14 Myths About Dogs That Should Have Been Debunked A Long Time Ago

When we adopt a dog, it is normal for it to become a kind of family member. After all, the animal becomes very dear and gets all the best. But do we always understand our pets? Do our dog training concepts keep up with the most up-to-date standards on the subject?

As good dog lovers, we at awesome.club, we decided to check different sources, and found that many of the tricks adopted by dog ​​owners do not work in practice. Furthermore, it became clear that several pieces of advice given by professional walkers do more harm than good to the animals.

On certain occasions, owners may notice that the dog yawns when it is not necessarily getting ready to go to sleep: when it is playing or when being petted, especially by unknown people, for example. That doesn’t mean he’s bored or wanting to sleep. For dogs, yawning is a way to overcome excitement and relieve stress.

Some people are sure of this and even want the dog to lick its own wounds and bruises. Only any licking will speed up the healing process!

A dog’s mouth cannot be considered clean. After all, animals don’t use toothpaste like humans do, they pick up food from the ground, lick their own bodies and can, through their saliva, bring bacteria to the wound. And the result of this may turn out to be an abscess.

Do not allow your dog to lick its own wounds. In order for them to heal in less time, you need to do the opposite: avoid licking by placing a veterinary cone on the animal’s neck.

Some dog owners believe that animals should be fed raw meat, on the grounds that wolves (close relatives of dogs) feed that way in the wild. However, supporters of the thesis do not take into account that, after thousands of years living alongside humans, dogs underwent adaptations and became accustomed to another type of food. In addition, meat does not have all the necessary nutrients and vitamins for a dog. Not to mention that raw meat usually has many pathogenic microorganisms and parasites.

It is relatively common to find humans who shave their dogs in the summer, believing that this will prevent the animal from suffering from the heat. However, the practice is not correct in most cases, as the canine coat becomes denser in winter to protect against the cold. But in the summer, during the shedding, the animal ends up with only the necessary fur to make it feel comfortable. After clipping, the hairs can grow with a modified structure, resulting in knots that are difficult to remove, among other inconveniences. It’s best to think of another method to protect your canine friend during high temperatures.

A dog with shoes is not the same as a cat in boots, that is, something worthy of a fairy tale. In some cases, the accessory must be used for a real need. Yes, we can say that Mother Nature gave dogs the ability to move about on virtually any surface, and in any climate. However, it is necessary to take into account that the current streets are full of asphalt treated with chemical products. In the heat, the floor under these conditions becomes extremely hot. Not to mention that the paws of dogs that live in houses tend to be more sensitive than those of street dogs.

Dressing or training a dog to follow certain orders is not only possible, it is necessary, regardless of the animal’s age. Only, when the animal is already an adult, we need to have more time and patience. Dog trainers and animal psychologists consider that one of the most effective methods of training older dogs is the use of a “clicker”, a small device that clicks when pressed. They also guide people to avoid the use of rigid and electric collars, as well as strangulation and other methods of “force” against the animal.

Just because your dog loses control when you come home (running in circles, jumping, barking, and even peeing or pooping) doesn’t mean he loves you more than the dog who welcomes you with a simple tail wag. This just means that the dog’s behavior was never directed. There are different methods to teach the dog to receive the owner and other people calmly.

When we put a dog in water, it instinctively moves its paws (you may even have seen a video on the Web showing something similar). But that doesn’t necessarily mean that all dogs are super-skilled swimmers. In fact, most dogs can swim and even enjoy the activity. But there are others who need to be accustomed to this type of situation. And there are still those who can’t even get close to the water.

Among the dogs that do not swim well are those with large chests and heavy skulls, such as mastiffs, bulldogs, dachshunds and boxers. And care must be taken when putting small dogs in water, as they can suffer from hypothermia.

Not all existing vaccines are necessary for your dog. But the set of mandatory immunizations needs to be administered regardless of where the animal lives. For example, vaccinations against rabies, leptospirosis and enteritis are fundamental for any dog, even if he lives in an apartment and goes outside only occasionally. After all, even if small, the risk of contagion cannot be excluded. Before vaccinating your dog, consult a veterinarian.

This is a myth that has been debunked several times, but many dog ​​owners continue to touch their pets’ muzzles and worry if the area is dry and hot. A cold and wet muzzle does not always indicate good animal health. In fact, in some cases it may even be a symptom of rhinitis. Pay attention to your animal’s skin and muzzle: if you notice the presence of a dry layer or cracks, take it to the vet. But, in general, the ideal is to pay attention to the dog’s behavior and appetite, and not to the temperature and humidity of the muzzle.

For centuries, mankind believed that bones were essential for dogs. The myth exists primarily because of paintings and ancient literature reporting this type of behavior. But the truth is that bones can hurt dogs. Long ones, like chicken legs, are especially dangerous. A dog is capable of biting bones easily, and can choke on sharp fragments, which in turn have the potential to injure the digestive tract. In some cases, this can be fatal.

Today, pet stores offer many products that dogs can chew without risk. Another possibility is to give the animal a raw bone that does not break.

Unpleasant situations have already occurred because of this popular belief: the dog shakes its tail and, as a result, someone decides to pet it, but ends up getting a bite. People are used to considering that the tail swing reveals canine docility, but this is not the case.

There are other signs to look out for: a dog that really wants to be petted, in addition to wagging its tail, will stand up on its hind legs, show off its back and turn around on its own body. If the dog stays still, moving only its tail, it is possibly because it is tense and ready to attack.

This myth is so popular that many people fail to vaccinate their strays, believing that they spent generations on the streets, acquiring a stronger immune system capable of overcoming illnesses. But that’s not true. The life expectancy of dogs living on the streets is very low. They usually die from the same diseases that affect purebred dogs. The difference is that street people are not usually diagnosed or cared for by anyone.

It’s been proven for a long time that the trick doesn’t work. Teaching a dog to poop and pee in the street is reminiscent of getting a child to use the toilet. It only works with positive effort and “preventive” measures: frequently, give your dog a chance to eliminate outside the house.

Do you know other myths involving dog care? In your opinion, what is the most important measure a human can take when adopting a dog? Comment!