There was the time when the dog was running around the front of the really large tractor and biting at the wheels trying to herd the tractor while it was moving forward.

Since timing is extremely important for corrections, it’s just not feasible for the owner to stop the tractor, get un-strapped if he has like a seatbelt (not really sure), jump off the tractor, and then go correct the dog.

That and the dog’s behavior was extremely dangerous to its life. Those cases are few and far between. Most of the time what he does is turn the leash into a slip lead, and with his dogs he says all he uses is the little nylon animal control leads and nothing else, which to me shows he MUST really be the Dog Whisperer because he still has hands lol

I suspect the woman told me this because she thinks the slip lead is cruel (thinking of it as a choke chain basically), and only for animal control purposes, but I agree with you about the halti. I had point out to me how in addition to how it jerks the neck, it also since they pull from the right side, the strap can put pressure on the eye/eyelid.

Fully agree with you about the last paragraph above the conclusion sentence. It can also cause trachea problems as well, and is just not fun for the dog. Not just the stress on the neck, but ask the average person how much they would enjoy always having to pull to go where they want to go and never being able to go there. That would cause very severe psychological problems. Dogs have the benefit where they want to please you, and want to follow you, and if you get their respect and become the pack leader, then they’re living a life doing what they want to do, instead of always fighting to do what they can never do.

One example is when he pointed out that using a prong collar on a wolf-hybrid was working against the owners’ goals, because it was actually putting more drive into the dog that they were trying to calm down.

In either case, I always see him take the time to clearly explain the principles behind the tools. Why a prong collar – despite its medieval appearance – is actually a very humane tool when used properly. In my opinion, much more humane than a chain-slip (aka “choke chain”) collar. Same with an e-collar, most people have no idea what the principles are behind that tool. They think it’s all about “shocking” the dog, which when used correctly is not. Like you said – it’s not necessarily about the tool, but almost exclusively about the energy & knowledge behind it.

Looking at your slip lead example – is there a specific reason this person suggested a flat collar or Halti? Personally speaking – I can tell you a Halti is probably the most dangerous tool out there. It’s responsible for countless neck injuries & even deaths (ask any good vet tech about them), but ONLY because they were used improperly. And to be fair, I know people that use them with great success as well.

Not to sidetrack too far on the collar subject, but to me – watching someone allow a dog to pull-pull-pull on a flat collar for its entire life, choking and wheezing and putting all the consistent pressure on its throat – is what I would consider abusive. I’d much rather see a dog on a loose lead and corrected with a training collar 2% of the time, vs. seeing a dog on a tight lead, with pressure on it’s throat 98% of the time.

Anyways – good discussion & comments.

I was told by someone recently that I should not be using a slip lead on my dog, that I should only use either a regular collar or a halti. I felt really like bullied almost, and I kind of feel like if people find that something works for them, why make it a negative experience by telling them you can’t use that because it’s cruel in the opinion of some people.

The most important thing is the energy the people have and how they act around the dogs, which is already usually in need of much help. lol

Very good post, especially your last paragraph.

The trap that I worry about people getting caught in here (and not you specifically, Alex) is the same one that Cesar fans are speaking out against. Specifically, people confusing “positive-only” with “positive methods”. Let’s be careful not to lump together positive-based techniques with the “positive methods and NOTHING else” crowd. Positive methods are indispensable in the overall training and handling of any dog.

A good point you make is the fact we almost never (if ever) see any critics of Cesar compare him to other behaviorists – he is only compared to trainers. To be fair, to the average dog enthusiast a trainer and a behaviorist are one in the same. In reality there is a big difference, even though is of course overlap. In the context of behavior modification, training can be considered a tool in the rehabilitation process. When discussing training, we can’t truly train a dog until we help that dog achieve and maintain a balanced state of mind.

Honestly this is one of those endless discussions – similar to Rep vs. Dem, Mac vs. Windows, Carnivore vs. Vegetarian… I really like to advocate the “middle way”, or “BT” (balanced training), because it doesn’t exclude any techniques and it allows for more flexibility for any given dog / situation.

This is a great example of exactly why Cesar is so great, and why I think he is revolutionizing the way people look at dogs, not taking training back years as the positive-only crowd suggests.

What I notice is that frequently when someone is against something many times there’s this misconception about the ideas they are condemning. In this case Cesar is always lumped in as a “dog trainer” and that is simply not what he is. He was that for a short while when he came to America but he did not like it. Read his book people. Like Prego, it’s in there!

