Canine house owners know what it’s prefer to be continuously bombarded with recommendation, suggestions, and tales from fellow pet mother and father.
A few of these items of knowledge are useful, whereas others have been handed down via generations however have little reality to them.
Over time, I’ve heard numerous myths about canine—some that even I believed till I dug deeper.
Understanding what’s true and what’s merely misinformation could make all of the distinction in how we take care of our canine.
On this article, I’ll debunk 10 widespread myths about canine that it is best to cease believing proper now.
1. A Wagging Tail All the time Means a Blissful Canine
One of the vital widespread myths is {that a} canine’s wagging tail at all times means they’re blissful. Whereas a wagging tail can point out pleasure or happiness, it’s not at all times the case.
Canines use their tails to speak a wide range of feelings, together with anxiousness, concern, and even aggression.
The place and pace of the wag additionally matter—a low, gradual wag may imply the canine is not sure or uncomfortable, whereas a excessive, quick wag would possibly sign pleasure.
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2. Canines Solely See in Black and White
Many individuals imagine that canine can solely see in shades of black and white, however it is a fantasy.
Whereas canine don’t see colour in the identical method people do, they will understand sure colours.
Their imaginative and prescient is just like somebody who’s colorblind—they see the world primarily in shades of blue and yellow.
I used to suppose my canine noticed every little thing in grayscale, however after studying extra about canine imaginative and prescient, I noticed that their world isn’t as uninteresting as we as soon as thought.
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3. You Can’t Train an Previous Canine New Methods
The saying “You’ll be able to’t educate an previous canine new methods” has been round for ages, however it’s fully unfaithful.
Canines of any age can study new behaviors and instructions. In truth, older canine can typically be simpler to coach than puppies as a result of they’ve higher focus and are much less distracted by every little thing round them.
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4. One Canine Yr Equals Seven Human Years
The “one canine 12 months equals seven human years” method is overly simplistic and doesn’t precisely mirror the best way canine age.
Canines mature a lot sooner throughout their first few years of life, and the growing old course of varies relying on their breed and measurement.
Bigger canine are likely to age sooner than smaller canine, that means a Nice Dane will attain senior standing a lot earlier than a Chihuahua.
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5. Canines Shouldn’t Sleep in Your Mattress
There’s lengthy been a debate about whether or not canine ought to sleep of their proprietor’s mattress. Some imagine that permitting a canine to sleep with you’ll make them overly dependent or result in behavioral issues.
Nevertheless, research have proven that letting your canine sleep in your mattress can really strengthen the bond between you and supply consolation to each the canine and the proprietor.
For years, I resisted letting my canine sleep within the mattress, pondering it might create unhealthy habits. However as soon as I allowed it, I discovered that we each slept higher, and it didn’t have an effect on her independence within the least.
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6. Canines Will Let You Know When They’re in Ache
We like to suppose that our canine will at all times inform us once they’re in ache, however the actuality is that canine are masters at hiding discomfort.
Within the wild, exhibiting indicators of weak spot may make them weak, and this intuition nonetheless exists in domesticated canine.
Delicate indicators like limping, decreased urge for food, or modifications in habits could be the solely clues that one thing is unsuitable.
Learn Subsequent: Why do canine observe you into the toilet?
7. Canines Solely Want Train If They’re Younger or Lively
It’s simple to imagine that older canine don’t want as a lot train as youthful, extra energetic pups, however it is a fantasy.
All canine, no matter age, want common bodily exercise to keep up their well being and well-being. After all, the depth and period of train might differ relying in your canine’s age, breed, and bodily situation, however each canine wants some type of each day exercise.
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8. Canines Really feel Responsible When They’ve Accomplished One thing Mistaken
Many canine house owners imagine their canine feels responsible once they come residence to seek out chewed-up footwear or a torn-up sofa.
We regularly interpret their “responsible look”—ears again, lowered head, and pet eyes—as an act of contrition. Nevertheless, research present that canine don’t really really feel guilt the best way we do.
What we interpret as guilt is probably going only a response to our indignant tone or physique language.
I used to suppose my canine felt unhealthy once I scolded her for digging within the yard, however in actuality, she was simply responding to my disapproving voice.
Canines dwell within the second, and whereas they will actually study from our reactions, they don’t dwell on previous errors the best way people do.
Learn Subsequent: Why do canine roll on their backs and wiggle?
9. Canines Eat Grass As a result of They’re Sick
It’s a typical perception that canine solely eat grass once they’re feeling sick or have an upset abdomen.
Whereas it’s true that some canine might eat grass after which vomit, most canine eat grass just because they prefer it. Grass can supply some roughage and should even style good to them.
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10. A Dry Nostril Means Your Canine Is Sick
A typical false impression is {that a} dry nostril is a positive signal that your canine is unwell. Whereas a dry nostril can typically point out dehydration or fever, it’s not at all times the case. Canines’ noses might be moist or dry at totally different occasions all through the day relying on the atmosphere, exercise degree, and even the time of day.
I’ve seen my canine’s nostril fluctuate between moist and dry, typically throughout the similar hour, and she or he’s been completely wholesome.
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11. Fantasy: Canines Ought to Be Punished After Accidents to Train Them a Lesson
It’s a typical perception that scolding or punishing a canine after an indoor accident will educate them to not repeat the habits. Nevertheless, canine dwell within the second and should not affiliate the punishment with the sooner motion, resulting in confusion or concern. Optimistic reinforcement and constant coaching are more practical strategies for burglary.
12. Fantasy: Shelter Canines Are Broken or Have Behavioral Points
Many assume that canine in shelters have behavioral issues or previous traumas. In actuality, canine find yourself in shelters for varied causes, comparable to proprietor relocation or monetary constraints. Shelters typically assess and rehabilitate canine, making them prepared for adoption into loving houses.
13. Fantasy: Canines Solely Sweat By Their Tongues
Whereas canine primarily regulate physique temperature via panting, additionally they have sweat glands of their paw pads. These glands assist with minor cooling, however panting stays their foremost technique of dissipating warmth.
14. Fantasy: Canines That Are Left-Handed Are Unfortunate or Much less Trainable
Some imagine that left-pawed (southpaw) canine are much less trainable or carry unhealthy luck. In fact, paw desire has no bearing on a canine’s trainability or temperament. Like people, canine might be right-pawed, left-pawed, or ambilateral, and this trait doesn’t affect their habits or studying capability.
15. Fantasy: Canines That Growl Are All the time Aggressive
Growling is usually misunderstood as an indication of aggression. Nevertheless, it’s a type of communication indicating discomfort, concern, or a warning. Recognizing and respecting this sign can stop escalation and assist deal with the underlying challenge.
Closing Ideas
As a lot as we love our canine, we owe it to them to separate reality from fiction on the subject of their care.
These myths, whereas widespread, can typically lead us to make selections that aren’t in one of the best curiosity of our pets.
By debunking these widespread misconceptions, you possibly can turn out to be extra knowledgeable and supply the absolute best care in your canine.
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Amanda O’Brien is the proprietor of The Canine Snobs web site. She is canine mad and canine aunt to Clover in London and Poppy in Sydney. She will’t wait to have a schedule that permits her to have a canine of her personal (for now it’s two Siberian cats) and loves studying about canine breeds and canine habits.
