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You probably remember the TikTok creator Knowledgesaurus, who won the hearts of the internet by sharing a bunch of intriguing facts, myths, hacks and knowledge bites. You can check out our previous article on his awesome body facts right here.
Meanwhile, with 1.9M followers, his audience is ever-growing, and you can totally see why! This time, Knowledgesaurus is back on Bored Panda with something that would make any dog owner excited.
Please take your notes, everyone: thanks to the widely popular TikToker, we’re about to finally find out why our goodest bois and bestest girls stare at us while doing their business, and that one year of human life sadly is 7 times more in a dog’s life. And much more!
So I leave the stage to Knowledgesaurus’s awesome bio class on dog facts and myths we all wish we'd known before.
Image credits: knowledgesaurus
This post may include affiliate links.
#1
Fact: Putting Paw On You
Whenever your dog puts their paw on you like this, it's their way of showing that they love you and it's their way of petting you.
Taco Da Guinea Pig 4 years ago
Whenever I pet my dog Jack he puts his paw on me and pets me back!
Foxxy (The Original) 4 years ago
My dog does this ALL the time but not just to show love but also when he wants pats/attention.
Sergio Bicerra Descalzi 4 years ago
I always thought it was Lucas'way to tell me to pet him. Now I love him either more.
SentimentAndBadJokes 4 years ago
Yup. She generally does it whenever I stop patting her. Coincidence? I think not.
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Kathryn Baylis 4 years ago
I think this needs more context, as there are times it feels more like a dominance move than affection.
With so many common dog myths surfing around and people genuinely believing in them, Bored Panda reached out to Dr. Jerry Klein, American Kennel Club’s Chief Veterinary Officer, who debunked some of the most widespread beliefs.
“Most people think they know their dog's health by judging the regular behavior like activity level and appetite, but most dog owners do not really detect many of their dog's medical issues until they become more significant problems,” Dr. Klein told us. However, “Conditions like dental disease and ear infections eventually present to veterinarians because most owners don't closely examine their dogs’ mouths and ears.”
Yearly wellness exams by a veterinarian are crucial to your dog's health, urged Dr. Klein, “because they will detect things like subtle weight fluctuations, which could be a clue to underlying disease, new heart murmurs that have developed, and intervene before more serious disease occurs.”
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#2
Fact: Staring At You While They Do Their Business
Your dog is staring at you while they poop because they trust you and think you'll look out for them while they're vulnerable while they're doing their business.
EP 4 years ago
No, they want to make YOU feel vulnerable and know they are your master!!
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I Just Changed My Name 4 years ago
This is also why when you go to the bathroom, you have company so they can return the favor of guarding you in a vulnerable moment.
Sheila Stamey 4 years ago
This makes me want to stand guard with a weapon and growl at every single thing that moves so my dog will feel safe! I totally get it! I bet they would do it for us!
#3
Fact: They Know Your Routine
Your dog actually knows your routine. If you have a pretty normal routine, your dog can tell when you're coming home based off of the amount of your scent left in the house.
Miss Frankfurter 4 years ago
Years ago a little dog we had was extremely attached to my dad. He had had a stroke, but could still drive but took the backroads. He went to the Legion on Thursday nights to play darts. He would never leave there at the same time. It would depend on how his games went. But even with that she knew when daddy was coming home. She would get up and go to the door to wait for him. Never the same time on any given evening. He would get home about 20 minutes after she went to the door. One night she got up and went to the door to wait. It wasn't very long before she turned and went back to her bed. She laid there for about 15 minutes and then got up and went back to the door to wait. As usual, about 20 minutes later he arrived home. My mom asked him if he left the Legion right after his games were finished. He said he had. However, when he went to leave he met a friend he stopped and talked to for about 15 minutes and then he left. Home 20 minutes later. Its more than knowing our routine.
Fuzzy Logic 4 years ago
Stroke or not, backroads or not, your dog should not be driving.
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Sergio Bicerra Descalzi 4 years ago
True! I take care of my elderly mom. I take her meal and walk beside him and he doesn't pay me attention. Walk pass him when I return to my room. 20 minutes later I go to collect my mom dishes and he's still minding his bussiness and doesn't take a second look on me. As I take a step out of my mom's room he runs to me, cause he knows leftovers are for him.
iblowsheep 4 years ago
i work from home and when i stop for the day, i unplug my keyboard and put it in the desk drawer. Everytime i do this, my dog goes ga-ga because he knows it's go for a walk time in a few minutes. It must be the sound of the desk drawer opening that has conditioned him, because even if i open it at a random time for some other reason, he comes running.
