Old Trainer: Common misconceptions about dogs — and whether old ones can learn new tricks

Dear Old Trainer: We just adopted Lucy, a beautiful three-year old English Sheep Dog, from the shelter. A couple at the dog park told us Lucy will be better adjusted if we let her have one litter of pups before she’s spayed so she can experience motherhood. Is that true?

Ellen, Lawton, Oklahoma

Old Trainer: No, it’s another idea people invent because they love their dogs so much they are convinced they think like humans, but it’s false.

The idea a female should have puppies is the exact opposite of the truth. Any vet will tell you Lucy will have a healthier life if she is spayed before she ever has puppies.

That’s just one of many misconceptions about dogs, some so zany you wonder if they arrived in Roswell with the Martians, spent a while in Area 51, and were spread by the guys who faked the moon landing:

1. Old dogs can’t learn new tricks because their habits are set. (Old dogs learn fast because their brains are fully developed and used to learning. The only limitation is they have less energy to apply to learning as they age).

2. Working dogs should be kept locked up except while working so they will work harder. (Wrong. A dog has to train the same as an athlete does).

3. A dry nose means a dog is sick. (No, the nose changes throughout the day).

4. Brewer’s Yeast will keep a dog from having fleas. (This one’s a holdover from the Hippie years. It won’t help with fleas, but it may cause your dog to develop a sudden fondness for the Grateful Dead).

5. Dogs see only in black and white. (Dogs see in color, but in a different way than humans).

6. Playing tug of war causes aggression. (The opposite is true. Play aggression decreases real aggression and strengthens the bond between you and your pet).

7. You must always win the tug of war or your dog will decide he is the leader. (Winning tug of war has nothing to do with whether your dog accepts you as the leader).

8. Dogs eat grass because they are ill. (This may be true on rare occasions, but most of the time dogs just feel like eating grass).

9. Dogs are ill if they throw up. (Dogs eat anything they come across, then throw up whatever their system tells them to throw up. It’s part of their omnivorous nature.)

10. Dogs have poor vision. (Dogs have excellent vision, especially for movement. Dogs can see another dog 200 yards away).

11. A dog must walk behind you or he thinks he is the leader. (An example of projecting human psychology onto canines. If you are a leader your dog knows it and it makes no difference where you walk).

12. Dogs in shelters wind up there because they are problem dogs. (More nonsense. Shelters are filled with wonderful dogs who just need a chance. They know when they are rescued and form a stronger bond with their humans than non-rescue dogs. Check with your local shelter. The perfect dog is waiting for you to arrive).

The Old Trainer has been a trainer for three decades and has rescued, trained, loved, and placed more than 4,000 dogs. Send questions to: theoldtrainer@gmail.com