There are countless myths about our pets. To separate fact from fiction, the American Kennel Club clears up some well-known myths about dogs.
There are countless myths about our pets — some so old they have become facts in the eyes of many people. While some of these myths are harmless, many are filled with misinformation about a dog’s care, temperament, behavior and intelligence. Pet owners who act on this misinformation may not be meeting the needs of their dog.
To separate fact from fiction, the American Kennel Club clears up some well-known myths about dogs.
The truth: A wagging tail does not always mean the dog is happy. While a natural, midlevel wagging tail does indicate the dog is content, most other wags indicate the opposite.
A high, stiff wagging tail can be a sign of agitation in the dog, suggesting they are ready to protect something, while a low and quick wag may express the dog is scared and submissive.
The truth: This myth has been around for so long most people see it as a fact. 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 truth: The idea that a dog in good health should have a cold, wet nose is nothing more than another myth. The temperature of a dog’s nose does not represent health or sickness. Using a thermometer is the only way to accurately measure your dog’s temperature.
The truth: You can absolutely teach an older dog new tricks, like how to shake hands, speak or roll over. Keeping the training sessions short and fun while using plenty of positive reinforcement like treats and praise can help make the training process easier.
The truth: At one point in time, it was believed dogs could only see in black, white and shades of gray. This myth is still believed by many people today. Dogs have fewer color-sensitive cones in their eyes than humans do. However, it has been discovered that although it’s not in the same way as humans, dogs can in fact see color. They can see blue, green-ish yellow and yellow along with various shades of gray.
When is the earliest your dog can be spayed or neutered? Here’s what to know about the latest research on the topic and more.
A study on service dogs’ impact on vets with PTSD finds those with the animals experience fewer suicidal ideas and more improvement to their symptoms.
Is your party dog-proofed? Here are some tips from the American Kennel Club for safely including your pet in holiday festivities.
One of the most common reasons dog owners give for seeking veterinary care is ear problems. Here are some tips from the American Kennel Club.
Wintertime holidays and the tasty snacks that come with them can lead to weight gain for not only humans, but dogs too. Here are tips to deal with it.
The presence of pets makes people seem more trustworthy, research found. People are more likely to help a stranger with a pet than a person without one.
New research on cat and dog health may provide clues on how to prevent and treat cancer in humans.
Paleontologists at the San Diego Natural History Museum recently found a rare and nearly complete fossilized skeleton of a long-extinct dog species.
Jumping is a natural reaction for dogs when they get excited, especially when greeting people. Here are tips to stop your dog from jumping on people.
Scientists found that dogs that had been trained to detect COVID-19 could also identify long COVID patient samples with a "high sensitivity."
Dogs with noise phobias often act out in response to thunderstorms. Here are tips from the American Kennel Club to help your dog weather the storm.
With offices bringing employees back and vacations in full swing, pet owners and people who work with dogs are dealing with pets' separation anxiety.
Officials say an illness that sickened dogs, killing some, is canine parvovirus. It's a common illness, but affected dogs were not fully vaccinated.
Waterless dog shampoos work by absorbing oils and loosening grime so you can wipe your dog clean. They also tend to leave a pleasant scent behind.
There's now scientific evidence on one of dogs' impressive skills in a long list of endearing traits: the ability to smell when you're stressed.
A study on the benefits of petting a dog provides more proof that live human-animal therapy interactions can boost activity in the brain.
There are many things you can do to help your pets when they’re sick.
Are our animal companions showing off when they share more than toys with us? And what should we do about it?
Sorry, an error occurred.
Already Subscribed!
Cancel anytime
Thank you .
Your account has been registered, and you are now logged in.
Check your email for details.
Submitting this form below will send a message to your email with a link to change your password.
An email message containing instructions on how to reset your password has been sent to the email address listed on your account.
No promotional rates found.
Secure & Encrypted
Thank you.
Your gift purchase was successful! Your purchase was successful, and you are now logged in.
| Rate: | |
| Begins: | |
| Transaction ID: |
A receipt was sent to your email.
