If this sounds familiar
Everyone in the house gets something on Christmas morning and the dog gets a bit of wrapping paper.
Last year you bought him a toy and he was more interested in the box it came in.
There's a friend whose dog you know better than they think, and you need something to take round.
Why you'll love it
Most dogs have a preference. Most owners find it by accident, after three toys that were never picked up.
Five shapes, one box
A straight rope, two knotted ropes, a rope with a ball and a solid knot. Different weights and grips, so tuggers, fetchers and carriers all find theirs.
Woven cotton, not glued plastic
Cotton and polyester fibre braided through. No rubber smell, nothing to peel off, and light enough for a small dog to carry one about.
Tug takes two
The knotted ropes are made to be held at both ends. Ten minutes of tug does more for a bored dog than an hour with a toy on his own.
Ready to give
Red, green and white, five pieces, boxed. It's the present for the friend whose dog you know better than they think.
The dog opens one present. It may as well be five.
A rope each for tug, fetch and carrying about the house — and five chances to work out which one he was waiting for. Red, green and white, boxed, and ready to go under the tree for your dog or someone else's.
How it works
Why five shapes beats one good toy
Will it fit
ropes, knots and a ball
knot ball to rope ball
all five together
woven, no glue
Sized for small and medium dogs. The longest piece is the rope with ball at 16 inches; the smallest is the knot ball at 3 inches. A large breed would get through these quickly and shouldn't have them — anything that fits entirely inside the mouth is a choking risk rather than a toy.
Simple to use
Put them all down and see which one goes.
Put all five down and watch
Lay them out and let him pick. Whichever one gets carried off is the one he'd have chosen himself - and now you know what to buy next time.
Play tug as a two-handed game
Hold one end of a knotted rope and let him pull. Keep it low and side to side rather than up and down - that's easier on his neck. Teach a drop by going still and offering a treat; a tug game with an off switch is one you can keep playing.
Put them away when you're done
Rope is a supervised toy. Collect them at the end of a session, check each one for loose strands, and keep two or three back in a cupboard - rotating them keeps the set interesting far longer than leaving all five on the floor.
Great for
- Small and medium dogs
- Teething puppies, supervised
- Dogs who tug, fetch and carry things around
- Christmas gifting - for your own dog or someone else's
- Households wanting several toys without buying five separately
- Working out what kind of play your dog actually likes
Not ideal for
- Serious chewers. If your dog can strip a rope toy in one sitting, no cotton rope is safe for him - solid rubber is what he needs.
- Large breeds. These are sized for small and medium dogs.
- Unsupervised play. Rope is for playing with you, not for leaving in the crate.
- Dogs who swallow rather than shred - swallowed rope strands can bunch the intestine.
- Water play. Cotton soaks up and goes mouldy in the core.
Not sure? Send us your pet's measurements and we'll tell you.
Using rope toys safely
Rope is a supervised toy
These are for play with you, not for leaving in the crate. A dog who settles down to shred one will swallow the strands, and swallowed rope can bunch the intestine - which becomes surgery rather than an upset stomach. Play with them, then put them away.
Check them before every session
Run the rope through your hand. Loose or hanging threads, a knot coming undone, or a section chewed down to half its width all mean that piece has done its job. Bin it. A single rope toy is not worth the alternative.
Not for serious chewers
If your dog can strip a rope toy in one sitting, this set isn't for him - and neither is any cotton rope. Solid rubber chew toys are what that dog needs. Ask us and we'll tell you honestly rather than take the order.
What it does for their teeth
The woven texture rubs against the teeth and gums during play and can help shift soft plaque. It won't remove tartar - that's mineralised and only comes off with a scale at the vet - and it isn't a substitute for brushing. Useful alongside, not instead of.
Product details
What's included
1 x straight rope — 11.0in, 46g
1 x long rope with knot — 15.4in, 95g
1 x short rope with knot — 7.5in, 74g
1 x rope with ball — 16.1in, 117g
1 x knot ball — 3.0in, 77g
Care & maintenance
Machine wash on a cold gentle cycle in a laundry bag, or hand wash in warm water with a little mild detergent. Air dry completely before giving them back — damp rope goes mouldy in the middle where you can't see it. Replace any piece with loose strands or a knot working undone.
Shipping
Free on every US order. Most arrive within 7-12 days. Tracking by email as soon as it ships.
Returns
Damaged, faulty or wrong item - tell us within 7 days and we'll replace or refund in full. We can't take change-of-mind returns, which is why every page says who it isn't for.
Ask before you buy
Send your pet's measurements, breed and age and we'll tell you honestly whether this suits - including when it doesn't.
Questions
Before you order
Can I get this in time for Christmas?
Order by 5 December for delivery before the 25th. We would say earlier if you can - December post gets unpredictable and we would rather you had it in hand.
Will these survive my dog?
For a small or medium dog who tugs, fetches and carries, yes - with supervision and a check between sessions. If his habit is to lie down and dismantle a toy, no rope toy will last, and none is safe for him either. Solid rubber is the right answer there.
Are they safe for a teething puppy?
Yes, while you are watching. Puppies chew rope harder than adults and swallow more of it, so keep sessions short and take it away afterwards. The short knotted rope and the knot ball are best sized for a puppy's mouth.
What if my dog swallows a piece of rope?
Small amounts often pass. But if you see loose strands hanging from the mouth or the back end, do not pull - call your vet. Repeated vomiting, refusing food, or a hunched painful belly after chewing rope needs seeing the same day.
Are they machine washable?
Yes, cold gentle cycle in a laundry bag. Air dry completely - rope holds water in the core and will go mouldy if you rush it.
How big are they?
The longest is the rope with ball at 16 inches; the smallest is the knot ball at 3 inches. Sized for small and medium dogs. A large breed would get through them quickly and should not have them.
Do they clean my dog's teeth?
They help with soft plaque during play. They do not remove tartar and they do not replace brushing or a vet clean. Anyone telling you a rope toy descales teeth is overselling it.