Debunking 25 Common Dog Training Myths

There are a lot of myths and misconceptions about dog training. After all, people often believe things that aren’t true, without doing any research. In this article, we’re going to debunk 25 of the most common myths about dog training.

This is one of the most common dog training myths out there – and we can understand why. When a dog is still in its puppy stage, they’re more likely to be open to learning new things and forming new habits.

But because of this, many have come to believe that once a dog ages past a certain point, they’re no longer able to learn new things or be trained.

In contrast to Myth #1, some people believe that puppies are too young to be trained. After all, they’re just babies – why would you want to start training them so early?

The truth is, the earlier you start training your puppy, the better. In fact, it’s been proven that puppies can begin their training at as early as eight weeks old!

The key is to start small and make the training sessions short. You don’t want to overwhelm your puppy. After all, puppies have short attention spans. But if you combine short training sessions with positive reinforcement (which is how they learn best), you’ll be amazed at how quickly you see the desired results!

If your dog is exhibiting aggressive behavior, you may be wondering if there’s any hope for them. After all, it seems like they’re hardwired to be aggressive – how can you change that?

The truth is, ANY dog – no matter how aggressive – can be trained. It may take some time and patience, but even the most aggressive dogs can learn to control their behavior.

Of course, it’s important to consult with a professional dog trainer or behaviorist if your dog is exhibiting aggressive behavior. They can help you develop a training plan that’s specifically tailored to your dog’s needs.

One of the most common methods of training dogs is using punishment – and it’s also one of the most controversial. It’s important to know that here, “punishment” means to physically or verbally abuse the dog when they misbehave, aren’t listening, or don’t follow commands. Some people believe that in order to get a dog to obey, you need to punish them when they don’t listen.

But this is NOT true! Dogs should never be physically or verbally abused – this will only make their behavior worse. In fact, studies have shown that dogs who are trained with punishment are more likely to exhibit aggressive behavior.

You may have heard that in order to train your dog, you need to be the “alpha.” This means that you need to establish yourself as the leader of the pack – and that you need to do so through force.

But this couldn’t be further from the truth! In fact, dogs are not looking for a leader who will dominate them. Rather, they’re looking for a leader who is calm, confident, and consistent.

You may have heard that in order to train your dog, you need to be the “alpha.” This means that you need to establish yourself as the leader of the pack – and that you need to do so through force.

But this couldn’t be further from the truth! In fact, dogs are not looking for a leader who will dominate them. Rather, they’re looking for a leader who is calm, confident, and consistent.

Positive reinforcement is one of the most popular methods of training dogs – and for good reason! It’s an effective way to train your dog, and it’s also humane.

And, yes, while dogs can absolutely be trained using only positive reinforcement, it’s not the only method out there. In fact, there are a variety of different training methods – and each has its own advantages and disadvantages.

Some examples of other dog training methods include:

If you’ve ever had a dog that’s made a mess in the house, you may be tempted to “rub their nose in it.” But this is actually one of the worst things you can do!

Firstly, it’s ineffective. Dogs don’t understand that this is a punishment for making a mess – all they know is that you’re angry. Secondly, it’s also cruel. Dogs are not trying to be spiteful when they make a mess – they simply don’t know any better.

Just because positive dog trainers don’t believe in using negative reinforcement methods such as punishment, doesn’t mean they don’t believe in discipline. In fact, most positive dog trainers believe that discipline is an important part of training – it’s just that they believe there are more effective and humane ways to do it.

For example, rather than rubbing a dog’s nose in their mess, a positive dog trainer may use a method called “time-out.” This involves removing the dog from the situation (e.g. taking them outside) and ignoring them for a short period of time.

Crate training is a method of dog training that involves confining your dog to a small space (e.g. a crate or kennel) for short periods of time.

Some people believe that this is cruel and inhumane. And we will definitely agree that when executed poorly, it absolutely is. For example, if you confine your dog to a crate for hours on end with no opportunity to exercise or relieve themselves, then yes, this is cruel.

But, if done correctly, crate training can actually be beneficial for both you and your dog. For instance, it can provide your dog with a safe space to retreat to when they’re feeling overwhelmed. It can also prevent them from getting into mischief when you can’t supervise them.

This is a myth that’s perpetuated by people who own “easy to train” breeds such as Labradors and Golden Retrievers. Similarly, some dog owners believe that they don’t need to train their small breeds, such as Chihuahuas and Yorkshire Terriers.

