With dogs being man’s best friend, it’s no surprise that the “man” in “man’s best friend” still remains bogged down by common dog behavior myths. If you’re ready to cast those misconceptions aside, it’s time to start studying. Here are the seven misconceptions about dogs to put in the dog house and forget.
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Coat color affects temperament
Thanks to circulating myths, some inexperienced shoppers think chocolate Labrador Retrievers to be more aggressive and challenging to train than Labs of other colors. Assumptions that eye-catching English Cream Golden Retriever puppies for sale will be more or less calm than their red or gold counterparts also run rampant. Every day, a new soon-to-be dog owner steps foot into a misinformation trap, which leads them to believe coat color influences temperament, energy level, etc.
Not to worry, the assertion is false. In a study designed to compare coat colors and the behavior of different dogs, chocolate labs did not turn out to have a different temperament than black, yellow, or any other labrador colors based solely on hair color. On that same note, Golden Retrievers of all color varieties will exhibit the same loving dispositions and calm temperaments.
A wagging tail means a friendly dog
It is forgivable that humans confuse the meaning of a wagging tail because excited, happy dogs wag their tails a lot.
Despite the clear connection, do not confuse the behavior. An alert dog assessing a situation that can lead to aggression will likely have its tail up and can even wag it a little bit. Be sensible around unfamiliar dogs and be careful with kids who think they can pet every cute dog.
Dogs can only see in black and white
No one knows how this myth came about. There is a good chance it is due to dogs having fewer color receptors in their eyes than humans have, but they do have color receptors.
However, if you look at something colorful with your dog, the dog’s retina picks up shades of blue, yellow, and grey. People can see a broad spectrum of colors by comparison.
Dogs have a guilty look when they do something wrong
Again, it is forgivable that humans mistake this behavior for guilt because it is almost identical to what guilty humans do.
Dogs are perceptive and pick up on human emotions easily. The guilty look means the dog senses tension, anger, or other negative emotions, and it makes the facial expression people associate with guilt. However, it is unclear whether dogs feel guilt the way humans do.
One dog year equals seven human years
This myth makes no sense. Dogs go from birth to approaching their full-grown size in one year. The same process takes between twelve and fifteen years for humans.
After that, breed and size affect life expectancy drastically. Small, long-lived dogs can live up to fifteen years, and some large dog breeds might only live until seven.
Female dogs should have one cycle of heat before you spay them
There is no scientific basis that supports this myth. Science supports getting a female spayed before the first heat cycle because not having a litter reduces the chance of breast cancer later in life.
A female in heat can attract males from miles around, so don’t delay if you plan to get her spayed. However, make sure your dog is not too young when you fix her, as that can also cause problems.
I need to show my dog who’s boss by being the pack leader
The pack leader myth is often misinterpreted. Dogs should receive rewards for good behavior and garner training through positive reinforcement.
Do not force your dog to watch you eat dinner before feeding, and do not try other dominant techniques. The effect on the dog is not what you think. If you need help with training, try a professional trainer in your area.
The wrap-up
There are a lot of myths about dogs, and most of them do not harm, but some can. Ensure that you research dog breeds and dog behavior before adopting your beloved pet.
Read also: 6 Ideas to Plan a Healthy Diet for Dogs