How would you feel if I told you that most (if not all) of the things you know about dogs are nothing but pure myths and are solely based on fiction and tales that we have been told by our parents and grandparents?
Not the most pleasant feeling, is it? In the next few pages, we will be debunking some of the most common myths in order to help you get a better understanding of your little furry companion.
Dogs can’t see colors
It’s a bit tricky to trace down where this myth originally started because humans can’t know for sure how dogs perceive colors and take in everything that makes up their surroundings. Needless to say, No, dogs aren’t colorblind and though they might experience the world through a different set of eyes, it doesn’t mean that they can’t bask in the glory of all its colors.
In fact, specialists suggest that the main colors dogs can see are yellow and blue which means that the other colors aren’t as vivid for them as they are for us. This is the result of having two instead of three photoreceptors (required to see color) in their retina.
When sick, dogs eat grass
Although it is true that some dogs opt for grass when they’re having digestion problems in order to vomit, reasons typically vary depending on the case. The most frequent of these reasons is pure curiosity. Dogs are very outgoing and like to experience the world through their senses; they sniff, lick, and eat whatever new thing they come in contact with as some sort of investigation.
Next time you see your dog eating grass, don’t jump to conclusions and let them enjoy their surroundings the way they know how to.
Any dog with a wagging tail is approachable
One thing we most definitely all know about is that when a dog’s tail is wagging constantly it means that they’re excited and in a good mood. They might have seen something that made their little hearts jump or they could just be enjoying time with you. But the truth is, this isn’t always the case.
A wagging tail could be a sign of something unpleasant such as stress or anxiety. Much like humans, dogs can get in the habit of wagging their tails when they’re feeling anxious in certain situations, so make sure to look for other signs of friendliness before you approach a dog.
One year in a dog’s lifespan is the equivalent of 7 for humans
While it is true that dogs do, in fact, age at a faster pace in comparison to humans, it is absolutely untrue that one dog year equals seven human years. And though the myth holds some truth behind it, it’s still very flawed.
Dogs age at different paces depending on how old they are. Pups under 2 years old tend to age faster and hit puberty as early as a few months old. After the 2 years line, the aging process slows down a little. Dogs’ breeds are also a huge factor to take into consideration.
A dog is healthy if its nose is wet and cold
A wet and cold nose does, indeed, indicate the health and well-being of your little companion. But this doesn’t mean that a dog with a warm and dry nose isn’t healthy; as the standard, being the coldness of your dog’s nose can change throughout the day due to outside factors.
This means that you need to supervise your dog closely in order to spot any other symptoms that might be appearing alongside the dry nose, that way you know exactly when you need to pay your local vet clinic a visit.
Dogs have cleaner mouths than humans
This so-called “fact” is wrong in so many ways and on so many levels. The reasons are very obvious, the most important of which is dental hygiene. Dogs don’t brush their teeth, which is not only unsanitary but also life-threatening as it could lead to some serious health issues.
People who claim that dogs’ mouths are cleaner than those of humans often back up their claim by saying that dogs clean their wounds using their tongues in order to heal faster. But the truth is, the licking process works as a blood stimulant that accelerates the healing of the wound.
Old dogs can’t learn tricks
Dogs are very socially intelligent creatures, and this quality doesn’t wash away with age. You can teach your senior dog new tricks with no extra effort and enjoy your time with them like you would with a younger one.
In fact, it’s easier to train your dog to perform new tricks than to get it to stop doing things it has gotten used to. For instance, teaching your dog how to play dead or how to kiss you at command is far easier than getting him to stop barking at strangers after being a watchdog for 6 or so years.
Don’t spay your dog before she goes on a heat cycle
Another myth that has absolutely no truth behind it. If anything, spaying your dog before her first heat cycle can reduce her chances of getting mammary cancer by 95 percent, which is a big number to overlook if you really care about your dog’s wellbeing.
The age at which dogs get their first heat differs based on how large or small they are. Dogs who are considered small-sized (less than 44 pounds) tend to go through their first cycle at the age of 5 months, which means that spaying needs to be as early as 4 months to avoid any possible health issues. As for larger dogs, so many other factors come into play so we suggest you get a professional opinion on the matter.
