[MacknCody]

So, I was watching "Dog Whisperer" tonight and Ceasar brought the dog he was working to his rehab center thing to socialize it(I guess). The dog freaked when he put it in and he alpha rolled it while letting the other dogs crowd him while it was on its side. I dunno about this.

Thoughts?

I'm neutral on "Dog Whisperer", don't agree or disagree-have seen stuff I liked and stuff I didn't. I have to admit though we see the extreme cases with the stupidest people and the weirdest dogs so maybe we don't get the best example of him.

 

[DianaM]

I didn't watch this episode yet but he does manage to have 20+ dogs live in a pack and be at peace with each other. That's pretty impressive. Of course, people are able to do this with foxhounds and in huge numbers, but these are GSDs, mixes, pit bulls, huskies, very small dogs, etc.

If he offered sessions with his pack, I'd go in a heartbeat just have him around all those dogs that I know are under good control and don't tear apart new dogs (at least when he's around).

I do have mixed thoughts on his methods, but you're right- most of the people we see are very strange indeed.

 

[scannergirl]

I love learning about all the methods that are out there, and drawing my own conclusions. For me a training method must work within the physical requirements of the animal, (example- horses learn differently than dogs and must be trained differently) must NOT be abusive in any way, must improve the relationship I have with the animal and not degrade it, and must be effective.
My Cesar Milan books will arrive tomorrow and then I'll have more knowledge to draw from. But I know what I don't want, and that's an animal to do what I want because he's afraid not to.
He's gotta wanna.

 

[pinkanml]

Hey Diana, you could come work with me! We always have openings for dog pack supervisors at the daycare. You'd be in charge of 20-30 big dogs, all breeds and ages. It's challenging at first, but you get the hang of it fast. I can have all 25 dogs lying down and napping (I'm an old pro, lol). I think there is no better way to learn everything about pack behavior, social behavior, body language, etc. than by being surrounded by all those dogs (armed with nothing but a leash and a water squirt bottle).

Some things you can learn from a book or tv, but nothing replaces the real thing.

 

[onyx'girl]

I would love to work at a daycare for dogs! There is one nearby, but I don't think the pay would be what I make now. It is a busy place though...and my car will be paid off in two more payments!!
I personally think Cesar has a place in the dog world, and not everyone agrees w/ his methods. He only did the alpha roll in extreme cases, and I bet he has re-thought that over the last year. There haven't been any new episodes lately(writers strike??) but I think in the future we will see a more peaceful, positive way in his techniques. In his new book he admits there are better ways of handling certain situations than he did on some of the old episodes of his show. After reading Monty Roberts The Horse Listener, the horse and dog training are similar in some ways, the animal does things because he wants to, not because of fear or consequences. One though, is prey animal and the other has the prey drive.

 

[Liesje]

I'm neutral on him. I don't think I'd ever hire him or let him touch my dogs, but my dogs are very well-mannered and easily trained, definitely not the tough cases he is known for. I do not agree with his methods, since it seems he uses primarily physical corrections and lots of flooding, neither of which I use. However, there is something to be said about having a stable pack of FORTY dogs!

I have seen inexperienced people try to emulate him and do more damage to their dog. I try not to hold it against him since he always has disclaimers on his show. I really wish he would focus the show more on HIS dogs that he has rehabbed and less on showing what he does with other peoples' dogs. I think John Q Public sees that and then thinks they can repeat it with their own dog after just watching TV for 25 minutes.

Personally, I tailor my methods based on the individual dog and the individual behavior we are trying to achieve. I consider myself very novice and I don't like to try anything without the guidance of a trainer I trust. I don't really read dog books and try those things on my own dogs. If I have a problem or want to try something new, I talk to the trainers first and generally they will recommend specific materials or loan them to me. So, I cannot really judge Milan because I don't have a troublesome dog and I won't judge him without actually SEEING him work with dogs, not some edited TV show that's become somewhat of a fad.

Oh, and where dog TV shows are concerned, I much prefer Victoria Stilwell "It's Me or the Dog".

 

[dOg]

Behaviorists don't much care for Cesar. His psychology doesn't fit the science. They bemoan his old school ways take us back decades, and have begged NG to kill this program.

That said, as clueless as his clients are, he probably does more good than harm for them, though he probably has been bitten and had more failures than we'll ever see.

But it's not rocket science to say a tired dog is a good dog, and more exercise will improve misbehaviors. Nor that leadership is important, and treating dogs like humans is ill-advised.

Abscent of anything worth your time on TV, it's entertainment. The commercials about the show DURING the show are pretty redundant and asinine too.

