19 common ‘facts’ about dogs that are actually false

You may think your dog knowledge is outstanding, but the truth is that some dog facts you’ve heard through the grapevine simply aren’t that true. That’s right. There’s a lot of misinformation out there about our pups. And while much of it’s pretty harmless, some perpetuated dog myths are downright dangerous – for you and your dog.

Some inaccurate beliefs can cause you to misinterpret certain dog behaviours or dog facial expressions, lead to subpar nutrition or put a strain on the owner-dog bond. We reached out to a range of pet experts, including veterinarians, dog trainers and behaviourists, to shine some light on the biggest dog myths out there.

Have you wondered what your dog’s tail is telling you? Tail wagging is just one of the ways dogs communicate. And although a wagging tail often does denote an excited or happy dog, that’s not always the case. “For example, a vigorous tail wag to the right means happiness at seeing its owner, but slow wags of a tail held halfway down can mean fear or insecurity,” says veterinarian, Dr Jess Trimble. “Additionally, a tail held very high and wagged extremely fast can mean fear or aggression for some dogs.”

Here’s how to decode your dog’s behaviour.

You might have noticed your favourite canine buddy likes to chomp on grass once in a while. They might even go straight for the patch of green the second they’re outside. One of the most common dog myths is that eating grass is a sign your dog is sick, but that’s not necessarily true. “So many clients come to me worried when their dog eats grass that they may be coming down with a sickness. This is not completely untrue, because the grass does act as a natural antacid to help make your dog’s belly feel better,” says veterinarian, Dr Lindsay Butzer. However, dogs eat grass for many reasons, some of which have nothing to do with an upset stomach. “They might just like the taste of the grass,” Dr Butzer says, “or they are still hungry and want to keep eating, and the fibrous grass will fill them up.”

Find our which plants are poisonous to dogs here.

You’ve heard this phrase before: “You can’t teach an old dog new tricks.” And while it is true that puppies are like sponges, making it so easy to teach them new things, “make no mistake, old dogs can learn too,” says certified animal behaviourist, Trish McMillan. She notes that some geriatric dogs that struggle with vision, hearing or mobility issues may not be as easy to train. However, as long as their brain is in good shape, they can absolutely learn new things.

The idea that dogs only see in black and white is arguably one of the most perpetuated dog myths out there. Dogs can in fact see some colour, but the spectrum is limited, says veterinarian, Dr Adam Christman. “Humans and most other primates have three kinds of cones in our eyes, making us trichromatic; dogs are bichromatic.” And because of this, they do have a tendency to mix up greens and reds.

When your dog is dealing with fleas or ticks, you’ll likely do anything to give them (and your household) some much-needed relief. If you’ve read that garlic acts as a natural cure, don’t believe it. Garlic is actually toxic to dogs and one of the foods dogs can’t eat, so you’ll want to keep it away from your pup.

“Garlic will not only have zero effect on fighting off fleas and ticks, but it can also lead to a serious disease known as Immune Mediated Hemolytic Anemia (IMHA),” says veterinarian, Dr Michelle Dulake. “Even though it is a rare disease, IMHA causes the body to destroy its own red blood cells, leading to life-threatening anaemia. By feeding garlic, you are unnecessarily risking your pup’s health, expensive hospital bills and multiple blood transfusions.”

Does your dog shake? Here are some reasons why.

This is a well-intentioned line of thinking, but a perpetuated dog myth nonetheless. In actuality, you should not stick your hand out toward any dog you’ve just met. “In our human interactions, it’s second nature to offer a handshake or a fist bump, but we must remember that dogs aren’t humans,” says dog trainer, Guillermo Roa. “Sticking out your hand can be misinterpreted as a sign of aggression, and a dog may bite you.” Roa says it’s better to calmly wait for the dog to approach you, if it is interested in doing so. You don’t know about the dog’s obedience record, after all. So if you must approach a new dog, do it from the side and avoid making intense eye contact.

Although dogs do age quicker than humans, the seven-to-one ratio isn’t quite accurate. Their comparative age depends entirely on breed, size and genetic makeup, says Dr Trimble. “The bigger your dog is, the faster they age. I have patients that are five-kilo terriers that still act like puppies at 16 years old and would be considered around 75 to 80 in human years. In contrast, a Great Dane at 16 would be a record and considered to be more than 130 years of age.”

These are the dog breeds that live longest.

Bad dog breath is so common that most people think it’s just something dog parents live with. The truth is that your dog’s breath really shouldn’t be that bad – and you should be brushing your dog’s teeth more often than you think. “Your dog will never have minty-fresh breath, but it shouldn’t be unbearable either,” says professional dog groomer, Tim Vogel.

“Bad breath is an indicator of underlying health issues. Specifically, chronic bad breath is caused by bacteria in the mouth and is often the first sign of dental disease.” In fact, Vogel says the biggest culprit of bad dog breath is periodontal disease, which affects up to 80 per cent of dogs by age three. In addition to tooth loss, abscesses and periodontal disease, poor oral hygiene can lead to life-threatening conditions, including kidney, liver and heart damage.

Here’s how to clean your dog’s teeth.

One of the most repeated dog myths out there is about dog illness symptoms and implies that a healthy dog’s nose is always cold and wet. Warm and dry noses are completely normal though, so don’t worry if this is the usual state of your dog’s snout. “Everything from dry air and allergies to simply taking a nap can affect the wetness of your dog’s nose,” says Dr Christman. “However, while nose health isn’t normally concerning, if you notice your pet’s nose is constantly dry, cracking or running – not simply wet– then you should make an appointment with the veterinarian.”