With nearly 1 billion dogs currently on the planet and a long history of human-canine interaction, we have created a mythos around them that isn’t always true. Some of these misconceptions are harmless, but others may lead you down a path of bad dog ownership and worsen your relationship. Today, we’re setting the record straight by debunking some of the most persistent dog myths – how many have you heard?

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Things You Might Have Thought About Your Dog That Aren’t True

  1. Dogs see in black and white: Most dogs experience the world similarly to how a color-blind human does, primarily seeing shades of blues and yellows. This means that many of the toys and training aids that are red or green, colors they cannot distinguish well, might not be as visually engaging for them. Choosing toys in shades of blue or yellow can make playtime more visually stimulating for your dog, potentially enhancing their interest and interaction during training sessions.
  2. Tail wags are always happy: A wagging tail doesn’t always signify happiness in dogs, but it is one of the most common dog myths. Tail wagging can express various emotions, including excitement, anxiety, or even aggression, depending on the situation and the exact way they are wagging. The context of your dog’s tail wagging, along with other body language cues, is just as important for figuring out how they feel in the moment. This doesn’t mean that all tail wagging is bad – it simply means not to assume a wagging tail is an endorsement of whatever is currently happening around your dog.
  3. Barking is always a sign of aggression: The sound of a dog barking is often misinterpreted as a sign of aggression. However, dogs bark for many reasons, not just as an expression of hostility. They might bark to alert their owners of something during play or even out of boredom. If you want to fix their barking problem, you must first learn what causes it. For instance, if you find your dog barks excessively out of boredom when alone in the house, increasing their physical activity and playtime could reduce their need to bark for attention.
  4. One dog year is equal to 7 or more human years: Dogs mature more quickly than humans in their early years, with the first year of a dog’s life being equivalent to about 15 human years, with subsequent years taking on a different speed of aging and development based on the breed. This may average to 7 years in the very long term, but it isn’t the best way to look at a dog’s age. Always look at resources for your dog’s breed and discuss with your vet anytime you need to make age-related decisions. For example, older dogs may need specialized toys and ways to exercise.
  5. Old dogs CAN NOT learn new tricks: We have all heard the saying, “You can’t teach an old dog new tricks,” which suggests that dogs older than a puppy are less capable of learning new behaviors. However, this isn’t necessarily true. While older dogs may require patience and different training methods, they are fully capable of learning. As we said, puppies can age up to 15 years in their first year of life. During this developmental period, they constantly absorb information and learn how to be a dog in your household. Older dogs are already set in stone and accustomed to a routine. Breaking this routine may be harder, but you should never write it off completely.
  6. Sharing food is not harmful: While sharing table scraps with your dog may be tempting, not all human foods are safe for canine consumption. Foods like chocolate, onions, garlic, and grapes can be toxic to dogs, and even seemingly harmless foods can contribute to unhealthy weight gain and upset their stomach. Instead, stick to a diet formulated specifically for dogs and consult with a vet about safe human foods. Don’t let their puppy dog eyes convince you to harm them accidentally.
  7. If a dog is aggressive, it must be the breed’s fault: Aggression in dogs can be scary. An otherwise happy dog can snap at any moment when stressed or backed into a corner, and this behavior obviously needs to be addressed. Due to some breeds’ sheer size and strength, many believe aggression is solely derived from a dog’s breed. The misunderstanding here revolves around the damage done after the fact – people don’t associate chihuahuas with crazy aggression and danger simply because they don’t tend to hurt others. Some breeds definitely have energy levels or instincts that can more commonly manifest in aggressive behaviors. But at the same time, many owners can raise a perfectly friendly pup through responsible training and early socialization. If you are raising a dog that is considered aggressive, make sure you are learning how and why their potentially dangerous behaviors can arise to combat them at an early stage.

While dog myths are prevalent, good training being linked to good behavior is not one of them. If you need a professional dog trainer, call us today. Gulf Coast K9 Dog Trainers is a professional dog training facility located in Bradenton, Florida.