A myth is an unproven or false belief. Facts and myths can become so intertwined that it’s hard to know truth from fiction. Dog myths, if believed, can actually harm your dog.
There’s nothing wrong with giving dogs table scraps. Bones and fatty meals can be harmful to dogs. Bones can easily get caught in their throat or mouth and cooked bones can splinter. Fatty meats can cause gastrointestinal problems, like pancreatitis, which is an inflammation of the pancreas and can be quite painful. Table scraps can also lead to obesity which contributes to other health concerns. Dogs have a very poor sense of taste and go by what their nose tells them, not their tongue. It’s best to stick to a regular diet of quality dog food and not risk harming your dog by giving him people food that could be toxic to him.
My dog doesn’t need to be trained. All dogs need to understand basic commands to help keep them safe. A dog that comes as soon as he’s called can be stopped from running out in front of a car. In an emergency, if you need to move to a safe location, you don’t want to have to chase after him, which can put both of you in harm’s way. A dog that knows basic commands is easier to control.
If your dog isn’t outside a lot, he doesn’t need heartworm prevention. Mosquitoes can get into your home just as easily as you can. Even if your dog spends most of his time inside, he still needs protection.
Dogs that eat plastic, socks, rocks, wood or other non food items are missing nutrients in their food. Eating non food items is a compulsive eating disorder called pica. If you’re feeding your pet a low quality food, it can be an indication he isn’t getting what he needs from his diet and switching to a premium, high quality food can help. However, pica can also be a sign your dog is bored or has a medical condition you haven’t noticed yet. Dogs that eat non food items can have serious problems if an item becomes lodged in the stomach or anywhere along his digestive tract. Pica can also be a problem in cats.
Never bother your dog when he’s eating. You control your dog’s food, not him. This helps prevent food aggression. Teach him it’s alright when you’re around his food by dropping a special treat he doesn’t expect into his bowl while he’s eating. This way he learns when you or your kids are next to him, he gets something special added to his food and you aren’t trying to take it away. Cooked chicken is a favorite for most dogs and once he accepts people being next to his food, the treats can be eliminated.
Your dog just tried to bite me. If he had meant to bite you; he would have succeeded. His reflexes are much faster than yours. A snap is meant to be a warning to “leave me alone” and says something is bothering him. The person may have scared him, he doesn’t like a particular smell associated with someone or he’s not feeling well. We want to pet dogs on top of their head and most canines aren’t comfortable with our hand coming down to them. Your dog will accept your petting, but someone he doesn’t know won’t have the same respect he gives you.
Never let your dog growl at you. Growling is one way dogs communicate with us and it’s how they tell us to give them some space. The dog could be tired or not feeling well. We get grumpy if we have something on our mind and there’s nothing wrong with a growl that says, “Not now.” The growl you need to be concerned with is one that comes from a dominant dog who thinks he’s the leader, a dog with food/toy aggression or a little dog suffering from small dog syndrome.
Dogs know when they’re in trouble because they look guilty. If you come home from work, find garbage spread out all over the kitchen floor and your dog is hiding, you assume he knows he’s in trouble for getting in the garbage – again. He may look guilty, but it’s not because he knows he was bad. He hangs his head, moves slowly and looks like he’s walking on egg shells in an attempt to help you relax because he knows you aren’t happy. Dogs are so good at reading our body language and understanding our emotions. Unfortunately, most dog owners aren’t good at reading their dog’s body language and he ends up in trouble with no idea why. You want your dog to have positive thoughts in his mind about you – always. He expects you, his leader, to be fair, understanding and forgiving. The best thing you can do is to quietly clean up the mess, put the garbage container where he can’t get to it and forget about it.
When we believe dog myths, they can harm dogs and some, like not training your dog, can lead to behavior problems. The best way to debunk a myth is to talk with your vet.
Small Dog Breeds and Small Dog Syndrome
People Food That’s Safe for Dogs to Eat
What a Dog’s Body Language Tells You About Dog Behavior