I was telling my coworker all the neat tricks my black lab knows (yes, I'm a proud mommy!) and she replied, "That's awful, if you teach your dog too many tricks, it'll get a brain tumor!" I thought she was joking at first, but then she said she was serious and feels teaching your dog too much can hurt it's brain. I'm not buying this! What do you think?
2006-11-16 10:20:35 · 18 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Dogs
Sounds like your dog is SMARTER than your co-worker!!
2006-11-16 10:33:58 · answer #1 · answered by ♥ Tracy ♥ 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Brain tumor is categorized in two categories. Primary and Secondary.
Primary: Nobody really knows what causes this
Secondary: When cancer from another part of the body spreads to the brain.
My answer is that if your dogs show signs that he/her might have brain tumor, bring him/him to the doctor. Also, I have never heard of a dog getting brain tumor from too many tricks. For an example. Look at all those proffessonal dogs out there. They have to learn many tricks and such to participate in contests or help people.
Just be careful not to confuse your dog when teaching him/her tricks. Let him/her rest a while between teaching tricks so that she can process it and also recall those tricks from time to time. I hope this helps!
2006-11-16 10:34:44 · answer #2 · answered by Nyan 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You can't teach your Lab too many tricks. They are very lovable, family oriented dogs and love to show off for anyone willing to watch. Anything after the basic commands is bonus and fun for all. Exercising your baby's mental health is as important as the physical. Teach away. You'll be loved all the more!!
2006-11-16 18:08:25 · answer #3 · answered by idahodesert 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The mental stimulation is actually very good for your dog. Plus your dog and you get the added benefits of your interaction together. Not to mention that the tricks make you proud which only improves the relationship you and your dog have.
The one thing you want to be careful of is tricks that can be harmful to your dog in other ways. For instance, teaching your dog to jump out of car windows on command can seriously damage his/her joints over time.
So as long as you are exercising the brain and not straining the joints or otherwise endangering your dog, have at it!
2006-11-16 10:35:39 · answer #4 · answered by wyomingJoan 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
She sounds like my boyfriend, who believes everything he hears. HE thinks that you kill brain cells everytime you sneeze, which is totally not true. I eventually started to believe him, so i asked a doctor, and its a myth. It can NOT hurt your dog to learn too many tricks. It's GOOD for him. It makes dogs feel good to learn new tricks. Keep teaching him. And if you are still concerned, just talk to your veterinarian, they will tell you the same.
2006-11-16 10:26:12 · answer #5 · answered by Stark 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I highly doubt that.... just be careful of HOW you teach your dog and how often you command him to do these cute tricks. And reward him for them. Although either way your pet isn't going to get ill from this. Just as humans don't get a brain tumor from learning neither will your dog
2006-11-16 10:23:38 · answer #6 · answered by CoCo 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Your dog LOVES that attention. Keep up the good work. That woman has no clue about dogs. Your dog loves that time with you and dogs love the attention they get from doing tricks. You are fine keep teaching your dog all you want!
2006-11-16 10:26:22 · answer #7 · answered by horsecrazy 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
What an idiot! Sounds like she's the one with brain problems. Dogs love to learn and love even more to show off what they have learnt. Keep teaching him, just make sure you ahve a bit of play time as well:-) Tell your co-worker to stick her head in an oven!
2006-11-16 10:34:11 · answer #8 · answered by doofynic 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I think she is just jelous
unless you are teaching him the 'jumping off a cliff' trick your dog will be fine
2006-11-16 10:22:58 · answer #9 · answered by ballet-babe 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I don't believe anything about that brain tumor stuff, but some people over work their dogs, and because they are such loyal animals they do try out perform themselves and I believe that this is unnecessary. You should know when you dog is tired and being asked to do to much. Don't listen to that brain tumor stuff.
2006-11-16 10:44:17 · answer #10 · answered by Andrew G 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
What absolute rubbish!!! A dog won't do something if it;s not enjoying it, my labs love showing how clever they are. Keep having fun with your dog, it's clearly getting lots of love and attention which is exactly what all dogs need.
2006-11-16 10:25:31 · answer #11 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