10 Dog Training Myths That Could Be Sabotaging Your Progress (And What to Do Instead)

You’ve followed the rules, tried the tools, and still feel stuck with your dog. Sound familiar?
In this myth-busting episode of Straight Up Dog Talk, Em unpacks 10 outdated dog training “truths” that may be doing more harm than good. From dominance-based techniques to rigid obedience expectations, you’ll learn why some of the most common advice might be keeping both you and your dog from real progress.

You'll Learn:

• Identify which dog training myths are stalling your growth and confidence

• Learn why obedience ≠ regulation or trust—and what actually creates calm, connected behavior

• Discover how to rebuild your training approach so it works for your dog, not someone else’s rulebook

Press play to shift your mindset, drop the myths, and start making training progress rooted in clarity, compassion, and real connection.

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This podcast explores real-life dog behavior and training through the lens of a canine nutritionist, dog coach, and retired vet tech—diving into reactivity, dog obedience, dog health, dog food, dog habits, dog lifestyle, canine enrichment, pet enrichment, dog myths, and what it actually takes to support reactive dogs safely and calmly. Whether you’re a dog mom navigating reactivity, building the human–dog bond, choosing dog products, or just trying to create a calmer dog life with your canine, you’ll find grounded strategies to build trust, improve dog behavior, and help your dog feel safe, understood, and supported.

Episode Transcript

(00:00):
Are you still struggling with your dog even after trying all
of the right tips? You're not doing it wrong,
you've just been fed the wrong advice.
Welcome to Straight Up Dog Talk,the podcast helping burned out
pet parents who feel stuck with their pup.
Finally let go of the guilt. Learn to communicate and build

(00:20):
the bond you've always dreamed of through a partnership based
approach that combines training,nutrition and enrichment instead
of chasing the quick fixes that don't actually work.
I'm N. And in this episode, you'll
learn the truth behind 10 commondog training myths that keep
well meaning pet parents stuck, overwhelmed or ashamed, why some

(00:41):
of the most popular advice online is actually hurting your
progress, and how to reframe these myths into confidence
building truths that help you and your dog move forward.
Because it's not your fault if you've been misled, and you're
not alone If you're ready to do things differently.
Today, I want to walk you through ten of the most common

(01:02):
dog training myths I see holdingpeople back that left me second
guessing everything early on. If you've been following the
rules and still feel stuck, thisis your permission to rethink
the rule book #1 you just need to be the alpha.
This myth sounds good because people want leadership and

(01:22):
clarity, but it's harmful because it implies that your dog
is out to dominate you, not communicate with you.
When Fitz started reacting to everything, I had people telling
me show him who's the boss. But I wasn't dealing with the
power struggle. I was dealing with fear over
stimulation and unmet needs. The moment I stopped trying to

(01:46):
dominate him and started trying to understand him, everything
changed. So what you actually need is
structure, communication, and clarity, not power.
Trips #2 All dogs need daily walks.
This sounds good because exercise is important, right?
But it's harmful because walks aren't the only or even the best

(02:10):
way to meet your dog's needs, especially if your dog finds
them stressful. I used to drag fits on walks
thinking it was my responsibility.
Every time we both came even more stressed out.
The turning point came when I realized enrichment, indoor
play, and structured games calmed him more than any leash

(02:30):
walk ever could. To meet your dogs and needs in a
way that they enjoy, not just what social media says is normal
is the only thing that you actually need to do for your dog
#3 ignore bad behavior and it will go away.
Of course this sounds good because it's simple and sounds
science based, right? But it's harmful because

(02:53):
ignoring communication, especially distress, doesn't
build trust, it breaks it. When Toby was younger he would
growl and snap at guess someone told me to ignore it and not
reinforce it. But that growl was his way of
asking for space and ignoring itescalated his fear.

(03:14):
Now I thank him for that growl. It's information, not
misbehavior. And he only growls at people
that make him feel unsafe. For the most part, he's happy to
be friends with anyone and that is why it is such an important
warning sign. So all you actually need to do
is acknowledge the behavior, understand the need or the

(03:37):
message underneath it. And respond with clarity and
safety #4 let them cry it out, they'll get over it.
This sounds good because it's fast and we assume dogs are
resilient, but it's harmful because it creates panic, not
confidence. I'll never forget the time I
left Fitz in a new crate for thefirst time and tried to wait him

(04:00):
out. He tried to chew out the bars,
he howled, and he was soaking indrool.
When I finally came back in the room, he didn't get get over it.
He lost trust. Now we build things slowly with
him. All you actually need to do is
create a plan that builds comfort, trust, and confidence
without panic or pressure #5 training should fix your dog.

