Myths & Facts
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| The Glory of Love... is apparent in the glowing brown eyes when he greets you at the door at the end of the day. " He is your friend, your partner, your defender, your dog. You are his life, his love, his leader. He will be yours, faithful and true, to the last beat of his heart. You owe it to him to be worthy of such devotion." |
Furry Angel Canines
Myth: Happy dogs wag their tails.
Fact: Not every wag is a happy wag. Dogs use their tails as a form of communication.
If the tail is high in the air with only the tip wagging, the dog is alert, attentive and excited.
This is done when meeting another dogs, in a new environment, etc. So use caution when
you see this. If the tail is in the center position wagging loosely moving the entire behind,
the dog is friendly and playful. If the tail is very low between the legs, this is a fearful,
defensive position and the dog should be avoided. It's always best to confirm with the
Owner that the dog is friendly before approaching.
Myth: A Cold, Wet Nose is a Sign of Health.
The only accurate method to access a temperature is to take it with a thermometer.
Conversely, a dry nose is no need for panic. An afternoon romp in the middle of summer
may leave your pet slightly dehydrated. Be sure plenty of cool, fresh water is available at
all times. Consult a veterinarian if the condition persists more than a day or two or if other
symptoms are present. Never disregard other possible signs of illness simply because a
nose says otherwise.
Myth: Dogs like to be petted on their heads.
Fact: Some dogs do like to be petted on their heads but many do not.
Myth: Table scraps are good for dogs.
Fact: Some table scraps such as bones and pieces of fat can be dangerous to some
pets. They may not digest the bones, the bones can shred and the sharp edges can
lacerate the esophagus, and the fat may cause gastrointestinal problems such as
Pancreatitis.
Myth: Household “pet dogs” don't need trained.
Fact: Every dog should be trained.
Myth: Dogs eat grass when they are sick.
Fact: It is normal for dogs to eat grass in very small amounts. It's roughage. Their
ancestors ate grass. Because large quantities can act as an irritant to the stomach, the
dog throws up. The owner then thinks the dog ate the grass to induce vomiting because it
is sick.
Myth: Licking is Healing.
Fact: It is natural for a dog to lick its wound because it hurts, but this not necessarily
always "healing." Too much licking can actually keep the wound from scabbing and
therefore, prohibit healing.
Myth: Dogs will let you know when they are sick.
Fact: This is not true. The basic survival instinct of dogs is to hide their illness, thus
not to appear vulnerable to "prey". Often by the time they show you that they are sick,
their disease or condition is quite advanced.
Myth: Dogs eat rocks, lick concrete or eat their or another animals stools because of
nutritional imbalances.
Fact: No one knows why dogs eat "stuff" that they shouldn't eat. Some veterinarians
believe that some dogs that eat "things" may be trying to get attention or acting out of
boredom. It is important for dogs to eat a well balanced diet that will fulfill their dietary and
nutritional requirements.
Myth: Dogs don't need to be house trained. They naturally know where to go.
Fact: Oh, if only this were true. You need to train your dog on where to go. This
preferably happens when you start young and give him positive encouragement for jobs
well done. Crate training is a good tool in preventing accidents while you are away from
home because puppy will not go where it sleeps and the crate provides security for them.
Myth: Dogs like tasty food.
Fact: Dogs have very poor taste buds and eat primarily based on their sense of smell.
Myth: Domestic dogs do not demonstrate pack behavior.
Fact: Dogs have a well-developed social system, known as a pack. From a dog's point
of view, he lives in a pack whether his family includes other dogs or humans. He also
lives in a den whether his home is in your house or outside. There is an alpha male and
an alpha female with all the other pack members being subordinate to them.
Myth: Happy dogs wag their tails.
Fact: Not every wag is a happy wag. Dogs use their tails as a form of communication.
If the tail is high in the air with only the tip wagging, the dog is alert, attentive and excited.
This is done when meeting another dogs, in a new environment, etc. So use caution when
you see this. If the tail is in the center position wagging loosely moving the entire behind,
the dog is friendly and playful. If the tail is very low between the legs, this is a fearful,
defensive position and the dog should be avoided. It's always best to confirm with the
Owner that the dog is friendly before approaching.
Myth: A Cold, Wet Nose is a Sign of Health.
The only accurate method to access a temperature is to take it with a thermometer.
Conversely, a dry nose is no need for panic. An afternoon romp in the middle of summer
may leave your pet slightly dehydrated. Be sure plenty of cool, fresh water is available at
all times. Consult a veterinarian if the condition persists more than a day or two or if other
symptoms are present. Never disregard other possible signs of illness simply because a
nose says otherwise.
Myth: Dogs like to be petted on their heads.
Fact: Some dogs do like to be petted on their heads but many do not.
Myth: Table scraps are good for dogs.
Fact: Some table scraps such as bones and pieces of fat can be dangerous to some
pets. They may not digest the bones, the bones can shred and the sharp edges can
lacerate the esophagus, and the fat may cause gastrointestinal problems such as
Pancreatitis.
Myth: Household “pet dogs” don't need trained.
Fact: Every dog should be trained.
Myth: Dogs eat grass when they are sick.
Fact: It is normal for dogs to eat grass in very small amounts. It's roughage. Their
ancestors ate grass. Because large quantities can act as an irritant to the stomach, the
dog throws up. The owner then thinks the dog ate the grass to induce vomiting because it
is sick.
Myth: Licking is Healing.
Fact: It is natural for a dog to lick its wound because it hurts, but this not necessarily
always "healing." Too much licking can actually keep the wound from scabbing and
therefore, prohibit healing.
Myth: Dogs will let you know when they are sick.
Fact: This is not true. The basic survival instinct of dogs is to hide their illness, thus
not to appear vulnerable to "prey". Often by the time they show you that they are sick,
their disease or condition is quite advanced.
Myth: Dogs eat rocks, lick concrete or eat their or another animals stools because of
nutritional imbalances.
Fact: No one knows why dogs eat "stuff" that they shouldn't eat. Some veterinarians
believe that some dogs that eat "things" may be trying to get attention or acting out of
boredom. It is important for dogs to eat a well balanced diet that will fulfill their dietary and
nutritional requirements.
Myth: Dogs don't need to be house trained. They naturally know where to go.
Fact: Oh, if only this were true. You need to train your dog on where to go. This
preferably happens when you start young and give him positive encouragement for jobs
well done. Crate training is a good tool in preventing accidents while you are away from
home because puppy will not go where it sleeps and the crate provides security for them.
Myth: Dogs like tasty food.
Fact: Dogs have very poor taste buds and eat primarily based on their sense of smell.
Myth: Domestic dogs do not demonstrate pack behavior.
Fact: Dogs have a well-developed social system, known as a pack. From a dog's point
of view, he lives in a pack whether his family includes other dogs or humans. He also
lives in a den whether his home is in your house or outside. There is an alpha male and
an alpha female with all the other pack members being subordinate to them.