Common Myths about Dogs & Training
Dog training is a unregulated industry, which means literally anyone can call themselves a dog trainer.
There’s no one checking to make sure your dog trainer is up-to-date on the latest research and ethical discussions about dogs, their behavior, best practices for training, how dogs learn, how they relate to us, what they need from us, etc.
This page will dispel some of the common myths that still circulate in the dog training world that drastically alter how we train, how we relate to our dogs, and what we expect from them.
We know more about dogs than we ever have…
and when we know better, we can do better—or at least we should. Below I’ve fact-checked some of the myths I encounter daily.
Dominance theory (pack theory) is dead—and has been for decades.
This theory is like an invasive species that we just can’t get rid of. Not only has it been disproven, it was never actually valid to begin with. So, no, your dog isn’t trying to dominate you. They’re not vying for rank, and they don’t need to know where they stand in the imaginary pecking order. Walking in front of you doesn’t mean anything in particular. You don’t need to exit the door first. And on, and on, and on.
Dogs aren’t wolves!
Thousands of years of domestication separate dogs from their wolf ancestors. They’re a completely different species. Dogs are no more wolves than we are chimpanzees. Anyone equating dogs with wolves has a lot of catching up to do.
Dogs are emotionally complex beings.
They’re just as emotionally complex as we are, and just like humans, they need to feel safe and secure with their primary caregiver. Anyone who claims your dog won’t be bothered by the somewhat-harsh or emotionally removed actions you take in the name of training is dead wrong. Your dog’s emotional experience is part of their relationship with you, and it should be prioritized during training.
Dogs have the sociocognitive capacity of a 2-3-year-old human.
Yes, a toddler. This information should drastically alter what we expect of our dogs, how we treat them, and how we relate to them. Discipline and a strong leader aren’t what’s lacking in their life. They need our guidance, support, patience and understanding.