16 Dog Myths You Should Stop Believing

There are plenty of myths and misconceptions about dogs. For example, how many times have you heard that dogs can only see in black and white, or that you have to be the alpha or pack leader to successfully train your canine, or even that sleeping with your dog is not good for you.
In this video, we will separate fact from fiction by sharing 16 myths about dogs.

Dogs can catch a cold
Most people believe if they get a cold, their dog will get sick too. But dogs don’t catch a cold from humans. This is because the viruses that cause cold-like symptoms in humans and in dogs rarely jump from one species to the other, so you can rest easy about giving your dog your case of the sniffles. But remember, if your dog is sick, other dogs in the neighborhood could be at risk of contracting whatever virus is causing your dog’s cold, so keep your dog away from other dogs until he is feeling better.
Sleeping with your dog is not good for you
Animal experts have long advised dog owners not to sleep with their pets because it will promote poor behavior in the animal and could lead to serious illness in humans. However, this myth has now been debunked and many vets now believe concerns over such issues are overstated or just incorrect.
According to recent research published by Mayo Clinic Proceedings, sharing your bedroom with your canine companion may actually improve your sleep.
As long as both you and your dog are healthy and the dog isn’t under the covers, it’s perfectly safe to snuggle up with your furry friend every night. Just make sure your dog has no fleas, ticks, parasites, or illnesses, and that he has up-to-date vaccinations.
Human foods are bad for dogs
Obvious treats such as chocolate or onions should never be fed to your canine. But some foods such as apples, bananas, or daily products are fine for dogs to snack on. It’s important to remember that these human foods should be given in moderation, and they shouldn’t replace your dog’s actual balanced meal.
Once a dog bites, it’s time to put them to sleep
Many people believe that when a dog bites someone, it will happen again. The dog can’t be trusted again and that it is time to put them down to sleep.
No one wants to euthanize their pet after a biting incident, and really, no one has to either. It's understandable that a dog bite can be scary and stressful, but it’s important to remember that aggression in dogs is a treatable problem. Since every dog and every situation is different, make sure to discuss with a canine behavior consultant or your veterinarian to determine what caused the dog to bite in the first place, and how it can be prevented from happening in the future. More often than not, dogs will resort to biting when they feel threatened or abused.
Rescue dogs aren’t good pets
There are many myths surrounding rescue dogs. These myths can be very harmful and even deter potential fosters. Some people think that rescue dogs are bad because you don't know their background or where they came from. Or that shelter dogs are there for a good reason.
Don't assume all pets were banished to a shelter for some wrongdoing! There are plenty of pets in shelters because of an owner's inescapable situation. There are even people who give up on their pet because they welcome a newborn. And remember, if a rescue is aggressive, it is probably because they were poorly treated, and didn’t receive proper socialization or training. So next time you decide to get a dog, try to give a rescue pet a chance.
Your dog must see you as the “alpha”
This myth has long been propagated among dog trainers. Dog owners are told that they must be “the alpha dog” or "the leader of the pack" to dominate their pet dogs to get them to behave.
However, dog training research has revealed over and over that dogs do not need to be dominated to be well behaved. In fact, dogs whose owners use reward-based training and praise are overall more well-balanced and happier.
One Year of a Dog’s Life is Equal to 7 Human Years
How dogs age can vary by breed, but there’s no evidence that a year in dog life equals seven years of human life.
A 2019 study by researchers at the University of California San Diego revealed a new method to calculate the actual age of dogs. By tracking changes in DNA molecules and methyl group patterns, scientists were able to estimate the ages of dogs.
Based on this study, a 1-year-old dog was comparable to a 31-year-old human, while a 5-year-old dog is comparable to a 57-year-old human.
A dog will always cry out if they’re feeling pain.
Canines have inherited an instinct to hide any outward signs of pain. In the wild, an animal that is injured or infirm is vulnerable to attack, and there is a survival advantage to act like nothing is wrong even when something most definitely is. Our pet dogs still suppress many of the obvious signals of pain to protect themselves and their social standing in their pack.

[ast-og-losta]

I rescued a Yorkie and she rescued me right back. I LOVE her.

[missgrinch]

I can’t believe in this day and age there are still people out there that assume all rescue dogs are bad and/or damaged goods. For the last 10 years, I’ve only ever owned rescues and I will continue to adopt for the rest of my life. I wish more people would give them a chance because they can be rehabilitated. My rescue that I have currently came from a terrible situation but he is the sweetest dog you’ll ever meet. He loves unconditionally and wouldn’t hurt a fly. He has a soft spot for children and loves playing with other dogs. There are so many animals that are in a shelter that need a loving home and I hope more people out there are willing to give them a chance.

[TAETO]

"Some people think rescue dogs are bad".
•
Some people are idiots.

