Busting 7 Common Dog Myths: Are They True Or False?

by John Griffith Jan 30, 2023 @ 09:42

Dogs and man have lived together in harmony for over twelve thousand years. And during that time we have gained a much better understanding of their behavior. Or have we? While we feel like we know everything about our dog, you’ll be surprised to find out that some things we take as facts, are actually not true. Over our long friendship with dogs there have developed some era-spanning myths about our four legged friends. A lot of misinformation and half-truth have been repeated over centuries enough to make it appear like conventional wisdom. However, as pet owners we are responsible to provide our dogs the best care possible. And to do so we need to know what’s facts and what’s fiction. That’s why today we will be busting common dog myths.

Dogs and man have lived together for over twelve thousand years

In this article

Common Dog Myths
Related Articles

Common Dog Myths

You’ve probably heard all of the myths on our list, as they have been repeated as if they are common knowledge and pure facts. However, that’s not exactly the case. We don’t know why these myths have been ingrained so deeply in our minds, but they have. Now it’s time to unlearn these false facts, so we can do better for our furry friends and share the correct information.

Over our long friendship with dogs there have developed some era-spanning myths

Dogs See Only in Black and White

While dogs don’t see the whole variety of colors we do, that doesn’t mean they see only in black and white. Dogs actually can see color. It’s just a more muted variety of shades of yellow, blue, and gray. This is because while humans have three types of color-detecting cells, dogs only have two. This results in a vision similar to a person who has red-green color blindness.

Dogs actually can see color

Check out how different animals see the world

They Eat Grass When They are Sick

You may think this if you’ve seen your dog eating grass and then throwing up. However, the truth is that only a small percentage of dogs will vomit after snacking on some grass. Most dogs just eat grass because they enjoy the taste and texture. While it’s not nutrient rich in any way they seem to like it. As long as the grass hasn’t been treated with any harmful pesticides and your dog is protected from lung worm, they should be fine. But if your dog is vomiting grass then it’s best to speak to your vet.

Most dogs just eat grass because they enjoy the taste and texture

You Can’t Teach an Old Dog New Tricks

Yes and no. While puppies tend to soak up information much easily and learn quickly, this doesn’t mean you can’t train an adult dog. They will just need some more time and patient, but they will certainly get it. Dogs learn best when they have some motivation. So, grab some treats and go wild. In order to teach an “old dog” new tricks you just need to make the training sessions fun and do them little and often. Dogs are smart no matter the age.

Adult dogs will need some more time and patient, but they will certainly get it

A Wet, Cold Nose Means a Healthy Dog

Your dog’s nose is not a good indicator of their health. Wetness, dryness and temperature can all vary with normal daily activities. Just like us humans, your dog can also get a runny nose from spending too much time in the cold, but that doesn’t mean they are sick. A very warm and dry nose may be an indicator for fever, but the best way to find out if something is wrong with your dog is noticing changes in their daily routine. Are they eating? Do they seem lethargic? Are they vomiting? And so on.

Your dog’s nose is not a good indicator of their health

Dogs Yawn When Tired

While it may seem logical that your dog will also yawn went they are tired, just like you, this is not the case. In dog language, the yawn is a way to deal with stress and anxiety. If you see your dog yawning in a situation where it doesn’t make sense, like they are playing or being pet, then that may also be a way for them to express that their patience is running out.

In dog language, the yawn is a way to deal with stress and anxiety

Only Happy Dogs Wag Their Tails

A wagging tail is the most common type of dog communication we see. But what exactly does it mean? While you may think that it signals only friendliness and happiness, that is far from the truth. There are many reasons your dog may be wagging its tail: happiness, excitement, anxiety, submission, nervousness, or they are feeling threatened. If you see a dog motionless with only a wagging ail, it may mean the dog is feeling tense and may attack.Canine body language is very complex and can be easily misinterpreted. So, try to read the situation as best as you can.

A wagging tail is the most common type of dog communication we see

Shaving Your Dog Will Cool Them Down

No, no and no! While humans may wear fewer clothes when it’s hot outside, your dog will not benefit from the same treatment. In fact, in most breeds who have a double coat, this will have the exact opposite effect. Double-coats in breeds like Huskies or Golden Retrievers actually help to keep them cool during the warm temperatures and shaving them can lead to overheating. You also may be putting them at risk of sun burn, skin cancer, and insect bites. There are better ways to keep your dog cool in warm weather.

Your dog will not benefit from being stripped down

These were some common dog myths and whether they are true or not. We hope you found this article useful. Now you can understand your dog and it’s behavior much better!

These were some common dog myths and whether they are true or no

Sources:

Blue Cross ©
Nutrena ©
Fetch ©

John Griffith

John Griffith is a young, passionate journalist. Writing has been John’s hobby ever since he was a boy. He has worked in some of the UK’s most successful news portals over the course of his professional career but found his forever home at Archzine.