Against Cesar Milan: Top Articles

I'm certainly not a dog training expert. But, still I'm smart enough to know that Cesar Milan's training methods are wrong for the everyday dog owner. He doesn't stress positive training methods. He wants busy homeowners to walk their dogs for 60 minutes every day. How impractical is that?

I'll say it again: I do agree that we don't give our dogs enough exercise, or discipline. But there are better ways to train than choking a dog until his eyes roll to the back of his head.

A lot has been written about him...mostly negative from the experts. Following is a collection of my favorite articles/posts on the why you shouldn't emulate his methods.

Jean Donaldson, Director of The SF/SPCA Academy for Dog Trainers andauthor of "Culture Clash" -
Donaldson says, "I am... along with my colleagues here at The San Francisco SPCA, somewhat agog at the stunning success of 'The Dog Whisperer'".

American Humane Association - this article says that Milan's methods are "inhumane, outdated and improper.

Esquire Magazine - Misguided Expert of the Year - author Curtis Pesmen quotes several leading experts who think Milan's methods are wrong.

Bark Magazine editor Pat Miller's review of "Cesar's Way" - Miller not only disagrees with Milan's methods but asserts how unhelpful his book is at giving advice. She writes there are no clear steps for dog owner's to follow, a point I made in a former post on this blog.

I've always thought that the National Geographic brand stood for high standards, quality and truth. Why, even with many letters to them from experts admonishing Milan's tactics, do they continue to broadcast his show? I know, I know...it sells.

Comments

[Carl]

A Dogs's Life blog (mainetoday.com/pets/dogslife) in Maine agrees with your analysis.

[Jim Hodges]

I do not necessarily agree with everything that Cesar does but some of the "experts" you quote are as wrong as he can be at times.

There is a fine balance needed with dogs. Dogs are not humans, but pack animals. They instinctively gravitate to the pack formula. Dogs do not see and feel sympathy and empathy ... that is a form of weakness to a member of the pack.

Humans should lead and should lead humanely. It is not just about giving a dog a food treat and "hope" he obeys. Discipline "may" be needed, but in a very humane consistent way.

I will agree on one thing about the show. I do think people will get the wrong idea and hurt themselves or their dogs by imitating what they see on the show. One woman actually got bit by her dog following Cesar's direction.

If you have an aggressive dog, see a professional. Have that professional provide references as well.

[buddy]

If you watch the show on a regular basis, you'll see that Milan usually just restrains dogs with his hands or firmly (not harshly) with a leash. One episode shows him holding a leash to gain control of a dog which was unbelievably aggressive. The dog was choked when he went ballistic and fought the leash. The owners of the dog had fostered around 40 dogs and this was the first they couldn't handle. Without some sort of rehabilitation, the dog would have been euthanized.

Most of the time Milan is able to control a dog with body language and a "shh".

[Toni]

The people who disagree with Cesar Milan's dog rehabilitation methods are undoubtedly those who have not owned dogs for long; have read fewer than two books on the subject; or themselves own dogs that are, in all likelihood, unbalanced in terms of contentment. People like Cesar Milan, horse trainer John Lyons, Australia's Steve Irwin, or Horse Whisperer's Monty Roberts are successful because they CARE about the psychology and well-being of the animals they deal with. They've cultivated their own experiences into workable training methods. The folks who like to express their shallow opinions of these people ought to, instead, complain about the hundreds of puppy mill owners who are TRULY ignorant, cruel, and money-hungry.

[Kelly]

Cesar Milan has saved many pets from having to face the death penalty. So many of the owners are at their end, and feel the last thing to do is to put the pet down.
He does not deal with the "everyday" dog owner. He deals with the ones that are having issues that need to be corrected so they can become an everyday dog owner.
Obviously, what works for one dog, may not work for the next.....just like in real psychology.
He doesn't slobber all over the animals and pamper them like babies, when he's rehabilitating them. The focus is on rehabilitation for the animals so that the owners will have peace in their homes.
The time for giving them affection has to come at the right time, to help these dogs with their situations.
He's not perfect, and I'm sure he's failed in certain attempts, but he's the best I've seen!