[TheMcinku]

'Not sleeping with dogs!'... we fight every evening, just to decide who will take the dog to bed. Sometimes our dog, during the night, will go from bed to bed and sleep with everyone in the house... and we love it.

[Bookishbrewsandcrafts]

My husband & I just adopted a dog from a shelter and we’re happy we did. She is so sweet, playful, and protective. We love our Daisy ❤️

[bellelaverne]

My dog was rescued from a miserable life living on Bulgarian streets. Thrown on the streets with her puppy’s. I adopted her to my country. I can tell you, she is the most sweetest dog ever, with a beautiful character. Her miserable life gave her some trauma’s but she overcame them. She is more well behaved than a lot of the dogs that safely grew up all their lives in my save country. My stray dog understands perfectly the ‘stray dog language’ because she learned that on the streets. Bottomline; please give adoptive dogs a chance! Every progress they make to become ‘normal ‘ dogs, is so much more satisfying! I can tell you!

[jakobcoosemans]

“Every dog deserves a human, not every human deserves a dog”
-Me, just now

[bitwize]

We have two rescue dogs. Yes, they seem to have abuse or abandonment in their past, and that presents challenges that a pup from a breeder might not. But we love them, and loving them has healed them. They've become true family members, and I'm proud to see these two good dogs become better dogs every day.

[ExploreEmbraceExpress]

Let me just say as far as rescues (talking as someone who has my dog from a rescue shelter for 13 years now) rescue animals make the best pets. They are so appreciative of the love you give them- it really can’t be matched. I would never dream of buying a dog from a breeder when so many die in shelters every day. You have to do your homework before deciding on a dog no matter where you decide to get it. Different breeds require different care. And more often than not animals end up in shelters for no fault of their own. Too many people rush out to get a dog or a pet without doing their proper research and properly preparing for the amount of time work and energy it takes to care for them. Not to mention sometimes it’s a matter of the pets owner passing away or 1 million other reasons that has nothing to do with the animals behavior. I can’t imagine my life without my two rescue babies. They have been the absolute best companions. Super loving and loyal. Even my younger one who came from a very bad situation where the other two dogs in the house didn’t make it. Please don’t blame the dog for the problem a person created. Want to save a life? Foster- adopt- transport -fundraise -advocate -educate -volunteer.
Also a little money spent on training can save boatloads of frustration for both you and your pet.

[uttermanbo]

I've gotten two dogs from the humane society. A two year old black lab who wouldn't let me check out any other dogs, and a husky/Shepard 10 month old who had been returned twice. Both were great choices.

[sarahchaplin]

I have a shelter dog. Best pet I’ve ever owned! I will always adopt. She’s the most loyal, lovable dog I’ve ever had.

[Halfdanr_H]

I let my dog sleep on my bed and they were the best nights of sleep I ever had. Since she died (of old age) I've never had such a calm, great sleep.

[TheGhjgjgjgjgjg]

My dog has been with me for 12 years and is my best friend. We sleep everywhere together, in the forest, on the beach, in the back of a truck. That's true love baby!

[MiracleFound]

We only get rescues. Our most recent one is a big girl and was supposedly aggressive. She is a sweet girl and very loving. She just needed time, training and love. She was worth the little bit of work it took.

[urfavflyonthewall]

1:35 surprised me a lot. My oldest dog was found on the side of the road. My 9 year old mutt’s mother was found when carrying my dog, but without rescue the pups would be strays, so she is technically a rescue. My mutt, lulu, is the sweetest dog ever. She is scared of everything, yet protects us, and loves us like we love her.

[susancollender]

My dog loves to sleep in my bed. However, it’s only about an hour before she decides that I’m taking up way too much space on a queen-size bed and starts trying to push me out.

[TheThrowdest]

We adopted our dog from a shelter about 4 months ago, and she's been the best girl. She's half bull terrier and half pit bull so she may scare some people, but she's small dog and cat friendly. Mother in law's Chihuahua bit her in the face and she didn't really react with anything but surprise. We love her.

[timwodzynski]

My wife and I adopted a dog in December 2020 and he is well behaved and very loving and I wouldn't hesitate adopting another rescue dog ❤️🐶🐕

[ItsJennMara]

I sleep with my rottie and my pit. I sleep so well and our cuddle pile is really great bonding for all of us

[rosemary]

I have a rescue. She’s just as loving and lovable as the dogs I had that I had since they were puppies.
It wasn’t my dogs fault that she needed a new home - it was her previous owners fault, she was abusive and an overall mean old lady who probably shouldn’t have gotten a dog in the first place. Most dogs who are in need of a new home - in worst case end up in a dog pound/shelter - are good dogs who have had bad luck with humans, rather than the other way around.
I got my girl when she was three years old and this year she’ll be nine. She’s staying with me 💗