9 of the Biggest Dog Myths

Call them legends or even "old wives tales," but don't call them facts.
Some of these sayings about dogs have been around for centuries, but in
reality many are simply myths that amount to bad advice. Here are some of
the biggest misconceptions about dogs that just wont die.
1. A Warm or Dry Nose Means a Dog is Sick1

2Photo C :mrMark: on flickr3This one is probably the biggest dog health myth
around. Somewhere along the line, people came to the conclusion that a cold,
wet nose is a sign of a healthy dog and a warm or dry nose is a sign of
illness.

How it Began
Like many myths, the origins of this are not definitively known but are
likely rooted in fact. Canine distemper is a deadly virus that was once
quite prevalent. One symptom of advanced distemper is hyperkeratosis
(thickening) of the nose and footpads. Basically, the nose and pads of the
feet become hard and dry. Back when distemper was more widespread, a cool,
wet nose was considered a good sign that the dog did not have distemper.
While canine distemper still occurs, thanks to vaccinations it is far less
common today.

The Facts
The temperature and moisture of your dog's nose are not miracle measurements
of his health. For instance, a dog's nose is often dry and/or warm if he has
just woken up, and this is perfectly normal. However, a nose that is
persistently dry and crusted might be a sign of a health problem. If you
notice an abnormal appearance to your dog's nose or any other signs of
illness4, contact your vet right away.

The Dry Nose Myth5
2. Dog Mouths Are Cleaner Than Human Mouths6

7Photo C GK Hart/Vikki Hart/Getty ImagesSome of us may recall hearing this
as kids, particularly if a dog licked your face or sampled whatever you were
currently eating. "Don't worry about it! Didn't you know that a dog's mouth
is cleaner than yours?"

How it Began
The idea that dogs' mouths are clean was probably surmised by the fact that
dogs lick their wounds and sometimes heal faster because of it. In reality,
if a wound heals faster after a dog licks it, that's because his rough
tongue has been removing dead tissue and stimulating circulation, much like
a surgeon would debride a wound. On the other hand, licking wounds can
sometimes cause more harm than good by introducing bacteria and/or
irritating the wound. Guess the people who came up with this myth did not
think about the dog wounds that did not heal properly.

The Facts
A dog's mouth contains plenty of germs, not to mention other "icky" things.
Think about the stuff your dog eats off the ground and out of the trash, or
the things he licks off of himself. Plus, many dogs do not get their teeth
brushed as regularly as people, so there is the dental tartar and bacteria
to consider (as if doggie breath didn't give this away). Overall, a dog's
mouth contains more germs than anyone wants to think about. But the good
news is that these germs are usually dog-specific and unlikely to cause any
harm to humans. Basically, if you keep your dog healthy8, dewormed and
up-to-date on vaccines, there is little to worry over. Better yet, take care
of your dog's teeth9 and there's even less going on in that mouth. So, a
little "kiss" from your dog is nothing to fret about, but I wouldn't go
sharing water bowls or letting your dog lick your wounds.

The Legend of Clean Dog Mouths10
3. Dogs See in Black and White11

12Photo C cogdogblog on flickr13It was once believed that dogs could see
only in black and white (and shades of gray). Many people still think this
is the case.

How it Began
There is no evidence behind the origins of this myth, but it may have to do
with old science. It could be that scientists came to the conclusion that
dogs see in black and white before they fully understood the canine eye (or
even the human eye for that matter) and the functions of cones.

The Facts
Dogs can see color, but not the way most humans do. Based of the types of
cones in the canine retina, dogs probably see colors best on the blue side
of the spectrum. Canine color vision is thought to be similar to red-green
colorblindness in humans, though not exactly the same. It is believed that
dogs see primarily in blue, greenish-yellow, yellow and various shades of
gray.

All About the Eyesight of Dogs14
4. Dogs Eat Grass to Make Themselves Vomit15

16Photo C 3Neus on flickr17It's true that dogs will often throw up after
eating a lot of grass. However, this does not mean they ate that grass to
induce vomiting, or that it is somehow a sign of illness.

How it Began
The origin of this myth is most likely due to an incorrect assumption by dog
owners. People observed their dogs vomiting after eating grass. They assumed
that dogs intentionally ate grass when feeling sick to their stomachs in
order to make them vomit. When you consider the real reason, this conclusion
seems like the long way around.

The Facts
Why do dogs eat grass? Probably because they simply like it. Some dogs like
to graze while others chomp. Enough grass in the stomach can create minor
irritation and cause the dog to vomit. Some experts believe that a dog's
taste for grass goes back to the days when a wild canid would eat the
stomach contents of its prey - usually grass, leaves, etc. Regardless of the
reason, it's relatively harmless as long as the grass is not chemically
treated. That being said, if grass-eating has led to chronic vomiting in
your dog, you should probably keep him away from the grass and visit your
vet just in case.

Why Do Pets Eat Grass?18
5. Dogs Age Seven Years for Every Human Year19

20Photo C Randy Pertiet on flickr21Saying that a one-year-old dog is seven
in dog years does not really make sense when you consider that dogs can
reproduce well before one year of age. That would make 15-year-old dog 105
in dog years, which is not the case. Plenty of dogs live to 15 and are still
healthy, far more than the humans who live past 100.

How it Began
Someone probably looked at the average lifespan of people versus the average
lifespan of dogs and made the estimate of seven dog years for every human
year. It's really just an over-simplified way of describing the rate at
which a dog ages.

