West Valley City Animal Services recommends that you keep your dog indoors, unless you’re present to supervise his time outside. Not only will your dog not slip away, but you can also spend valuable time with your dog! Dogs are social creatures and need to socialize with you and the world around them. By walking your dog regularly (at least twice a day), you can provide him with the exercise and mental stimulation he needs. Can’t take a walk? A game of fetch, hiding treats in the yard, and having your dog hunt for them, or a training session, can help too.

If you must leave your dog outside, keep him in a securely fenced yard to prevent him from straying. You may also consider providing him with a covered dog “run” or pen with a doghouse inside. This is a good alternative if you’re unable to fence your dog, or if your dog is apt to escape from your yard by jumping the fence.

Utah law requires you to feed your dog, always provide clean water, and make sure your dog has access to appropriate shelter. So, within the safe confines of your yard, provide access to adequate shelter from rain, snow, severe winds, heat, and other inclement weather, and access to water. When outside, it’s best to provide your dog with a tip-proof water bowl or place the bowl in an area where it won’t get knocked over. To keep a water bowl from getting knocked over, you can also dig a hole and place the bowl at ground level, which will not only keep it from being knocked over but will keep the water cool as well. In the winter, it's important to have a heated water bowl or access to an area where their water will not freeze.

It is also recommended to provide your dog with safe toys that are appropriate for his size to keep him from getting bored and into trouble (see below).

If your dog does like to wander, we don’t recommend that you chain or tie your dog to prevent him from wandering off. A chained or tied up dog is likely to become frustrated, which could lead to destructive and/or aggressive behavior, or barking problems. He could also become entangled in his chain, rope, or leash and, as a result, severely injure himself. However, if you feel you must chain or tie up your dog, use a “dog trolley”. You can construct one by sliding a ring onto heavy wire or rope and fastening the ends between two posts or trees. Then, connect your dog’s lead to the ring. Make sure the lead is short enough to avoid tangling, yet long enough to allow your dog to lie down. The trolley may either be overhead or on the ground. Provide at least 15 feet of clear space for your dog to move around in, and be sure to remove any objects or debris that could cause him to become entangled or injured. Don’t secure the dog trolley near stairways, fences, decks, or porches, and make sure it’s a safe distance from all possible “escape routes”. When using a dog trolley, don’t ever use a choke chain collar; instead, use a leather or nylon harness. However, even when on a “dog trolley,” it is not recommended to leave your dog chained outside for extended periods of time.

Dog Toys and Play Tips

Many problems that owners see in their pets are due to a lack of exercise and stimulation. So many breeds of dog have been bred for thousands of generations for a purpose: hunting, pulling sleds, tracking, even moving or guarding livestock. Now they live in homes, confined to walks and back yard time. Thinking outside the box to help them live fulfilled lives is important to keeping your dog home, happy, and healthy. 

Interactive Toys 
These toys require your participation:

  • Fetch toys – many dogs enjoy chasing balls and Frisbees®. Oddly shaped rubber toys (such as Kongs®) bounce erratically and make the game more fun. Flying disks come in many shapes and sizes, including soft versions that are easier on the dog’s mouth. Devices for throwing the ball increase the distance the dog must run to get the toy.

  • Rope toys, such as Tire Biter® toys, are good for tugging (see note below on playing tug-of-war with your dog).

Distraction Toys
These are toys that keep your dog busy when you don’t have the time to play:

  • Food Delivery Toys: Designed to be used with kibble or small treats, the dog must manipulate the toy with his mouth and/or paws to get the food to fall out. Some examples are: Buster Cube®, TreatStik®, Tug-a-Jug®, Kibble Nibble® and Everlasting Fun Ball®.

Chew Toys

  • Hard rubber toys that are hollow with holes at both ends, such as Kongs, are good chew toys. To make these toys more attractive, they can be filled with kibble or treats. You can also encourage chewing by putting a small amount of peanut butter or cream cheese inside the toy.

  • Dental chew toys are hard toys that the dog can gnaw on and safely ingest small particles. Examples include: Greenies®, Bullie sticks, and Petrodex® dental chews. You should watch your dog to make sure he does not break off and ingest large pieces of these toys.

  • Chew challenge toys are toys that make an edible chewy more challenging for the dog to consume. Examples include Funny Bones®, the Kong Goodie Bone®, and the Everlasting Treat Ball®.

Puzzle Toys

  • Food puzzle toys require the dog to solve a puzzle in order to get treats. Examples are the Nina Ottoson® line of dog toys, including the Dog Spinny® and the Dog Brick®.

  • Puzzle toys require the dog to solve a puzzle to get to a toy. Examples are the Kygen® line of toys, including the IQube®, Intellibone®, and Hide-a-Bee®.

Comfort Toys
Soft stuffed toys are good for several purposes, but are not appropriate for all dogs. For some dogs, the stuffed toy should be small enough to carry around. For dogs that want to shake or “kill” the toy, it should be the size that “prey” would be for that size dog (mouse-size, rabbit-size, or duck-size).

Dirty laundry, like an old T-shirt, pillowcase, towel, or blanket, can be very comforting to a dog, especially if it smells like you! Be forewarned that the item could be destroyed by industrious fluffing, carrying, and nosing.