Niall Allen 4 years ago
Cats too. My old cat used to sit on the windowsill when I would come home from school, then adapted when I started my first job. She was ace.
Laura Jones 4 years ago
dogs never forget what you do mine are sat up in the window at just the right time for me to come home
Astrid Manthej 4 years ago
Well, duh! To everybody who's ever had a dog, this should be a no-brainer.
Marlowe Fitzpatrik 4 years ago
That sentence doesn't make any sense. Why would the scent in the house make the dog know when you're coming home? If they know the routine, they know the time (the basics of it) and know when to pay attention to recognizable sounds (like your car) they'll wait at the door. My dogs know when it's feeding time even when I'm in my house, so there's no scent that tells them food will be soon. Dogs can tell time.
And when it comes to popular myths, Dr. Klein busted a couple of very widespread ones. You've probably heard of people saying that dogs age seven years for every one human year. Turns out, it’s actually false! Dr. Klein said that this myth has been around for so long that most people see it as a fact.
“Although dogs do age quicker than humans, the 7:1 ratio is not perfectly accurate. Dogs age faster when they are younger and then the aging process slows down as they get older. The size of the dog also plays a role in the aging process—larger dogs age faster than small dogs.”
Another common myth is that a warm nose on a dog indicates sickness. Dr. Klein explained how it's false: “The idea that a dog in good health should have a cold, wet nose is nothing more than another myth. The temperature of a dog’s nose does not represent his health or sickness. Using a thermometer is the only way to accurately measure your dog’s temperature.”
#4
Fact: Dogs Can Get Jealous
On the flipside, dogs can feel jealousy. Any time you're giving attention to another dog, treats, petting, your dog can feel jealous.
Monday 4 years ago
Whichever behaviorist thought dogs don't feel envy or jealousy clearly never owned a dog.
tuzdayschild 4 years ago
Exactly. My dog gets jealous if I pick up a baby.
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Julie Richardson 4 years ago
Of course they do! If my dog Lucy was feeling a little shy all you had to do was turn away and pretend to pet another dog and she’d come right over looking for cuddles.
Springy boi 4 years ago
My dog gets jealous every time I pet another dog or cat or reptiles lol
Taco Da Guinea Pig 4 years ago
That’s stupid. Dogs can obviously feel jealousy and I don’t know how you would think they don’t. Other animals have feelings too.
Maggie Dinzler Shaw 4 years ago
A big old feral cat came by my house and since he kept coming, I got him neutered (in his old age) and fed him in a separate place from the others because he was so big. The look he gave me was almost human in its indignation.
Load More Replies... Foxxy (The Original) 4 years ago
Yup, my dogs not a fan of I pay attention to other dogs. He will nudge them aside and nudge my hand to give him the attention.
WilvanderHeijden 4 years ago
I think that almost every pet can feel jealousy. Every cat we owned showed their jealousy at one time or another. One our friends has some birds and they get really noisy when he pays a bit too much attention to his wife to their likings.
CincyReds 4 years ago
My dogs get jealous too. I have an 11 year old dog (but he thinks he is still 5) and a 3 year old. If I bet the 3 year old (Legs) for too long, Roamer gets so jealous! And If pet Roamer for any amount of time, without talking to Legs, Legs gets so jealous, and starts making his little noises. Damn they are just so cute!
Kathryn Baylis 4 years ago (edited)
Oh, it isn’t just when you’re paying attention to another dog. Oh no. It’s when you’re paying attention to anyone; a cat, your spouse, your kids, or anything;; the TV, your laptop—-whatever takes even the tiniest fraction of your attention away from your dog.
#5
Myth: 1 Human Year = 7 Dog Years
That 1 human year equals 7 dog years. The first year of a dog's life is usually about 12 to 15 human years, the second is usually 9 to 10, and the rest after that are usually about 4 to 5. It depends on the dog's weight, breed and other things
Scagsy 4 years ago (edited)
Um, should I feel guilty for just counting in ones?
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magpookie1133 4 years ago
Only the first year. After that it varies. My small 15lb dog is 17.5 human years. By this calculation, that would make her 122.5 dog years. This article is riddled with misinformation.
