By Earl Hamilton, Professional Dog Keeper
After years of caring for dogs professionally, I've developed a simple daily routine that covers all the essentials. This checklist ensures you never forget the important things that keep your dog healthy, happy, and bonded to you.
Print this out and put it on your fridge. Check off each item daily. Your dog will thank you!
đ MORNING ROUTINE (15-30 minutes)
â Fresh, Clean Water
What to do:
- Dump yesterday's water completely
- Wash bowl with soap and hot water
- Rinse thoroughly
- Fill with fresh, clean water
Why it matters: Clean water prevents bacterial infections and ensures proper hydration. Dogs won't drink dirty water.
Pro tip: Do this FIRST thing every morning - make it as automatic as making your coffee.
â Fresh Food in Clean Bowl
What to do:
- Wash food bowl from yesterday
- Measure appropriate portion for your dog's size/age
- Serve in clean bowl
- Remove uneaten food after 20-30 minutes
Why it matters: Fresh food in clean bowls prevents digestive issues and maintains nutritional value. Free-feeding leads to obesity and picky eating.
Pro tip: Feed at the same time every day - dogs thrive on routine.
â Morning Potty Break
What to do:
- Take dog outside immediately after waking
- Give them 5-10 minutes to do their business
- Praise when they go
- Clean up waste properly
Why it matters: Prevents accidents, establishes routine, gives you chance to monitor bathroom habits (health indicator).
Pro tip: Always go to the same spot - scent helps trigger bathroom behavior.
â Morning Exercise (15-30 minutes minimum)
What to do:
- Walk, play fetch, or use automatic ball launcher
- Adjust duration based on breed and energy level
- High-energy dogs: 30-45 minutes
- Medium-energy: 20-30 minutes
- Lower-energy: 15-20 minutes
Why it matters: Morning exercise prevents boredom behaviors (tail biting, chewing, barking), maintains healthy weight, provides mental stimulation.
Pro tip: Exercise BEFORE you leave for work - a tired dog is a well-behaved dog.
â Quick Health Check
What to look for:
- Energy level normal?
- Ate breakfast normally?
- Bathroom habits normal?
- Any limping or discomfort?
- Eyes clear and bright?
- Any unusual scratching or licking?
Why it matters: Early detection of health issues. Small problems caught early don't become big problems.
Pro tip: Takes 30 seconds. Just observe while they eat and during morning walk.
âïž MIDDAY ROUTINE (10-15 minutes)
â Check Water Level
What to do:
- Make sure water bowl still has clean water
- Top off if needed (or dump and refill if dirty)
- Check outdoor water if you have one
Why it matters: Dogs drink throughout the day. Empty bowl = dehydration.
Pro tip: If you work from home, refresh water at lunch. If not, ensure bowl is large enough for all-day access.
â Midday Potty Break (if possible)
What to do:
- Quick 5-10 minute bathroom break
- Praise and treat
- Back inside
Why it matters: Prevents accidents, provides relief, breaks up long alone time.
Pro tip: If you can't come home, consider dog walker or neighbor help for long days.
â Quick Play or Interaction (5-10 minutes)
What to do:
- Brief play session
- Training practice (sit, stay, tricks)
- Puzzle toy or treat dispenser
- Or 10 minutes with automatic ball launcher
Why it matters: Breaks up boredom, provides mental stimulation, prevents destructive behavior.
Pro tip: Even 5 minutes makes a difference for anxious or high-energy dogs.
đ EVENING ROUTINE (45-60 minutes)
â Wash and Refill Water Bowl
What to do:
- Dump old water
- Wash bowl thoroughly
- Rinse well
- Fill with fresh water
Why it matters: Evening refresh ensures clean water overnight. Removes day's buildup of saliva and debris.
Pro tip: Do this while preparing your own dinner - make it part of your routine.
â Evening Meal in Clean Bowl
What to do:
- Wash food bowl
- Measure evening portion
- Serve at same time daily
- Remove uneaten food after 20-30 minutes
Why it matters: Consistent feeding times aid digestion, prevent obesity, establish routine.
Pro tip: Feed 3-4 hours before bedtime to allow for digestion and final potty break.
â Evening Exercise (30-45 minutes)
What to do:
- Longer walk or play session
- This is your main bonding time
- Mix activities: walk, fetch, training, play
- Adjust based on morning exercise
Why it matters: Burns remaining energy, prevents nighttime restlessness, quality bonding time, maintains fitness.
Pro tip: Make this YOUR stress relief too - walk without phone, be present with your dog.
â Grooming Time (5-10 minutes)
What to do:
- Brush coat (daily for long-haired, 3x/week for short-haired)
- Check ears for dirt or odor
- Wipe paws if dirty
- Check for any lumps, bumps, or issues
Why it matters: Prevents matting, distributes oils, bonding time, early health detection, keeps home cleaner.
Pro tip: Make this a calm, relaxing ritual. Your dog will look forward to it.
â Mental Stimulation (10-15 minutes)
What to do:
- Training session (teach new trick or practice commands)
- Puzzle toy or treat game
- Hide and seek
- Scent work
Why it matters: Mental exercise is as important as physical. Prevents boredom, strengthens bond, keeps mind sharp.
Pro tip: Rotate activities to keep it interesting. Monday = training, Tuesday = puzzle, etc.
â Wind-Down Time (15-20 minutes)
What to do:
- Calm activities after exercise
- Gentle petting or massage
- Quiet time together
- Let dog settle before bed
Why it matters: Helps transition from active to sleep mode. Prevents nighttime restlessness.
Pro tip: This is YOUR wind-down time too. Relax together.
