TOP TEN MYTHS & TRUTHS ABOUT DOGS

From Shelby Marlo’s New Art of Dog Training

 

 

Myth: Don’t start training a dog until it’s six months old.

Truth: Optimal time for a puppy to begin training is at forty-nine days.

 

Myth: Keep the puppy behind closed doors until it has had all of his shots to keep him safe from diseases like parvo.

Truth: Puppies need to be socialized with prudence even before they are fully vaccinated.

 

Myth: The puppy chews on you because he is teething.

Truth: Puppy mouthing is more than teething.

 

Myth: Don’t neuter or spay your dog because it will get fat, lose its desire for life and suffer severe personality changes.

Truth: Spaying and neutering does not diminish your dog’s desire for life.

 

Myth: Dogs are little people in furry coats.

Truth: Dogs are different creatures than humans, with a separate set of codes and values.

 

Myth: Dogs have a desire to please.

Truth: Dogs do not have an emotional desire to please.

 

Myth: Crates are like jails – ostracizing, mean and cruel.

Truth: Crates can give a dog a sense of safety & security and facilitate housebreaking.

 

Myth: When the dog does something wrong, just say “no.”

Truth: When the dog does something wrong, give him an instructive reprimand such as “quiet,” “off” or “outside.”

 

Myth: You can’t be indulgent with your dog and have him be well behaved.

Truth: If boundaries and training are in place and you have a strong leader-follower relationship, you can be indulgent with your dog and he’ll still be well behaved.

 

Myth: Dogs know when they have been bad.

Truth: Dogs don’t feel guilt for inappropriate behavior.