'Dog Whisperer' calms pets of rich and famous

Reuters/Yahoo ^ | 1/16/06 | Alexandria Sage

[T-Bird45]

I love watching this guy's show on the National Geographic channel. Dogs can only be as disciplined as the people that own them are. I learned a long time ago dogs want to know where they stand within the pack. When you establish that you are the "Big Dog", they can accept that as long as you maintain that authority at all times.

[Emmalein]

I have found that with mine as well, however, not all dogs fit that model. My Springer refused to believe he was a dog and never learned "dog etiquette" which frustrated the heck out of my other dogs. He passed away last year, so thanks for post--it brought back fond memories of him. :-)

[GLDNGUN]

I love the show. At first I thought "oh, great, this guy is going to be some wimp who tells people they aren't treating their dogs enough like people." Actually, it's the other way around. Just about every episode ends the same, and I think it's a symbol of what is wrong with the parent/child dynamic in this country. If there are 2 things that today's children lack more than anything it's exercise and discipline. Since people treat their dogs like children, then that is also what their dogs lack. Every episode ends with Cesar Milan telling the owners that the dog needs exercise and discipline. He has to train people how to do this on many ocassions since many people are unfamiliar with either concept. They were raised by lax parents who didn't push them, or they are lax parents who don't push their children and it just seems all so unnatural to them. Milan pulls no punches. He tells like it is. I saw him tell the male owner of a female dog that the reason his pet is so aggressive is because he is not the man of his house and lets the women (wife and daughter) be the dominant ones.

Ultimately, it wouldn't be so bad if people treated their dogs like they do their children IF they knew how to treat their children.

[Emmalein]

I think a lot of it is based on respect as well, whether it's pets or kids. Several of my friends have kids who don't respect them and from what I see it seems it's because the parent has never set boundaries (or in the doggie world been the dominant alpha), or if they did the parent didn't consistently stick to them. When this happens the kids (animals) now know that they are the ones ultimately in control.

[iPod Shuffle]

From what I've heard, Milan is very heavy handed. Some dogs may require this kind of training, but there are more gentle and effective methods available as well.

[HairOfTheDog]

Ping!

Other articles with keyword "DOGGIEPING" since 12/29/04

[HairOfTheDog]

He probably is heavy handed for a lot of dogs, but keep in mind, he's usually called in to deal with 'problem dogs'.

I haven't watched his show more than once... just haven't caught it when it's on.

[T-Bird45]

I don't think I would call him heavy-handed. I would say he is firm and expects the dog to conform to his commands. He uses repetition in order to imprint the required behavior on both the dog and the owner.

Of course, the above is JMHO...

[AnAmericanMother]

I think the problem is that by the time he gets them, things have gone WAY too far, and something that could have been corrected by gentle methods in the beginning has gotten to the point that the dog needs a wake-up call.

I'm not married to any one method - I use clicker training, lure-and-reward, and an electronic collar for different things. The agility and obedience people think I'm evil for using an E-collar; the retriever people think I'm a wimp because I click and treat my dog. I do what works with the best results for the least amount of effort . . . Rommel's "smart lazy man".

[GLDNGUN]

I think a lot of it is based on respect as well, whether it's pets or kids. Several of my friends have kids who don't respect them and from what I see it seems it's because the parent has never set boundaries (or in the doggie world been the dominant alpha), or if they did the parent didn't consistently stick to them. When this happens the kids (animals) now know that they are the ones ultimately in control.

Yep. Ultimately, it still comes down to discipline. Your friends' lack of boundaries for their children is simply a lack of discipline.

[American Quilter]

Cesar Millan is great. Having watched his show many times, I'm convinced that no one should be allowed to own a dog until they can pass a class demonstrating a thorough understanding of his technique and the need for it.

His show makes it abundantly clear that the problem is with the owner, not the dog. And his firm but gentle handling of the toughest dogs is extraordinarily effective. You can see the dogs' eager response to someone who actually sets boundaries and enforces the rules. Dogs need that just like kids do.

Now that I'm thinking about it, it's too bad prospective parents don't have to take a similar class!

[BunnySlippers]

Does this guy have a book? I have chihuahuas that rule the roost.

[ironman]

I've seen every one of his shows. Almost every time he begins his work with the dog by taking it for a walk. It's amazing how many people can't get their dog to heel. The walk establishes him as the leader and the dog as the follower. I've also seen him get in conflicts with dogs over toys, or trying to trim them, etc. The key is to win the conflict every time when it comes to that. The dog must submit and cease the unwanted behavior.

[BunnySlippers]

How do you get dogs to submit though?

[Joe 6-pack]

I don't think he's too heavy handed; if you watch the dynamics of a feral pack or of wolves in nature, the Alpha will occaisionally have to reassert dominance with actions that can only be described as ferocious. Having said that, I still recommend and use, virtually to the exclusion of all others, the application of principles found in these three books...

There are many parallels between the techniques taught by The Monks of New Skete and the Dog Whisperer, but the Monks teach a method of relationship building that impacts not only on the dog's life, but the master's as well...in writing a book about dogs, they have revealed a way of relating to creation in general, and there are principles that apply to one's relationships with people as well.

David Alderton, author of "Wolf Within," is a British vet that, in my mind's eye, is something between James Herriot and Dr. Doolittle....

[ironman]

OK, here is my summary of how he does it, noting that I'm not a professional and also Cesar has been bit on the show. You can push too hard. He uses a "shhhhhh" verbal command while pointing at the dog. And when necessary he will tap the dog on the butt to as he calls "move the dog's mind/attention forward." Also he sometimes will grip the dog in the neck to simulate a correction bite the dog would get from the pack leader.

The best show I saw was when a couple had this aggressive/ territorial dog. He asked for a leash and told them he would go into the back yard and get the dog to take it for a walk. They thought for sure he was going to get torn up. Well, he slowly cornered the dog, using pool chairs and other things until finally the dog got the message who was in charge. He looped the leash on the dog and brought it back. The owners were totally stunned.

Cesar's Web Site

[Ditter]

Interesting books, I'll look for them. I have only had one dog I could not control, a very mean Jack Russel Terrier. I put him down in '04 at age 14 because he went insane. If he had weighed more than 15 lbs I would have put him down a lot sooner.

[CajunConservative]

I have a female German Shepherd and if I don't continually maintain my authority over her she would take charge in a heart beat.

His techniques work well with juvenile delinquent snots too. It's all about commanding authority through tone of voice and stance. If they smell fear you are toast. That goes for the kids and the dogs. ;)

[iPod Shuffle]

The Monks have a lot of good info. You're right, they do stress the importance of establishing a bond with your dog, and give many tips for that.

[pcottraux]

I watch Ceasar Millan's show sometimes. He is really good. I could definitely use him for my dog.