The truth is, all dogs need training – regardless of their breed. Of course, some breeds may be easier to train than others. But, even the easiest to train breeds will still need some basic obedience training.

Some people believe that positive dog training methods are only effective on relatively well-behaved dogs. They think that if a dog is aggressive, then these methods won’t work. As a result, the misconception is that super aggressive dogs (a.k.a. “red zone dogs”) can only be trained using negative reinforcement, such as physical and/or verbal punishment.

But, the truth is, positive dog training methods can be effective on even the most aggressive of dogs. It’s just that it may take a bit longer to see results.

The reason for this is that aggressive dogs tend to be more resistant to change. So, it may take a bit longer to train them using positive methods. But, with patience and consistency, you can definitely train an aggressive dog using positive reinforcement.

This ties back into Myth #6. Just because your dog isn’t food motivated doesn’t mean they can’t be trained.

There are plenty of dogs out there who couldn’t care less about food rewards. But, that doesn’t mean they can’t learn. These types of dogs may be more motivated by praise, petting, or play.

This is definitely not true!

Dogs love learning new things. It’s part of their nature. In the wild, they learn survival skills from their elders. And, in our homes, they learn manners and obedience from us.

Of course, there are certain breeds who are more eager to learn, such as:

• Border Collies
• Poodles
• Golden Retrievers
• German Shepherds
• Labrador Retrievers
• Papillons
• Pembroke Welsh Corgis
• Australian Cattle Dogs

Alternately, some dog breeds are admittedly a bit more stubborn (or difficult) when it comes to training:

• Siberian Huskies
• Bullmastiffs
• Chinese Shar-Peis
• Afghan Hounds
• Basset Hounds
• Beagles
• Bulldogs
• Chow Chows

Have you ever scolded your dog for doing something wrong – only to have them give you “the look”? You know… the big, brown, puppy dog eyes that seem to say “I’m so sorry! I won’t do it again!”

Well, guess what? That guilty look has nothing to do with guilt.

Dogs do not have the ability to feel guilt like we do. So, when they give you that look, it’s not because they’re actually feeling guilty.

Instead, that look is usually a sign of anxiety or fear. Your dog may be anxious because they think you’re going to scold them (even if you don’t). Or, they may be afraid because they think you’re angry with them.

Nope! Dogs do not have the ability to hold a grudge.

If your dog is acting out or seems angry with you, it’s not because they’re holding a grudge. There’s usually some other reason behind their behavior.

For example, your dog may be acting out because they’re bored, anxious, or stressed. Or, they may be trying to tell you that they need something, like food, water, or a bathroom break.

This is a common myth, but it’s definitely not true!

Tug of war is actually a great way to build trust and bond with your dog. It’s also a great way to teach them obedience commands, such as “drop it” or “leave it”. Not to mention, there are health benefits, too – such as improving their grip strength and chewing muscles.

Of course, there are certain rules you need to follow when playing tug of war with your dog. For example, you should always make sure that your dog knows that you’re the one in charge. You should also avoid playing tug of war with puppies or small breeds, as they can easily injure themselves.

Once again, this myth is 100% not true.

In fact, ignoring your dog can actually make separation anxiety worse!

If you regularly ignore your dog or leave them alone for long periods of time, they may start to feel anxious or stressed. This can lead to separation anxiety – which is the exact opposite of what you’re trying to achieve.

This is another myth that’s based on the false belief that dogs are trying to dominate us.

In reality, though, letting your dog sleep in bed with you has nothing to do with dominance. In fact, it’s actually a sign of trust and companionship.

Dog training is often thought of as only teaching obedience commands, like sit, stay, and come. But, dog training actually encompasses a lot more than that!

Dog training can also include activities like agility, puzzle solving, and even simple tricks. In other words, dog training is anything that helps your dog learn how to behave in the way that you want them to.

There’s no shortage of “dog training experts” on YouTube and social media. And while there are some qualified trainers out there sharing their knowledge, there are also a lot of people who are NOT qualified to be giving dog training advice.

The problem is, it can be hard to tell the difference between a qualified trainer and a quack. So, if you’re going to take advice from someone on YouTube or social media, be sure to do your research first.

Depending on the dog and the training goals, a few classes might be all you need. But for most dogs, it’s going to take more than a few classes to fully train them.

Clickers are a common training tool, but they’re often misunderstood. A clicker is simply a way to mark desired behavior. It’s not a magic wand that tells your dog what they should be doing.

While treats can be a great motivator, you don’t want to overdo it. If you give your dog too many treats, they’ll become overweight and unhealthy. Plus, they might start to expect a treat every time they do something you ask them to do.