This is why I don’t think people really take the chance to get to know what Cesar is about before they just start to condemn him without taking a good long look at the materials that are openly out there for all the public to absorb.

Whenever the subject of dog training comes up he usually defers to 3rd parties. He has his trainer friend from LA, and then there’s the one trainer for the UK, and two other trainers I believe that basically direct the course of “Sit and Stay: The Cesar Way” while he points out the most important things that the trainer is doing and how this is affecting the dog energy-wise and stuff like that.

Honestly though I always thought it was really stupid when people put a dog down for biting someone else, from since I was a little kid. Kids know best, and they’re rarely shy about telling you what they think. Ever had a situation where a kid asks you why about something, and then the adult has a response, then the kid says “Well why did you do it in this situation?” and then like the adult pretty much has no answer, and just makes something up so the kid understands why that situation is more complicated than that or what not. In reality WE make that situation more complicated. The kid sees it for what it is.

In fact, kids asking why is a form of what I call the sacred question, and if you keep asking why over and over again you will get to the truth.

It’s sad when I hear “This dog will never get along with other dogs,” or “This dog just doesn’t like dogs,” or “This dog just doesn’t like that dog.” I’ve seen proof many times over that these statements are wrong. They are based in human psychology. I also hate when I hear “All [breed here] are [attribute here] and you’ll never get them to stop [attribute].” That’s exactly like saying that All of anything are a certain way. It’s an ultimate attribution error, and it’s not just dogs. How many people here have heard “all men are pigs,” or “women can’t drive.” Those statements are both equally ridiculous. There millions of men and women on the Earth, you can’t say this about EVERY SINGLE ONE. Same with dogs.

I don’t buy the negative comments about Cesar or against corrections in training. I have a female foster that came with two pups at my house now. When I watch her I see Cesar and what he teaches. She corrects the pups with calm confident energy. She is never angry or abusive but definitely corrects the pups quickly and at the level they need. Often with just a growl the first time but then with a nip. If the behavior continues a harder nip is coming. The pups learn quickly from her in this way and aren’t afraid of her and don’t suffer any emotional problems because of these corrections. These are confident little well adjusted pups and she is a great mother.

I think Cesar is doing more for dogs than any other person in history. He is educating so many people about fulfilling their dogs need first instead of just making dogs into little furry kids to fulfill human needs. I know many people that have used and are using Cesar’s methods to save dogs that would be put down otherwise.

Cesar’s way is a philosophy of living– If you remove the “dog” element from his teachings it will still vastly improve your life, and it’s not like it’s the only way or only approach. There are so many ways to get to the same place that Cesar takes you! However you get there doesn’t matter, only that you do. But I feel that too many of the posts online that are critical of Cesar fail to see it as a philosophy at all. They don’t even scratch the surface of what he teaches. They just see a man giving a dog a negative correction and stop right there and cry cruelty.

This causes the most important factors of his teachings to be lost on those criticisms and articles because really it’s all about YOUR ENERGY and CONFIDENCE and PACK LEADERSHIP. It is not about leash corrections or what have you. Those are only a tool. Ex: If verbal corrections work then you don’t need leash corrections. You use the tools that work but the most important thing is the INTENT and ENERGY behind those tools.

I am so grateful to him for publishing his thoughts, techniques and “Way” into print. I have changed my energy and behavior….my older son has really gotten into working with the dogs, and for the first time in a really long time is feeling good about himself.

Cesar has mentioned more than once that you CAN use positive-only methods, such as treats, IF this works successfully for your dog. He does not deny the place of positive-ony training and NEVER speaks negatively of those trainers that only use these methods. His method embraces the WHOLE person, as pack leader and their dog. I am grateful for his example and knowledge and his integrity in believing in the wonderful work he is accomplishing and NOT getting beat down by all the negativity that is constantly thrown his way…an which Victoria Stilwell is quite guilty of.

I grew up with “farm” dogs. I put this in quotes because of the mentality behind the term. I was a child. My parents were good to the dog. He was fed twice a day. He had his own heated dog house. He was a Border Collie and helped my dad around the farm.

Skipper never ran off, never found the need to “chase” anything, and would wait for my father to come out in the morning and follow him to the door when he came in at night. But the dog was never allowed in the house. As a kid, I saw nothing wrong with this. The dog was loved. But now, I know, that while Skipper endured the nights alone, he didn’t have to be left outside.

I grew up. Got a job, bought a house, wanted a dog. So Sammy, a border collie mix joined my family of one. Got him from a shelter. Was told he’s a great dog. And they didn’t lie…he IS a great dog. But not for the inexperienced dog owner. Of course, I grew up with dogs, so doesn’t that mean I’m experienced?

