This TikTok video points out three things that directly affect your dog’s health.
Leaving a full bowl on the floor all day or skipping a brush might seem harmless, but it quickly leads to weight issues and skin sores. From what I’ve seen in practice, these habits are exactly what lead to unnecessary vet visits.
Here is why you should change these three habits.
Stop Free-Feeding
If you leave a full bowl on the floor all day, your dog will eat more than he needs. The dog that eats whenever he wants quickly gets fat, which puts pressure on his joints and heart.
Put the food down, wait 15 minutes, and if he hasn’t finished, pick the bowl up and put it away until the next meal.
Also, skip the scraps from your own plate. Most of what we eat is too salty or fatty for the dog and quickly leads to stomach problems or diarrhea.
Feed him only at the same time every day and keep the bowl off the floor between meals.
Mental Stimulation
Most dogs turn into “couch potatoes” the moment you let them laze around all day.
Without a way to burn off energy, the dog starts barking at every sound or chewing up your furniture.
Getting him out for a short walk or a long game of fetch is the only way to stop that restlessness.
All that running and sniffing around tires the dog out so he doesn’t feel the need to tear things apart once you are back home.
Put on your sneakers, grab the leash, and get out the door – it’s good for both of you!
Proper Grooming
You’re in trouble if your dog runs away the second he sees the brush.
Forcing him to stay put while he’s panicking only guarantees a “fight” next time you try to brush him out.
You need the dog to stand there, so you can actually get the job done without it turning into a wrestling match.
Don’t just skim the surface; you have to get that brush all the way down to the skin to pull out the dead undercoat. If you don’t reach the base of the hair, the dog will end up matted with painful knots that pinch his skin.
Take it slow, keep a steady hand on him, and part the hair with your fingers to make sure you’re pulling that dead hair out right from the skin.
Conclusion
The author of this TikTok video highlights things like dental care and nail trimming, but we can’t go to extremes.
Imagine a Šarplaninac guarding sheep on a mountain – you won’t find his master out there brushing his teeth or clipping nails. Being out on that terrain and doing his job handles those things naturally.
The real point is doing the homework before bringing the dog home! You have to be honest about how you live and if you actually have the time to commit to that specific breed. If your daily habits don’t fit the dog’s nature, no amount of grooming is going to stop the problems that follow.
Research the breed first and make sure it’s the right fit for your life.
