A question for knowledgeable dog folks who frequent this site ...?

Question

What answers / comments have you seen here that you'd consider to be a great disservice to anybody trying to learn something about dogs? Have you ever seen an answer that you know to be bad advice repeated here and accepted by the asker(s)? Are there any misconceptions or myths about dogs you read here often, that you'd like people on this list to dismiss all together? What advice would you offer an asker who'se trying to filter out the best answer to their dog question?

I'm not referring to silly dog questions or answers that you see here all the time, but I do see bad advice that is sometimes echoed by more than one answerer that I hope people here would totally ignore. I'll give my own answer at the closing of this question.

Try to cite specific examples. Venting without examples won't teach anybody anything here.

This is one of the worst advices I've seen here:
"Watch / call the Dog Whisperer."
Folks who have dogs with behavorial problems won't get any help from watching a TV show. Especially a TV show that doesn't teach, and whose episodes are geared towards someone else's specific problems. The program begins with a disclaimer, stating not to try this at home. Call Cesar Milan all you want. If you're not very wealthy or if you don't have a unique problem that would contribute to his TV program, he won't come to you.
I like watching the show. I think he does some pretty amazing things, but telling someone with an aggressive dog to watch this program and their problem will go away is a great disservice to all the readers here.

Here's a myth I wish folks would dismiss:
"There are no bad dogs, only bad owners."
This is only partially true. There are bad dogs! There are dogs that are mean spirited, untrainable, and dangerous to be around. They are bred by bad breeders who are out to make a fast buck. Bad breeders pair two dogs with mean, aggressive, badass lineages ... in the hope that they will produce pups that are even meaner and more badass. They take no interest in the health of the pups. They only see that they're fulfilling a market need and that they're turning a profit. Sad to say, but dogs like these should be put down.

Here's the all time worst advice I've seen here:
Questions concerning tail docking, ear cropping, castration etc ...
The answer(s) responded: "Tie a rubber band or tight string around it and it will atrophy and fall off".
Not only is this torture to the dog, it also violates most animal abuse laws. I've seen this advice offered several times and accepted by the asker. I hope we all have enough common sense never to try this on our dogs.

Answer 1

There isn't enough time or space to answer this question fully. What really irkes the heck out of me are the biggies, Pitt Bulls Rottweilers, Dobermans and most large breeds are Killer Aggressive mean dogs and that is soooooooo far from the truth. People who have dogs/cats that aren't spayed or neutered and want to know things about breeding them. I even saw answers from people CLAIMING to be vets with such off the wall answers and serious misspelling of Breeds and procedures. Anyone can claim to be a Vet, Vet Tech, or anything else they want to be on this forum. People tell others to give their dog/cat human medicine, OMG they are ANIMALS not humans, you only give your pets or any animal medicine that has Been prescribed by a VET. OK that's enough for now and I will step off my soap Box. Thanks for an intelligent question and letting people like me spout off. Have a Super Day

Answer 2

It's an inherently flawed system. Someone who is asking for real advice on a complex issue is obviously a person who is not going to take the advice they are given, because training is a long, complex procedure and people who are on this forum usually want quick, easy answers. I have answered training questions knowing full well that the asker will ignore my answer because it is too much hard work. Well, doing things properly IS hard work.
If I see another answer that is actually dangerous instead of just useless and harmless, then I mention it in my own answer.
If only we could educate the world!
Perhaps we should embark on a 'common myths' program here on answers. Perhaps we could all post, as questions, some of the more dangerous bad advice we have seen, and then de-bunk it systematically. We could start all the questions the same way, perhaps with the phrase, "Bad Advice De-bunking." What do you think?

Answer 3

This point doesn't only apply to dogs - questions are asked about all sorts of pets - as a guinea pig owner I take some interest in questions about GPs, for instance.

I have the impression that common sense generally emerges from the range of answers offered, and sometimes the mere fact that there is a range of answers may be helpful. But, at the end of the day, we all know, or should, that no-one giving an answer here is providing any warranty, and that we would not be responsible pet owners if we took the advice too seriously.

What's more worrying is people asking for advice about their possibly sick babies!

Answer 4

I've seen a lot of answers comments that i consider a disservice to somebody trying to learn..mainly in the areas of breeding, designer breeds, nutrition and training. I have also seen answers accepted by the asker that was definately bad advice, and knew it was accepted simply because it was waht the asker wanted to hear rather then based on sound advice.
I don't know if there is any reall good way for a new person to filter out the bad..I guess it would depend on the question.

Answer 5

To me it seems like there are alot of people who get the wrong kind of dog because they go by looks alone. They don't do their homework and read up on a particular breed of dog they are considering. Another thing that I am seeming alot on here, is that people don't know about how to tell their puppies personality. There are tests that can be done on puppies when thy are very young (8 to 10 wks. old) that will help a person determine their puppies temperment. This is SO,SO IMPORTANT. otherwise they wind up with a dog that is totally different than what they are looking for. Then in the end, they take the dog to the pound because they can't control the dog, it is to vicious, etc. The dog is the one on the losing end!!! There are also temperment tests that can be done on an older dog to determine their temperment. I personally like to watch the Animal Planet. When they have a dog that they are considering putting up for adoption, the people at the shelter do a temperment test on each dog to determine what this particular dog is like.

Answer 6

I have seen so many bad answers on here that I am appalled. Like rubbing a dogs nose in it's own urine and scolding it long after it happened. You know, totally ignorant stuff like that. A lot of the people who are asking questions are totally naive and will listen to whatever advice people tell them even if it is absolutely wrong. They don't know any better. Then they go on to tell other people to do the same. I feel if you don't know what the heck you talking about then don't give your stupid advice. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to vent and have a nice day.

Answer 7

I have seen a lot of answers from people who know nothing of what they are talking about. Most people should do some research rather than giving someone false advice that could possibly hurt the dog.

Answer 8

The real benefit of a forum like this is the space at the top of the screen where when we don't know the answer to a question we can type in a couple of words hit "enter" and learn something

Answer 9

I think people who are mature know that the advice given here is not always to be taken seriously, we have no control over who is answering our questions. It can be a 13 year old or someone who is only here to make other mad.

Answer 10

If I may...I think your going to have a hard time picking the 10 point answer...When I give advise I usually say ceaser millan..ppl could learn more about their dogs if they wanted to...But you do wonder at the ages that the questions are being asked....