Within three days, I had first hand experience of what an “experienced dog” owner really means. I recognized immediately how lucky I was as a kid to have a dog like Skipper. Because Sammy is NOTHING like Skipper was. I purchased every tool there was to get this dog “trained”. And while things helped…I never felt I could trust him 100%. Me and Rudy were being held hostage by our inability to understand each other. I was frustrated and ready to surrender him…until…

I contacted a local shelter. The Raccoon Valley Animal Rescue changed not only my dog’s life, but mine too. And they did it because they use Cesar’s Way. I had no clue of what I was about to do to my dog, nor did I ever think that my actions, my energy, my stress, my happiness, my emotions, would affect my dog’s behavior. And when challenged by one of their trainers, on how much exercise I give my dog, I lost…hands down. I had all the answers in regards to Sammy, I knew my dog’s behavior better than anybody, so I thought. But Raccoon Valley didn’t focus on the dog…they focused on me. I don’t consider myself a weak anything, but I learned quickly I was a weak leader. Weak, simply because I was all about loving my dog, in human form, not creating boundaries or offering my dog the stability that a leader should offer. We discussed rules, boundaries, leadership. I was shown ways to practice this leadership in what some might call insignificant acts. Yet, these small acts, like making Sammy sit at the door instead of letting him charge ahead of me, make a world of difference for both of us.

One home visit, two books and three DVD’s later, I am the leader to one happy and content dog. I no longer fear that Rudy will not respond to his recall. I no longer fear I’ll find my house torn apart by a bored dog (of course I thought he was mad because I left him alone.) And I have more of a companion in this dog then I set out for. But the most amazing part of it all, is the change that happened for myself.

One bold, but caring organization, taught me that balance in my own life, can give me balance in my world, including my best friend. I can attest hands on, that Cesar Millan’s techniques and philosophy empower anyone who opens their mind to his way. He has a gift with dogs that many of us will never achieve. But we CAN achieve confidence, balance and a bond with our dogs that we may never know with people, because dogs want it! They accept it, or at least Sammy does.

I choose Cesar…hands down. And I choose those who support him. Check out the Raccoon Valley Animal Rescue, too! That rescue is one rescue doing great things for dogs (and other animals, too).

M. Roberts & Rudy.

The thing is the anti-Cesar people are so charged with the negative energy of hating Cesar that they are not going to watch the show, and even if they do, they are going to already have the expectation that Cesar is abusive and so they will find that everywhere they look. Expectations can be a real killer. Here’s a pretty good article that explains about expectations:

http://tombrown3rd.blogspot.com/2009/12/hazards-of-expectations.html

These people really need to go into watching Dog Whisperer with an empty cup. Without bias, but I really don’t think this will ever happen. To me Cesar’s teachings are more philosophy and spirituality than anything else. It’s all about mastering that calm-assertive way of being. This is something completely absent in all anti-reviews of Cesar’s methods. All they focus on are the corrections or on videos in which they take advantage of what something looks like without sound and without context ,and with an idea of what that is already injected into their heads.

but yes I know all too many animal lovers think animals are weak and need our protection even from the air that we breathe, and as such any kind of disciplinary action is considered evil or wrong.

I agree in my case I would need to call Cesar, as we always have a pack of foster dogs here, and think they need the energy and natural way of being to establish harmony.

Great opportunity…good blog.
Charlie Sprocket is a goldendoodle in our Dock Diving club that is spectacular. Go to http://www.mokandockdogs.com to see him

Cesar often says we get the dog we need and not the dog we want. I see that a lot with my foster situations. It really helps you to learn and grow. The interesting thing is that Cesar’s Way has worked with all of them! Right now I have a shih tzu. When I met him Saturday he sat in his kennel and growled. I waiting for him to come to me and within minutes (using what I have learned from Cesar) he came up to me (growling, peeing, and wagging his tail). Within a few more minutes I seemed to be his best friend! I was able to bathe him and even cut burrs away from his face! All it took was patience, calmness, and letting him come to me on his own terms.

I live with my 4 dogs (labrador retriever, golden lab, chow/shepherd, and yorkie) and a foster or two. Without Cesar I would never have been able to do this. This is not to say that I would never use Victoria’s methods ( I just lost some respect for her). They are for different purposes. Cesar’s Way is a way of life. Victoria teaches training methods. My vet told me when I got my lab not to train him using treats, he should listen because he respects me. I used treats to reinforce when I began obedience training, but they really aren’t needed anymore.

