6 Dog Care Tips

Here’s the thing about owning a dog: nobody is going to hand you a manual. You figure things out the hard way, like when Freya once guzzled half a bowl of water after zoomies and immediately threw it back up on my rug (lesson learned). Or when I thought her water bowl was “clean enough,” only to discover it was slimy with bacteria (yep, that’s a thing).

These aren’t the big, obvious lessons everyone talks about. They’re the little ones, the tiny tweaks in your daily routine that make a big difference for your dog’s health. And honestly, I wish someone had told me these sooner.

These kinds of small tips add up. They keep your dog healthier, your house cleaner, and your sanity intact. So today, I want to share the top 7 dog care tricks I’ve learned, through trial, error, and a little research, so you don’t have to make the same mistakes I did.

1. Hydration Tips: Don’t Let Your Dog Guzzle Water After Exercise
   

   1. One of the first lessons Freya taught me was this: too much water, too fast, is a recipe for a mess. After a long round of zoomies, she’d run straight to her water bowl and gulp it down like she hadn’t had a drink in days. And nine times out of ten? It came right back up on the carpet.
      
      

   2. It turns out, drinking large amounts of water too fast after exercise can upset your dog’s stomach and in some cases, it may even increase the risk of bloat (gastric dilatation-volvulus), a life-threatening and emergency-only condition. VCA Animal Hospital specifically notes exercises after a large meal or lots of water can increase the risk.
      

   3. So what’s the fix? Instead of letting Freya chug a full bowl right after activity, I started offering her small amounts of water in intervals, a little break to let her cool down, then more a few minutes later. I also keep her water bowl filled all day so she doesn’t feel the need to “stock up” when she’s thirsty.
      

2. Keep Those Bowls Clean
   

   1. I’ll be honest, at first, I didn’t think much about Freya’s water or food bowl. I’d rinse it out when it looked dirty and refill the water as needed. But one day I noticed the water bowl felt slimy, even though it looked clean. That’s when I learned about something called biofilm, and let me tell you, it’s grosser than it sounds.
      

   2. Biofilm is that slimy layer of bacteria and residual oils that builds up inside bowls. Pet dishes rank among the top five germiest items in your home, up there with kitchen sponges and sinks, according to NSF’s official cleanliness study. Without proper cleaning, these bowls can become breeding grounds for pathogens like E. coli and Salmonella according to Midtown Veterinarian Center.
      

   3. Now, I make it a habit to wash Freya’s bowls daily with hot water and mild dish soap. Once a week, I’ll run them through the dishwasher for a deeper clean. It takes maybe a minute of effort, but it means her water stays fresh and safe.
      

   4. Quick tip: If you use stainless steel bowls, they’re easier to clean and less likely to hold onto bacteria compared to plastic. Plus, they don’t get that permanent “wet dog smell.”
      

   5. It’s such a small change, but honestly, it makes a big difference. Fresh, clean water = a healthier, happier pup.
      

3. Bathing Basics: Less Is More
   

   1. When I first got Freya, I thought giving her frequent baths was part of being a good dog parent. After all, who doesn’t love a clean, fluffy pup? But it didn’t take long to realize I was overdoing it. Her skin started to get a little flaky, and she was scratching more than usual.
      

   2. Frequent bathing can strip away your dog's natural oils, the very barrier that keeps their skin and coat healthy and hydrated. Too much of a good thing can lead to dryness, itchiness, and even more shedding. The American Kennel Club recommends for dogs with medium to large coats that baths should only happen every four to six weeks, provided the coat is well-maintained between washes.
      

   3. Now, my rule of thumb is this: if Freya rolls in mud or finds something unspeakably gross outside (which happens more often than I’d like), she gets a bath. But if she’s just  rolled in the dirt, dirty, I’ll hold off and stick to brushing. Brushing not only keeps her coat cleaner but also helps spread those natural oils that keep her skin healthy.
      

   4. Quick tip: Always use a gentle, dog-specific shampoo. Human shampoos are too harsh and can throw off the pH balance of their skin.
      

   5. So yes, a clean pup is great, but a healthy coat is even better.
      

4. Eating Too Fast: Slow It Down
   

   1. If Freya could enter a food-eating contest, I think she’d win. The first few weeks after I brought her home, she would inhale her meals like she hadn’t eaten in days. And while it was a little funny to watch, it could have quickly turned into a problem.
      

