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Stuff Every Dog Owner Should Know

Dog care basics: health, food, safety, training and what's toxic.

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  1. Which of these is a core vaccine that is recommended for every dog?
    Show the answer

    Rabies. Core vaccines protect against the most serious diseases, so vets recommend them for all dogs. Rabies, distemper, parvovirus and adenovirus are on that list.

  2. Which of these is a traditionally non-core dog vaccine, given based on lifestyle risk?
    Show the answer

    Bordetella. Non-core vaccines are given when a dog's lifestyle or home area raises its risk, such as boarding or daycare. Distemper and parvovirus are core for all dogs.

  3. At about what age do a puppy's vaccine shots usually begin?
    Show the answer

    6 to 8 weeks. Puppies start a series of shots at 6 to 8 weeks. Each dose comes every 3 to 4 weeks, because one shot is not enough for young puppies.

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  1. Which of these is a core vaccine that is recommended for every dog?
  2. Which of these is a traditionally non-core dog vaccine, given based on lifestyle risk?
  3. At about what age do a puppy's vaccine shots usually begin?
  4. A puppy's final core booster should be given no sooner than what age?
  5. Why do puppies need repeated vaccine doses until about 16 weeks old?
  6. After the puppy series, how often are core vaccines like parvovirus usually boosted?
  7. At about what age do puppies typically get their first rabies shot, per UC Davis?
  8. Where should you check to learn which vaccines your dog is legally required to have?
  9. Why is the rabies vaccine so important for dogs?
  10. Which animals are most often found with rabies in the US?
  11. Why can parvovirus stay in a yard for a long time?
  12. Leptospirosis in dogs is most often spread through what?
  13. What is the classic sign of kennel cough in dogs?
  14. In most cases of kennel cough, how long does it take dogs to fully recover?
  15. Should a dog with vomiting or diarrhea go to the dog park?
  16. How do dogs get heartworm?
  17. How often should dogs be tested for heartworm, per the American Heartworm Society?
  18. How many months a year should dogs get heartworm preventive?
  19. Do indoor-only dogs need heartworm prevention?
  20. In how many US states has heartworm disease been diagnosed?
  21. How long do heartworm larvae take to grow into adult worms?
  22. Where do adult heartworms live in a dog?
  23. How often should you check your dog for ticks?
  24. Which of these is a spot where ticks like to hide on a dog?
  25. What does the CDC say is important to use on your dog to protect against ticks?
  26. What is the right way to remove a tick still attached to your dog?
  27. How many life stages do most fleas have?
  28. Where does most of a flea population live?
  29. Dogs can get which parasite from fleas?
  30. About how many eggs can a single female flea lay in one day?
  31. Is it safe to use a dog flea product on a cat?
  32. Many dogs are allergic to what part of a flea bite?
  33. What health problems can spaying a female dog help prevent or reduce?
  34. Neutering a male dog can eliminate his risk of which kind of cancer?
  35. What is the single most effective thing you can do for your dog's teeth?
  36. By age 3, about how many dogs and cats show signs of dental disease?
  37. How many adult teeth does a dog have?
  38. What is a normal body temperature for a dog?
  39. Bloat (GDV) in dogs is what kind of problem?
  40. Which of these is a sign of bloat in a dog?
  41. Bloat mainly affects what kind of dog?
  42. At what body temperature is a dog in heatstroke territory?
  43. ASPCA Animal Poison Control is available when?
  44. A dog's seizure lasting longer than how many minutes needs immediate vet care?
  45. At least how often should a healthy adult dog see the vet?
  46. Per AAHA, about how often should senior dogs see the vet?
  47. Per AAHA, a dog becomes a senior when it enters which part of its estimated lifespan?
  48. Which of these can be a sign of dementia in a senior dog?
  49. Which kind of chocolate is generally the most dangerous for a dog?
  50. Chocolate, coffee and caffeine are risky for dogs because they all contain what?
  51. Grapes and raisins can cause damage to which part of a dog's body?
  52. Xylitol, a sweetener in some gum and baked goods, can cause what in dogs?
  53. Onions, garlic and chives can harm a dog by damaging what?
  54. Macadamia nuts can cause which signs in dogs?
  55. After a dog swallows alcohol, how fast is it absorbed?
  56. Why is raw yeast dough a danger if a dog eats it?
  57. The ASPCA warns raw meat and raw eggs can carry bacteria that harm whom?
  58. Why does the ASPCA caution against giving dogs bones?
  59. What can milk and other dairy products cause in many dogs?
  60. Fatty foods and some nuts can cause what in some pets, besides vomiting and diarrhea?
  61. Too much salt can make a dog show what?
  62. The ASPCA says avocado's biggest concern is for which animals?
  63. A strange dog walks up to sniff you. What does the AVMA say to do?
  64. Before petting a dog you do not know, what should you do first?
  65. The AVMA says never reach through or over a fence to do what?
  66. Which greeting can look threatening to an unfamiliar dog?
  67. Which dog should you leave alone, according to the AVMA?
  68. A dog tucks its tail under its belly or leg. What may that mean?
  69. A dog yawns, puts its ears back or raises a paw. What might that show?
  70. When a dog growls, snaps or bites, what is it telling you?
  71. Should a baby or small child ever be left alone with a dog?
  72. A dog food label says 'complete and balanced.' What does the FDA say that means?
  73. Which is one way a dog food can back up a 'complete and balanced' claim, per the FDA?
  74. How many meals a day does the ASPCA say puppies 8 to 12 weeks old need?
