Common Training Myths Debunked
Separating fact from fiction in the world of pet training.
Myths That Harm Our Pets
The pet training world is full of outdated advice that sounds authoritative but has been thoroughly disproven by behavioural science. Believing these myths can damage your relationship with your pet and make behavioural problems worse.
Myth 1: You Need to Be the ‘Alpha’ or ‘Pack Leader’
The dominance theory of dog training was based on a 1940s study of captive wolves that the original researcher, David Mech, has since publicly retracted. Wild wolf packs are family units led by parents, not dominated by an alpha. Dogs are not wolves, and your household is not a pack. Training based on dominance leads to fear, anxiety, and aggression.
Myth 2: A Dog That Misbehaves Is Being ‘Spiteful’ or ‘Stubborn’
Dogs do not plan revenge. If your dog chews your shoes while you are out, they were likely anxious, bored, or under-exercised — not punishing you. Attributing human motivations to animal behaviour leads to unfair punishments.
Myth 3: You Should Rub a Puppy’s Nose in an Accident
This teaches the puppy nothing except to fear you. Dogs cannot connect a past action to a present punishment. Effective house training requires supervision, routine, and rewarding the right behaviour.
More Myths That Need Retiring
Myth 4: You Should Not Use Treats — It Is Bribery
Treats are payment for work, just like your salary. You would not work for free, and neither should your pet. Once a behaviour is learned, you can thin the treat schedule, but the learning phase requires clear, immediate reinforcement.
Myth 5: A Well-Trained Dog Should Obey Out of Respect
Dogs do not understand the concept of respect the way humans do. They repeat behaviours that have been reinforced and avoid those that have not. A dog that ‘obeys’ out of fear is suppressing behaviour, not learning — and suppressed behaviour often resurfaces unpredictably.
Myth 6: Old Dogs Cannot Learn New Tricks
Dogs can learn at any age. Older dogs may take slightly longer and may need shorter sessions, but they are absolutely capable of learning new behaviours. Mental stimulation through training is especially valuable for senior dogs.
Myth 7: Positive Reinforcement Does Not Work for Aggressive Dogs
Aggression is almost always rooted in fear, anxiety, or pain. Punishment-based approaches suppress the warning signs without addressing the cause, creating a dog that bites ‘without warning.’ Positive reinforcement combined with desensitisation is the gold standard for treating aggression.
Dominance Theory Check
Training Myths Quiz
Your puppy has an accident on the carpet while you were in another room. You discover it 10 minutes later. What should you do?
Avoid any trainer who uses or recommends: choke chains, prong collars, shock/e-collars, alpha rolls, scruff shaking, leash jerking, or 'flooding' (forcing exposure to a fear trigger). In Australia, some states have banned shock collars. Look for trainers who are members of the Pet Professional Guild Australia (PPGA) or the Association of Pet Dog Trainers Australia (APDTA).