(04:26):
This sounds good because we wantsolutions, and that sounds like
a solution. However, this is harmful because
it assumes that your dog is broken and that you're failing
if they're not perfect. Used to treat training like a
fix it list, Sit, check, stay, check, come check.

(04:46):
But no amount of obedience changed Fitzes emotional needs.
What he needed was a relationship, not a checklist.
And what you actually need is a partnership, not perfection.
Behavior change is about support, not control.
Number six, they're just being stubborn.

(05:07):
This sounds good because it's easier to label our dogs with
something we understand, then investigate to understand them.
It's super harmful because it makes us resentful of our dogs
because we put a human label on them instead of being curious
about why they're feeling the way and acting the way that they

(05:29):
are. One of my clients was convinced
her dog was being defiant for not coming one call.
Turns out he was afraid of slippery floors near the back
door. Once we added some mats and some
rugs he came running. Not stubborn, just scared.
All you actually need to get through these moments is
curiosity and compassion, not blame #7 don't use food.

(05:54):
They should work for praise. This sounds good because it's
rooted in outdated ideas of loyalty.
It's harmful because it ignores science, motivation, and the joy
of working with your dog. I was told early on that using
food was bribery, but the momentI started using high value

(06:14):
treats with fits, his reactivitystarted improving because now he
had a reason to stay engaged. Food builds trust, not
dependence. Do whatever motivates your dog.
Food. Food is communication, not a
crutch #8 socialize them with everyone and everything.

(06:35):
This sounds good and accurate. Because exposure equals
confidence, right? It's harmful because forced
exposure without safety creates trauma and not resilience.
I used to think dog parks would socialize fits.
Instead he got overwhelmed, reactive, and completely shut
down. Now I know socialization isn't

(06:57):
about quantity. It's it's about quality, safety
and control. All you need to do to socialize
your dog is use slow, controlled, safe exposures that
build trust, not overwhelm them.Don't dive into the deep end
when we're just learning how to float #9 never let them win.

(07:18):
This sounds good because it keeps you in charge.
Goes right back to that dominance theory.
But it's harmful because it turns training into a battle,
not a conversation. One time Fitz tugged a toy out
of my hand and someone told me Ilost, but guess what?
He was beaming with confidence. I learned that letting him win

(07:39):
sometimes encourages him to engage, not to test me.
Make sure that you play and haveshared success and mutual wins,
not power struggles with your dog.
And last but not least, don't comfort a scared dog.
You will reinforce the fear. This sounds good because it's
been said for years, even by some professionals, But it's

(08:02):
harmful because fear isn't a behavior to fix, it is an
emotion to support. During storms, Toby shakes under
the covers. One day I started crawling in
there with him and just laid there with him snuggling.
Over time he started coming directly to me when he was
scared instead of hiding. You can't reinforce fear, but

(08:25):
you can soothe it. Make sure that your dog learns
that you are the safe place so that they run to you instead of
away from you, thereby making the conversation mutual and
helping your dog understand thatsoothing is on the way.
Here's your Real Talk challenge for this week.
Pick one myth that you've believed and rewrite the story.

(08:49):
Say it out loud. My dog isn't stubborn, he's
communicating something I haven't seen yet.
Training isn't failing, it's evolving.
I don't have to earn love through perfection.
Let this be the week you shift the story and start building
something better. So remember, be kind, spread

(09:09):
joy, and stop letting miss stealyour momentum and joy.
Thank you for listening to Straight Up Dog Talk and for
showing up for your dog today. If you've been trying to figure
things out on your own and nothing seems to work, it's
exhausting to keep guessing and wondering if you're failing your
dog. That's why I offer a free 15
minute call so you can walk awaywith clear next steps for

(09:32):
training, nutrition, or enrichment that actually fit you
and your dog. The link is in the show notes.
New episodes drop every Monday and Wednesday.
I'll see you next time.