Key Takeaways
Why Pet Training Myths Persist
Pet training advice travels fast — through neighbors, social media, and decades-old books that have never been updated. The problem is that many widely repeated tips contradict what animal behaviorists and veterinary professionals have established through research. Acting on bad information doesn't just slow progress; it can damage the trust between a pet and their owner, sometimes making behavior problems harder to fix. The myths below are among the most common ones that trip up well-meaning owners — and each has a straightforward correction backed by evidence.
For a broader look at how training needs shift over a pet's life, see our lifelong pet training guide.
The Myths — and What's Actually True
Work through these one by one. Some may surprise you; others may confirm what you already suspected but couldn't quite verify.
Myth
You can't teach an old dog new tricks — older pets are set in their ways and won't respond to training.
Fact
Dogs and cats retain the ability to learn new behaviors throughout their lives. Age slows some things, but it doesn't eliminate the capacity for learning.
This saying has been repeated so often it feels like biology, but it isn't. Research in animal cognition shows that the brain retains neuroplasticity — the ability to form new associations — well into old age. Senior pets may need slightly shorter sessions or more repetitions, and any underlying health issues (hearing loss, arthritis) should be accounted for, but the learning process itself remains intact. An older rescue dog absolutely can learn household rules, and a middle-aged cat can learn to use a new litter box location.
Myth
Cats are untrainable. They're too independent to listen to commands.
Fact
Cats can and do learn behaviors through positive reinforcement — they simply respond to different motivators and shorter sessions than most dogs.
The belief that cats are untrainable usually comes from trying to train them the same way as dogs. Cats are highly food-motivated for many individuals, respond well to clicker-based methods, and can learn a range of behaviors — from sitting on cue to using a scratching post on request. The key difference is session length (two to three minutes is often optimal) and picking the right moment (not right after a meal or during playtime). Independence isn't the same as inability to learn.
Myth
You need to be the 'alpha' and dominate your dog to earn respect and obedience.
Fact
The alpha-dominance model applied to pet dogs has been widely rejected by veterinary behaviorists based on both the wolf research it was drawn from and studies of domestic dog behavior.
The dominance theory popular in mid-20th century training manuals was based on early observations of captive wolves — a population whose social dynamics don't mirror those of either wild wolves or domestic dogs. The American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior and similar professional bodies have issued position statements noting that dominance-based training techniques can increase fear and aggression rather than reduce them. Dogs respond to clarity, consistency, and positive consequences — not to being physically overpowered or intimidated.
Myth
Rubbing a dog's nose in an accident teaches them not to eliminate indoors.
Fact
This technique does not help with house training and can increase a dog's anxiety around elimination, making accidents more — not less — likely.
Dogs do not connect a punishment delivered after the fact with the act that preceded it, especially if any time has passed. What they do learn is that the person approaching them after an accident is unpredictable or frightening — which can lead to hiding to eliminate, increased submissive urination, or avoidance behaviors. Effective house training relies on catching the dog in the act (a calm interruption followed by going outside) and heavily rewarding elimination in the right location. Consistent scheduling and supervision do far more work than any form of correction after the fact.
Myth
Once a pet learns a behavior, you have to keep giving treats forever or they'll stop doing it.
Fact
Treats are most important during the initial learning phase. Once a behavior is established, it can be maintained using variable reinforcement and other rewards like praise, play, or access to things the pet enjoys.
Behavioral science distinguishes between acquisition (learning something new) and maintenance (continuing to do something already learned). During acquisition, frequent and predictable rewards help the pet understand what earns the consequence. During maintenance, variable reward schedules — giving treats sometimes but not every single time — actually make behaviors more durable. Many trained behaviors can eventually be maintained primarily with life rewards: a walk, a toy, an open door. The goal is to phase treats strategically, not eliminate them overnight.
Myth
Bad behavior in pets is a sign they're being spiteful or trying to get back at you.
Fact
Pets do not engage in spite or revenge — behaviors that seem retaliatory are almost always the result of anxiety, boredom, incomplete training, or unmet needs.
It can feel personal when a dog chews furniture the day you leave for a long shift, or a cat avoids the litter box after a schedule change. But attributing human social motivations to these behaviors leads owners toward punishment when the actual cause — stress, under-stimulation, medical issues, or an environment that hasn't been set up for success — requires a completely different response. Understanding the function of a behavior (what the pet gets out of it, or what they're trying to avoid) is the starting point for actually changing it.
If you're curious about the behavioral science behind reward-based methods, our article on why dogs respond to positive reinforcement goes deeper into the mechanics. And if dominance-based training is something you've encountered, force-free vs. dominance-based training research examines both approaches honestly.
Putting Accurate Training Knowledge to Work
Knowing what not to believe is only half the equation. Once myths are out of the way, effective training comes down to a few consistent principles: short sessions, clear timing, meaningful rewards, and patience with setbacks. Most pets — regardless of age or species — will make progress when the human side of the equation is reliable and calm.
Cats, in particular, are often underestimated. Our guide to training a cat with realistic expectations outlines what feline learning actually looks like in practice. For dogs struggling with being left alone, separation anxiety training strategies covers the gradual approach that behaviorists recommend.
And if treats feel like the only tool in your toolkit right now, that's a reasonable starting point — but the trade-offs of daily treat-based training can help you think through how to diversify your approach over time.