“Your dog is eating grass? Oh, they’re definitely sick.”

“How old is your dog? 2? That means you have a teenager in human years!”

“If they’re wagging their tail, they are definitely happy and ready for a belly rub.”

Most dog owners have become victims to common misconceptions about their dogs and may still believe in some of them to this day. It’s not your fault though - there are so many statements and opinions out there that it’s hard to figure out what is true and what is myth. We think we know our dogs, but they’re always proving us wrong by doing something completely opposite of our thoughts. That’s why we’ve scoured the internet to bring you 7 of the most common myths and bust them wide open for all of the dog owners out there.

1. Dogs see in only black and white. Just because dogs don’t see the same rainbow of colors that most humans do doesn’t mean they can only see in black and white. They actually see a more muted world of shades that consists of blue, yellow and gray, so yeah, they can see in color! According to the American Kennel Club, people have three types of color-detecting cells in their eyes while dogs only have two, which means you can compare the eyesight of a dog to a person who has red-green color blindness.

2. One dog year equals seven human years. This is one of the most common misconceptions out there for dogs and no one quite knows where this myth even started. Dogs age more quickly at the beginning of their lives and then slow down with aging towards the end. The first year of a dog’s life can be equivalent to the first 12 to 14 years of a human’s life but age is really dependent on many factors such as breed, size and genetics. The average small dog can live 15 to 18 years whereas a large or giant breed dog may live only 7 to 10 years.

3. A wagging tail means a happy dog. While tail wagging can be a sign for a happy dog, it’s not always the case. It can mean happiness, excitement and alertness or it can signal fear, anxiety or be a prelude to aggression. It’s important to understand and learn about your dog’s body language to know what he’s communicating, especially when it comes to a wagging tail because not all wags are the same. Generally a loose, wide wagging tail where the hips and spine are moving indicates more ‘friendliness’ than a stiff, narrow wag. You should always evaluate the body language of the entire dog and never approach a dog you do not know without first gaining permission from their owner.

4. Dogs eat grass because they feel sick. This is another very popular misconception with dogs. While grass can act as a natural antacid for your dog’s stomach, eating grass doesn’t automatically mean they have an upset stomach or are about to get sick. Eating grass may be because they feel hungry, they like the taste of it, they’re bored or it’s fun for them. As long as the grass has not been treated, there is no problem with your dog chowing down on some - it’s actually full of fiber and will fill them up if they are eating because they’re still hungry. As long as they are eating it in small amounts and it isn’t making them sick, there is no need to stop their grass eating behavior.

5. Dogs have cleaner mouths than humans. This is one of the largest myths out there and to date, there is no research or study that shows a dog’s mouth is cleaner than a humans. The New York Times reports that the germs in your dog's mouth are typically specific to dogs, which means those dog kisses won’t be getting you sick anytime soon. Some pathogens like salmonella and certain rare bacteria strains can be passed on to humans in dog saliva, but serious infections are relatively rare; so a lick or two from your furry friend is nothing to stress about. Both dogs and humans’ mouths harbor bacteria - although neither have the same bacteria - still making each not very clean. If you think about your dog and how they explore the world, their mouths and noses are front and center with their curiosity; so there’s no telling what went into their mouth that day.

6. A warm, dry nose means your dog is sick. Your dog’s overall health has nothing to do with a wet or dry nose, contrary to popular belief. The wetness level of their nose actually has to do more with the environment, weather, dry air, allergies or even just taking a nap. There are so many factors that go into making a dry, warm nose that sickness is actually at the bottom of the list. BUT, if your dog’s nose is constantly dry, cracked or running - not simply just wet but a full on runny nose - you should look into calling your veterinarian for some extra observation.

7. After they do something wrong, your dog will act guilty. Coming home to chewed sneakers and a dog sitting on their bed giving you a sheepish look may make you think that they feel extremely guilty for that sole they just chomped on, but whether dogs do feel guilt is still an open question. This whole ‘guilty look’ is actually them showing an appeasement gesture and reacting to your anger to try to calm you down. The pulled back ears and the tucked tail are really just trying to give you what you want at the moment: them looking guilty, even though they aren’t truly feeling guilty.

Whether you were a believer in some of these statements or knew they were myths, we will always be learning new things about our furry friends and you can bet on more misconceptions within the dog world. Staying observant with your canine friend and always getting a second opinion from a veterinarian is a great way to stay on top of all things dog related. While some of these misconceptions may have a little more impact than others, it is always fun to put your dog knowledge to the test and continue to research what else may be considered myth.

One statement that will never be a myth is that your dog needs a daily dose of exercise. Burning that excess energy and letting your four-legged friend get some fresh air are great ways to curb the zoomies and destructive behaviors that can happen when left to their own devices inside. Let Going Mutts Pet Services lend a hand when it comes to that daily dose of exercise with a daily dog walk, playtime or check-in! We can help customize a pet care plan that best fits you and your pup; just fill out our contact form on our website and push send to start!

Sources:

https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/advice/busting-common-dog-myths/

https://topdogtips.com/myths-dog-owners-believe/

https://www.rd.com/list/dog-facts-that-are-false/

https://www.hillspet.com/dog-care/resources/dog-myths?lightboxfired=true#