How to Upcycle Old Jeans Into DIY Dog Toys (That Your Newfoundland Will Actually Love)

If you share your home with a Newfoundland, you already know how this goes: you buy a “tough” dog toy, hand it over, and somehow it’s in pieces before you’ve even thrown away the tag.

Big dogs don’t mean to be rough — they’re just strong. And when it comes to plush toys, most of what’s sold in pet stores simply isn’t made for giant breeds.

That’s why I started making my own dog toys out of old jeans.

Denim is thick, tightly woven, and incredibly durable. When you sew it into classic dog-toy shapes like bones, rings, tug toys, and squeaky pillows, you end up with something that lasts longer, costs almost nothing, and feels better to give your dog.

Plus, it keeps old clothes out of the landfill and turns them into something your Newfoundland will actually love.

Why Denim Is Perfect for Dog Toys

Old jeans are one of the best fabrics you can use for DIY dog toys. They’re designed to survive years of wear, friction, and movement — which is exactly what a big dog puts their toys through.

For Newfoundlands especially, denim works beautifully because it’s:

• Tough enough to hold up to big jaws
• Soft enough for cuddling and carrying
• Thick enough to protect squeakers inside
• Easy to sew and reinforce

Instead of flimsy plush fabric that rips instantly, denim gives you a sturdy, satisfying chew without being hard on teeth.

What You’ll Need

You don’t need anything fancy to get started. Here’s what I use:

• Old jeans (thicker denim works best)
• Scissors or a rotary cutter
• Sewing machine or heavy needle and thread
• Polyester stuffing (or stuffing from old pillows or dog beds)
• Dog-safe squeakers
• Pins or clips

That’s it. No special fabric, no expensive supplies.

My Favorite Classic Toy Shapes to Make

I like to stick with timeless dog-toy designs that dogs already love.

These are the ones I make most often:

Bone Shapes

Simple, sturdy, and easy to grip. A flat denim bone stuffed with soft filling and a squeaker in the center is perfect for carrying around the house.

Squeaky Pillows

Think of these like chunky little cushions for your dog. Square or rectangle shapes are incredibly easy to sew, and they’re ideal for hiding multiple squeakers inside.

Tug Strips

Cut long denim strips, braid them together, and knot the ends. These are great for gentle tug games and don’t require any stuffing at all.

Just be mindful of any loose threads that will eventually come off the raw edges of the denim with wear. You do not want your dog eating those threads.

Rings and Donuts

Round toys are fantastic for tossing and chewing. I sew two fabric circles into a ring shape, stuff them, and reinforce the inner edge for extra strength.

These shapes are simple, durable, and easy to repair if they ever get damaged.

How I Make My Denim Dog Toys

The process is the same no matter what shape you choose.

First, I find a shape I like — bone, square, ring, or rectangle — and cut out two identical pieces of denim.

I place the pieces together with the good sides facing inward and sew around the edges, leaving a small opening for stuffing.

Once it’s sewn, I turn it right side out, insert a squeaker or two, and pack it tightly with stuffing. The tighter the stuffing, the longer the toy will last.

Then I sew the opening closed with a strong, reinforced seam.

That’s it — a custom toy made specifically for my dog.

Why DIY Toys Are Better for Big Breeds

Store-bought plush toys are designed to be cheap and cute, not durable.

When you make your own:

• You control the stitch strength
• You choose thicker fabric
• You decide how firm the toy is
• You can reinforce stress points

That makes a huge difference for giant breeds like Newfoundlands, who can destroy weak seams without even trying.

My denim toys last far longer than anything I’ve bought in a store — and when they start to wear out, I just patch them up and keep going.

A Few Safety Tips

Always supervise play with handmade toys, especially if your dog is a determined chewer.

Retire or repair the toy if:

• Stuffing starts coming out
• A squeaker becomes exposed
• Seams begin to tear

The nice thing about DIY toys is that they’re easy to fix. You can open the seam, replace the squeaker or stuffing, and sew it back up in minutes.

Why This Works So Well for Newfoundlands

Newfoundlands are gentle giants who love to carry, cuddle, and squeak their toys. They don’t usually shred things for fun — they just need toys that can handle their size.

Denim toys give them something:

• Soft enough to snuggle
• Tough enough to last
• Fun enough to keep them engaged

And for us, it’s a simple, affordable, eco-friendly way to spoil our dogs without constantly buying replacements.

If you’ve got a pile of old jeans and a Newfie who loves toys, this is one of the easiest and most rewarding projects you can do.