There are countless myths about our pets — some so old they have become facts in the eyes of many people.

To separate fact from fiction, the American Kennel Club clears up some of the most well-known dog myths.

Dogs age seven years for every one human year: FALSE

This myth has been around for so long 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.

A warm nose indicates sickness: 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 health or sickness.

Old dogs can’t learn new tricks: FALSE

We have all heard this expression at some point in our lives. You can absolutely teach an older dog new tricks, like how to shake hands, speak or roll over. Keeping the training sessions short and fun while using plenty of positive reinforcement like treats and praise can help make the training process easier.

Dogs cannot see in color: FALSE

At one point in time, it was believed dogs could only see in black, white and shades of gray. This myth is still believed by many people today.

A wagging tail means a happy dog: FALSE

A wagging tail does not always mean the dog is happy. While a natural, midlevel wagging tail does indicate the dog is content, most other wags indicate the opposite. A high, stiff wagging tail can be a sign of agitation in the dog, suggesting they are ready to protect something, while a low and quick wag may express the dog is scared and submissive.