He's laughing all the way to the bank though, so is National Geographic. That's show biz!

 

[BucksMom]

Originally Posted By: LiesjeOh, and where dog TV shows are concerned, I much prefer Victoria Stilwell "It's Me or the Dog".

I just love watching her show!!! She has good insight and seems to get good results.

 

[bearlasmom]

i love Czar and the guy from 'im at the end of my leash'
did anyone see him handle the large black german shepherd who would snarl and bark at people who came into the home. He walked in there, and told them to let the dog GO, it charged at him and what does he do? He charged it! Right across the room and up the stairs until he had it cowering in a corner. he didnt raise a hand to it except to grab it and stare it down.

 

[Guest]

It's a good thing there's that disclaimer on his shows or THAT one would be certain to cause him liability sooner or later and my guess is sooner.

 

[CWhite]

HI,
I love his show. I have the first two seasons on DVD. I have watched the first season and I am in the process of watching the second season.

So far the second season (in my opinion) is better than the first. He addresses the following issues: (lack of supervision at) dog parks and badly behaved little dogs. I loved it when he stated that if big dogs acted the way little dogs did, it would be considered and "issue". He also addressed the fact that people seem to encourage the out-of-control behavior in little dogs because they think it is cute.

My favorite episode so far is the one with "Shep" the dominant GSD.

 

[CWhite]

Here is the thing with Cesar. I noticed his cases are extreme cases of stupidity.

Gucci: pomeranian whose mate Prada died. Gucci received $150.00 worth of toys (weekly). If owners sat to watch TV she barked incessantly, so they got up and went to bed.

Chihuahua from ****( I don't remember the dogs name): Mother put the dogs needs ahead of her son. If the son came near the mother - dog lunged and bit him. Cesar became infuriated with this idiotic owner.

Some cases are people who are trying, but do not know what to do.

 

[meganktar]

I watch his show every once in a while. I can't say it is the greatest, like a few other people on here I prefer It's Me or the Dog a lot more. I think the biggest reason for that is the owners don;t seem as stupied. She is also more intrested in working with the dogs and owners, not just blaming the owners for not being dominate enough. Again I haven't seen a huge amount of episodes of The Dog Wisperer so I may be wrong.

 

[DianaM]

Quote: Chihuahua from ****( I don't remember the dogs name): Mother put the dogs needs ahead of her son. If the son came near the mother - dog lunged and bit him. Cesar became infuriated with this idiotic owner.

Oh gawd THAT one... Son would get attacked and Momma would never protect her son! If my dog ever nailed my kid like that, you can bet that the dog would rue the day for the rest of its life. Then again, I'm smart enough to NOT let that happen in the first place. So yes, Cesar deals with some complete morons.

Jessica, if I ever take a vacation to Virginia, I'll bring Renji and we can "throw him to the wolves!"

 

[blackbirdzach]

I have mixed feelings on his show as well. I DO like that he teaches people to read the dogs body language and he spends more time working with the people than the dogs. I use a lot of his methods, but not all...just like I use a lot of the Monks of New Skete's methods, but not all. I read a lot of material and use what I need in the real world where I think that it applies.

 

[big_dog7777]

Just like virtually anything else, there is good and not so good in his methods. Take from it what you like, leave the rest. At the very least his show entertains me.

 

[JanH]

I think he does understand dogs. His methods I understand some don't like but he does seem to get results.
That said, both horses and dogs it seems "whisperers" get the results so people imitate them...and people imititating do so without the understanding of WHY they're doing it...or the ability to read the animal's body language...then get in trouble. I've picked up some good things from all three of those mentioned - don't get the channel to watch Cesar anymore but the early shows I saw he does seem to get through to the dog. While it's true that it's not rocket science to exercise the dog and treat a dog like a *dog*, it seems so many people do just that. They humanize the dog and end up in trouble because the dog isn't human - and reads different things into what the person does.

I enjoy his shows...don't 100% agree with most people but can learn from them.

 

[Lakeguy929]

There was recently an episode where a couple called on Caesar because their dog was afraid of the sound of their shop air compressor, wish I had that as the biggest problem in my life..... jeeeeeez.

 

[Liesje]

Originally Posted By: Lakeguy929There was recently an episode where a couple called on Caesar because their dog was afraid of the sound of their shop air compressor, wish I had that as the biggest problem in my life..... jeeeeeez.

I remember that. Wasn't that the dog that he said had really good energy? Like he couldn't believe they were going to complain about the dog because it was so well behaved and indifferent towards him when he sat down?

 

[zyppi]

I can just imagine the average pet owner imitating some of his practices --- consequences many not a be a pretty picture for either owner or dog.