Lucas 4 years ago (edited)
That's what they say though, that it varies and it is not just 7 for every 1. If your dog is 17.5 years old, lets say 18 for ease, then based on what this is suggesting which is 15 for the first year, 10 for the second. Then the remaining 16 years x 4 which = 64. That totals 89. Sounds much more likely. Though still varies hugely across different breeds so can only be a very rough guide.
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Doris Bennett 4 years ago (edited)
My little doggie has been on this earth for 10 calendar years this July! She's 10 = 15+10+4+4+4+4+4+4+4+4 = 57 Hooman years! That's way better than 10x7 which equals 70 Hooman years!!
WiTchY_WoMaN 4 years ago
I never understood how when a dog is a certain age, its a different amount in human years...Does that just mean time is slower to them??
#6
Myth: Dogs Eat Grass When They're Sick
That dogs eat grass because they're sick. And while this can be true, a lot of dogs do this out of boredom or they just think it's fun to eat grass.
Corey Smith 4 years ago
It's also theorized that it dates back to their wolf ancestors. Wolves will eat an entire animal, including the stomach contents. Since most of their prey are herbivores, this means plant material. It is suggested that some nutrients from the plants are needed, and that dogs are simply supplementing their diet this way.
Randy Klefbeck 4 years ago
Lots of dogs, and their relatives will eat berries, and some other fruit on occasion.
Load More Replies... BasedWang 4 years ago
Also to coax puking if something is stuck in their throat or feeling off in the stomach.. Not like sick sick
Yort 4 years ago
I read on some ver website that the majority of dogs actually don’t vomit when they eat grass. Some of them just like eating grass.
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Big Chungus 4 years ago
My dog thinks grass is a buffet and actually has her favorite patches of grass picked out when we walk outside
Marlowe Fitzpatrik 4 years ago
When the grass is really fresh in early summer, my dogs love eating grass and they'll smell and choose certain grasses over others. They definitely like the taste. If the y feel crappy lke they want to puke, they just rush and graze any grass-like thing they can get their snouts on. They know which is just tasty and which is just for inducing puke
Evie Grove 4 years ago
Yup. Our do eats grass a lot but only throws up after 5% of the time. It’s mostly cause it’s fun.
If you assume that old dogs can’t learn new tricks, we have to tell you it’s false! “We have all heard the expression 'you can’t teach an old dog new tricks' at some point in our lives,” Dr. Klein said, but assured us that “you can absolutely teach old dogs new tricks; like how to shake hands, speak or roll over.” The chief veterinary officer at AKC added that “Keeping the training sessions short, fun and using plenty of positive reinforcement like treats and praise can help make the training process easier.”
“At one point in time, it was believed that dogs can only see in black, white and shades of grey, and this myth happens to still be believed by many people today. Dogs have fewer color-sensitive cones in their eyes than humans do.” However, Dr. Klein explained that “it has been discovered that, although not in the same way as humans, dogs can in fact see color. They can see blue, greenish yellow, and yellow along with various shades of grey.”
A wagging tail means a happy dog is probably one of the most common myths we hear too often! But Dr. Klein has busted this one too. “A wagging tail does not always mean the dog is happy,” he said and explained: “While, a natural, mid-level wagging tail does indicate contentedness, most other wags indicate the opposite. A high, stiff wagging tail can be a sign of agitation in the dog, suggesting that he is ready to protect something, while a low and quick wag may express that the dog is scared and submissive,” he concluded.
#7
Myth: Dogs See In Black & White
That dogs see in black and white. Dogs lack some light receptors in their eyes to see colors, but they can see on a yellow-blue scale and this is what it would look like in their vision versus ours.
Miss Frankfurter 4 years ago
When we were on vacation in Florida, we brought our little dog with us. My dad was wearing a yellow bathing suit. He went to our room and was gone for a bit. Then a gentleman in a yellow bathing suit came down the stairs to the beach. Our dog went running over thinking it was my dad. When she got to him what a shock for her. Barking and running back to us. "That's not daddy!"
Jill Tremblay 4 years ago
How do we REALLY know this? Has someone actually had dog eye transplants or something? I just don't understand how this can be completely proven without a doubt.
D. Pitbull 4 years ago
Dogs... they have the red-green colour blindness... the same kind of colour blindness that's apparently not uncommon among males?
