Common dog misconceptions

[BLUEsNewSpringWatch]

I'm getting so fed up of people thinking Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are just a low energy/ lazy lap dogs. So I thought a kind of dog myth busters thread would be good. Please add whatever you can think of.
Starting myths:

1. cavaliers aren't like other spaniels and are just a low energy/ lazy lap dog - FALSE - Cavaliers, whilst they do love being on your lap, are supposed to be like other spaniels - high energy dogs that run through undergrowth (and bring half a hedge home in their fur) and can keep going all day, if you do. Unfortunately many are kept seriously overweight and never allowed off lead, so people get the wrong idea about Cavaliers.
   
   
2. poodles are poncy and are only good for prancing around a show ring and crossing with more interesting/fun breeds for their non-moulting fur - FALSE - Poodles are energetic, extremely intelligent, trick dogs. They look very much like a lot of their crosses when given a basic, rather than show clip. They make energetic, fun, engaging/interesting and highly trainable pets.

[BLUEsNewSpringWatch]

Sparkling could it be that a gsd dog walked around there is aggressive, hence people putting on lead? Rather than assuming gsd = monster.

Only wondering because I automatically recall my dog and put his lead back on if I see a husky or boarder terrier - with the husky we even change direction too. But it's not because I think those breeds are aggressive but because there is a seriously dog aggressive husky commonly walked around here and I'm not sure if it's that one or another one when I see a husky, so take the precaution of assuming it is. Like wise there are 2 (possibly 3) dog aggressive border terriers around here, one owner doesn't put theirs on a lead unless the other owner does - even though bt dog then attacks the other dog, so again because I'm not sure if it is that particular border or not, I assume it is and react accordingly.

The dog aggressive Jack Russell type on the other hand has fairly distinctive marks, clear enough from a distance to know if it's the dog aggressive one or another Jack Russell. So I only recall and put back on lead if it's the aggressive one because I can actually tell when it is the aggressive one.

[Wolfiefan]

Happily. Always. This is the vicious be child
Chewing beast. Menacing isn't she?!

[Hoppinggreen]

Terrifying wolfie

[Soubriquet]

chihuahuas are perfect little handbag dogs

Really not. My Lexa would go mad if she wasn't allowed a good run every day

[RafikiIsTheBest]

Great idea for a thread... So many great ones have already been done.

That a wagging tail means the dog is happy/friendly... Nope, you need to read the rest of the body language and situation, it can mean it's about to bite you.

Chicken bones are dangerous... Any cooked bones are dangerous, as they can splinter. Rawhide is also dangerous, along with many other hard chews, mainly due to risk of choking, blockage or breaking teeth. The best chew is a RAW meaty bone of an appropriate size for the dog.

Dog trainers on TV know what they are doing and doing the right thing, lets copy them... Nope, certain ones are horrendous and are more likely to cause a dog to shut down until the day it finally snaps and seriously hurts someone. Others aren't too bad and have some good bits but should be viewed as strictly 'entertainment' and not advice on how to deal with your dog.
In fact as far as I'm aware (unless things have changed) there is nothing to stop anyone from claiming they are a dog behaviourist. Certainly nothing at all from stopping anyone setting up as a dog trainer. Would you go to a hairdresser or doctor without any qualifications or training?

Vets are the best people to talk to about this issue with my dog... Vets are great for treating ailments, but just like with GPs or other doctors they have specific interests or areas of understanding. Finding one willing to listen to you can be hard. Most don't know much about behaviour or diet.

Dog food is what dogs eat... Dog food is a fairly new concept but dogs have been domesticated and thriving for a bloody long time.

Puppies for sale. All pups health tested, mum & dad here to be seen... I know there's a KC isn't the be all and end all above. But it annoys me that 'breeders' state health tested and people think that means they are actually 'health tested'. Check into what tests. Puppies or parents that have had a check up at the vet or actual DNA/x-rays/MRI or what??? Puppies will not usually have these tests, if ever. It's the parents that should have them and have solid proof.

Also wanted to add that poodles are awesome!

[TopBitchoftheWitches]

wolfie

Beautiful girl

[Oops4]

Sparkling, I always call my dog back when we approach another dog of any breed but it's because I want to control my dog, not because of the other dog. Also because when I previously had a dog aggresive dog it would drive me mad when people didn't call their dogs back so I try and do the same. Maybe that's sometimes what's happening?

[Wolfiefan]

She's a dream come true and my heart hound.
YY to health testing. "Oh the vet had a look at the puppies and they're fine!" NOOOOOO! That's not what it means. Wolfhound parents need to be heart tested BEFORE mating. Each breed requires different tests.
And no. Dog behaviourists aren't regulated I believe. The APDT does good work but so many are dodgy. Pack theory and being the boss. Um no thanks.

