Do You Know how to Take Care of Your Dog?

Estimated Completion Time
4 min
Do You Know how to Take Care of Your Dog?
Image: Shutterstock

About This Quiz

Prove your knowledge on the best ways to care for your furry forever friend!
What is the leading cause of obesity in dogs?
Overfeeding
Overfeeding is the leading cause of obesity among dogs. Dogs do not need to eat as often as humans, and feeding them like humans often leads to obesity and a shorter lifespan.
Treats high in fat content
Lack of exercise
Eating grass

Advertisement

About what percentage of dogs show signs of dental problems by age three?
50%
25%
80%
An estimated 80% of dogs show signs of dental problems by the time they are three years old, but owners can help prevent dental disease with regular brushings, dental treats, and other recommendations from a veterinarian.
5%

Advertisement

If you discover your dog has chewed something unapproved in the past, what should you do?
Yell at the dog
Spank the dog
Clean it up, and don't address the dog
Disciplining a dog at any time outside the immediate occurrence is useless as the dog will not know why you are disciplining it. If you discover a mess of chewing, simply clean up the mess and don't try to discipline the dog.
Leave the mess

Advertisement

Which of these actions is NOT a sign that a dog may bite?
Tense body
Wagging tail
A wagging tail is not a sign of aggression or an impending dog bite, but a flicking tongue, furrowed brow, an tense body are some indicators that a dog may bite.
Furrowed brow
Flicking tongue

Advertisement

What does the command "heel" mean?
Walk close to my side
"Heel" is a command that tells the dog to stay close to you. This can be particularly effective when in busy areas.
Sit
Lie down
Play dead

Advertisement

When you reward your dog every time he or she does a new behavior correctly, what is this called?
Positive reinforcement
Continuous reinforcement
Continuous reinforcement is the act of rewarding the dog every time he or she performs a behavior you are trying to teach.
Negative reinforcement
Looping reinforcement

Advertisement

What is the name often used to describe non-dog food in relation to dogs?
Chomps
Nummy Yummies
People food
"People food" is one term often used by dog owners to describe food for humans that should be limited or not given to dogs.
Snackies

Advertisement

How often should you wash your dog?
Once per month
Dog expert, Cesar Millan, says that a general rule is to bathe dogs once per month. If you want or need to bathe them more than that, use a shampoo with no soap or with a moisturizer to combat dry skin.
Daily
Once per year
Never

Advertisement

Which game is classified as aggressive by many dog professionals?
Fetch
Chasing or running after people and animals
Tug-of-war
Many dog professionals classify tug-of-war as an aggressive game that should be avoided by owners looking to reduce biting or snapping in their dogs.
Chewing a bone

Advertisement

Which of these foods is toxic to dogs?
Bread
Bacon
Chocolate
Chocolate is a very toxic food for dogs. Though the ingestion of chocolate may not be instantly deadly and side effects can often depend upon the weight of the dog in relation to the amount of chocolate eaten, dogs should be seen by a vet if any amount of chocolate or toxic substance is ingested.
Ice cream

Advertisement

Dogs may try to eat grass as a natural remedy for what ailment?
Fleas
Gassy or upset stomach
Dogs may seek grass as a remedy to a gassy or upset stomach because grass will most often make a dog vomit, therefore relieving the dog of the stomach ailment.
Feeling too full
Lack of energy

Advertisement

Besides overpopulation, which of these is a benefit of having your dog spayed or neutered?
The dog may live a longer life.
Dogs who are spayed or neutered tend to live longer and have healthier lives, and some dogs may even experience improved behavior.
The dog may have less accidents.
The dog will become more loyal.
The dog will stop shedding.

Advertisement

Which technology is now commonplace for identifying your dog?
Laser branding
Microchip
Similar to an enhanced license, microchips can be embedded near a dog's shoulders which enable them to be found much more easily than with only a tag on their collar.
Collar barcoding
Paw imprinting

Advertisement

How old are puppies before they can develop full bladder control?
One year old
Two years old
Three weeks old
Six months old
No matter what method of training is used, puppies can't develop full bladder control until they are six months of age. Some puppies may need longer than six months to fully develop the skill of asking to go outside to "do their business."

Advertisement

What type of harness is safest for dogs to wear when walking?
Nylon harness
Nylon harnesses are the safest and most comfortable option for dogs to wear when walking. There are a variety of different harnesses for dogs based on their needs.
Leather harness
Spoke harness
Paper-based harness

Advertisement

Which bodily function do dogs not share with humans?
Digestion
Sweating
Dogs can't sweat like humans, and they often overheat in vehicles and even on commercial flights. It's best to keep your dog at home while you're out on a hot summer day or in a safe kennel while you're traveling.
Stretching muscles
Sight

Advertisement

What is one way to stop your dog from eliminating in their crate?
Block off a portion of the crate
Dogs typically do not like to eliminate in the same place where they sleep, but dogs that are small enough can eliminate in one corner of the crate and retreat to the other corner. Blocking off part of the crate helps to reduce this possibility.
Hang a sign telling the dog not to eliminate in the crate
Repeatedly tell the dog not to eliminate while in the crate
Keep the dog outside more than inside while potty training

Advertisement

Which of these is not a reason why dogs dig?
Escape
Attention
Entertainment
Spite
Dogs may dig for a variety of reasons including: entertainment, prey, comfort or protection, escape, and attention. Though our overactive minds might think so, dogs don't dig up our yards just to spite us.