The Facts
Obviously, dogs age at a faster rate than humans. However, that rate is
faster early in life and seems to get slower with age. For instance, a
one-year-old dog is basically like a human teenager, but an eight-year-old
dog is like a middle-aged human (the latter matches up more closely with the
seven-year theory). Most importantly, the size and breed of the dog has a
lot to do with its aging rate and lifespan. Many small breeds22 are known to
live 15-20 years while a lot of giant breeds23 only live 7-10 years. In a
strange twist, young giant breed dogs tend to reach adulthood more slowly
than the average dog, despite their shorter lifespans.

Estimated Dog Age Chart24
6. You Can't Teach an Old Dog New Tricks25

26Photo C Kimberly ZwaagstraWe hear it said all the time. "You can't teach
an old dog new tricks." People say it about dogs, but they also say it about
people (usually referring to stubbornness). Of course, we all know that
people can learn at any age, but sometimes they just don't want to. It's not
much different in dogs.

How it Began
People probably noticed that their older dogs had less interest in new
activities and were less responsive to training. The saying also refers to
adults who are "set in their ways."

The Facts
While it may not be easy to teach new things to an older dog, it can be
done. One factor that may go overlooked: old-age sensory changes. A senior
dog may not see or hear like he used to. Plus, he likely does not have as
much energy as a younger dog. When training an older dog, you first need to
be able to get his attention. You also need to make sure the activity is not
too physically demanding for the dog. Keep it interesting with his favorite
toys or treats. However, be aware that some senior dogs experience cognitive
dysfunction (basically senility) and will not be able to retain new
information well. Perhaps the saying should be "you can't teach a senile dog
new tricks."

Old Dogs Can Learn New Tricks27
7. A Waging Tail Means a Happy Dog28

29Photo C bsabarnowl on flickr30This common misconception could lead to an
unfortunate dog bite. Yes, dogs tend to wag their tails when happy and
excited. However, they are known to wag their tails for other reasons.

How it Began
The image of the happy, bright-eyed dog jumping for joy with a wagging tail
is the way we all love to see our dogs. Tail wagging has been associated
with happy dogs for so long it's hard to say how this generalization began,
but it is rooted in truth.

The Facts
Canine body language can get pretty complex. Tail wagging is just one of the
many ways dogs communicate. While it is true that tail wagging is often an
indication of happiness, it can sometimes be a sign of fear, anxiety or
other potential precursor to aggression. Rather than looking just at the
tail, it is best to pay attention to a dog's overall body language31 to
determine its mood.

Dog Body Language: Wagging Tail32
8. Female Dogs Should Have One Litter Before Being Spayed33

34Spay and neuter are controversial topics for many people, and this is an
argument often used against spaying dogs. There is no reason a dog should be
bred once before being spayed. In general, routine spaying and neutering of
dogs is recommended to help control the already huge population of unwanted
dogs, a major problem in the world. Yes, there are some valid reasons to
choose not to spay your dog, but this is not one of them.

How it Began
There is probably no way to know how this myth really began. Believe it or
not, some people think that a dog would feel some kind of void, like she is
missing out if she cannot have at least one litter of puppies. This is not
true and actually a prime example of anthropomorphism35. Other people
believe that there are long-term health benefits to completing a heat cycle
and/or having a litter.

The Facts
It may come as a surprise to some that dogs do not think like humans. They
will not feel "empty" because they never had puppies. In fact, some dogs are
not even good mothers. Breeding your female dog and helping to raise puppies
can turn out to be a big job for you - is it worth it? In reality, it
contributes to pet overpopulation. In addition, there is no evidence that
allowing dogs to go into heat and/or produce a litter before getting spayed
has any health benefits. In fact, spaying a dog after she has gone into heat
and/or had a litter can even raise the risks of surgery. If you want to
breed your dog, make sure she is a proven purebred dog and an excellent
example of her breed. Then, find an experienced, responsible dog breeder36
to mentor you. Breeding dogs is more than a simple hobby - it is a
lifestyle.

Should Your Spay Your Dog?37
9. Tug of War Can Cause Aggression38

39Photo C Ryan McVay / Getty ImagesThere has been much debate over playing
tug-of-war with dogs. Some feel the game causes aggression or dominant
behavior, warning people to never play tug-of-war with their dogs. Actually,
the truth is just the opposite.

How it Began
People probably noticed they way some dogs got so into the game - growling
and snarling. Naturally, it would seem that playing the game simply
reinforces those aggressive behaviors.

The Facts
Many dogs truly enjoy playing tug-of-war, and there is nothing wrong with
that. It is a healthy display of their predatory nature and an excellent
mental and physical workout. Tug-of-war is also a great way to reinforce the
human-canine bond. Over the years, many professional dog trainers have
noticed that the game actually decreases aggressive and dominant behaviors
in dogs, kind of like an outlet for these emotions. Some experts say the
human should always win the game, while others say the dog should always
win. In reality, it probably depends on the dog. Winning tug-of-war boosts
your dog's confidence, while losing might humble him. If you dog has no
behavior problems, you can probably switch up the winning and losing. If you
are in doubt, find a dog trainer40 and ask for advice. The most important
thing to remember: if your dog's teeth ever touch your flesh, the game is
over for the time being.
Playing Tug of War With Dogs