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A snuffle ball is a toy which has been designed to release treats when a dog plays with it.
According to this
study, dogs are happier when they have to earn their rewards rather than just having them for free. Successfully getting food out of toys for themselves can increase a dog’s confidence and also help to tire them out mentally. Treat dispensing toys are a great way of achieving this.
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There are a few different types of snuffle balls, but I am going to show you how to make a really simple one that doesn’t involve any sewing.
You will need:- A rubber ball with holes, such as Hol-ee Roller by JW Pet Supplies
- Strips of fleece. I used roughly 2cm x 20cm strips
Make sure you pick a ball size that is appropriate for your dog. The amount of fleece you will need will depend on how thick you cut your strips and the size of the ball. To completely cover a medium ball I used roughly ½ meter of fleece.
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Start by passing a strip of fleece under one side of a hole and then tie it in a double knot so that the strands end up on the outside of the ball. Repeat this so that you have two pieces of fleece on the same side. Carry on to the next side of the hole. It’s easier to focus on all sides of one hole before moving onto the next.
Once you’ve tied fleece to every side of each hole your snuffle ball is complete!
Now you are ready to put some treats or dry food inside and let your dog work to get them out!
As with all toys, please monitor your dog when playing with their snuffle ball to ensure they are playing safely.