Jakob Picciotto 4 years ago
Dogs see color differently, but they still see plenty of it! https://woofmeowhello.com/blogs/talking-cats-dogs/color-blind-dogs E20EF11C-0...b-jpeg.jpg 
Brandy Grote 4 years ago
All of my pets knew color names. While they may not see "pink" or "blue" the way we do, they CAN discern the differences between colors, and learn the words we apply to them. So ask your cat for her pink ball, or tell your dog that you are playing with the yellow tug. They will learn those words mean that item.
We also spoke to Alyssa Mages, the chief visionary officer at “Empowering Veterinary Teams,” who said that the majority of pet parents really do know their pets well as they've been with them every day, sometimes since puppyhood. “In my experience as a CVT, I would refer to this exact phenomenon telling owners that I only see a single instant of how their pet is, while they see a more in depth, long-term presentation,” she said. “Both of which are essential when they come into the hospital—for either an acute or emergent concern where my or a veterinarian's expertise comes to the forefront vs. updates on a chronic condition that can vary and present differently from day to day.”
When asked about the common dog myths, Alyssa said that the majority of these have already been debunked—“their mouths aren't cleaner, they do see in color, their age, etc.—but I think that there is one that remains, that myth of the 'perfect' breed of dog. This simply doesn't exist!”
She continued: “There are unicorns of every breed, and we cannot forget our mixed breeds, those loveable mutts are simply the best! What does exist is the perfect pairing—you'll know the best dog for you when you meet each other. The energies will blend, the body languages will match, and everyone wins.”
#8
Fact: Scooting Their Butt
When your dog is scootin' his butt across the floor like this, he's not just trying to make you laugh. This is almost a sure sign of plugged or infected anal glands, which can collect fluid and can actually be drained manually, or they might be given something for it.
Helena Houzarová 4 years ago
It may also need they have parasites. Basically, this is a dog scratching his butt, so anything that leads to itching in that area may cause the scooting.
Laura Jones 4 years ago
my previous terrier had to have her glands done regularly my dogs now don't have this problem
Craig Reynolds 4 years ago
It can also be as simple as they didn't have a clean pinch off and there is a dingleberry hanging. Still, that's nothing! Just wait until your cat eats a length of thread or a rubber band and half is still in its a**s while the other half is attached to a passed turd. Cta poop skids marks across the carpet from room to room until you catch them. Then you have to extract the thread or rubber band from its a**s while avoiding teeth and claws...
Zophra 4 years ago
I realize that string in a cats intestines is very serious, but your account is sadly hysterically funny.
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magpookie1133 4 years ago
My vet said it's sometimes allergies. My dog was scooting and her a**l glands where clear. It was allergies.
#9
Myth: A Dog's Mouth Is Cleaner Than A Humans
That a dog's mouth is cleaner than a human's. And this myth started when dogs licked their wound, they were seen to heal quicker, but that wasn't because they're cleaner, it was because of the blood flow from licking it. So dogs' mouths are dirtier and this is probably why your vet tells you not to let your dog kiss your face.
iblowsheep 4 years ago
just knowing that the dog licks it's own nethers and eats cat turds, made me call bullshit on that one at a young age
Daniel Atkins 4 years ago
I grew up on a farm and the dogs wandered int the woods and drug up dead stuff all the time. This is denial makes it seem better when they are licked in the face.
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Scagsy 4 years ago
Our vet (and us) know this fact and still enjoy kisses from our doggos. Humans aren't clean either and we kiss them (amongst other things).
Lucas 4 years ago
Bit worried about the 'amongst other things' Scagsy!! 😕 Agree though - lets not get too bogged down with who is cleaner, we live together and share bowls.. er, hang on... 😮
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David Gripon 4 years ago
I doubt a dogs mouth is dirtier. I've never heard a dog call the guy in the car that cut them off a F******* C***S*****!!!
Krazy Onion (KJ) 4 years ago
It's weird how dogs, who eat turds, are considered to have cleaner mouths than humans, who brush their teeth twice a day.
Kathryn Baylis 4 years ago (edited)
One would think that, once people got a good whiff of really stanky dog breath, as soon as they regained consciousness it’d dawn on them that it’s a myth.
Louloubelle 4 years ago
I have two dogs, one of which is CONSTANTLY trying to lick you. She's an extremely nervous anxious girl. I don't have any idea how to stop this. We've had her 5 years now, and it's not getting better. But I'm getting better at dodging.
PurpleUnicorn 4 years ago
Having said that, it does feel much better after a dog licks your wound!
