My Dog Heinz Trivia Quiz

Answer: small

Some dogs are so small they fit in a person's hand, but Heinz is not that small. He is just the right size for me to pick up and cuddle. A big dog would be something like a Labrador (a Guide Dog for the Blind can be a Labrador), and a huge dog would be a Great Dane.

Answer: chocolate for people

Chocolate for people is bad for dogs and other animals - you must NEVER give your pet your chocolate. Pet shops sell Doggy Chocolate which is perfectly OK for dogs to eat. Heinz just doesn't like chocolate - and very few people believe me when I tell them!

Answer: I watched him carefully and when I thought he wanted to go, I would take him outside

Eventually he learned that outside was the right place to be to do what he had to do. You must never shout at a puppy or a kitten for making a mess inside the house, because they have not yet learnt anything different. After all, we were all babies once, and we wore nappies (diapers) - we didn't know how to use the toilet, did we?

Answer: he might want to chase the sheep

A dog who is loved will not run away from his family. Dogs think it is their job to look after their humans and won't leave them. Even if they go dashing about without their lead (leash), they will keep looking back to make sure you are there. But they must NEVER be allowed off their leads (leashes) when they are in a city or town, or anywhere with lots of cars. Cars can seriously hurt or kill a dog, so they must be kept safe with you or your Mum or Dad all the time. Farmers don't like it when dogs chase their sheep because it upsets them, and like us with our pets, they don't want their animals unhappy.

Answer: by using them as rewards

We have trained Heinz to ask for things by barking, to roll over, to jump, to give a paw, to get on a chair to have his lead (leash) put on (saves me bending down!) and a dozen other things, by rewarding him with things he loves to eat. You cannot train a dog by teasing him or shouting - they learn much better with your love and patience.

Answer: because dogs have to have a drink when they are thirsty

Being thirsty is the body's way of telling you that you need more water. Just as you go rushing to the fridge or tap when you are thirsty, Heinz goes to his water dish. If it is empty, not only is he unhappy, but it is not good for him not to have a drink when his body needs it. Always check your pet's water dish, even if it is not your job (and that applies to all your pets, except fish!)

Answer: he is excited to see me after I have been away from the house

Dogs are social creatures - they love company, and the company of their humans is their favourite. When I get home Heinz is at the door to greet me, and I usually have to say hello to him before I say hello to my family. He follows me upstairs when I go to get changed and I have to give him a cuddle. On Fridays I am away longer than any other day of the week and he won't leave my side until bedtime when I get home on those evenings!

Answer: everything he uses, including toys, bowls and cushion

Because Heinz sees us as his humans, he needs to know that he is special to us as well, and needs to have his things with him - things he knows well, and things with our smell on them. Even if the house he is going to has their own dogs, it is not the same as home, and he wants his things with him. Dogs have a good sense of smell and know when something is new or different - let him take something which smells of home.

Answer: he wants to protect us from intruders

We have to pick him up to open the door, and if the person is invited in, he has to be introduced to Heinz before he can come in. Last week an electrician came to fix something, and after meeting him and sniffing him, Heinz let him do his work - although he watched him carefully the whole time.

When the man packed up to leave, Heinz started barking at him all over again, so we were all laughing when he left.

Answer: he is excited

Like humans, dogs are all different, but in the basics they are the same as each other. Heinz loves being taken out for a walk, or being taken onto the moor or beach, and he gets so excited when the lead (leash) comes out that he just cannot contain himself and wants to hurry us up. Because of this, we don't take the lead (leash) down until the very last minute - the poor dog would have to wait too long otherwise.