5 Dog Training Phrases That Sound Helpful (But Totally Aren’t) – Part 1
There’s no shortage of advice in the dog world.
The internet.
Books.
Your neighbor who “has had dogs their whole life”.
Your vet.
Your breeder.
Some of it’s great. Some of it… sounds great.
It’s enough to overwhelm the most experienced dog guardian not to mention the first timer.
If you’ve been around the block a few times with a leash in your hand and cheese in your pocket, you start to realize that a few popular phrases just don’t hold up. Let’s take a look at five of the most misleading and overused gems—and what you should actually consider instead.
1. “There are no bad dogs.”
I get the sentiment. I really do. But if you’ve ever had a dog bite your thigh like it was a turkey leg, you might beg to differ. “Bad” is a human word, and dogs don’t have moral codes—but they absolutely can have risky or aggressive tendencies, often rooted in genetics, trauma, or both.
We can support, manage, and train those dogs—yes, even the spicy ones—but pretending they’re all innocent squishy marshmallows doesn’t help anyone. Let’s aim for honesty over slogans. Know your dog, advocate for them, and manage their environment. That’s how we keep everyone safe—including the dog.
2. “It’s all in how you raise them.”
Oh, how I wish this were true. If it were most people would be living with a perfectly mannered unicorn-dog who comes when called, never barks at the UPS truck, and makes them tea. But alas, dogs come pre-loaded with something pretty powerful: genetics.
You can nurture your dog all you want (and you should), but if you bring home a working-line herding dog and expect them to live peacefully in a 700-square-foot apartment with no job, you’re both in for a rough time. Raising matters—but so does wiring. Choose a dog whose natural tendencies align with your lifestyle, not just your Instagram aesthetic.
3. “All dogs can be ‘go-anywhere, do-anything’ dogs.”
If only. The truth? Most of them don't want to. You know how you feel after a trip to Costco on a Saturday afternoon? That's how a lot of dogs feel at a busy café or farmer's market. Overstimulated. Touched too much. Desperate to lie down somewhere soft and not be asked questions.
Can some dogs roll with all of it? Sure. Do most want to? Not really. So if your dog isn’t into breweries or street festivals, that’s okay. Let them stay home. You don't need a “go-anywhere” dog. You need a dog who feels safe and supported wherever they are.
4. “You need to show them who’s top dog.”
Welcome back to 1993, I guess? The dominance myth just won’t die (thanks to some TV “trainers” who just won’t go away). But here’s the truth: Your dog isn’t trying to overthrow your household like a tiny furry dictator. They’re trying to make sense of a very weird human world that keeps throwing rules at them.
Training isn’t about asserting control. It’s about communication, structure, and trust. Eat before them, eat after them—no one cares. Just be consistent, kind, and fair. Dogs don’t need to know who's boss. They need to know what works.
5. “Adopt, don’t shop.”
Okay, deep breath. I love rescue dogs. Milo, the best dog in the world, was a rescue dog.
But I also believe that blanket advice helps no one. Not all rescue dogs are a good fit for all people. Some come with major behavioral baggage, and tossing a novice owner into the deep end with a trauma case isn’t always the best recipe for success (or a happy home).
There’s no shame in choosing a reputable breeder who puts health and temperament first—especially if it means setting both the dog and the human up for a good life. It’s not either/or. It’s about the right fit.
To be continued…
I’ll be back next month with five more phrases that need a little reality check. Until then, remember: Just because it’s popular doesn’t mean it’s helpful or even true.
Sara Sokol is owner of Mr. Dog Training in Brunswick Maine; A positive reinforcement dog training facility, offering both virtual and in person classes, that has been voted best training in Maine.