Puppy eyes when dogs feel guilty
While the look that your pup gives you after destroying your belongings might look like guilt, especially with those glistening, wide eyes and the slightly tilted forward head, dogs are not capable of experiencing the feeling of guilt, specialists have stated.
Dogs’ perception of things is slightly different from that of humans. They don’t view things as right or wrong and only weigh the situation by the emotion that you display while communicating with them. Having learned that giving you the infamous puppy eyes could get them out of trouble, they use this trick whenever they’re in trouble to ‘cute’ their way out of the situation.
Female dogs feel incomplete without a litter
Again, dogs are different from humans when it comes to emotions. Missing out on a litter before getting spayed doesn’t apply to dogs in any way shape or form; most if not all of them are fine going through life without giving birth at all.
As is the case with guilt, dogs don’t have that instinctual urge to have a litter or give birth. Therefore, allowing your dog to have puppies before spaying her is more harmful than it is beneficial. Late spaying has no proven health benefits. If anything, it might lead up to serious health issues and contribute to the ever-rising number of stray dogs without a shelter nor a forever home.
Leave your car windows open, and your dog will be fine staying inside even on a hot day
It’s absolutely not okay to leave your dog unsupervised inside a vehicle, let alone trapping them inside one on a hot day. Dogs need to have access to water and shade at all times when the weather is hot in order to be safe and sound.
Due to their body’s anatomy, dogs can’t just sweat out the heat in an attempt to cool off their bodies so it’s much more likely for them to die of heatstrokes if they’re not cooled off immediately. The damage could be done in minutes so it’s important to be cautious and wary of the situation
All rescue dogs are either emotionally or mentally scarred
The story could be different from one dog to another. Not all rescue dogs have had to go through damaging or traumatic experiences in their past. They might have been surrendered to a shelter after their owners were forced to give them away, or they might have run away from their own home and couldn’t find their way back.
Moreover, dogs are resilient creatures; meaning they could bounce back after having gone through traumatic experiences or poor treatment by a previous owner. They’re always ready to be taken into someone’s arms and ultimately their heart as well.
Purebred dogs are the most well-behaved
This couldn’t be further from the truth. Whether or not a dog is well behaved has more to do with the breed’s trainability and its owner’s effort to discipline it in an optimal manner. Pedigree or not, some dogs are better behaved than others for a variety of different reasons that have nothing to do with inheritance.
Watchdogs, herding dogs, and police dogs are most definitely better behaved than dog breeds that are considered more as a lapdog. Their qualities, regardless of their mixed origin, play a huge factor in the way they respond to training, thus, they become more disciplined than others.
A bit of chocolate can’t be that harmful
It doesn’t matter if it’s a big or small amount, chocolate isn’t safe for your dog to consume and we strongly advise you against sharing it with your little buddy. Theobromine is a toxic chemical to dogs. This chemical can be found in chocolate in a variety of different concentrations depending on the type of chocolate you have in hand, which is why it’s important to keep it as far away from your dog as possible.
Indeed, chocolate is such a delightful snack to treat yourself with. But due to its harmfulness to our beloved little furry friends, it’s better to keep it to ourselves.
I can establish my position as a pack leader by being a stern owner
This kind of behavior is wrong and can poison your relationship with your dog in the long run. Kindness and easygoingness is the way to go in order to get your dog to love you and be submissive to you.
While it’s true that when it comes to training a dog you have to be persistent and serious. But this doesn’t mean that you need to go the extra mile and become rough and unbearable. Dogs appreciate gentleness and ease, and you can get your way with them without having to be such a toughie.
Dogs can transmit cold to their owners
Dogs’ cold virus isn’t, at all, contagious to humans. So, no, your dog can’t pass cold onto you and vice versa. With that being said, it’s still important to follow the necessary precautions in order to cease the transmission of the sickness amongst other dogs as it is highly contagious in canines.
If you have another dog in the house, try not to get it in contact with whatever the ill dog has touched including food bowls, toys, and anything of that sort. The flu or cold might not seem all that serious but it could be highly detrimental to extremely young and senior dogs.
Paracetamol works for dogs’ headaches
It’s hard as is if your dog is dealing with a headache due to its side effects that include high sensitivity to bright lights and loud noises, as well as an unshakable feeling of nausea. Moreover, it can’t be vocal about its sickness due to its inability to talk. With all of that being said, the worst thing you can do in this situation is opt for your very own painkillers (paracetamol for example); as they are highly toxic to canines.
