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About This Quiz
There is no experience quite like the enthusiastic greeting of a dog who knows and loves you — the wagging tail, the drool-soaked kisses, and happy whimpers are unconditional and unending. But dogs, like human children, also involve a lot of responsibility and dedication, otherwise, their behavior suffers, and their quality of life does, too. In some cases, poorly informed dog ownership can cause misery for both the people and the pups. But with proper love and training, the dog-human bond can be one of life’s most rewarding relationships. In this howling-good quiz, what do you really know about the basics of dog ownership?
Dogs are not cats. Dogs are not gerbils. Dogs are canines, with DNA that’s closely related to wolves. They have many of the same restless instincts — and thus, require proper training in order to peacefully coexist with families and other pets. What do you recall about the basic needs and behaviors of dogs?
Because dogs are pack animals, humans must treat them as such. That means firmly guiding the pups through life with intelligent and kind obedience training. What’s more, dogs need certain preventative care, otherwise, they can become sick, or worse.
Dig into this wild-eyed puppy quiz now! Let’s see if you’re a good dog owner or if you should maybe stick to goldfish.
It’s a major responsibility. What should you do before you jump into dog ownership?
Get a new house.
Evaluate your lifestyle.
Millions of people jump into dog ownership not really thinking about the lifestyle changes it entails. Carefully consider your schedule before you get a dog.
Make new friends (so they can dogsit).
Check your bank account.
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Compared to low-maintenance pets, dogs are much more like what?
Minor inconveniences
Troublesome in-laws
A new car
Small children
Dogs are needful, active creatures ... a lot like small children. They need emotional bonding time and plenty of attention in order to be well-adjusted.
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"All dog breeds are pretty much the same." Which of the following most accurately describes this statement?
Totally false
Dogs, like kids, are all different. Some are kind of low-energy, some are wild with excitement. And breeds definitely have very different traits — understanding this will help you choose the right dog.
A bit untrue
Mostly true
Entirely true
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How are border collies different than, say, bulldogs?
They eat only raw meat.
They don’t really like people.
They don’t train well.
The require much more exercise.
Some breeds, like border collies, require incredible amounts of exercise or they can become destructive pests. If you don’t have time for an active breed, consider a less energetic one.
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Puppies are adorable. What’s a major drawback to getting a puppy?
They are vicious.
They eat too much.
They attack random people.
They need extra care.
You think it’s a lot of work mowing the lawn and cleaning the house? Get a puppy and you’ll see your free time dwindle to almost nothing — these baby dogs need a lot of love and training.
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Puppys like to chew on things. Why?
To bother you
They can digest anything as food.
They are destructive monsters.
It’s part of the teething process.
Puppies, like humans, undergo a teething process that can make them achy. You can give them chew-safe toys (in place of your shoes) to help them work through this stage of life.
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Most dogs thrive best in what sort of environment?
Total chaos
Lots of cats around
Regular routine
Dogs are creatures of habit. They behave best when they have a regular routine that includes substantial exercise.
Random schedules
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Dogs are instinctively what sort of creatures?
Emotional creatures
Den creatures
Pack creatures
All of the above
Dogs are pack animals that require a safe den area to retreat to when they’re tired or anxious. They’re also emotional creatures that require a bit (or a lot) of affection from their families.
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What sort of weather may help you house train a puppy?
Very nice days
Humid weather
Mild weather
Cold weather
Housetraining can be frustrating with some dogs. Very cold weather, though, is often helpful — because dogs won’t mess about so much before urinating, because they’re hurrying to get back to warm shelter.
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When puppies are 8 to 12 weeks old, they should eat how many times per day?
Once
Twice
Four times
Puppies under 12 weeks need lots of small meals. They should eat about four times per day in order to properly sustain their fast-growing bodies.
10 times
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It’s a sad sight. What’s a hallmark behavior of dogs that aren’t getting enough exercise?
Destruction
Many active breeds need hours — hours — of fast-paced activity to burn off energy and keep their minds engaged. Like children deprived of playtime, these dogs can quickly become destructive and hard to handle.
Improved listening
Overly affectionate
Licking
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Heartworm is a very serious condition. How do dogs get these worms?
From raw meat
From other dogs
From fecal matter
From mosquito bites
Mosquitoes often carry the parasite that causes heartworm, which can kill your dog. Owners can avoid this problem with preventative heartworm treatments.
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It’s absolutely critical. When should you begin training your puppy?
Right away
Even tiny puppies benefit from short training sessions. The sooner you begin training, the easier it’ll be to shape your dog into a good family member.
At 15 weeks
At six months
At one year
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What sort of cooked animal bones are safe for your dog?
Chicken
Beef
Pork
None
It doesn’t matter what kind of animal it came from. Cooked bones of any kind can splinter when your dog chews them ... and potentially cause harm or death. Some vets spar on this issue but erring on the conservative side can spare you some serious grief.
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What sort of bone is SAFE to give to your dog?
Raw beef shank
Raw beef bones — big ones for big dogs and small ones for the little guys — are safe for your dog, since they are less likely to splinter. But it’s just a brief treat. Let them chew for a few minutes and then take them away before shattering and breaking begins.
Turkey bones
Chicken bones
Cooked pork bones
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Constraints may exacerbate the issue. How do leashes affect many dogs?
Ruins their claws
Makes them more reactive
It’s called "leash-reactivity," and it’s common. Many dogs become hypervigilant or even aggressive when they’re on a leash, and if this happens to you, consult an expert for help right away.
Makes them hungrier
Causes fleas
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What should you do if your dog poops on someone else’s lawn?