  75. A large study of neutered dogs found overweight dogs lived up to how much shorter, on average?
  76. Why can pets easily be drawn to drink antifreeze?
  77. Which ingredient do pet-safer antifreezes use instead of ethylene glycol?
  78. You drop a pill on the floor. What does the ASPCA say dogs are notorious for?
  79. Per the AVMA, how much can the temperature inside a parked car rise in just 10 minutes?
  80. Does cracking the windows keep a parked car safe for a dog, per the AVMA?
  81. Why are flat-faced dogs like Pugs more prone to heatstroke?
  82. What is a dog's primary way of getting rid of extra body heat?
  83. Cornell's vet school says to test pavement for a dog by holding what on it for about 10 seconds?
  84. Where does the CDC say a pet riding on a car seat should sit?
  85. What does the ASPCA say about letting a dog ride with its head out the car window?
  86. The AVMA says the best time to start socializing a puppy is between what ages?
  87. Until fully vaccinated, a puppy should be kept away from which animals, per the AVMA?
  88. How big should a dog's crate be, per UC Davis?
  89. Should a crate ever be used as punishment for a dog?
  90. Which dog training style do veterinary behaviorists say has the most advantages and least harm?
  91. As a rule of thumb, when should a dog's nails be trimmed, per the ASPCA?
  92. What does the ASPCA say about putting things in a dog's ear canal when cleaning?
  93. Do you still need to wash your hands after cleaning up dog poop if you used a bag?
  94. How can hookworm larvae from dog feces get into a person?
  95. Per the CDC, anyone bitten by a dog is at risk of getting which disease?
  96. Can a dog that looks perfectly healthy still spread germs to people?
  97. What is true about a pet microchip?
  98. How do most pet insurance plans pay for a vet bill?
  99. In Los Angeles County, which dogs must have a license?
  100. What is a simple way to check whether a chew toy is too hard for your dog's teeth?
  101. Philadelphia requires dogs in its parks to be on a leash no longer than how many feet?
  102. At a dog park, how closely should you watch your dog, per the AVMA?
  103. What is the average lifespan of a dog, per the Merck Veterinary Manual?
  104. In general, which dogs tend to live longer?
  105. Which dogs especially need an active "job" to stay happy, per Humane World?
  106. Which year of owning a dog usually costs the most?
  107. Why does skipping your dog's yearly exam to save money usually backfire?
  108. If a surprise vet bill would strain your family, when does the ASPCA suggest getting pet insurance?
  109. Where does University of Illinois Extension suggest looking first for a dog?
  110. To teach "sit," where do you move the treat?
  111. Why is "come" called one of the most important commands?
  112. Your dog pulls hard on the leash. What should you do?
  113. About how long should a daily training lesson for a dog be, per Humane World?
  114. With the owner's OK, where is the best place to pet a dog you do not know?
  115. A child sees a loose dog wearing ID tags. What should the child do about the tags?
  116. When does the ASPCA suggest starting to prepare your dog for a new baby?
  117. A dog seems nervous around a toddler. What does the ASPCA say?
  118. What simple home change helps an older dog on slippery floors?
  119. Should an elderly dog with stiff joints still get gentle exercise?
  120. Is chaining a dog to a post a good way to keep it in the yard?
  121. Neutering a male dog cuts down roaming in about how many cases?
  122. Your dog is lost. How does the ASPCA say to check local shelters?
  123. About how long can a 3-month-old puppy usually hold its pee?
  124. About how long does house training a puppy usually take?
  125. Your puppy pees on the rug. What should you do?
  126. If everyone is away more than 4 or 5 hours a day, what may suit better than a puppy?
  127. A puppy under 6 months old should stay in a crate for no more than about how long at a time?
  128. How soon should a newly adopted dog see a vet?
  129. When is the best time to bring a new dog home?
  130. Your newly adopted adult dog was house trained before. What should you assume at first?
  131. Before a new dog arrives, what should the whole household decide together?
  132. How do most dogs get over a fence?
  133. What is the traditional age for neutering a dog, per the ASPCA?
  134. When does spaying a female dog give the best protection against breast tumors?
  135. Can spaying or neutering raise a dog's risk of becoming overweight?
  136. After spay or neuter surgery, what should you prevent for up to two weeks?
  137. Why should a microchipped dog still wear a collar with an ID tag?
  138. What is the safest way for a dog to ride on a long car trip?
  139. What record does ASPCA advise bringing when driving across state lines with your dog?
  140. What does the ASPCA advise about flying with a dog too big to ride under the seat?
  141. A dog with separation anxiety usually starts barking and fretting how soon after you leave?
  142. You come home to a mess from a dog with separation anxiety. Should you punish it?
  143. What can you give a dog each time you leave to help it link alone time with good things?
  144. Will crating a dog cure its separation anxiety?
  145. Your dog barks at you to get attention. What works best?
  146. How do you teach a dog what "Quiet" means?
  147. Puppies chew extra hard while teething. About when does that phase usually end?
  148. You find a chewed shoe hours later. Will scolding your dog now teach it anything?
  149. Your puppy bites too hard in play. What does the ASPCA suggest first?
  150. When a puppy keeps nipping, how long a time-out does the ASPCA suggest?
  151. How should you pick up a puppy or small dog?
  152. How often do most dogs need a bath, per the ASPCA?
  153. Why should you not brush a dog's teeth with people toothpaste?