The MythBusters The MythBusters

MythBusters Episode 74: Dog Myths

Premier Date: March 14, 2007

You can get past a vicious guard dog by distracting it with a raw steak.

plausible

The steak successfully distracted the guard dog for several moments. Once the dog finished eating and realized there was no more food, it attacked Kari. After the test, the trainer claimed that the dog could be trained to ignore specific things like steak.

You can get past a vicious guard dog by acting aggressive.

busted

Aggressive behavior did not defer an attack.

You can get past a vicious guard dog by acting submissive.

busted

Submissive behavior did not defer an attack.

You can get past a vicious guard dog by distracting it with a pheromones from a lactating female dog.

busted

The pheromones did not have any effect on the guard dog. They are said to calm puppies.

You can get past a vicious guard dog by distracting it with wolf urine.

plausible

The guard dog hesitated significantly, but eventually attacked Kari.

You can get past a vicious guard dog by distracting it with urine from a female dog.

confirmed

The dog was absolutely distracted by the urine, allowing Tory plenty of time to get past it.

You can get past a vicious guard dog by distracting it with a robotic cat.

plausible

The dog was distracted momentarily but eventually attacked.

You can get past a vicious guard dog by traveling inside a 50 gallon barrel.

plausible

Tory built a wheeled barrel that to use as a protective shell. He nearly got past the dog but his attempt was called off when the trainer thought the dog might tip the barrel over and injure Tory.

You can get past a vicious guard dog by traveling inside of a metal sphere.

plausible

Kari built a metal sphere covered in plastic that she could walk inside of. Kari got past the dog but she did not have a good way to escape.

You can trick a trained bloodhound by backtracking, zig-zagging, and going up a tree.

busted

Adam, acting as a fugitive on the run, had five minutes to run in zig-zags, doubled back, and climb a tree. The blood hound easily found him.

You can trick a trained bloodhound by crossing a river.

busted

The bloodhound found Adam very easily.

You can trick a trained bloodhound by covering part of your trail with ground pepper.

busted

The bloodhound was briefly confused, but it soon rediscovered the trail and found Adam.

You can trick a trained bloodhound by washing your body and changing your clothes.

busted

The bloodhound was initially overwhelmed by the concentrated scent of Adam at the washing point. The trainer knew this and walked the dog in a wide circle until it found the escape trail. The hound then easily found Adam.

You can trick a trained bloodhound by rubbing your body with coffee and cologne.

busted

The bloodhound did not have any trouble finding Adam.

You can trick a trained bloodhound by traveling through an urban environment.

plausible

The bloodhound was overwhelmed by the multitude of distracting smells in the city. It did find Adam after 90 minutes, but did not actually follow his trail. The handler noted that a bloodhound with experience in cities could do better.

You can’t teach an old dog new tricks.

busted

Adam and Jamie each trained a 7 year old Alaskan Malamute five new tricks in just one week.

The MythBusters subsequently tested more ways to outsmart a bloodhound in Hair of the Dog.