When it comes to training our furry friends, there’s no shortage of advice out there. But not all of it is helpful—or even true. As pet parents, it’s important to separate fact from fiction to build a positive, loving relationship with our dogs. We're busting 5 of the most common dog training myths so you can train smarter (and kinder).

Myth 1: “You Can’t Teach an Old Dog New Tricks”

✅ Truth: Dogs of Any Age Can Learn!

Contrary to popular belief, dogs never stop learning. While puppies may pick up new behaviors faster, older dogs are fully capable of learning new commands, habits, and even sports! It just takes patience, consistency, and positive reinforcement.

Pro Tip: Keep training sessions short, fun, and full of rewards to keep your senior pup engaged.

Myth 2: “If My Dog Looks Guilty, They Know They Did Something Wrong”

✅ Truth: That Look is All About Your Tone.

The classic “guilty dog face” isn’t actually guilt—it’s a submissive response to your body language or tone of voice. Dogs live in the present moment and don’t connect your scolding with something they did hours ago.

Studies from Barnard College suggest dogs show these “guilty” behaviors whether or not they actually did anything wrong—they’re responding to your reaction.

Pro Tip: Focus on rewarding the behavior you want rather than punishing after the fact. Timing is key!

Myth 3: “Using Treats is Bribery, Not Training”

✅ Truth: Rewards Build Motivation.

Treats (or toys and praise) are an essential part of positive reinforcement training, which science has shown to be one of the most effective and humane methods. Over time, you’ll fade out treats as your dog learns to respond reliably.

The American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior recommends positive reinforcement as the most effective and least harmful training approach.

Pro Tip: Start by rewarding every correct behavior, then gradually switch to random reinforcement or praise alone.

Myth 4: “Dogs Should Always Listen Out of Respect, Not Rewards”

✅ Truth: Dogs Don’t Understand Respect the Way Humans Do.

Dogs aren’t motivated by human ideas of respect—they respond to clear communication, trust, and consistency. Positive reinforcement creates a relationship based on cooperation, not fear.

Dominance-based models (the old "alpha dog" thinking) have been largely debunked by modern canine behavioral science.

Pro Tip: Be your dog’s guide, not their boss. Training is a partnership!

Myth 5: “Some Breeds Are Impossible to Train”

✅ Truth: Every Dog Can Learn!

While some breeds may have different energy levels or working styles, all dogs are trainable with the right techniques. Understanding your dog’s breed tendencies helps you find the best training approach, but no breed is untrainable.

A study in 2022 showed that breed explains only part of a dog’s behavior—individual personality and environment play huge roles, too.

Pro Tip: Adapt your training to your dog’s needs—whether that’s mental stimulation for a Border Collie or short sessions for a French Bulldog.

Build a Bond, Not Just Obedience ❤️

Training is about more than commands—it’s about building trust, confidence, and joy. When you train with kindness and science-backed techniques, you’ll build a lifelong bond with your pup.