   2. Eating too fast can lead to choking, vomiting, and digestive issues. Veterinarians at VCA Animal Hospitals even note that in large-breed dogs, gulping food is a risk factor for bloat (gastric dilatation-volvulus), a serious condition where the stomach twists. Even when it doesn’t cause something that extreme, fast eating can make your pup gassy, uncomfortable, and more likely to regurgitate their food right after meals.
      

   3. The fix? Slow it down.
      

      1. I switched to a slow feeder bowl with ridges and patterns that force Freya to eat at a more normal pace.
         

      2. Breaking meals into smaller portions a few times a day can also help.

   4. Now, instead of inhaling her dinner in under a minute, Freya actually has to work for it. It keeps her digestion smoother, and honestly, it doubles as a little mental enrichment too.
      

5. Hot Pavement: The 10-Second Rule
   

   1. One summer afternoon, I learned the hard way just how hot pavement can get. Freya and I went for what I thought would be a quick, harmless walk. She stopped, started lifting her paws like she was dancing, and looked miserable. I bent down, touched the pavement with my hand and yanked it away. It was scorching.
      

   2. Here’s the thing: dogs’ paw pads may look tough, but they can burn quickly on hot surfaces. According to the American Kennel Club, to help condition your dogs paws, you should walk on the pavement in cooler weather, to toughen up their paw pads and build some resistance against the heat.
      

   3. The rule I live by now is simple: the 10-second rule, as recommended by the American kennel Club. If I can’t hold my hand on the pavement for 10 seconds, it’s too hot for Freya’s paws.
      

   4. Quick tip: In the summer, I stick to early morning or evening walks, use grassy areas whenever possible, and on really hot days. Freya would rather go to the vet then to rock her little booties, so those don’t work for us, but they may work well for you.
      

   5. It’s one of those small things most new dog parents don’t think about, but once you see burned paw pads (or even just the pain it causes), you never forget it.
      

6. Check Collar and Harness Fit Regularly
   

   1. When Freya was a puppy, it felt like she grew overnight. One week her collar fit perfectly, and the next it was leaving little indents in her fur. I hadn’t realized just how fast she was growing and how easy it is for collars and harnesses to become too tight.
      

   2. A poorly fitted collar or harness isn’t just uncomfortable—it can be dangerous. According to the American Humane Society, you should be able to slip two to three fingers under the collar, but it shouldn’t be so loose that it can slip off. If it’s too tight, it can “literally grow into your puppy’s neck,” causing serious discomfort or injury (American Humane Society) . On the flip side, gear that’s too loose can slip right off. Ask me how I know, Freya once pulled a full Houdini act and nearly gave me a heart attack.
      

   3. The rule I follow now is the two-finger test: I should always be able to slip two fingers comfortably between Freya’s collar and her neck. For harnesses, I check that I can fit two fingers between the straps and her chest, but not so much space that it slides around. I usually check Freya’s gear once a week because she is growing so much.
      

   4. Quick tip: Puppies especially need frequent checks, sometimes every week, because they outgrow gear faster than you think. Even with adult dogs, it’s worth checking monthly, since weight changes or even thickening of their winter coat can affect fit.
      

   5. This tiny habit has saved us from both discomfort and escapes, and it only takes a few seconds to do.

Bottom Line:

When I first brought Freya home, I thought being a good dog parent meant handling the “big stuff”, vet visits, training, feeding the right food. And while those things matter, I’ve learned it’s often the small, everyday habits that make the biggest difference in her health and happiness.

From keeping her water and food bowl clean, to checking her collar fit, to watching out for hot pavement, these little details add up to a healthier, more comfortable life. None of them take much time, but they’ve saved me from bigger problems (and vet bills) down the road.

Every dog is different, and what works for Freya might look a little different for yours. But if there’s one takeaway, it’s this: pay attention to the little things, stay consistent, and you’ll set your pup up for a lifetime of health and trust.

And honestly? Freya still finds new ways to surprise me every day. But with these habits in place, I feel more prepared for whatever puppyhood (and beyond) throws at us.