Without direct instruction from your local vet, you should fight the urge to give your dog paracetamol when you think it needs it. Its side effects are not worth the risk so keep your dog safe and consult a professional.
Garlic is the cure for parasites
Besides its very unpleasant smell, garlic hasn’t been proven to do anything in regards to feals and ticks in canines. Not enough research has been done regarding the topic meaning the current data isn’t enough to back up the claim.
Now, you might think, what’s the harm in trying anyway? And the answer to that is very simple. Garlic could potentially lead to hemolytic amenia in dogs, causing their immune system to destroy red blood cells in the body which could be fatal if not treated soon enough. It’s not worth the risk, so it’s better if you let this one go.
Hypoallergenic dogs
While this has some truth behind it, no dog is actually 100% hypoallergenic which is why some alleged hypoallergenic dog breeds don’t work for everyone. It is still true, though, that some dog breeds are more suitable for people with allergies due to their low-shedding coats that aren’t as bothersome. These dog breeds include the Maltese and Poodle.
But, dogs that are considered hypoallergenic cost a fortune. Breeders charge ridiculous price tags for something they’re not even certain about so it’s better to do your research before you make a decision.
Let your dog lick your wounds
Some people make the mistake of interpreting facts in a twisted way. Dogs licking their wounds might be beneficial for them in terms of accelerating the healing process and protecting against outside bacteria. But this isn’t the case for humans as well.
Even for dogs, specialists and vets advise against licking their wounds which is why they opt for cones and collars in order to prevent dogs from licking their injured limbs post-surgery.
Dogs don’t need to have their teeth brushed
Due to the vastly spread dental diseases that canines suffer from, brushing their teeth is not only beneficial; it’s an absolute must! Getting in the habit of brushing your dog’s teeth twice a day can prevent a multitude of teeth-related health issues that could then develop into fatal diseases.
You might struggle to get your pup to adapt to this new routine, but as soon as it gets used to the ritual things will be easier. That way you can keep an eye on its mouth, gums, and teeth and know exactly when to go for a vet visit.
Dogs don’t need vaccines
Specialists say that it’s absolutely crucial to vaccinate your dog against the typical prevalent canine diseases that threaten to flare up at any point in your dog’s life. Not only are they serious illnesses that could lead to even bigger issues later on, but they’re also easy to prevent. So why take your chances when you can keep your dog safe and healthy.
Not only that but by vaccinating your dog you get to keep yourself as well as other nearby dogs safe and sound. The possible side effects are nothing in comparison to the gravity of some of the illnesses that your dog could potentially get.
Dogs with thick fur stay warm in cold climates
In cold climates, frostbites are a threat to all kinds of dogs regardless of how thick their coat is; as they tend to target their paws, ears, and other body parts that don’t have much fur covering them. So even dog breeds like Siberian Husky and Samoyed are at risk in this situation.
This means that you need to be cautious when exposing your doggo to the cold. Don’t keep them outdoors for long and be mindful of their body language when they’re outside, at all times. If they’re howling or shaking excessively, then it’s time to head back home and snuggle on the couch with a warm blanket on.
Some dog breeds are more aggressive
There’s no general rule that indicates which dog breed is more aggressive than others. In fact, it’s more about the individual dog than it is about the breed itself. One dog’s personality, energy levels, past experiences, and such are not another one’s which might lead them to behave differently.
With that being said, some dog breeds have been bred to hunt and protect making them more prone to show signs of aggression towards strangers and other dogs. But this is part of their training and their purpose which falls back into our previous point. So, in a way, this statement is wrong.
Dogs whimper when they’re hurt
Due to their instincts and nature, dogs aren’t all that vocal about their feelings and don’t get vulnerable like humans would. This goes back to the fact that they could be targeted by predators in the wild which means they have to show a tough exterior in order to keep themselves safe.
But, in some cases, dogs still cry and whimper when they’re in pain, so it’s important to keep a close eye on your dog’s behavior if you’re concerned about their wellbeing. Things like changes in behavior and limping could be a sign that you need to pay the vet clinic a visit.