Taco Da Guinea Pig 4 years ago
One of my dog Ellie’s favorite snack is rodent turds. Specifically guinea pigs.
#10
Fact: Dogs Can't Feel Guilt
Even though your dog may look guilty, dogs cannot feel guilt.
NsG 4 years ago
It might be down to comparing to human guilt - which is when you know you've done wrong and make a great effort not to do it again. Dogs are punishment-avoidant. They dont know what they did was "wrong". Pooping on the floor is not "wrong" to a dog, but if they get punished for it, they got to great efforts to avoid the punishment again, not correct the behaviour.
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Frenchie 4 years ago
A dog can feel jealousy but not guilt? Im gonna go ahead and call BS on this one.
Frank Ropen 4 years ago
https://www.iflscience.com/plants-and-animals/that-guilty-look-that-your-dog-is-giving-you-isnt-actually-guilt-theyre-scared/
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cybermerlin2000 4 years ago
I've seen plenty of dogs do the "Oh sh*t, I f*cked up" routine without being told off, and before the owner has found out what they have done. I think that counts as a guilty conscience
Joshua Seaman 4 years ago
Science. https://www.iflscience.com/plants-and-animals/that-guilty-look-that-your-dog-is-giving-you-isnt-actually-guilt-theyre-scared/
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Paul Macdonell 4 years ago
Then what is it when you catch them doing something wrong and they bow their head and slink away? If not guilt then they feel responsibility....which I think is the same.
Joshua Seaman 4 years ago
It's fear. That look they're giving you is fear about what you're going to do. We just anthropomorphize guilt onto them.
F. H. 4 years ago
Guilt is a form of fear. Humans overanalyze it and have cultural interpretations for it, but all in all, guilt is just the fear of expecting a punishment.
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Yort 4 years ago
Yeah I don’t buy this one. Why do dogs act guilty before you’ve even noticed they did anything? Why do dogs cower in a different way when they’re getting yelled at versus if you just walked into the room where they chewed a pillow? Why do some of them just act casual when they’ve don’t something super wrong? I don’t get how “I’ve done something I’ll be punished for” really differs fundamentally from “I’ve done something I wasn’t supposed to do”. Both things involve a fear of consequences. Dogs feel guilt. It might be a little different from human guilt, but they feel it.
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What do you think ?
Mike Crow 4 years ago
Fact: dogs can be lovely companions that will cherish you and try to con a bite of your sandwich because they too like sandwiches and sharing is caring to them.
FrankStellar 4 years ago
Pretty sure dog owners know all these, maybe a little unsure about the grass thing just like the poster.
InfectedVoice 4 years ago
One of mine will stop at the exact same spot for a little munch of grass before he moves on, he never pukes it back up, he just likes this particular patch of grass that we walk past.
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Chucky Cheezburger 4 years ago
I think dogs can learn different behaviors that go against their natural instinct. Usually the showing of teeth is a sign of aggression,but when folks meet a new dog, what do they do? They smile and "show teeth". I know a pupper that when he comes and greets us, he smiles at us. It looks like he's about to tear into us, but the rest of his body language says " Hey!Hey! Im happy to see you! Do you have a treat!?" But he'll look up at us and smile just like a person does, showing those big ol' pearly whites.
My Little Robot Overlord 4 years ago
Dogs don't have pack leaders and actually don't want to be around people that beat them. Why would you even say something like this?!
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Mike Crow 4 years ago
Fact: dogs can be lovely companions that will cherish you and try to con a bite of your sandwich because they too like sandwiches and sharing is caring to them.
FrankStellar 4 years ago
Pretty sure dog owners know all these, maybe a little unsure about the grass thing just like the poster.
InfectedVoice 4 years ago
One of mine will stop at the exact same spot for a little munch of grass before he moves on, he never pukes it back up, he just likes this particular patch of grass that we walk past.
Load More Replies... Chucky Cheezburger 4 years ago
I think dogs can learn different behaviors that go against their natural instinct. Usually the showing of teeth is a sign of aggression,but when folks meet a new dog, what do they do? They smile and "show teeth". I know a pupper that when he comes and greets us, he smiles at us. It looks like he's about to tear into us, but the rest of his body language says " Hey!Hey! Im happy to see you! Do you have a treat!?" But he'll look up at us and smile just like a person does, showing those big ol' pearly whites.
My Little Robot Overlord 4 years ago
Dogs don't have pack leaders and actually don't want to be around people that beat them. Why would you even say something like this?!
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