Advertisement

Which of these is not a safe toy for a dog?
A thick rope
Water balloons
Thick ropes made for dogs with knots at the end, rubber dog bones, and squeaker-filled toys are safe toys for dogs. However, they should all be given only with supervision as dogs can ingest pieces of these toys that may cause harm. Water balloons are never okay in any circumstances.
Rubber bone
Squeaker-filled toys

Advertisement

Which of these is a health-related reason why a dog might bark too much?
The dog is hungry.
The dog is deaf.
If a dog is deaf, he or she may bark a lot because they can't hear themselves bark.
The dog has hyperthyroidism.
The dog needs to be spayed or neutered.

Advertisement

Which of these types of breeds is more prone to canine flatulence?
Toy breeds
Breeds with "pushed in" faces
Breeds with "pushed in" faces such as boxers, bulldogs, and pugs breathe more through their mouths than their noses, and they therefore gulp in a lot of air when eating, thereby producing rather smelly gas.
Hunting breeds
Hairless breeds

Advertisement

How often should you walk your dog?
Every other day
Twice a day
A general rule is that dogs should be walked at least 15 minutes twice per day, though some dogs may need more or less depending on the breed and energy level.
Once per week
A few times per year

Advertisement

Which breed of dog is usually referred to as the worst swimmer?
Border Collie
Beagle
Bulldog
Bulldogs are generally known as being the worst swimmer of all the dog breeds and are not built well for water activities. It's important to carefully supervise these dogs around water and even provide a life jacket for any dog that will be around rough water or has difficulty swimming.
Boxer

Advertisement

Which of these is not a sign of heatstroke in dogs?
Excess energy
Vomiting, salivating, rapid panting, anxiety, collapsing and other symptoms are signs of heatstroke in dogs. Be sure to always let your dog have access to cool water and shade, being careful not to overexercise them.
Vomiting
Salivating
Rapid panting

Advertisement

What element of avocado is poisonous to dogs?
Persin
Persin is present in the fruit, leaves, seeds, and bark of avocado trees. Side effects for dogs who ingest persin include vomiting, diarrhea, and difficulty breathing. This substance is typically not harmful to humans though.
Seeds
Cinnamon
None of it

Advertisement

At what age are most breeds considered to be senior dogs?
Five
Eight
Though the number is a little lower for large dogs and a little higher for small dogs, the average age a dog reaches senior status is the age of eight. Once they reach this age, it's best to increase their annual vet visits to twice per year.
Ten
Fifteen

Advertisement

What are vomiting, swollen belly, excessive coughing, fainting, and fever all symptoms of in dogs?
Lung problems
Liver problems
Bone problems
Heart problems
Fever, heavy breathing, excessive coughing, fainting, vomiting, and several others symptoms are all signs of heart problems in dogs. If you notice any of these signs, take your dog to your vet as soon as possible.

Advertisement

What condition may be indicated by unexplained weight loss, skin lesions, and abdominal distention in dogs?
Cancer
Lumps and bumps, skin lesions, unexplained weight loss, tumors, and other symptoms can be signs of cancer in dogs. However, many of these symptoms can also relate to less serious problems; it's best to have any animal examined that displays these symptoms.
Hypothyroidism
Muscle loss
Obesity

Advertisement

When back-to-school time occurs, dogs sometimes suffer from what?
Exhaustion
Depression
Due to the change in schedules, dogs sometimes suffer from depression when the family gets into the back-to-school groove. Watch for signs of listlessness, loss of appetite, and not wanting to play.
Aggression
Obesity

Advertisement

German Shepherds, Border Collies, and sheep dogs all share what strong instinct?
Working/Carrying/Pulling
Hunting
Sniffing or seeking
Herding
Several breeds like Border Collies and German Shepherds have a strong herding instinct that can be fulfilled with activities like agility training or flying disc games.

Advertisement

Winning at tug-of-war, walking in front of other dogs, and stealing or guarding toys and food are traits of what type of dog?
Sick
Dominant
Dominant dogs are known for many traits including stealing or guarding toys and food, mounting other dogs, and starting staring contests with other dogs. However, it's common to see traits of both dominance and submissiveness in the same dog.
Aggressive
Submissive

Advertisement

It's best to communicate with dogs using what?
Energy and body language
Energy and body language are the best ways to communicate with dogs. Long sentences are meaningless to dogs, and waving your hands around or making faces without accompanying energy or body language won't always result in the desired action.
Explanatory words
Hand gestures only
Facial expressions

Advertisement

Which of these is not a benefit of owning a purebred dog?
Predictability in temperament
Behaviorally stable
Stability in health
While purebred dogs have many benefits for owners, mixed breed dogs also have some great selling points. They typically have more stability in health and are less susceptible to disease.
Physically sound

Advertisement

Too much dietary fat in a dog's daily intake can cause what condition?
Pancreatitis
Pancreatitis can be caused by an excess of dietary fat in a dog's diet. If your dog already has this condition, a bland diet that is easily digestible is recommended.
Bladder stones
Diarrhea
Hypothyroidism

Advertisement

How many breeds are recognized by the American Kennel Club?
189
167
The American Kennel Club recognizes 167 breeds, but other organizations may recognize 340 breeds or more.
2000
1500

Advertisement

You Got:
/35
Shutterstock