Top 10 Most Common Myths About Dogs

1. Dogs Are Color Blind

Well, considering how much badly filmmakers have been doing it, you may want to protest to Hollywood. Dogs do not have the ability to see in black and white, but they are what we would refer to as “color-blind,” meaning that they only have two cones (or color receptors) in their eyes, compared to the average person who has three. Humans must have a color vision deficit in order to be classified as color blind.

This condition is often caused by an error in the cones’ development inside the eye. Human color blindness may result from a malfunction of one of the three color receptors, leaving some people with just two functional cones. Dichromacy, an alternative to the usual human trichromacy and a kind of color blindness akin to canine color perception, is the name given to this condition. Dogs are thus technically color-blind.

But which colors can dogs perceive and which do they not, assuming they are colorblind? Only a few wavelengths of light are seen by the eye’s color receptors for them to function. Each cone in the human eye generally detects the red, green, and blue-violet light spectrum. We are able to view a broad range of colors by blending and overlaying the three human cones’ respective color spectra. Dogs, however, only see in combinations of blue and yellow because the two color receptors in their eyes only detect wavelengths of light that correspond to blue and yellow.

2. A Dry Hot Nose Means Your Dog Is Sick

The dog’s nose lining has specific mucus-producing glands that keep his nasal passages wet while also creating a clear, watery fluid that keeps him cool. Dogs also lick their noses often to keep them clean. All that sniffing may cause dirt and pollen to gather around your dog’s nostrils, but licking has two purposes: it not only keeps your dog’s nose moist, but it also allows puppies to interpret scent via taste, owing to a highly developed olfactory organ called the Jacobson’s organ.

The majority of dog owners would undoubtedly agree that a dog’s chilly, wet nose indicates a healthy puppy. Similar to how many people think a dog is unwell if his nose is dry, but is this really the case?

Although it would be nice to have a quick technique to detect illness in dogs, there are a number of completely natural explanations for why a dog’s nose can be warm or dry. It is also important to note that sick dogs can also have wet noses. Dogs that are sleeping could wake up with heated noses since they don’t typically lick them. Dehydration from vigorous activity might result in a dry nose.

Although it’s not necessarily a bad thing, a hot, dry nose might be an indication of a fever, dehydration, or even disorders like dry eye. Contact your veterinarian for assistance if your dog also exhibits additional symptoms, such as lethargy, vomiting, diarrhea, or changes in activity level or appetite.

3. An Old Dog Can’t Learn New Tricks

It’s never too late to teach an old dog new tricks, as examples demonstrate. A combination of people, patience, and reward training, commonly known as positive reinforcement, is a formula that has been shown to be effective. Dog treats are used in this technique to control the dog’s behavior and encourage him to pick up new skills.

Take your time with this training as a dog lover, and most importantly, be very patient with your previous canine companion. Treat him with a lot of care and patience even if he may not be in the greatest of health since he is one of your closest friends. Remember that an older dog can maintain concentration for extended periods of time. As a result, learning new behaviors from them may sometimes be simpler than from pups.

4. Dogs Yawn Only When They Are Exhausted

The purpose of our yawning frequently seems basic. Either we are exhausted, bored, or we are just seeing someone else yawn. But can dogs share human empathy in the same way? The act of yawning may have many distinct meanings for our canine companions. Additionally, not all canine yawns are the same, unlike our own. Similar to human pet owners, the three most frequent causes of a dog yawning are to control stress levels, out of trust or imitation of our behavior, or out of exhaustion and boredom. You must analyze their actions and use context cues to ascertain the precise cause.

Have you ever seen your dog yawning while being trained? This may indicate that they are impatient or bored. You must observe your dog’s behavior to distinguish between boredom and frustration. Yelling might be an indication that your dog needs a bit extra paw-holding if they aren’t picking up the signals straight away or if they quit training on their own. In this situation, make the trick simpler to do or less difficult, and your dog should turn around. But what if they are effortlessly doing the stunts and choose to be a little bit terrifying? That might imply that they are bored.

5. Dogs Must Chew Bones

Dogs and bones seem to be a natural match. That’s why you see dogs munching on delicious bones in so many comic strips and movies. However, certain bones put your dog’s health and safety at danger.

Chewing is a normal dog habit, and safe dog chews and bones are available. Dog bones, in fact, may give cerebral stimulation as well as keep your dog’s teeth clean. But, before you give your dog any old bone, keep reading to find out which bones are safe for them.

Raw bones are often safer than cooked bones. There are, however, certain raw bones that you should never give your dog. It’s vital to know where your bones originate from, therefore get raw bones from a butcher that uses locally sourced meat. Freeze them and defrost them one at a time before giving them to your dog.