Clean it up.
In many places, you can be fined for the mess. Clean up after your dog ... after all, if it was your yard, you wouldn’t want to walk into an animal’s feces.
Fling it into the flowers.
Stomp on it so no one notices.
Briskly walk away.
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How should you lift a puppy?
By the tail
Cradle their entire bodies.
Scoop up those puppies with both hands and cradle their weight. If you snatch them by the scruff of the neck "like the mother does," you’re putting the pup at greater risk of harm.
By the scruff of the neck
By the front paws
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Gray is OK! What’s one huge advantage to adopting an older dog?
Lower energy levels
Older dogs are a major blessing for many families, in part because they aren’t as active as puppies. Some older dogs get by with a minimal amount of exercise.
Don’t require routine
Need almost no food
Require little love
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What does it mean if your dog is aggressive toward other dogs?
His behavior should be closely monitored.
Some dogs don’t like other dogs, plain and simple, but they’re fine with people. In other cases, the script is flipped, or features a combination of the two. You must monitor your dog’s behaviors carefully and consult an expert, if necessary.
He’s rabid.
He’ll bite people, too.
He's bored.
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How can you keep your dog interested in its toy collection?
Smear every toy in peanut butter.
Buy new toys every day.
Let them go through your closet.
Rotate the toys.
Dogs love toys, just like kids. And you can keep them interested in those toys by rotating them every couple of weeks, rather than buying new ones all the time.
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What’s one reason you may want to avoid buying a dog from a commercial breeder?
These dogs all have health issues.
Breeders don’t make a profit.
These dogs are inferior.
Breeding conditions are often horrible.
In America, it’s not uncommon for breeders to overbreed their dogs and generally treat them poorly in order to maximize profits. It’s just one of the many reasons you should consider adopting instead.
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Many dogs love car rides! How should Fido ride in the car?
On the seats
In your lap, for security
In a harness or crate
A crate or harness is vital to the safety of your dog ... and yours, too. Each year, dogs are hurt during hard stops because they’re not secured — or they cause accidents by jumping in a driver’s lap.
On the dashboard
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What’s the point of spaying and neutering?
To improve a dog’s dental health
To control animal populations
America is awash in abandoned animals caused by overpopulation. Unless you’re specifically wanting to breed your dog, spaying and neutering is vital to keeping animal numbers under control.
To maximize a dog’s speed
To reduce a dog’s appetite
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What’s one way you can cut down on vet expenses associated with your pooch?
Brush her teeth regularly.
Many people don’t bother to brush their dogs’ teeth. But regularly scrubbing can slow down tooth decay and prevent expensive dental bills.
Walk her once a week.
Give her chicken bones as treats.
Feed her cheap food.
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It’s a tragic end. Most abandoned dogs are given up at around what age?
At 15 weeks
Around 18 months
Most abandoned dogs are given away at around 18 months. Why? Because this is when all of that poor training comes back, manifested in behaviors that drive owners nuts.
Roughly 4 years
8 years
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You can’t just shrug your shoulders. If you don’t have time to give your dog obedience training, what’s likely to happen?
He’ll lick you more often.
He’ll eat twice as much food.
He won’t listen to you.
Door darting, food stealing, extreme wildness ... these are your rewards for not training your dog. Both of you may wind up miserable.
He’ll attack all cats.
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If your dog is treated for heartworms, what must you do in the weeks following treatment?
Restrict the dog’s activity.
Heartworm treatments kill the worms inside your dog ... and heavy exercise can break up the worms and cause heart problems. Dogs should rest for weeks until the worms are passed out of the body.
Offer the dog mineral water.
Feed your dog lots of raw meat.
Give the dog pure oxygen.
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What’s one frequent consequence of feeding people food to dogs?
Long-term health problems
Misbehavior
Upset stomach
All of the above
Overdoing the people food can cause health problems in many dogs. And feeding them from the table? It’s a shortcut to major behavior problems.
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What’s an unintended side effect for dogs that are spayed or neutered at a very young age?
Frequent ear infections
More chewing
Sore paws
Thyroid issues
Many rescued dogs are spayed or neutered too young. This can cause thyroid problems ... and later, behavioral and health issues.
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If you decide to change your dog’s food, how should you do so?
From a dropper
All at once
Gradually
Quickly changing your dog’s food can cause major stomach upset. Gradually mix the new food with the old during this transition.
Using spoonfeeding tactics
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What must you do as your dog ages?
Give her many more treats.
Keep tabs on changing needs.
Dogs age faster than humans and their needs change. You’re responsible for understanding those changes and needs and making your dog comfortable.
Give him fewer walks.
Do the same things you’ve always done.
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In which part of the U.S. is heartworm a threat to dog health?
Only in Florida
Mostly the Midwest
Primarily the Northeast
The entire country!
Heartworm was once problematic only in the southern reaches of the U.S. Nowadays, this parasite can affect dogs in any area, meaning owners must practice prevention or risk the consequences.
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What's one sign that your dog may have heartworm?
Persistent cough
Dogs can't tell us when they don't feel right. If your pup has a persistent cough, consider a vet visit -- this is one of the symptoms of heartworm.
Loss of vision
Strange odor
Limping
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Can you complete this fundamental statement about dogs? "Dog ownership is a ____."
Privilege
Dog ownership is a privilege ...and the law can take away your dog if you’re unkind or irresponsible. Treat your pup with love and respect and you’ll have a mutually beneficial relationship that lasts for years.
Basic human right
Form of cruelty
Foundation of civilization
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