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6 Ridiculous, Yet Common Dog Myths Dispelled

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Dog Myths Dispelled: Know Your Dog Facts

Dog Myths
AprilCarlsonPhotography/iStock

You’ve heard these dog myths before, I’m sure. Every pet owner has encountered myths about dogs from well meaning animal lovers, and it’s time to dispel these dog myths. While growing up in South Louisiana, people would say that feeding a dog gunpowder will make them mean. Um, no. It will make them sick; not aggressive.

Believe it or not, I heard these 6 ridiculous dog myths this week and I’m here to debunk them.

Giving Your Dog Human Food Will Cause Begging Behavior


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False. Giving your dog “people” food won’t cause your dog to beg. Now, giving your dog food (even his own kibble) from your dinner plate or the dining room table will teach your dog to beg.

Think about it this way: If someone hands out cupcakes or $10 bills by the toilet, you would hang around the toilet if you like cupcakes and money. In a nutshell, if good things happen in specific areas, your dog will learn to hang out there. Instead of handing your dog food tidbits from the dinner table, give your dog a food-filled Kong in his crate. That way, you can enjoy your meal and your dog learns that dog crates mean peanut butter Kongs (a good thing!).

Your Dog’s Warm Nose Means He’s Sick


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Nope, this is false too. Your dog’s nose reacts to the temperature or humidity and not illness. Dogs’ noses will look and feel warm, especially after a long nap. If your dog acts differently, hides in another room, refuses to eat or drink, limps, vomits, or has loose stool, then he’s probably sick.

Dogs Eat Grass Because They Have Worms


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False. Dogs eat grass because they like it, especially young green grass that grows during springtime. When dogs eat grass, it’s best to keep them outdoors for a few more minutes, as most will vomit afterwards. If you notice worms in your dog’s poop or around his anus, then it’s time for a vet visit.

Humping Dogs are Seeking Dominance


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This is false too. Humping is a normal part of play behavior; it has nothing to do with dominance. When playing, each dog has his or her own specific play style. Some dogs pull ears, others grab another dog’s hocks and some dogs hump. If the humpee feels uncomfortable, he moves away and the humper learns to change his play style or no one will play with him.

Allow Dogs to Work It Out


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Beyond false. Never allow dogs to work it out, ever. Allowing dogs to work it out will teach dogs to fight it out. If one dog is bullying another dog and the scared dog is unable to get away, he will fight to get away. This is called fight or flight behavior. If you’re unable to leave a scary situation, then you’ll fight to get away. When in doubt, interrupt or prevent your dog’s behavior and consult an experienced positive reinforcement dog trainer.

Dogs Run Through Doorways First to Show Dominance


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Nope, this is false too. Dogs run through doorways first because they weren’t taught differently. It has nothing to do with dominance. If you’re walking toward a doorway, such as the back door, your dog runs through the door because he wants to go outside. That’s it, I promise. Now, it’s the pet owner’s job to teach a dog to wait at the door. This prevents dogs from running out and getting hurt.

What’s the craziest dog myth you’ve ever heard? I promise I won’t laugh. I may giggle a bit, but won’t laugh.

How to Stop a Begging Dog

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Use Your Begging Dog to Your Advantage

Begging Dog

Oh, begging dogs, it’s time to change your begging ways or we’ll use begging to our advantage. 🙂 Here are myths about begging dogs dispelled plus tips on preventing, fixing and using the behavior to your advantage.

Myth: People Food Causes Begging

This is a common myth. Many dog owners refrain from using bits of baked chicken or cheese as training rewards because they’re worried their dogs will start begging. Allow me to ease your mind. People food does not teach your dog to beg. Feeding food from your plate teaches dogs to beg. 🙂 By feeding food from your plate, your dog learns to hover around because he will eventually be rewarded with a few nibbles of your dinner.

How to Stop Your Dog’s Begging Behavior

  • Prevention: Don’t feed a dog from your plate. 🙂
  • Hardcore beggars:
    • As approaches, grab a luscious food stuffed toy for your dog to enjoy in his crate. This keeps him busy and happy while you enjoy your meal.
    • Tether your dog. If your dog is not crate trained, try tethering. Redirect his begging attention by providing a delicious food stuffed toy while he is tethered. Plus, the food stuffed toy teaches him to associate good things when tethered.

Using Begging to Your Advantage

Who can resist those pitiful brown eyes asking for a tiny morsel of your dinner? Use begging to your advantage! Remember the cues you learned during dog training class? Well, it’s time to practice them. 🙂

“Down-stay” is my favorite dog behavior to teach during meal times. As you’re sitting down to eat, ask your dog to “down” and “stay.” While eating, toss a few tidbits between his front legs. This ensures he remains lying down, but is still rewarded. Soon your dog will have a rock solid “down-stay.” Woot woot!

Take it a step further and teach your dog to “down-stay” from across the room. Toss tidbits across the room, so it lands near his front legs, which provides easy access plus you’re practicing your aim. If he begins creeping toward the dining table, tether him and continue to practice.

What cues do you practice during dinner time?

Dog Training Nation is a dog training blog for pet owners and dog lovers. We cover a range of topics from puppy socialization tips to dog aggression to dog health. It is our hope you share our content to make the world a better place for dogs.

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