Dog myths and misconceptions

Urban legends, false beliefs and myths about our best friends are widespread and are propagated from generation to generation.

You think you know everything about the canine species? We recommend the following list of the most common myths that are not entirely true!

• A dog needs an alpha

And science proves us the opposite. There is no evidence of a hierarchy between two different species. A dog does not try to dominate a human!

It is better to focus on good training, avoid conflicts and reinforce the positive in your dog's attitude.

In short, a dog doesn't need a pack leader, it needs you as a guide!

• Dogs only see in black and white

This is not true. Dogs are able to distinguish a wide range of colors, although primary colors such as blue, red and yellow are the colors they distinguish best, among others.

• My dog doesn't like the neighbor's dog

The fact that they bark at each other can be explained by two other reasons:

They are protecting their respective territories

They are frustrated because they can't play together

• Dogs take their revenge

Because you went to work during the day, your dog took revenge by eating your shoe? Not really, revenge is a human feeling. If your dog ate your shoe, it's because he was bored!

Provide your dog with toys, set up habits and a routine to limit the boredom of your pet in your absence, you will see, the mischief will be less and less frequent.

• Their nose is an indicator of good health

If the nose is hot, the dog is sick? No, the nose may be hot from exposure to the sun, but that doesn't necessarily mean your dog is sick.

On the other hand, your dog can be sick but have a cold nose.

We advise you to base your diagnosis on your pet's body temperature, which should be between 38 and 39°C.

• Some dog breeds are more aggressive than others

Of course, we disagree. All dogs can be aggressive, but it does not mean all of them necessary are. Also, a lab can be more aggressive than a pitbull.

It is not a question of breed, it is a question of education and socialization. A dog considered "dangerous" because of the physical characteristics of the breed is not necessarily dangerous. It is simply an effort of education and socialization on the humans part, to ensure that the dog never develops aggressive behavior, towards humans or animals!

• You can't train a puppy

Let us prove you wrong. When you take in your puppy, at at least 8 weeks old, your puppy already has 80% of his neurological abilities. It is therefore necessary to start laying a foundation of education and to do frequent training, in a rhythm adapted to your dog, while regularly increasing the frequency and duration, over time.

• One human year corresponds to 7 dog years

Unfortunately, it is not that simple. The human age of a dog is calculated thanks to various variants, such as its age, its size and its breed. A 2 year old dog, small size, will have a human age around 13 years, while a large dog, at the same age, will have a human age of more like 18 years!

• No need to walk a dog that stays in the garden

Your dog still has a lot of energy to spare, even if he has spent the whole day in your garden. He needs to discover his outdoor environment, while enjoying burning some calories in the process. Moreover, the outing is done with you, while he is usually alone in your yard.

• An old dog can't learn anything

Well, with the right method, you can. It may be more difficult than with a puppy, but with patience and regularity, you can for example teach an older dog to walk on a leash, taking into account the general health of the dog.

• A dog can heal its wound by licking it

And this is not recommended. The action of licking the wound actually comes from the dog's primary instinct to relieve discomfort or to soothe an itch. The truth is that licking an open wound is obviously counter-indicated, as the dog's mouth contains more bacteria than we would like to believe, and this can lead to infections.

• You should not look a dog in the eyes

And yet we invite you to do so, because studies prove that it increases the production of the well-being hormone (oxytocin) in both you and your dog.

Eye contact is an invaluable tool for forming a strong bond with your dog, so don't hesitate any longer.

 

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