Halli sometimes accompanies her on her adventures. You’ll find Karyn’s work on sites like Mother Earth Living, and in magazines such as Diabetes Forecast.