[RockinSushi]

I know of at least two APDT trainers who use aversives like rattle cans and water sprays.

[Wolfiefan]

Really Rockin?! I thought the whole point was they didn't. Bugger.
I actually attended my first dog training session before we got our pup. I wanted to check it was all reward and praise based training. I said I was precious first pup about her!

[Pollydonia]

Biggest misconception around here seems to be that dogs can be left home alone all day

[CornflakeHomunculus]

Have you made a complaint to the APDT Rockin? The use of aversives is directly contrary to their Code of Practice, rattle cans and water sprays are even specifically named as devices that should not be used or promoted.

There's some info about their complaints procedure here. I'm sure they'd be very keen to know if there are active members using such techniques so they can take appropriate action.

[noitsnotteatimeyet]

It doesn't surprise me I'm afraid - there's one APDT trainer I know of who uses electric shock collars

[Wolfiefan]

Electric shock collars?! Oh dear god.
I will stick to my treats and happy praising voice.

[AhYaBastart]

Greyhounds are violent and not good with small children- No, greyhounds have a high prey drive. Like many other dogs! My grey is an absolute softie and has never tried to eat a baby She’s genuinely great with kids. Never bounds up to them, even if my toddler nieces/nephews are over and they’re playing in the garden. Pretends not to care about food in their presence, even if it’s cheese! Really calm around them but will take herself to my dd’s room if the noise gets too much. I love her! The only time her prey drive shows is when she sees a squirrel.

[CornflakeHomunculus]

I would urge anyone who knows of APDT members using aversive training techniques or tools to make a complaint about them. I would imagine it's not feasible for them to monitor all their members so they'll rely on people letting them know if any individuals are breaching their Code of Practice.

[OrlandaFuriosa]

I love this thread.

I'd add:

labradors don't need exercise

Border collies no longer have herding instincts

Jack Russells and corgis aren't affectionate.

The only problem I see with the tree advice is that many dogs mark a tree - and indeed I have been marked when standing still...

[bluetongue]

I'll admit to be somewhat wary of GSDs as when I was a child they were the dogs people got and left in their backyards to 'guard' their house. This basically meant they went crazy from no exercise or socialisation and threw themselves against the fence barking their heads off whenever you walked past on the footpath I know lots of work has been done with breeding for a better temptament but these things stick with you.

My dog adores me but couldn't give a shit about pleasing me (pretty typical whippet . )

[lynsey91]

I hate the comment that all dogs moult like mad. Seen that a lot on here and its totally untrue. Also that all dogs slobber because, again, they don't.

"Homes that have a dog all smell". No they don't

[SparklingRaspberry]

blues - possibly! But it seems to happen over most fields I take her to. A lady I used to work with also has a GSD and she says the same happens to her. I just think that a lot of people will react a certain way to certain breeds due to their previous or current (untrue) reputation.

oops4 - I understand :) my dogs recall is great, I call her and she comes straight to me whether there's another dog around or not. I could understand a negative reaction towards her if she was ignoring me and charging towards them, but she's not like that at all.

When I'm over a field with my dog as well as my partner and his dog, a Labrador, people always ask me if mines friendly, yet rarely ask if the lab is or not. Which is weird as his lab is not the most friendliest of dogs at all!

Don't get me wrong I can understand why people sometimes assume the worst of GSD's. I suppose it's a bit like staffy's. Their reputation means people assume the worst of them

[Roxb]

Hi, newbie to Mumsnet here.

One of my neighbours once told me that 'Rottweilers are an extremely dangerous breed and will bite people they don't know'.

I must have another breed disguised as a rottie then because mine loves everyone and every dog he sees. As soon as someone claps him, he's on his back wanting a belly rub, generally adding at least 5 minutes per person per belly rub to our walks.

[TopBitchoftheWitches]

roxb

Myself and my dd met two beautiful Rottweilers the other day.
Obviously I checked first they were friendly and they were both so lovely.

Possibly my next choice of dog in fact.

[tabulahrasa]

I get the opposite... people bend over backwards to tell me how friendly Rotties are because mine isn't, as if I didn't know what normal ones are like, I didn't pick a breed going, yep I'm after a reactive dog that's going to be a huge project instead of a pet, lol.

Oh aye, there's another one, there's no bad dogs only bad owners...

Nope, sometimes stuff just happens and you can do everything right and you can end up with a dog with behavioural issues.

"Possibly my next choice of dog in fact."

They're great (normally, not mine, lol) but, they are very full on, both in activity levels and how much interaction they need.