True or false: 10 misconceptions about dogs!

A sensitive, complex animal, each dog has a unique temperament and behaviors that we sometimes associate with the entire canine race. Without realizing it, we let certain preconceived ideas about dogs change our vision of the animal. Join us as we explore 10 common misconceptions about dogs and discover how well you understand the behaviors and needs of your beloved four-legged companion!

1: When you have a dog, you need a garden.

You have probably heard it many times: “For the well-being of the dog, you must have a garden.”. This statement, which may seem true, is however far, very far from being true and can even harm the development of the pet. The garden is particularly useful for learning cleanliness or for lazy owners. For our four-legged friends, the garden is just an additional room where he will get bored very quickly. Walking and physical activities practiced outside the garden are much more beneficial to your companion, large or small, who needs to discover new places and new smells to meet congeners and other human beings and the environment. Outings contribute to the dog's socialization and physical and mental well-being throughout his life. For a fulfilled dog, open the garden door and discover with him the joys of walking and canine activities.

It is too late to train the adult dog.

The earlier the dog is trained, the faster it will integrate the rules of life specific to its home. We can only train a puppy, which often leads to owners abandoning their adult dogs because they no longer know how or think it's too late. With more patience, firmness, and understanding, even the adult dog can learn to modify undesirable behaviors. Except for a serious cognitive or health problem, it can learn throughout its life. Some even need to learn new tricks to flourish throughout their lives by our side. It is wrong to believe that we cannot change the undesirable habits acquired by our canine companion. Of course, it takes more time and often a questioning of the owner to succeed in modifying inappropriate or dangerous behavior and often the help of a canine behaviorist.

3: Do you have to live in a house to make your canine companion happy?

Of course, a giant dog in a studio is probably not a good idea for your comfort and his. As long as a small dog has a very active temperament, he can feel very unhappy in a small space. More than the size of our homes, it is the energy and time that we are ready to devote to our doggie that make him happy. To satisfy a Jack Russell Terrier, a Border Terrier, several walks per day and fun and sporting activities will be essential. These dogs with a dynamic temperament may find life much more difficult in small spaces. Larger dogs sleep much longer and, apart from the walks that are essential to their well-being, will much more easily accept lying quietly on their carpet.

4: The dog is omnivorous and can eat the same things as us.

This preconceived idea is still common. However, it is false! The dog is an opportunistic carnivore. Our non-strict carnivore has a protein requirement 4 to 6 times higher than ours, as well as a poorer ability to digest the starch present in starchy foods. Our small dishes are full of foods that are toxic to dogs. Therefore, your dog cannot eat the tasty little dishes that you prepare for yourself and your family. If you want to provide a varied and natural diet to your four-legged friend, seek advice from your veterinarian. And ban from its ration toxic foods such as chocolate, milk, onions, fruits, and vegetables that are not suitable for the animal.

5. A wet nose is a sign of good health.

The nose's humidity and warmth do not provide any information about your four-legged friend's health or a possible fever. Hot and dry or wet and cold—all of this depends on his internal temperature, external temperature, and humidity. In addition, your own feelings can be modified according to your own body temperature. If your dog has just woken up while sleeping curled up, with his nose fresh and warm, there is a likely chance that his nose is hot and dry. However, a dry nose for several days can be a sign of dehydration in your canine friend. In this case, it is best to consult the veterinarian and make sure that everything is okay.

6: The true-false of the dog wagging its tail

Our dogs have a range of behaviors to express their emotions, including a tail that wiggles happily. So, yes, your four-legged friend wags his tail because he is excited, agitated, and happy, but in fact, the emotion can be negative or positive. The position of the tail and the speed of swinging are to be observed to determine his state of stimulation and whether he is delighted with the situation that presents itself to him or if, on the contrary, it worries him.

7: When my dog eats grass, it means he has worms.

This preconceived idea is hard to die. Dogs eat grass to make themselves vomit, not because they have worms. This instinctive approach is more aimed at evacuating food that they have difficulty digesting and that makes their stomach painful. Do not rely on your dog's grass intake to deworm them and prevent parasites; instead, ask your veterinarian for advice on how to treat your four-legged friend.

8: When you own a categorized dog, the bite risk increases.

The dog, whatever its breed, will emit many signals before biting its owner or the child who does not recognize these signals. Avoidance, growling, a tense and stiff body, and barking occur well before the attack and the bite. Made a big deal by the news, category I and II dogs are not those that inflict the most bites. In France, the Labrador, one of the most common breeds, causes the most bites each year. Its gentle temperament often makes victims forget all caution. Above all, laxity in education, a lack of vigilance, a lack of knowledge, or non-compliance with the warning signs emitted by the dog will lead to the attack. Before petting your dog or any other dog, watch for signs of discomfort, and if he does not want to, do not insist.

9: The Legend of Blood

Even today, despite the introduction of BARF to feed our four-legged friends, there is still a rumor that the dog that tastes blood will do it again. Unfortunately, the only solution will be euthanasia. Thus, the dog that catches and kills its prey will necessarily do it again. It is not the taste of blood that motivates the animal to hunt and consume prey, but rather its predatory instinct. Dogs fed BARF are no more aggressive than their counterparts fed industrial food.

10: All dogs enjoy doing sports.

While all our canine companions need to exercise to protect their health capital, ensure the flexibility of their muscles, and maintain their ideal weight and a good physical constitution, like us, some are very lazy. The dog's favorite activity remains for all the olfaction of the thousands of odors that assail their nose. However, depending on their morphology and temperament, not all are made to practice intense sporting activities. This is true for flat-nosed dog breeds, known as brachycephalic or giant dogs. Before choosing a sport, make sure with your veterinarian that there are no possible contraindications. Test, if you can, several activities, and never force your animal. This physical and mental stimulation must remain enjoyable and adaptable to your dog's age, breed, and health status.

Finally, keep in mind that your four-legged friend does not see the world in black and white at all. His color vision is closer to that of a colorblind person. And if the animal does not perceive red and green, he distinguishes other colors. His visual acuity is perfect for spotting moving objects, and unlike us, he has better night vision.

There are many other preconceived ideas circulating about our canine friends. Which ones left the biggest impression on you when you learned about their behavior or particularities? Tell us in the comments.