To answer the question above (“who would you call?”) fairly – well to put it simply, it all depends on what our goals are. We’re looking at two different things: dog psychology and dog training. Yes, there is always overlap on both sides: part of solving behavior problems in dogs often involves training, and, to successfully train a dog to do anything we first need the dog to be in a balanced, stress-free state of mind and engaged with / focused on the handler.

Educating people about pack structure and pack drive in dogs in my opinion is something every single dog owner would absolutely benefit from. I think the average person doesn’t appreciate just how much pack drive affects behavior in dogs, and how most unwanted behaviors are related to the absence of strong and clear pack leadership. This is part of a dog’s genetic makeup, it’s hard-wired into their DNA and when their needs as a species are not met, that’s when things can go south quickly. Cesar clearly explains how this happens in a way that people can understand and relate to.

Another thing about Cesar is the misconception that he only relies on “negative reinforcement” (an often misunderstood term). I can tell you as someone that has followed the show for years that there is an absolute balance of techniques, and his approach is always based the particular dog / situation he is working with. It is what is best described as “extreme middle of the road” (to quote Pat Parelli, “The Horse Whisperer”). In the last three seasons I’ve probably seen him utilize food / toy rewards equally, if not more so, than using corrective methods.

A quick note about corrections in training / behavior modification – Cesar is a master with timing and knowing when and when not to apply corrections, and at what level, based on the temperament / drive / nerves of a dog. His corrections are always, 100% of the time, fair. You will never see an unfair correction used or advocated by him, and this is a very important point. Knowing how and when to match a dog’s energy to quell unwanted – and in many cases – dangerous behavior, is an art as much as it is a science. He goes to great lengths to explain this clearly.

One last thing to keep in mind about Cesar is that he is frequently working with dogs that have no where else to turn. Specifically, these dogs have already been through numerous trainers with no success, as their owners will attest. Many cases are not simply about charging doors or begging for food or crate anxiety. He is often called out to help people whose dogs are displaying true dog-dog and dog-human aggression. Or anxiety that is actually putting the dog’s life at risk, or at the very least going to cause this dog to be surrendered or worse. He doesn’t give up on these guys, never passes them on elsewhere, and always seems to find a way to solve the issue.

I think on the training side of the fence, clicker and “marker” training is a tremendously powerful tool. It is by far the best and easiest way to shape and build complex behaviors in dogs. When you see a service dog that is helping its owner by carrying out a multi-step task, or an agility dog flying around a crazy obstacle course with grace, or champion obedience dog that seems psychically connected to its handler – these are just a few examples of what clicker / marker training can bring to your training.

I think Stilwell demonstrates the principles and practices of this fairly well, and for the most part applies them to practical, household type situations. I have a few criticisms in the way of her not explaining certain training tools in a fair and realistic way, and many times I feel doesn’t give the full explanation of how a tool or technique can be used effectively. There have been a few instances of mis-reading dogs & situations in my opinion, but for the most part she does a good job at providing the average dog owner different outlets and ideas to get some training done and solve some basic everyday dog problems. Another thing I’ve seen from her is she tends to be blatantly honest with dog owners about where they’re going wrong, which I think can be a good thing in this day and age.

So I think there’s room for both, and for most people it’s going to come down to a subjective choice. Personally speaking, I’ve gained a ton of knowledge and insight from Cesar and I can’t think him enough for that. Stilwell does her thing in her own way, and that’s great too. It’s all about picking and choosing proven techniques and advice from a lot of different professionals, and having an open mind to explore what works best for you as individual.

Keep what you like and what works, throw out what doesn’t, and by doing that you’re creating your own style & success with your dogs.

All my dogs in the past always loved catching the water from the garden hose, but my most favorite dog, Shadow, a black german shepherd, liked it but kept getting closer to the handle, until it ended up, he was going after my hand also, and that HURT!

I tried what I had seen Cesar do on his show. I told Shadow to stay and walked away with the hose. As soon as he got up, I walked over to him, assertively, and pointed at him. He immediately, laid back down. Never had a problem with him after that! Was so shocking how all those years, yelling did nothing, but it only took 1/2 minute, doing it the right way, and he knew exactly what I did NOT want him to do!

Thanks to Cesar! He is the man!!!

But in both cases, fairness and equal concern for every member of the pack, human or dog, is key. There can be no favorites but individual interaction with anyone who comes under your influence moment by moment.

Thank you for all the information as I am sure applications abound in other areas of life–including personal and social!!!!