If you are going to be taking your dog or your puppy out for a walk, he needs to be on his best behavior. Whether you are heading to the streets, the park or some other open place, follow some simple rules so that everyone stays safe:

1. Your dog should heel on the leash (lead)

Keep your dog on a leash in a crowded place. He should stay to heal (walk alongside you calmly) even there is a lot going on around you.

2. Don't let him snarl or attack

Unless he is being threatened or you are, don't bring a dog that is at to attack or threaten other humans or animals into a public space.

3. No chasing!

Make sure that your dog is aware that joggers, cars, motorcycles and bikes are not invitations to play. This can be difficult with dogs that have strong prey drives.

4. He must return to you when called

If your dog is off the leash, make sure that he knows that you calling him means that it is time to come back.

5. He needs to be good around food

Your dog must not be allowed to beg or steal food from picnickers or trashcans! A dog can make himself quite sick by doing this, as well as becoming a huge nuisance. Keep him leashed if you feel that he is going to be tempted.

6. No leash-biting

Reprimand him when he chomps on his leash. A dog should never be allowed to bite on his leash. He might damage his teeth if the leash is a chain and he could break free if it is leather.

7. Keep him from jumping

Under no circumstances should your dog jump up on people. This may be acceptable behavior to someone who is used to dogs, but can be terrifying to someone who's not. It is also dangerous for children or elderly people.

8. Don't go near drunk people

This is a good rule for you as well as your dog! If you notice someone who is drunk or drinking, keep them away from your dog as your dog might become frightened or angry and act in a way that is over-protective.

9. Get your dog used to loud noises

If your dog is afraid of emergency vehicles, be aware of this and be ready to provide comfort when he hears sirens. Don't let him bolt, and instead calm him and, if possible, remove him from the noise.

10. Be wary of other animals

Be very careful if you are taking your dog to an area where there are farm animals, and keep him on a leash at all times. Keep an eye on other dogs that you meet on your walk, too. Other owners may not be as responsible as you, and it is all too easy for an aggressive dog to attack yours. Small animals can also prove a problem. Many breeds will take off after a squirrel or bird, and if you aren't prepared, they can break free.

11. Young children should not take the leash

Children are always keen to be in charge and "walk the dog", but they are often not capable of holding the leash securely and are easily distracted. If your dog is not 100% perfect at heal, don't let them take the leash unless you are holding on to one end of it too!

12. Be safe, not sorry

Finally, remember that even the best-trained dogs can get distracted sometimes, so be prepared for all eventualities! My brother's labrador took off across a road after a squirrel and was killed by a passing car. It was obviously devastating for my brother and his children, but it was also traumatic for the lady driving the car, who was incredibly upset by the experience despite being blameless.

Source: Find Out About Dogs dot com

Q.

Which foods could be dangerous for my dog?

A.

Some foods which are edible for humans, and even other species of animals, can pose hazards for dogs because of their different metabolism. Some may cause only mild digestive upsets, whereas, others can cause severe illness, and even death. The following common food items should not be fed (intentionally or unintentionally) to dogs. This list is, of course, incomplete because we can not possibly list everything your dog should not eat. Items to avoid Reasons to avoid Alcoholic beverages Can cause intoxication, coma, and death. Baby food Can contain onion powder, which can be toxic to dogs. (Please see onion below.) Can also result in nutritional deficiencies, if fed in large amounts. Bones from fish, poultry, or other meat sources Can cause obstruction or laceration of the digestive system. Cat food Generally too high in protein and fats. Chocolate, coffee, tea, and other caffeine Contain caffeine, theobromine, or theophylline, which can be toxic and affect the heart and nervous systems. Citrus oil extracts Can cause vomiting. Fat trimmings Can cause pancreatitis. Grapes and raisins Contain an unknown toxin, which can damage the kidneys. There have been no problems associated with grape seed extract. Hops Unknown compound causes panting, increased heart rate, elevated temperature, seizures, and death. Human vitamin supplements containing iron Can damage the lining of the digestive system and be toxic to the other organs including the liver and kidneys. Large amounts of liver Can cause Vitamin A toxicity, which affects muscles and bones. Macadamia nuts Contain an unknown toxin, which can affect the digestive and nervous systems and muscle. Marijuana Can depress the nervous system, cause vomiting, and changes in the heart rate. Milk and other dairy products Some adult dogs and cats do not have sufficient amounts of the enzyme lactase, which breaks down the lactose in milk. This can result in diarrhea. Lactose-free milk products are available for pets. Moldy or spoiled food, garbage Can contain multiple toxins causing vomiting and diarrhea and can also affect other organs. Mushrooms Can contain toxins, which may affect multiple systems in the body, cause shock, and result in death. Onions and garlic (raw, cooked, or powder) Contain sulfoxides and disulfides, which can damage red blood cells and cause anemia. Cats are more susceptible than dogs. Garlic is less toxic than onions. Persimmons Seeds can cause intestinal obstruction and enteritis. Pits from peaches and plums Can cause obstruction of the digestive tract. Potato, rhubarb, and tomato leaves; potato and tomato stems Contain oxalates, which can affect the digestive, nervous, and urinary systems. This is more of a problem in livestock. Raw eggs Contain an enzyme called avidin, which decreases the absorption of biotin (a B vitamin). This can lead to skin and hair coat problems. Raw eggs may also contain Salmonella. Raw fish Can result in a thiamine (a B vitamin) deficiency leading to loss of appetite, seizures, and in severe cases, death. More common if raw fish is fed regularly. Salt If eaten in large quantities it may lead to electrolyte imbalances. String Can become trapped in the digestive system; called a "string foreign body." Sugary foods Can lead to obesity, dental problems, and possibly diabetes mellitus. Table scraps (in large amounts) Table scraps are not nutritionally balanced. They should never be more than 10% of the diet. Fat should be trimmed from meat; bones should not be fed. Tobacco Contains nicotine, which affects the digestive and nervous systems. Can result in rapid heart beat, collapse, coma, and death. Yeast dough Can expand and produce gas in the digestive system, causing pain and possible rupture of the stomach or intestines.

Source: Pet Education dot com

There are more than 700 types of pure bred dogs in the world. They were first domesticated by cavemen in the Paleolithic Age. Here are some interesting facts about dogs.

1. Dogs can register sounds of 35,000 vibrations a second where as a human can only hear 20,000 vibrations.
2. A German shepherd has smell sensory cells of 220,000,000 where as a human has only 5,000,000 cells
3. Theobromine in chocolates, a substance similar to caffeine, can kill the dogs, or at the very least make them seriously ill.
4. The tallest dogs are the Great Dane and the Irish wolfhound. The smallest dogs are the Chihuahua, Yorkshire terrier and Toy Poodle.
5. The oldest age recorded for a dog is 29 years and 5 months.
6. The world's heaviest and longest dog is an English
   
   Mastiff named Zorba which weighed 3423 pounds and eight feet three inches long from nose to tail.
7. Laika was the world's first ever space astronaut dog which was sent into space in 1957 by the Russian government.
8. Greyhounds can reach speeds of up to 45 miles per hour in short bursts.
9. In Second World War, Russians trained dogs to run suicide missions between the tracks of German tanks with mines strapped on their backs.
10. In the Middle Ages, Mastiffs used to be dressed in light armor to which was strapped a pot of flaming sulphur and were then made to run into battle against mounted knights.

Source: Purpleslinky