The dog myths below seem to stick with the general public!

Because some of the dog myths damage the owner/dog relationship, are counter productive to teach desired behaviors, and ultimately harm many dogs, my hope is that they'll be debunked in the near future.

That dogs settle disputes amongst themselves and find their own ranking order is a myth. Dogs can and do inflict nasty injuries to one another. Protect your dog when bullied, and don’t let your dog be the bully. Dogs allowed to fight it out become skilled fighting dog! Or reactively fearful of their own kind.


The flipside: that the owner must be aware of the existing ranking order and always support the alpha to prevent a fight, is also one of the sticking dog myths. Because status is dynamic, it would be extremely difficult, even for a dog language savvy owner, to always accurately determine who the dog boss is. You are the leader and you set the rules. One of them is that no fighting is allowed. That rule has to be enforced by you - and not with dominant alpha posturing, but through mindful reassurance that every social member belongs, is cared for and safe. Bonded dogs within a social group aren’t that hierarchical. Dogs not bonded shouldn’t live together.

One of the dangerous dog myths is that dogs and children are naturally getting along. That myth sadly leads to many bites, traumatized children and euthanized dogs. Dogs and children can be best friends, but it is always up to the adults to set the rules, educate children to be mindful, familiarize dogs to children gently, and supervise interactions. I met and worked with hundreds of dogs. A handful of them I would describe as naturally 100% child proof.


That dogs are tamed and domesticated wolves is a dog myth. There are too many blanks, too many things that don’t make sense with the whole “prehistoric man tamed a couple of wolf pubs”, or “wolves attached themselves to man” theories. Mitochondrial DNA suggests that the wolf/dog split took place as far back as 140.000 years ago; archeological evidence puts dogs' domestication around 14.000 years ago. As glorious as it sounds that prey humans tamed the wild predator wolf, likely, dogs were dogs for about 100.000 years before the human/dog bond began.

One of the dog myths that stinks the most is the alpha dominance pack philosophy; the viewpoint that domestic dogs are genetically driven to dominate and therefore have to be preemptively demoted. The coercive and punitive training methods that follow that thought damage the relationship and increase or even create aggression in dogs where there was none before. Read more about dominance and why "whispering" doesn't work.


A North American dog myth is that neutering solves behavior problems, namely aggression. Testosterone, the predominantly male hormone, does NOT CAUSE aggression. It energizes, and castrating a boy dog might take the edge off one who’s emotionally too charged up. Castrating diminishes some behaviors in some male dogs to some degree, nothing more.

There are indications that spaying females can have the opposite effect. Progesterone is a calming hormone. When depleted, females can be more aggressive. Spay and castration can contribute to a variety of health problems, such as hormonal imbalances and bone and joint problems.

Intact dogs contribute to the North American overpopulation problem, but not more than unscrupulous breeders and brokers. And they will not neuter as long as there is money in selling man's best friend.


That you can't teach an old dog new tricks is one of the sticking dog myths. Learning new things and improving behavior through fun games can be enjoyed by a dog any age and regardless of history. Like people, it is never too late to learn new things. The fact is that, if there is a behavior problem, the longer it exists and is practiced, the longer it takes to solve it. But nothing is impossible, changes can be made any time, with any dog, and every pooch cherishes the interaction with the owner when learning something new. Don’t retire your old companion too soon, but be aware of limitations that come with age.

It is not true that a dog who bit once can never be trusted again. Dogs bite because there is a root problem. Deal with the problem and the dog won’t bite any longer – in almost all cases.


It is a myth that buying a puppy from a champion blood line is a guaranty for sound temperament and physical health. Dog shows are canine beauty contests and nothing but. Breed standards are set by humans, not dogs. And often humans decide who mates with whom, not dogs. Conscientious breeders who carefully breed for health and disposition can be found at shows, just as large kennel breeders that neither care about their breeding stock, nor the puppies they sell. Champion stud and damn in itself means nothing, and diligent research into every breeder is the best way to increase the chances to a pup that's healthy and has a great disposition. Read more what to look for in a good breeder.


It is not true that table scraps hurt your dog. Sharing food is a sign of superiority, and intensifies the bond. Food you eat is something most dogs really, really want. It’s a valuable resource and as such creates wonderful training opportunities. Make it work for you. Read more about it on my Blog - Begging Allowed. It is true that some human foods are not good for dogs, namely onions, grapes and chocolate, and some dogs have allergies, but generally, what is good for you is also good for your dog. That table scraps imbalance the carefully composed nutrients that are in over processed kibble made from inferior industrial waste, is a dog myth.

That the second dog who joins the social group should be opposite gender is also a myth. Gender is irrelevant. What is important is that the new pooch is matching, not clashing, in personality. If in doubt, especially if an adult dog is added, consult with an expert. I have met many same gender dogs in a household that are deeply bonded, and some that were completely mismatched – to the point where the whole social group was stressed and suffered. The same is true for dogs of opposite gender that live together.