Common Dog Misconceptions

While we love our dogs (and every dog that we see on the street), we tend to assume thing about our pup that might not be true. Here are some common misconceptions about dogs that might surprise you. 

1. Dogs are Colorblind

This is a common misconception. While dogs don't see colors the same way that we do, they also don't see only in black and white. Instead, dogs simply see a more limited color spectrum than we do. While we have three different cone cells that help us see and interpret color, dogs only have two. Basically, that means that they see colors, it's simply not as bright or broad as the way we see them.

2. Dry Noses Mean a Sick Pup

Many people assume that if their dog's nose is dry, that their dog must be ill, since dogs are typically always associated with having cold, wet, noses. But typically, a dry nose probably just means the air is dry, or really, anything! Typically different environments can affect your dog's nose and how wet it is. You shouldn't be too concerned unless you notice that their nose is so dry that it's cracking or if their nose is excessively running. 

3. There Are Seven Years to One Human Year

While many people think that you can do some math to figure out how old a dog is, that's not exactly true. There is a myth out there about the rule of seven, meaning that dogs age seven years for each one human year. While this number might give us a ballpark of how a dog is aging, it actually reliant upon their size, breed, and genetics. For example, Great Danes have more health-related problems because of their size and genetic makeup, so they age more like ten years for each human year.

 4. A Wagging Tail Always Means They're Happy

While an active, wagging tail often means that your pup is happy, that's not the only thing it means. A wagging tail can also mean that your dog might be feeling anxious, frustrated, nervous, and frightened. You can usually tell what your pup is feeling by their overall body language. If their ears are flat or if they are looking down at the ground, this probably means that it's not a happy tail wag. 

5. Older Dogs Can't Learn

We've all heard the saying, "you can't teach an old dog new tricks." However, that's not exactly true! Older dogs might struggle to learn a new trick a little more than a younger dog simply because they're more settled into the normalcies of their life, but it doesn't mean that they can't learn. Older dogs have the potential to learn new tricks, too, as long as you commit to teaching them!

Oh yeah, and that whole "cats versus dogs" thing? Well, we know that's a myth! Go search for "cuddling cats and dogs" on the internet to see this myth adorably squashed.