Your pup will thank you

Common dog myths you probably believe, but shouldn't!

Image: Jametlene Reskp

Dogs are part of the family: They're our best friends and our constant companions. But over the years, myths about dog behavior have made their way into common belief. Some sound logical, while others are just crazy, but how do we separate fact from fiction? Can dogs really tell time? Is chocolate always deadly? Let's take a look at some of the most common myths about our four-legged friends, some of which might just surprise you!

Image: Dominik QN

Many dog owners believe that once their pup has reached a certain age, training becomes impossible. It’s only logical: When we see a young pup and their eagerness to pick up on commands quickly, we tend to think older ones won’t be able to do that. Because of this, many people give up on training their senior dogs, assuming the effort won’t pay off. But is this belief really true? Place your bets!

Image: Camylla Battani

As it turns out, age is just a number: Dogs are capable of learning at any stage of life! While older dogs may take a little longer to pick up new habits, just like we humans, their brains remain highly adaptable.

Training activities work best when it’s fun, positive, and rewarding, so grab some tasty treats and start small. Short, frequent training sessions are the key to success.

Image: Matthew Henry

Ever leave the house and come back to a dog who acts like you’ve been gone for years? Many assume dogs don’t understand time, thinking they react the same whether you’ve been gone for five minutes or five hours.

Since they don’t read clocks, it’s easy to assume they live entirely in the moment. But if that’s the case, how do they seem to know exactly when it’s time for dinner or their daily walk?

Image: Karsten Winegeart

Science confirms that dogs have a sense of time. Studies have shown that dogs can distinguish between different time intervals, meaning they know the difference between an hour and several hours. But how?

They associate events with specific routines. If you always walk them at a certain time, they’ll start anticipating it. Some experts believe dogs use scent to tell time, as human odors change throughout the day. So yes, your dog really does know if you’re late for dinner!

Image: Tim Mossholder

On warm days, it’s tempting to crack the windows and run into the store, thinking your pup will be fine for a few minutes. After all, they have fresh air, right? Many people assume that as long as the windows are open, there’s no risk of overheating. But just how safe is it?

Image: John Carlo Tubelleza

Leaving a dog in a parked car, even for a few minutes, can be incredibly dangerous. Cars heat up shockingly fast, even with the windows cracked, and dogs have a harder time regulating body temperature than humans.

Heatstroke can set in quickly, and once it does, it can be fatal. If you wouldn’t sit in a parked car on a hot day, why would you let your dog do so?

Image: Erica Magugliani

Humans rely on words to express emotions, but dogs sadly don’t have that luxury. Many assume that while dogs pick up on body language, they can’t actually sense how we feel.

After all, emotions are internal, right? However, have you ever felt your dog was closer than ever when you’re feeling down? Is that real, or is it just your mind playing tricks?

Image: Eric Ward

If you said this was possible, you were right! Dogs don’t just guess your feelings; they can smell them! Their noses are 100,000 times more powerful than ours, meaning they pick up on chemical changes in our bodies.

When we’re scared or anxious, we sweat slightly differently, releasing hormones like adrenaline and cortisol. Your dog doesn’t just see your nervous body language; they literally smell your fear. So yes, they know when you’re having a bad day, and that’s why they’re always ready to comfort you.

Image: James Barker

Chocolate is delicious, and dogs seem eager to try everything we eat, don’t they? We might feel tempted to share our piece of chocolate with our furry best friend.

Many people believe that while chocolate is technically bad for dogs, a small amount won’t actually cause harm. If a dog sneaks a bite of a cookie or a tiny piece of chocolate, it’s no big deal… right?

Image: Artem Sapegin

Well, chocolate contains theobromine, a chemical that is toxic to dogs. The danger of it depends on the type of chocolate and the size of the dog. Naturally, dark chocolate is the worst, as it contains the highest levels of theobromine.

While a tiny bit of milk chocolate might not be fatal, it can still cause vomiting, diarrhea, or heart issues. If your dog eats any chocolate, call your vet immediately. You know the saying: Better safe than sorry!