Getting the Most Out Of Toys

  • Rotate your dog’s toys weekly by making only four or five toys available at a time. Keep a variety of types easily accessible. If your dog has a favorite comfort toy, like a soft “baby,” you should probably leave it out all the time.
  • Provide toys that offer a variety of uses – at least one toy to carry, one to “kill,” one to roll, and one to “baby".
  • “Hide and Seek” is a fun game for dogs to play. “Found” toys are often much more attractive. Making an interactive game out of finding toys or treats is a good rainy-day activity for your dog, using up energy without the need for a lot of space. For example, scattering a handful of kibble in the grass or on a patterned carpet will require your dog to use his nose to find the food.
  • Many of your dog’s toys should be interactive. Interactive play is very important for your dog because he needs active “people time.” By focusing on a specific task, like repeatedly returning a ball, Kong, or Frisbee, or playing “hide-and-seek” with treats or toys, your dog can expend pent-up mental and physical energy in a limited amount of time and space. This greatly reduces stress due to confinement, isolation, and/or boredom. For young, high-energy, and untrained dogs, interactive play also offers an opportunity for socialization and helps them learn about appropriate and inappropriate behavior, such as jumping up or being mouthy.

Tug of War

Tug of war has long been thought to be an absolute “don’t” in many dog-owning households. However, by taking a few precautions and setting some basic rules, it can be a fun game for you and your dog:

  • Choose a toy that will be reserved exclusively for this particular activity. This will help prevent your dog from grabbing and tugging anything you have in your hand.
  • Teach two commands: “Let’s tug” begins the game. Never allow the dog to initiate tug on his own, and always use your starting phrase when you begin the game. “Give” or “Out” ends the game. Teach your dog to release the toy by offering a treat or a better toy in exchange. Do not start playing tug with your dog until he is consistently releasing the toy on command.

Safety

There are many factors that contribute to the safety or danger of a toy. Many of those factors are dependent upon your dog’s size, activity level and play style. Although we cannot guarantee your dog’s enthusiasm or his safety with any specific toy, we can offer the following guidelines:

  • Toys should be appropriate for your dog’s current size. Balls and other toys that are too small can be easily swallowed or become lodged in your dog’s mouth or throat.
  • Avoid or alter any toys that are not “dog-proof” by removing ribbons, strings, eyes or other parts that could be chewed off and ingested.
  • Monitor your dog’s toys and discard any toy that starts to break into pieces or has pieces torn off.
  • Ask your veterinarian about the safety of items like bones, hooves, pigs’ ears, and rawhides. Very hard rubber toys are safer and last longer.
  • Take note of any toy that contains a “squeaker” buried in its center. Your dog may feel that he must find and destroy the squeak source and could ingest it, in which case squeaking toys should be given only under supervision.
  • Know your dog's chewing habits before leaving him alone with any toy. For example, some dogs will carry a plush toy around for years. Others will enjoy “disemboweling” the toy by pulling all the stuffing out. Still others will chew it apart and ingest the pieces, creating a safety hazard for that dog.

Scent Walks
A Scent walk or Smell walk is a free way to help your dog use its brain! A scent walk changes the focus of the walk from distance covered to odors logged, which probably requires a different mindset for you, the owner. Instead of having a specific destination or length, the route of a scent walk meanders as your dog absorbs and processes the scents along the way. It’s easy to take a scent walk. Just set off on a path, and when your dog stops for a sniff, let her. Be fully engaged, which means put away your phone and pay attention to your dog. You will see a difference in your dog as s/he follows the path they want to. Absorbing all the messages from other dogs, nature, and more. The great thing about scent walks is that they are ever changing. Even in your own neighborhood. You’ll also likely gain new insights into your dog’s behavior when you take a scent walk. Is your dog a drive-by sniffer, eager to inhale as many new scents as possible? Or does your dog hunker down and dedicate herself to smelling one location with great intensity? As you stroll, allow your dog to select the path and the amount of time she spends on each odor, but remember to keep leash manners, respect others' space, and keep your dog under control.

Play the Name Game
Not only is this game a great way for you and your dog to bond, burn energy, and learn it can also save your dog’s life. The great part about the Name game is that you can start at home and then work into other places. Start training in a quiet place with few distractions. Be 100% sure s/he will respond to you. With the dog a short distance from you and on leash, say its name. When s/he looks or turns in your direction, quickly reward with a treat! Now move a few steps away, say your dog's name, and when he moves towards you, lure the rest of the way with a treat. We want your dog to understand that his/her name means come all the way to me. We also want him to know that coming when called always results in the most wonderful things. Gradually increase the distance between you and the dog when you give the cue to about six feet or the length of your leash. Practice one recall like these two or three times a day, every day, for one week before moving on. Within a few days, your dog should be coming enthusiastically every time. Be sure you only say your name once each time you practice.

During the second week of practicing two to three name games a day, start increasing the distance from which you call your dog. You should use a long line to keep control of the dog. If you call and the dog does not come, do not repeat the command. Wait a few seconds and then make yourself exiting, run backwards, grab your dog’s attention, and reward when he gleefully runs to you. You may need to temporarily decrease the distance in order to give the dog several successes before asking for more distance again.

As you and your dog get more confident in the name game, sneak away in the house and call his name so he must search for you, you can do the same in the back yard. Hiding behind a bush or tree. Soon, the name game turns into a fun game of hide and seek! 

Want to learn more about games you can play with your dog? Check out these amazing free resources:


If your dog has escaped and wound up at our shelter, we'd like to help you create a safe space to prevent it from happening again. Please watch this video with some important tips and information to keep your dog safe, entertained and, most importantly, at home!