You ever wonder validity of the dog myths you’ve heard. Well, dogoday is here to put the age-old sayings to rest.
Dry nose equals a sick dog
The whopper of myths, a dry nose does not necessarily mean your dog is sick. Similar to when your nose runs in the cold, your dog is susceptible to weather change. A dry nose is a variety of factors from diet to weather. If your dog has a dry nose with lethargy, changes in behavior, a red belly, or not eating, then seek medical attention.
A tail wag means your dog is happy
It is an age-old tale that when your dog is happy they’ll wag their tail. Just like a smile, you don’t always do it solely because your happy. Your dog also wags their tail when frustrated, excited, or anxious. If you know your dog well you can tell the difference. If you’ve got a new dog or aren’t familiar with your dog’s behavior, watch them closely, you’ll soon be able to cue into what each tail wag means.
Dogs age at a seven-year rate
This myth was probably invented by those setting a dog’s calendar to a human’s. Granted this is a fair gauge, though a dog’s bodily progress is faster than a humans. However, different dog breeds age at different rates. So a seven-year aging rate is not practical. The bigger the dog the lower the life span. Some pure-breeds are also vulnerable to short life spans because of a variety of health issues. A dog ages quicker in the first five years than in later life. So don’t fall prey to counting by seven because most dogs won’t line up with presumed health at given ages.
Dogs will eat anything
Would you eat just anything? Neither should your dog. Your dog is subject to various parasites and unhealthy food just like yourself. Table scraps is a true way to obesity and bacterial infections. There are also various food items that are toxic to your dogs. Foods such as avocados, grapes, and of course chocolate can make for one sick puppy. Keep your dog healthy with vet approved dog food. If you want to give your dog a treat, stick with dog treats or even peanut butter.
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An old dog is a one trick pony
The saying goes, “You can’t teach an old dog new tricks.” If you believe this then you’ve probably not been one for training at the start. Plus, this aphorism applies to aged adults, not so much dogs. Your dog’s mind is sharp well into old age. So don’t hesitate to teach your dog new gimmicks or skills. Keep in mind their body probably isn’t what it was, so a twelve-year old dog isn’t recommended to jump through hoops. Keep up with supplements as your dog gets older, specifically calcium to support strong bones. From there, you can teach your dog just about anything. That is, if they’re interested.
In an age of misinformation it is important to do the research and inquire with professionals. A dogs temperament and health isn’t left to speculation. So gobble up facts not myths.