10 Facts And Common Myths About Dogs Clarified
Dog owners love a good myth-busting moment, especially when it comes with a few surprises. This time, a popular TikTok creator is taking on the everyday questions people still get wrong about dogs, from health habits to behavior quirks.
The video touches on the stuff owners think they know, like aging, tail wagging, jealousy, guilt, and whether a warm nose means anything at all. It also digs into the small details people miss, which is exactly why the clip has pulled in so much attention.
Some of these answers are going to challenge what you thought was obvious. Read on.
1. Fact: Staring At You While They Do Their Business
"Your dog is staring at you while they poop because they trust you and think you'll look out for them while they're vulnerable during this time."
The article sheds light on the common misconceptions surrounding dog health, emphasizing the importance of regular veterinary check-ups. Many dog owners mistakenly believe they can gauge their pet's well-being solely through their activity levels and appetite. However, as highlighted, this approach can overlook significant health issues that may not manifest until they escalate into serious problems. Conditions such as dental disease and ear infections often go unnoticed because owners may not conduct thorough examinations of their dogs' mouths and ears.
Regular veterinary visits are portrayed as essential for early detection of potential health issues. Subtle signs such as weight fluctuations and the emergence of new heart murmurs can signal underlying conditions that require prompt intervention. This reinforces the idea that proactive health management is critical in ensuring a long and healthy life for our canine companions.
2. Myth: Dogs Eat Grass When They're Sick
"Dogs eat grass because they're sick. While this can be true, many dogs do this out of boredom or simply think it's fun to eat grass."
The first one is about one dog year translating to seven human years.
“Although dogs do age quicker than humans, the 7:1 ratio is not perfectly accurate. Dogs age faster when they are younger, and then the aging process slows down as they get older. The size of the dog also plays a role in the aging process, larger dogs age faster than smaller dogs.”
Another popular myth is that a dog is sick if it has a warm nose. The temperature of a dog’s nose does not represent its health or sickness. Using a thermometer is the only way to accurately measure your dog’s temperature.”
3. Fact: They Know Your Routine
"Your dog actually knows your routine. If you have a fairly normal routine, your dog can tell when you're coming home based on the amount of your scent left in the house."
And if you are worried that your dog is too old to learn new tricks, don't be. "We have all heard the expression 'you can't teach an old dog new tricks' at some point in our lives," explaining that "you can absolutely teach old dogs new tricks, like how to shake hands, speak, or roll over." He added that "keeping the training sessions short, fun, and using plenty of positive reinforcement like treats and praise can help make the training process easier."
"At one point in time, it was believed that dogs could only see in black, white, and shades of grey, and this myth continues to be believed by many people today. Dogs have fewer color-sensitive cones in their eyes than humans do. However, it has been discovered that, although not in the same way as humans, dogs can, in fact, see color. They can see blue, greenish-yellow, and yellow, along with various shades of grey."
And what about the wagging tail? Does it mean the dog is happy? "A wagging tail does not always mean the dog is happy," he said, explaining: "While a natural, mid-level wagging tail does indicate contentedness, most other wags indicate the opposite. A high, stiff wagging tail can be a sign of agitation in the dog, suggesting that it is ready to protect something, while a low and quick wag may express that the dog is scared and submissive," he concluded.
This is similar to the debate over whether dogs grabbing scraps are truly hungry or just eating whatever is nearby.
4. Fact: Dogs Can't Feel Guilt
"Even though your dog may look guilty, dogs cannot feel guilt."
5. Myth: Dogs See In Black & White
"Dogs see in black and white. While dogs lack some light receptors in their eyes to see colors, they can see on a yellow-blue scale, and this is what it would look like in their vision versus ours."
6. Fact: Scooting Their Butt
"When your dog is scooting its butt across the floor like this, it's not just trying to make you laugh. This is almost a sure sign of plugged or infected anal glands, which can collect fluid and can actually be drained manually, or they might be given something for it."
Alyssa Mages, the Chief Visionary Officer at "Empowering Veterinary Teams," says that most pet owners know their dogs very well. "In my experience as a CVT, I would refer to this exact phenomenon, telling owners that I only see a single instance of how their pet is, while they see a more in-depth, long-term presentation," she said. "Both of which are essential when they come into the hospital, for either an acute or emergent concern where my or a veterinarian's expertise comes to the forefront versus updates on a chronic condition that can vary and present differently from day to day."
Alyssa also addressed some common myths, "their mouths aren't cleaner, they do see in color, their age, etc., but I think that there is one that remains, that myth of the 'perfect' breed of dog. This simply doesn't exist!"
She continued: "There are unicorns of every breed, and we cannot forget our mixed breeds, those lovable mutts are simply the best! What does exist is the perfect pairing, you'll know the best dog for you when you meet each other. The energies will blend, the body languages will match, and everyone wins."
7. Myth: 1 Human Year = 7 Dog Years
"That 1 human year equals 7 dog years. The first year of a dog's life is usually about 12 to 15 human years, the second is usually 9 to 10, and the rest after that are usually about 4 to 5. It depends on the dog's weight, breed, and other factors."
8. Fact: Dogs Can Get Jealous
"On the flip side, dogs can feel jealousy. Any time you're giving attention to another dog, treats, or petting, your dog can feel jealous."
9. Fact: Putting Paw On You
"Whenever your dog puts its paw on you like this, it's their way of showing that they love you, and it's their way of petting you."
10. Myth: A Dog's Mouth Is Cleaner Than A Human's
"This myth started when dogs licked their wounds; they were seen to heal quicker, but that wasn't because they're cleaner. It was due to the blood flow from licking. So, dogs' mouths are dirtier, and this is probably why your vet tells you not to let your dog kiss your face."
Want more than “kisses,” read what dog owners say about the real reasons behind face licking.
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