Number 1 – When a dog chews somethings it is because he is really bored or just trying to be spiteful.

False. It’s not completely straightforward, and it is one of the commonest behavior problems, but dogs chew things it’s very much part of their nature. They also must chew things to keep their gums and teeth healthy.

Allowing your dog to chew on something is also really needed when you have a puppy and they begin to teeth. The secret is to redirect any chewing behavior to something that is safe and acceptable for him to chew.

Myth #2 – You need to understand and communicate in “dog language” so that your dog will understand you.

Not True again, it’s a funny one for me to understand, but it does seem a lot of people believe in it. Dogs are not stupid, they realize you are not a dog and there is no reason to try and make them believe that you are. You do however, need to understand and be able to read their body language, so you know if a yelp is because of pain or whether they are acting up.

Although you do need to be ‘alpha’ over your dog. In the wild dogs went around in packs with a clear leader who kept everyone else in line. You have to be that dog or otherwise your dog will keep playing up.

Myth number 3 – Your dog is only being trained when you are actually doing dog training with him.

Not true. Your dogs life is a training ground and he is picking up cues all of the time whether they be verbal or non verbal.

When your phone rings and you rush up to answer it, your dog will feel that and subsequently understand that it’s OK to do the same.

If you get nervous each time you pass by the neighbor who walks their Great Dane on the other side of the street in the morning, you are training your dog to be nervous if the Great Dane is in sight. You need to be consistent with your Dog and make sure you spend quality time together.