12 Dog Training Myths That Deserve to Be Tossed in the Trash With Yesterday’s Kibble

Author image for Blake Seidel
Blake Seidel • Managing Editor & Brand Manager
Jul 6, 2025 10:00 AM EDT

Hey there, animal fam. Wait, you just got a new puppy?? Congratulations! You're about to have some of the most magical, howlarious, and challenging months of your lives. Just like with raising a kid, you will quickly learn that there is no "one size fits all" training manual for your new fur baby. There may be thousands of YouTube videos that claim that their way is the "right way," and just as many trainers who claim to be able to make your dog pawfectly trained in 24 hours. We have one thing to tell you: they are both right and wrong at the same time.

There is so much information out there that it's hard to know what is real and what isn't. So as you're searching through trying to figure out how you want to raise your precious puppy, we thought we'd help you out and give you some dog training myths that deserve to be thrown in the trash. If nothing else, they should at least teach you what not to do. Happy training!

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    Cheezburger Image 10525197824
    via nycshooter

    This image is for illustration only, and the subjects are models; the image does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • 02
    There's still so much outdated or confusing advice floating around, and it can make things harder for both dogs and their people. I'm curious, what's one dog training myth you're tired of hearing? I'd love to hear your thoughts!
    via PetsTek
  • 03
    WackyInflatableGuy That there is a single right way to train every dog.
    via WackyInflatableGuy

  • We thought we knew how to train dogs. We grew up with dogs and our mother was an avid dog trainer… and then we got our first puppy as an adult. A rescue. This puppy made us relearn everything we thought we knew about dog training because she was different. It was a humbling process, but we're so happy we listened to her and not the internet.

  • 04
    punk_rock_barbie 10h ago . Consequences DO NOT EQUAL A se! Period.
    via punk_rock_barbie
  • 05
    So many people are sooo stuck on thinking you can never even so much as say no to a dog because everything and anything is considered ab e these days. Then people wonder why their dogs are monsters that do whatever they want
    via punk_rock_barbie
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    Cheezburger Image 10525197312
    via SDI Productions

    This image is for illustration only, and the subjects are models; the image does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • 07
    fallopianmelodra... . 9h ago That reinforcing with treats is "bribery" and dogs should just do what you want because they want to make you happy.
    via fallopianmelodrama
  • 08
    I don't go to work because I want to make my employer happy; I go because they pay me.
    via fallopianmelodrama
  • 09
    Canachites • 9h ago That every behavioural issue is "dominance". Far more often its fear or overarousal.
    via Canachites
  • 10
    Sayasing 10h ago Hitting or overall thinking "showing them who's the alpha". It's suppper outdated, but yes some people still do it!
    via Sayasing
  • 11
    Some people also think the "yelp" when puppies bite to train them not to is the only way to get them to stop biting. Like sure, glad it works for you but??? Not for everyone? My dog always thought I was engaging in play when I did that when she was younger
    via Sayasing

  • The only way we could deal with the puppy biting was a forced stop to playtime. If she nipped us too hard, we would leave and playtime would stop for around five minutes. Then we would go back in and continue. Eventually, she learned that biting too hard meant no more play, and now she has perfect bite control!

  • 12
    Cheezburger Image 10525197568
    via smailik12

    This image is for illustration only, and the subjects are models; the image does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • 13
    Smolangry07 10h ago The "rubbing the dogs nose in it" approach to potty training. Like is consistent potty breaks, watching queues, and rewarding for going outside such a complicated option? (I
    via Smolangry07
  • 14
    know there are other good options for potty training as well, I just referenced the most common one I've seen work and used personally)
    via Smolangry07
  • 15
    Independent-Hornet... • 9h ago Training a dog even the basics is hard. It's not hard even if you are bad at it and you have a stubborn dog as long as you are persistent any dog can be taught the basics. Complex tricks and stuff can be hard
    via Independent-Hornet-3
  • 16
    but every dog can be taught sit, down, recall. Even if you don't want to put effort in if everytime they do one of those you name it and reward they will learn it. There are faster and easier ways to train those but it still is possible even being that nonchalant with the training.
    via Independent-Hornet-3
  • 17
    sleeping-dogs11 · 9h ago It's all how you raise them.
    via sleeping-dogs11
  • 18
    Forward-Fishing-94... 9h ago • "you can train any dog to do anything" So that's why you don't see Chihuahuas running the Iditarod.
    via Forward-Fishing-9498
  • 19
    K-Ron615 9h ago • "My dog is too old for [insert training here]". Just had this conversation with a coworker who has a 4yr old that he's convinced can't be trained to walk properly on a leash.
    via K-Ron615
  • 20
    K9WorkingDog 10h ago . "How do you say that command?" As if dogs are concerned with the pronunciation of human language
    via K9WorkingDog
  • 21
    MyDogBitz 10h ago There are sooo many but the one that really bothers me is "look at how the e-collar burned my dogs neck."
    via MyDogBitz
  • 22
    A few honorable mentions: You can never correct or punish a dog for fear of destroying your relationship forever.
    via MyDogBitz
  • 23
    Prong collars are evil, I went with a "gentle leader." (Yes, twisting your dog 360° by the muzzle is far less forceful.)
    via MyDogBitz
  • 24
    It's all how you raise them! As if genetics have no role in your dogs reactivity.
    via MyDogBitz
  • 25
    MosquitoInYourRoom • 7h ago Crate training is a se. It's 100% not if you do it properly and if your dog is the type to respond well to it.
    via MosquitoInYourRoom
  • 26
    No, I'm not locking that dog into a cage 20hrs a day. No, this is not a tool for punishment, either. Yes, this is absolutely necessary for my dog. Yes, it is for her own safety, not because she's dangerous.
    via MosquitoInYourRoom
  • 27
    I used a crate to create a safe- space for my incredibly anxious pup. She was abandoned by her mother and had no siblings, a traumatised rescue pup. This dog never learned how to settle down and relax on her own until we
    via MosquitoInYourRoom
  • 28
    gave her that crate. It took a long time, but it paid off. She had a serious case of anxious- attachment. We were in contact with multiple dog trainers during all of this, and the crate was the only tool that helped.
    via MosquitoInYourRoom

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myths kibble dogs dog training dog parents doggos dog owners animals
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