Dogs are known as man’s best friend, and rightly so. They have always been a favorite domesticated animal of people of all ages.

While most of us know a lot about dogs, some of our knowledge and understanding of their behavior may not be entirely accurate. Here are the top 10 dog behavior misconceptions that owners commonly believe:.

Dogs are colorblind

One of the most common misconceptions about dogs is that they are colorblind. However, dogs can see colors, but not as vividly as humans. They have only two types of color receptors and cannot distinguish between red and green.

Instead, they can see blue and yellow hues.

Dogs wag their tails when happy

Dog owners often believe that when their dog is wagging its tail, it is indicating happiness. However, tail wagging can also mean a dog is feeling agitated, nervous, scared, or even aggressive.

So, dogs use a range of tail movements to communicate their feelings, not just happiness.

A wagging tail means a dog is friendly

It’s not always a safe assumption to make that a wagging tail means a dog is friendly. Dogs may wag their tail when feeling happy or when feeling territorial or defensive.

So, before you go up to pet a dog, it’s crucial to observe all other signals beyond the tail wagging to ensure your safety.

Dogs are carnivores

Dogs are commonly believed to be carnivores, but they are actually omnivores.

While they require a diet rich in protein, their digestive systems are adapted to eating grains and vegetables as well, and they supplement their diet by grazing on plants and grass.

You can’t teach an old dog new tricks

This is one of the biggest myths about dogs. You can teach an old dog new tricks, and research shows that they are equally capable of learning new behaviors as young dogs. In fact, older dogs often have better impulse control and patience for training.

Dogs understand punishment for bad behavior

Contrary to popular belief, dogs do not understand punishment for bad behavior. Reprimanding a dog does not help it to fix its problematic behavior; instead, it can cause uncertainty and anxiety in dogs which may lead to further problematic behavior.

Dogs should be hugged tightly

While hugging dogs may look adorable, it is not always the best option. Not all dogs are comfortable with hugging, especially when strangers do it. Hugging can make some dogs anxious and can lead to aggressive behavior.

Dogs are fully domesticated animals

While dogs have been domesticated for thousands of years, their instincts still belong to their wild ancestors. Hence, they can be triggered by certain stimuli, like prey animals that can cause them to exhibit predator-like behavior, such as chasing.

Dogs that growl are always aggressive and dangerous

Dogs often growl when they are feeling threatened or scared. Growling can also be a warning to back off. However, it’s not always a sign of aggression, so it’s vital to assess the entire context to determine what the dog needs.

Dogs possess telepathic powers

Many people believe that dogs possess some telepathic powers to communicate with us. However, what they do possess is high emotional intelligence, allowing them to read our body language and tone of voice to interpret what we are communicating to them.

Conclusion

As dog owners, it is essential to separate the fact from the fiction, especially when it comes to the behavior of our beloved pets. Misunderstanding or believing myths about dogs can have adverse effects on both the dog and the owner.

It is crucial to educate ourselves and understand dogs adequately to form a lasting bond with our furry friends.