You should pick a raw bone for your dog that is around the size of their head. Why is it so big? A large bone, on the other hand, will enable your dog to chew while limiting the possibility that they may break off and consume a harmful portion. Raw beef and bison knuckle bones make excellent chews for big dogs.

6. Only Happy Dogs Wag Their Tails

We usually assume that our dogs’ “wagging tails” indicate that they are satisfied, but a recent research has shown that this is not always the case. A dog’s tail is a communication tool that it uses to communicate feelings to other animals and humans as owners. Vets have long suspected that wagging isn’t necessarily associated with pleasure – at the vet, dogs that are visibly anxious or defensive will have a wagging tail.

When a dog feels calm, its tail is supposed to sit in a resting posture. This posture varies according on the breed of dog. Some dogs have naturally curling, rigid tails, while others have a long tail that droops behind them in the natural posture. Tail wagging happens when emotions are stimulated.

A wagging tail is merely an indication that a dog is engaged with its surroundings. Before caressing a dog, always consult with its owner, as a misreading of a tail wag might result in a violent bite! Children are frequently the targets of such misunderstandings, so it’s imperative that we all take care to ensure that they comprehend that they should only touch a dog if they have been told it’s okay.

7. Any Well Trained Dog Will Not Bite.

Any dog has the ability to bite under the correct conditions. People are often bitten by dogs because they believe their dog will not bite. Do not assume that a dog will not bite because it is of a specific breed or size, or because it has never displayed aggressiveness in the past.

A well-behaved dog is easy to govern. You may use simple instructions to keep your dog focused on you in stressful circumstances by focusing on training. If you can regulate your dog’s behavior, it will be less likely to bite. Training also offers your dog structure and boosts its self-confidence.

Making a loud “ow!” sound will help you teach this to your dog sound when they bite you. But beware: for some pups, this actually makes them more agitated and prone to bite. In this instance, it is preferable to turn around softly, walk away, or gently place the puppy in their kennel for a few minutes to settle down. If they do back down, be sure to give your dog a treat and some vocal praise.

8. Dogs Only Eat Grass When They Are Sick

Although it is often assumed that dogs consume grass or other plants to cause vomiting, data reveals that this is not the case. A research was published that included a large sample of owner responses about plant-eating tendencies in their dogs. Only a tiny percentage of the dogs seemed unwell before eating grass, according to the findings. Because most dogs were offered a varied diet, chewing grass was most likely not an effort to make up for a nutritional shortage.

Dogs eat grass as a natural behavior. It’s doubtful that they’ll receive much nourishment from it, but for an otherwise healthy dog that is routinely wormed, chewing grass every now and again shouldn’t be a problem. Dogs, on the other hand, should never be permitted to consume grass that has been treated with fertilizers, herbicides, or pesticides. Slugs and snails that have traveled across the grass may potentially infect your dog with lungworm. If your dog eats a lot of grass, is often sick, or shows other indications of illness.

9. Dogs Are Fine With A Little Chocolate

The severity of chocolate poisoning is determined by a variety of circumstances, including dog size, how much and what kind of chocolate was ingested, how long they were exposed to the toxins, and so on. Poisoning is caused by the chocolate concentration. Chocolate includes theobromine and caffeine, both of which are toxic to dogs.

Darker chocolate is often more dangerous since it includes greater quantities of theobromine and caffeine. The risk does not end there. Chocolate’s high sugar content might induce upset stomach and diarrhea in your dog. A single piece of chocolate should not damage your dog, but repeated pieces may.

The best thing to do is to take precautions to prevent your dog from eating any chocolate. Keep any form of chocolate away from your home space. Sweep up any crumbs before your dog eats them. Train your dog not to beg at mealtimes, and advise everyone in the family not to offer your dog chocolate.

10. All Dogs Knows How To Swim

Breeds with little body fat, such as Dobermans and Boxers, may struggle in the water. Older dogs may tire fast, and breeds prone to hip dysphasia may struggle to swim. When certain breeds are too exposed to cold or chilly water, hypothermia may occur. No matter how well a dog swims under supervision, any dog may drown, and any dog can grow exhausted or lost. Some breeds just do not appreciate being near water, as do some breeds with minimal body fat.

Some breeds, such as Retrievers and Labradors, like being in the water. It is crucial to note, however, that even these “water dogs” might have difficulty if they are aged, ill, or overweight and out of shape. Fatigue may set in rapidly, and regardless of how excellent a swimmer they are, they may wear out and become unable to keep afloat. Many dogs, like their human counterparts, lead sedentary lifestyles these days, and gasping for air in water is not a useful method to gauge their fitness level.