Image: Stas Svechnikov

When humans have aches and pains, we reach for ibuprofen or aspirin. Some dog owners assume it’s safe to give their pups a tiny dose of these medications if they’re injured or sick. After all, if it helps humans, it must help dogs too, right?

Image: Laula Co

That’s actually not the case! Giving ibuprofen to your dog can have serious, even fatal, consequences.

Dogs process medication differently than humans, and even small doses can cause stomach ulcers, kidney damage, or liver failure. If your dog is in pain, never give them human medicine. Just consult your vet for safe, pet-approved pain relief options. What works for us doesn’t always work for them!

Deep roots

11 everyday words with indigenous roots

English is a very welcoming language in the sense that it incorporates terms from many other languages from all over the world. And, as it couldn’t be otherwise, Native American languages have lent many of their words and terms to English speakers. Some traveled through Spanish or French before settling into English, and others arrived directly through early contact and trade, helping shape the way we speak today. Did you know about these 11 terms?

The word "canoe" comes from the Taino term canoa, which was first used by Caribbean islanders long before Europeans arrived. Early explorers adopted it to describe the slim, sturdy boats they saw.

Over time, "canoe" became the standard English word for a small paddled craft. Today it still carries that sense of simplicity and closeness to nature.

The word "barbecue" comes from barbacoa, another Taino term for a wooden frame used for cooking meat over fire. Europeans adopted it and applied it to both the method and the gathering itself.

Today, "barbecue" means everything from a backyard cookout to a regional cooking style. Its origins highlight the deep culinary influence of Native Americans in the nation's current culture.

"Skunk" comes from the Algonquian word squnk, which means "urinating fox" (quite a fitting term, indeed). This was an obvious reference to the animal’s strong defensive spray. Early settlers adopted the term directly.

Since English had no better name for the creature, the Native word stuck. Today, the word skunks is also used as playful slang.

The word "moose" originates from Eastern Abenaki, a part of the Algonquian family, where it meant "he strips off bark." Yes, it described the animal’s habit of tearing bark from trees.

The name entered English quickly because settlers relied on Native knowledge of local fauna. The word remains unchanged because of its accuracy and usefulness.

"Raccoon" comes from the Powhatan word arakun, meaning "he scratches with his hands." It described the animal’s clever, humanlike front paws.

Settlers adopted the term because it captured the creature’s behavior beautifully. Today, the raccoon is used as a household symbol of curiosity, not unlike the animal itself.

The term "chipmunk" most probably comes from the Ojibwe word ajidamoo, which means "one who descends trees headfirst." Early English settlers adapted the sound into today’s form.

Though the spelling changed over time, the lively image of a chipmunk racing down a tree face-first stayed.

The word "caribou" comes from the Mi’kmaq term qalipu, which means "snow shoveler," referring to the animal’s habit of digging through snow for food.

French settlers brought the word into English, keeping its descriptive nature. The name still connects the modern animal to the winter landscapes it belongs to.

"Totem" comes from the Ojibwe word ototeman, which means "kinship group." It described symbols representing clans and shared roots.

English adopted it to describe carved poles and symbolic elements. Though broader in modern usage, it still hints at the original sense of community, identity, and heritage.

"Coyote" comes from the Nahuatl word coyōtl, which was used by Indigenous tribes of central Mexico. Spanish speakers adopted it, and English borrowed later.

The word kept its meaning, and it remains one of the most direct links between the English language and Nahuatl.

The tasty avocado’s name traces to the Nahuatl word ahacatl, which refers to the fruit and to a body part as well. Spanish speakers transformed it into aguacate.

Later on, English speakers adapted it to avocado. While the name sounds contemporary and culinary, it has ancient Native roots.

The last Nahuatl word and also the last word on the list comes from the term xocolātl, which describes a bitter cacao drink that was consumed long before Europeans arrived in America. The name traveled from Spanish to English.

Though the product changed dramatically, the word survived. Today, chocolate is a universal symbol of sweetness, with rich and deeply indigenous roots.