Biggest Dog Myths Busted
The Dry-nose-equals-sick Myth
Having a dry snout does not mean your dog is sick. It’s completely normal if they had just woken up from a nap or spent some time outside. Let them have a drink of water, and the moisture in their snout should return shortly. However, if it doesn’t return, check their gum for moisture and color. If the gum is dry but pink, it could a sign of dehydration. However, if the gum is abnormally pale or purplish in color accompanied by a dry nose, this warrants a visit to the vet.
The Wagging-means-happy Myth
Most often, we interpret tail wagging as a sign of a happy dog, and when we get close to give a good pat on the head, the dog snaps. I’m sorry to say but nope! a wagging tail does not equal a happy dog. In fact, this is the most common misinterpretation that could end up with a bite. You see, dogs do communicate with their tails. However, the language they use to communicate can be misleading if we’re not a dog or a dog behavioral expert. So, next time you see a strange pup, let them sniff your hand and get to know you before you reach out for a head rub. It’s smart to be cautious so you leave with your hands intact!
The Dog-can’t-feel Depressed Myth
Can dogs feel depressed? well, if we as humans can feel depression, so can dogs. A dog can get depressed for many different reasons. Whether it’s grief, a physical illness, a change of environment, or boredom, depression can set in. So to be on the safe side, you need to rule out physical ailments first and tackle that depression with some much-needed fun! It’s easy to cheer them up.
The Color-blind Myth
Dogs are not entirely color blind. Even though they lack the three color receptors we possess, they don’t see the world entirely in black and white. As a matter of fact, dogs have dichromatic vision, which means they can see a combination of blue and yellow. So, nope! They don’t live in a black and white world.
The Domination Myth
“If your dog misbehaves, just act dominant or flip them on their stomach to show them who’s the boss.” You’ve probably heard this many times. However, this does not work! Domination is intimidation. If you want to correct a misbehaving dog, intimidation is going to do just the opposite. In fact, some dogs can even become more aggressive with this technique. As a result, your best bet is to use positive reinforcement and keep those praises and treats coming.
The Hypoallergenic Myth
There is no such thing as a completely hypoallergenic dog because my friend, this is a myth. All dogs will shed to an extent. It’s just that some dogs tend to shed more than others. Take the poodle breed as an example. Poodles are advertised to be hypoallergenic, but If you’ve ever owned a poodle, you know it’s not 100% true. In other words, you’ll find their hair in your eyes, your mouth, and your shirt on a daily basis. No exceptions!
The Love-at-first-sight Myth
“I saw my dog for the very time! It was love at first sight, and we lived happily ever after.” If this is your story, that’s awesome, but if this is not the case, that’s normal too. Puppies are extremely adorable and at times, deceiving. As soon as you bring the puppy home, the lack of sleep, barking, peeing, and biting becomes your worst nightmare. Many new dog owners have regrets after bringing a new puppy home, but I’m here to tell you that It’s completely normal and there’s even a name for it, the puppy blues. The good news is, after the adjustment period, it will become a lot easier. It does take some time for the pup to adjust to their new environment, so have patience. Your puppy will truly become your best friend in no time.
The Guilty Conscience Myth
Can they feel guilt? We don’t know 100% but we don’t think so. Guilt is a complex emotion that many scientists think dogs are incapable of. so, if your dog acts guilty, most likely, it’s your tone of voice. Next time when your dog does something bad, talk to your dog in a happy tone and I’m pretty certain your dog will not look guilty at all.
The Crying-dog Myth
While surfing the internet, I saw a video of a dog crying. The dog sounded like he was hyperventilating and out of breath from crying. However, it looks more like a case of reverse sneezing rather than real crying. Of course, dogs can feel sad and depressed, but they don’t express in the same way as a human. In actuality, you are more likely to see a dog acting depressed when they are sad.
The Clean-saliva Myth
It’s true that dog saliva has enzymes with protective properties against some form of bacteria. However, they also have lots of bacteria in their mouths that are not present in ours. On top of that, you’ve probably seen your dog licking the toilet or eating some nasty things around the house. Hence, it’s kinda gross and it’s a good idea to be on top of the oral hygiene game. Although it’s harmless when your dog gives you a smooch, but brush their teeth before you get all the smooches on your face.
The Seven-year Dog Myth
I don’t know where the seven-year myth came from, but it’s actually pretty convincing because prior to debunking this myth, I thought it was true too. The truth is, I’ve tried to calculate my dog’s age by using the human-age calculator. However, this calculation is all fun and games. The age of the dog really depends on the size of the breed. On average, smaller breeds will live longer than large breeds. The type of breed is important. Mix-breed dogs generally have better health outcomes and longer lifespans due to their genetic diversity. Try this calculator!