đ BEDTIME ROUTINE (10-15 minutes)
â Final Potty Break
What to do:
- Last bathroom trip of the night
- Keep it brief and calm
- No exciting play
- Praise when they go
Why it matters: Prevents nighttime accidents, ensures comfortable sleep.
Pro tip: Same time every night. Dogs will learn to "go on command" before bed.
â Check Water is Clean and Full
What to do:
- Quick check that water bowl is clean
- Top off if needed
- Ensure accessible overnight
Why it matters: Dogs may drink during night, especially after exercise or in warm weather.
â Comfortable Sleeping Area
What to do:
- Ensure bed is clean and comfortable
- Favorite toy or blanket available
- Calm, quiet sleeping area
- Consistent location every night
Why it matters: Quality sleep is essential for health. Routine sleeping spot provides security.
Pro tip: Use calming bed with raised edges for anxious dogs - provides sense of security.
â Remove Uneaten Food
What to do:
- Pick up any food left from dinner
- Don't leave food out overnight
- Prevents pests and spoilage
Why it matters: Food safety, pest prevention, maintains feeding schedule.
đ WEEKLY TASKS (Add to Daily Routine)
Once or Twice Weekly:
â Deep clean water and food bowls - Dishwasher or thorough scrub
â Wash bedding - Keep sleeping area fresh
â Clean toys - Wash or wipe down regularly used toys
â Trim nails - If you hear clicking on floor, they're too long
â Brush teeth - Daily is ideal, 3x/week minimum
â Check collar/harness fit - Ensure not too tight or loose
đïž MONTHLY TASKS
â Bath time - Every 4-6 weeks (bonding + health)
â Deep ear cleaning - Check for infection, clean gently
â Flea/tick prevention - Apply monthly treatment
â Weight check - Monitor for changes
â Inspect paws - Check pads for cracks, trim paw hair
â Review food supply - Check expiration, restock if needed
đ PRINTABLE DAILY CHECKLIST
Morning (15-30 min):
â Fresh water in clean bowl
â Fresh food in clean bowl
â Morning potty break
â 15-30 min exercise
â Quick health check
Midday (10-15 min):
â Check/refresh water
â Potty break (if possible)
â Quick play/interaction
Evening (45-60 min):
â Wash and refill water
â Evening meal in clean bowl
â 30-45 min exercise
â 5-10 min grooming
â 10-15 min mental stimulation
â 15-20 min wind-down
Bedtime (10-15 min):
â Final potty break
â Check water
â Comfortable sleeping area
â Remove uneaten food
â±ïž TIME BREAKDOWN
Minimum Daily Time Commitment:
- Morning: 15-30 minutes
- Midday: 10-15 minutes (if home)
- Evening: 45-60 minutes
- Bedtime: 10-15 minutes
Total: 80-120 minutes (1.5-2 hours) daily
This includes: Feeding, exercise, grooming, bonding, training, care
Worth it? Absolutely. This routine gives you a healthy, happy, well-behaved dog and a strong bond that lasts a lifetime.
đĄ PRO TIPS FROM A DOG KEEPER
1. Consistency is Key
Do things at the same time every day. Dogs thrive on routine. Your dog will learn the schedule and be calmer, better behaved.
2. Make it Automatic
Link dog care to your own routines:
- Make coffee = wash dog's water bowl
- Your breakfast = dog's breakfast
- Your dinner prep = dog's evening meal
- Your bedtime routine = dog's bedtime routine
3. Quality Over Quantity
15 minutes of focused, engaged play is better than 30 minutes of distracted, phone-in-hand walking.
4. Observe and Adjust
Every dog is different. Adjust this checklist based on:
- Your dog's age, breed, energy level
- Your schedule and lifestyle
- Season and weather
- Your dog's individual needs
5. Don't Skip the Basics
When life gets busy, it's tempting to skip things. Don't skip:
- Clean water (non-negotiable)
- Fresh food (non-negotiable)
- Potty breaks (non-negotiable)
- Minimum exercise (at least 20 min)
6. Use Tools to Help
- Automatic ball launcher - Provides exercise when you're busy
- Puzzle feeders - Mental stimulation during meals
- Calming products - For anxious dogs during alone time
- Quality grooming tools - Makes care easier and more effective
đš Warning Signs to Watch For
While doing your daily routine, watch for these red flags:
See vet if you notice:
- â Sudden loss of appetite (skips 2+ meals)
- â Excessive thirst or urination
- â Lethargy or unusual tiredness
- â Vomiting or diarrhea (especially if repeated)
- â Limping or difficulty moving
- â Excessive scratching or skin issues
- â Changes in bathroom habits
- â Unusual lumps or bumps
- â Bad breath or dental issues
- â Behavioral changes (aggression, anxiety, confusion)
Your daily routine helps you catch these early!
The Bottom Line
As a professional dog keeper, I can tell you: consistency in daily care is the foundation of a healthy, happy dog.
This checklist might seem like a lot at first, but within a week or two, it becomes automatic. You'll move through it without thinking, and your dog will thrive.
The investment: 1.5-2 hours daily
The return: A healthy, well-behaved, bonded companion for 10-15+ years
That's a pretty good deal.
Print this checklist. Put it on your fridge. Check off each item daily for the first month until it becomes habit.
Your dog is counting on you for these basics. Don't let them down.
đ„ Download & Print: Right-click and save this page, or copy the checklist section above to create your own printable version.
About the Author: Earl Hamilton is a professional dog keeper who has developed this routine through years of hands-on experience caring for dogs. He founded Fairval to share practical wisdom that helps dogs live healthier, happier lives.
Questions about your dog care routine? Email Earl at support@healthydoglifestyl.com
Shop products that support your daily routine: Browse Fairval's collection