14/06/2025
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Dog Myths Debunked: 10 Misconceptions That Deserve to Be Put to Bed (Preferably Not in Your Dog’s Crate)
Dogs are brilliant. The things people say about them? Less so. Myths, half-truths, and pub logic have been passed down like family recipes, except this stuff doesn’t age well, and unlike your gran’s shepherd’s pie, it doesn’t do anyone any good.
So, let’s throw a lead around 10 of the biggest dog myths, give them a firm “leave it”, and set the record straight.
1. “A Wagging Tail Means a Happy Dog”
Tail wagging? Must be happy, right? Not quite. Dogs wag their tails when they’re excited, anxious, aroused, or plotting a tactical sock theft. It’s not the wag, it’s how they wag and what the rest of the body’s doing.
Truth: A loose, sweeping wag with a wiggly bum? Likely joy. A stiff, high wag with locked shoulders? That’s “back off” in dog language.
2. “Let Dogs ‘Work It Out’ Themselves”
Ah yes, the “natural order” myth. Pop two dogs in a room, let them have a disagreement, and wait for harmony to magically emerge, what could go wrong? (Spoiler: a vet bill.)
Truth: Dogs don’t need to be left to battle it out. They need guidance, structure, and a human who steps in before fur flies. You’re the referee, not a spectator.
3. “You Have to Be the Alpha”
The ‘alpha theory’ should’ve died out with flip phones. It was based on flawed wolf studies from the 1940s and has no place in modern dog training. Your dog isn’t planning a coup, it just wants to know what works.
Truth: Dogs thrive on leadership, not intimidation. Be calm, consistent, and clear, not a wannabe drill sergeant with a superiority complex.
4. “You Can’t Teach an Old Dog New Tricks”
Tell that to the twelve-year-old Collie who just learned scentwork. Age might slow the body, but the brain still wants a job. It’s not that old dogs can’t learn, they just don’t suffer fools or faff.
Truth: Older dogs can absolutely learn. You just need to adjust the pace and make sure the reward’s worth getting off the sofa for.
5. “My Dog Knows They’ve Done Something Wrong”
The guilty look? That’s not guilt, it’s appeasement. Your dog’s not reliving the moment they ate your dinner; they’re responding to your voice, posture, or the fact that you’ve just found half a cushion in the hallway.
Truth: Dogs live in the now. If they look sorry, it’s because you look scary. Not because they regret doing the thing.
6. “A Big Garden Means You Don’t Need Walks”
Oh, the classic “he has loads of space to run about”. Yes, and most of us have kitchens, but we still go out for a meal. Dogs need more than a patch of grass, they need smells, novelty, and interaction.
Truth: A garden’s a toilet. A walk is a sensory experience. One drains the bladder, the other fulfils the brain.
7. “Let Them Say Hello to Every Dog – It’s Good Socialisation”
If your dog greets every dog like it’s their long-lost sibling at an airport reunion, that’s not socialisation, it’s chaos. Not every dog wants to meet yours. And not every dog is safe.
Truth: Proper socialisation is about manners and neutrality, not meet-and-greet mania.
8. “My Dog Pulls Because He’s Dominant”
No, he pulls because he’s never been taught not to and because the world is full of exciting smells, squirrels, and possibly chips. It’s not about dominance. It’s about training (and a bit of patience).
Truth: Pulling on the lead is a lack of leash skills, not a power struggle. Stop taking it personally and start teaching calmly.
9. “If You Use Treats, You’re Bribing Your Dog”
Bribery is when you wave a sausage in panic after your dog ignores you. Training with treats is reinforcement. You’re paying your dog for a job well done, not handing out hush money.
Truth: Dogs work for food just like you work for wages. No one does their best work for free, not even your dog.
10. “Playing Tug Makes Dogs Aggressive”
Nope. Tug doesn’t create aggression, poor rules and no boundaries do. In fact, tug can build confidence, engagement, and control, if it’s structured properly.
Truth: Tug isn’t a gateway to violence. It’s a brilliant training tool and an outlet for energy as long as you play with rules and know when to end the game.
Final Thoughts
The dog world is full of noise. But in your dog’s life, you are the filter. So ditch the folklore, ignore the bloke in the park who thinks your dog needs a “firm hand”, or the woman in says smother it with “love and affection” and everything will be fine and lean into what the science, logic, and results tell us.
Dogs don’t need outdated myths. They need understanding, structure, and someone willing to lead with fairness and a few biscuits.
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