Log Squirrel Dog Toy: The Best Chew Toy for Your Dog?

Alright, let's talk about this log squirrel dog toy I made. It was a whole thing, lemme tell ya.

It all started 'cause my dog, a real destroyer of worlds, needed a new challenge. All the store-bought toys lasted, like, five minutes. I was tired of wasting money, so I thought, "I'm gonna make something myself." I saw some of those puzzle toys where dogs have to pull out little squirrels from a log, and I was like, "I can do that!"

First, I went outside and found a decent-sized log. Not too big, not too small, just right for my dog to lug around (and for me to actually lift, lol). I made sure it wasn't rotten or anything gross. After dragging that thing inside, I had to clean it up. I used a brush and some soapy water to get all the dirt and grime off.

Next up was the squirrel situation. I definitely wasn't gonna carve actual wood squirrels (ain't nobody got time for that!). Instead, I decided to use some old fabric scraps and stuffing. I drew a simple squirrel shape on some felt, cut out a bunch, and sewed them together, leaving a little hole to stuff 'em. Then I stuffed those suckers with the fluff from an old pillow. They looked...rustic. Let's just say my sewing skills aren't exactly professional. But hey, the dog doesn't care, right?

Now for the log itself. I grabbed a drill and started making holes, big enough for the squirrels to fit in, but not so big they'd just fall out. This was probably the trickiest part. I had to eyeball it to make sure the squirrels would be snug. Drilled a few, tested the fit, drilled some more. It was a lot of trial and error.

Once all the holes were drilled, I needed to make sure there were no sharp edges or splinters. I used some sandpaper to smooth everything down. Don't want my furry friend getting hurt!

Then came the moment of truth: stuffing the squirrels into the log! It was a little tight, which was good. My dog would actually have to work to get them out. I made sure each squirrel was wedged in there pretty good.

And that was it! The log squirrel dog toy was born. It looked kinda janky, I'm not gonna lie. But my dog LOVED it. He spent hours pulling those squirrels out, shaking the log around, and generally having a blast.

Here's what I learned:

• Don't expect perfection. It's a dog toy, not a museum piece.
• Use durable materials. My first batch of squirrels ripped pretty quickly. Reinforce those seams!
• Supervise your dog! Especially at first, to make sure they're not trying to eat the toy.

Would I make another one? Probably! It was a fun project, and it kept my dog entertained for way longer than anything I could buy at the store. Plus, it was way cheaper. So if you're looking for a DIY dog toy project, give the log squirrel a try. Just don't blame me if it looks like a hot mess!