As we touched on earlier, the “alpha dog” theory has been debunked by science. But that doesn’t stop some people from using it to explain every misbehavior.

The truth is, there are a variety of reasons why dogs misbehave. And dominance is only one of them. Other common reasons include boredom, fear, anxiety, stress, and hunger.

Okay, so this one can be a bit tricky… Depending on where you live, you won’t technically need any sort of certification/qualification to work as a dog trainer.

But does this mean you now have a free pass to skip training entirely?

ABSOLUTELY NOT!

If you want to be a successful trainer, it’s important to have a solid understanding of dog behavior and how to shape it. Otherwise, you could do more harm than good. Furthermore, without proper training, how will you know how to properly run a business and meet customer expectations?

As a professional dog trainer, you’ll be expected to know how to:

• Read dog body language
• Understand dog learning theory
• Train dogs using positive reinforcement and other training methods
• Handle common behavior problems

Furthermore, if you choose to open your own business, you’ll also need to know how to:

This is another common misconception about dog trainers. The reality is, most dog trainers make a pretty good living. In fact, the average full-time dog trainer in the United States earns around $61,000 USD per year. In Canada, that number is approx. $59,000 CAD annually.

If you want to be a successful dog trainer, you’ll need more than just a love for dogs. Yes, it’s important that you have a genuine love and respect for our furry friends. But you’ll also need to be patient, observant, and good at handling stress.

Training dogs can be frustrating at times (especially when you’re just starting out). But if you have the patience and perseverance to stick with it, you’ll be rewarded with a successful career as a dog trainer.

This is perhaps the biggest myth of them all – and the most eyeroll-worthy one at that. Professional dog training is NOT easy, and anyone who tells you otherwise is either lying or doesn’t know what they’re talking about.

Don’t get us wrong, training can be (and definitely is) extremely enjoyable. But you need to be realistic and know going into it that it’s also challenging. Heck, even experienced trainers will encounter difficulties from time to time!

One of the biggest hesitancies prospective clients are going to have is spending money on a service they aren’t 100% sure they actually need. After all, couldn’t they just read a book on dog training or watch some videos online and get the same results?

The answer is a resounding no. Just like you wouldn’t attempt to fix your own car engine without any prior experience or knowledge, you shouldn’t try to train your own dog without professional help.

Think about it this way – would YOU rather spend a few hundred dollars (or even a few thousand) on a professional dog trainer who can help you achieve your training goals in a fraction of the time it would take you to do it on your own… Or continue to struggle trying to figure it out on your own and potentially never see any results?

Full stop: Just because your dog didn’t do well in their first obedience class (or even their second or third) doesn’t mean they’re a lost cause. It all ties back to the very first myth discussed in this article… Remember, an old dog CAN learn new tricks.

Even the most defiant dog can be trained!

The demand is definitely there. In fact, projections indicate that the global dog training services market will reach approx. $41 BILLION in worth by the year 2025. Moreover, the compound annual growth rate (CAGR) is currently sitting around 9.6%!

With the right combination of passion, skills, and business acumen, you can absolutely turn dog training into a full-time career.

If you’re not comfortable with being on your feet for long periods of time or getting down on the ground to play with dogs, then dog training is probably not the right career for you.

In addition to being comfortable with being physically active, you also need to have a decent amount of upper body strength. After all, dogs come in all shapes and sizes…and some of them can be pretty strong!

If you’re passionate about working with dogs and know that a career in dog training is the right fit for you, here’s the good news: there are all sorts of ways you can pursue this venture, regardless of your busy schedule!

There are online courses you can take, evening classes you can attend, and even apprenticeship programs that will let you work with a professional dog trainer to gain hands-on experience.

For instance, QC Pet Studies’ Dog Training certification course is entirely self-paced and online. As a result, you’re given 2 full years to complete your program (starting on the day you enroll). However, since there are no deadlines or due dates, you can use as much or as little of that 2-year timeframe as you need. In fact, if you were to dedicate a mere 1-2 hours per week to your studies, you can graduate and become a globally-certified International Dog Training Professional™ (IDTP™) in as little as 3-6 months!

Hopefully, this article has helped to debunk some of the most common myths about dog training!

Remember, dog training is a rewarding and challenging career that is open to anyone with a passion for working with dogs. So, if you’re thinking about becoming a dog trainer, don’t let any of these myths hold you back!

Got any questions or comments? We’d love to hear from you in the comments below!