An outcry over 'Dog Whisperer'
In certain dog-training circles, it takes something approximating courage to make the following statement, but what the hell:
Cesar Millan is not the anti-Christ.
It might surprise the average dog-owning Joe or Jane to know that there is a maelstorm of hostility over the star of National Geographic's "Dog Whisperer." On dog-centric e-mail lists, his advocacy of collar pops and alpha-rolls has led positive trainers - who advocate reward-based training instead of coercion - to verbally eviscerate him with a ferocity that belies the training maxim of "Reward what you like, and ignore the rest." The American Humane Association has called his training techniques "inhumane, outdated and improper." Even the kindly Nebraskans at SitStay.com felt compelled to put a disclaimer beneath his bestseller, "Cesar's Way," noting that they offer it for sale "because we want to turn you on to something better ... positive dog training."...
An outcry over 'Dog Whisperer' - Newsday.com
technorati tags:dog, whispering
8 Comments:
Cesar is awwsome! I love that show!
I have seen Cesar's television show several times, and the process he uses does NOT consitute abuse in ANY form. His use of a "choke chain" is soley to help dogs become acclimated to appropriate behavior vs. non-appropriate behavior.
I have seen and recognized, first hand, dogs abused by the use of choke chains and other 'training' methods, and Cesar does not engage in torture or mistreatment of animals in any way.
Cesar 'rewards' the dogs he trains with compassionate and positive actions, such as stroking, affirmation, and loving contact.
I have noticed that the television families of canine companions Cesar has helped have nothing but the highest praise for him and his methods, and have noticed dramatic and positive changes in their animals' behavior. And, I imagine there are many more people (not been featured on his series) who have contacted him for help and have a plethora of success stories to share.
I checked the web and have found only two sites that condemn Cesar; one is based on a lawsuit brought by "...Makeda Smith, of Jazzmyne Public Relations and her partner, Foster Corder, of Daughters 2 Feed Films, for copyright infringement, breach of contract and breach of confidential relationship. The National Geographic Channel, MPH Entertainment, Inc and Emery/Sumner Productions, LLC are also defendants named in the complaint". This complaint, obviouisly, has NOTHING to do with Cesar's method of dog handling.
The other site I found critical of Cesar was Salon.com, asserting that his methods are 'sexist' in origin, charging that women, by their maternal nature, tend to coddle and cater to their animals (as well as their children), thus rewarding the dog's bad behavior.
I suggest that anyone, female or male, who agrees with this viewpoint, should check out "woodviolet"'s opinion on the subject (at Salon.com) for a thoughtful and insightful post.
I think we can all agree every one of us, male or female, is an individual, and thus capable of nurturing or disciplining in their own fashion. To make a blanket generalization stating essentially that Cesar is sexist and 'blames' women for using their maternal nurturing instinct rather than discipline is absurd; I have seen his show enough to observe that he lays the responsibility of the dogs' problem behavior squarely on the shoulders of the person/people who contribute to the unacceptable behavior patterns, explaining thoroughly the rationale for his observations.
I, myself, have used a few of Cesar's methods (the ones that applied to my dog's specific problem behaviors), and have had great success. My canine companion is much more relaxed around myself and my family, has learned the basic commands without us having to resort to yelling, anger, coersion or mistreatment of any kind.
As a result, he is a much happier dog, his behavior issues have disappeared, and our family is completely supportive of his positive changes.
For those of you who judge Cesar Millan on what you hear, and not on what you see on tv, experience using his methods, or on the compliments posted on the internet, I ask you to do some REAL research on his methods before you start throwing stones.
You are so great, and have given the dog lovers and owners just one more reason to love their pet. Keep on teaching us humans!!!!!!
Love You!!!!
This is the first time I have come to this site and I am shocked at this read. I a first time pup owner and look to The 'Dog Whisperer' for advice on my Westie's digging practice. Upon reading this I had to write this response. I have gone to Petco for my Phoebe's treats etc. and in looking into walking leads discovers they do not carry what he recommends. But do carry totally inhuman leads. I know the difference the salesperson showed me what the one lead does to her wrist when used incorrectly. His methods of training are what finally showed me that I can train a pup and therefore I now have the companion I have always wanted...if she would just stop digging I would be in cloud nine.
This is the first time I have come to this site and I am shocked at this read. I a first time pup owner and look to The 'Dog Whisperer' for advice on my Westie's digging practice. Upon reading this I had to write this response. I have gone to Petco for my Phoebe's treats etc. and in looking into walking leads discovers they do not carry what he recommends. But do carry totally inhuman leads. I know the difference the salesperson showed me what the one lead does to her wrist when used incorrectly. His methods of training are what finally showed me that I can train a pup and therefore I now have the companion I have always wanted...if she would just stop digging I would be in cloud nine.
I have hired a professional dog trainer to work with my rescue Peke. His "reward" methods worked somewhat but if I kept it up, she'd be really FAT in no time. I like Cesar's methods & I am dealing with a frustrated, agressive dog. I have seen a big difference since I started his methods; also still working on a few things. But overall, she is much better because she now knows that I am the pack leader!
As an owner of two dogs, one 3 years old and one 18 months. Both were unruly until I began watching Cesar's program, before this I could not walk them together. after following Cesar's methods I can now walk them together, they pay attention keep their heads up and don't attempt to chase smaller animals. I am still working on a problem with the younger one, who keeps wanting to have my total attention. But with time and more education on my part. she will become a wonderful pet.
Thank you Cesar, keep on teaching.
I love the show, by watching the dog whisper I have been able to get cotrol of my pack of 10 by becoming the pack leader my dogs are so much more relax and happier, they now have so much more feedom, Cesar is awwsome
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