Given the size of the pet Industry worldwide, it's no surprise that you can spend LOTS of money on dog toys, if you wish.

I'm convinced, however, that most dogs really don't know the difference between expensive toys and cheap, homemade toys.

So here are some ideas for free, or nearly free, dog toys that my little spaniel has loved over the years!

You should always be careful with any toy you give your pet. Toys can be chewed, swallowed or be harmful to your pet in a number of ways, so be attentive.

Don't leave your dog alone with a new toy. Until you're sure that your pet can't chew it into pieces, stay alert. It's commonly reported that the #1 reason for taking a dog to a Vet (beyond normal routine vaccinations) is when a dog has swallowed something potentially harmful. So stay alert.

Besides, the whole idea is to enjoy playing with your dog, isn't it?

1. Ice Cubes - Puppies especially love playing with ice cubes. Slide an ice cube along a hard floor surface and watch your dog take off after it! And since ice cubes are tricky to pick up even once they're caught, this can be fun adventure for as long as it takes for the ice cube to melt.
2. Sticks & Branches - Who has never played fetch with a twig in the yard? Just take a little care in choosing your stick. Trim off any protruding branches or sharp points that might hurt your dog's mouth. Then, toss!
3. Empty Boxes or Shopping Bags - Most dogs I know are alot like little kids at Christmas. They tend to enjoy playing with the boxes just as much as with the gift! So find an empty box or a shopping bag and put it down on its side and watch your pup explore it.
4. Old Tennis Balls - These are on the "free" list because you can often obtain old worn tennis balls from friends who no longer find them fit for their tennis game. I specify "old" because new tennis balls tend to be quite fuzzy. After playing fetch for a while, I found my dog would sit down and chew the fuzz off the ball, swallowing the pieces. I have also heard warnings that the glue in tennis balls can be harmful to dogs. So proceed with caution and don't leave tennis balls around the house once you're through playing.

1. Soap Bubbles - Buy a bottle of children's soap bubbles and blow bubbles for your dog. My spaniel adores chasing the bubbles and catching them in mid-air! It's hours of fun and is especially handy on a rainy day because you can blow bubbles indoors, too! I always take a bottle of soap bubbles with Bentley when he goes to the boarding kennel so they can blow bubbles for him during playtimes, too.
2. Empty Plastic Bottles - Empty plastic drink bottle bounce and make great crinkly-crunchy sounds when your dog goes diving on top of them. They easy to throw and you can also grab the bottle neck to play tug-of-war together. Warning: Plastic bottles are only good for short play times because they will splinter, break and chip fairly easily, making the pieces a swallowing hazard. So be sure to remove any paper label before you begin to play. And stay close so you can remove the bottle from your pet as soon as the bottle shows any sign of breaking.
3. Stuffed Old Socks - Take a pair of your well-worn pair of tall socks. Bunch up one of the socks and stuff it into the toe of its mate. Then tie a knot in the outer sock. Your dog will love playing fetch or tug-of-war with his new sock toy.
4. Create a Light Show for your Dog - Grab a flashlight, dim the lights and watch your dog chase after the light beam dance around the room. This works even better with a small, narrowly focused beam, but you don't need to go buy an pricey version at the pet store when your old flashlight works just fine.