[Stacey]

I am continually amazed when I read these so called "experts" on animal/dog psychology and find their frame of reference is clinical and book learned-I'm sure very few have really observed or been exposed to the true issues that people have with their dogs. The back-lash against Cesar Milan is ludicrious and likely bred out of simple jealousy: that he was able to accomplish what these "experts" cannot despite all the letters after there names.

I know his techniques work because I have used them & let me tell you I would NEVER harm my dogs. I love them like they were my children & initially that was part of the problem. I have never beat, choked, hit, or otherwise abused my dogs EVER and I don't see how what Cesar does is abusive. If anything he is telling dog owners to treat their dogs right instead of misguided love & affection which breeds unhappiness and bad behaviours in them because they need to be dogs not people...

If people are so idiotic that they will harm their dogs from watching Cesar (which he never advocates) and think that snapping your fingers, saying "shhhhst" and giving your dog lots of exercise is abuse. Its like people who are feeding & spoiling their children to obesity & sloth....are we not abusing our dogs by not giving them what they need, letting them bite people and destroy property & eventually putting them down???

We have a pit bull terrier and while we know he is a beautiful loving dog he is but there are others who are waiting for him to make a wrong move and persecute him. Since employing Cesar's techniques to have him more calm submissive, I never worry about what people think of his behaviour or mine as a responsible dog owner. They see he is obdient, under my control at all times and non-aggressive and that it what Cesar does, he gives power back to people to be able to say to themselves, I can control this situation and my dog & I can live a happy life at home & in the outside world together.

I am a HUGE animal rights advocate. I hate to inadvertently step on a spider or an ant & I would never support someone I think is abusing an animal. I think these people must be watching a different show.

These are the same people who actually advocate breed specific legislation, think its ridiculous that he would advocate that dog owners need to walk their dogs at least 60 minutes a day....ummm...hello???? We should just feed them treats, give them praise and socialize them well as puppies right? what about those dogs who didn't get that benefit in puppyhood?

Cesar rehabilitates those dogs too, those unwanted, rough, aggressive, abused dogs as well and gives them a chance at another life.

Our second dog is a rescue dog who was abandonned and badly abused & a nervous wreck when he came to us. Now, with Cesar's techniques, his full blown panic mode when thunderstorms, loud noises, and generally any noise has all but subsided. Now we can take this dog anywhere and while he still gets nervous, he plays and is happy and he feels secure...I think we would still be closer to square one if I was only using treats and positive techniques.

That may work if you get the dog in puppyhood but what happens if you don't? And like people sometimes you have to face your fears learn it won't hurt you and move on!

I am posted a long message but its just I am pretty sick of hearing how Cesar Milan's techniques are barbaric and abusive......its the result of academic elitist jealousy...that some illegal immigrant from Mexico is more popular then they are.

[Janelle]

Cesar Milan is intuitive and caring. He treats every family the same, and all dogs alike. He doesn't bully or inflict pain, he trys to show us how to control and train our dogs...I wonder how many overweight, nonexcerising people he has helped...if his success rate is that of rehab, probably 12% of these animals actually have a postive behavior modification. So what? it's a start...he changed my feelings towards dogs and I'm forever grateful. In the meantime, could you find something else to bark about, and let me watch my Cesar!

[Steven]

I have read various books about training dogs including about a pioneer in the field, Ian Dunbar. The one thing that experts overlook when criticizing Cesar Milan's techniques or television show is that he dogs he come to help are not always purchased or adopted as young puppies. The dogs on his show, most of the aggressive and extremely difficult ones are ones that have been adopted or rescued. These dogs have as we say "baggage" and "issues." Most people do not have the training nor experience to help these dogs adjust to caring and nurturing homes. It is easy to train a 8 week old puppy using the treat and attention methods but when they are older and have bad experiences it is not so easy. In these types of situations Cesar Milan's approach works. One last thing to mention is most of the dog owners turn to Cesar Milan as a last hope. If you listen to the people, they have already been through 2 or more dog trainers, following the methods outlined by these so called experts criticizing Cesar.

[Bill]

Those who criticize Millan emphasize educational credentials, and devalue practical intuitive communication skills acquired through actual and practical experience.

Some dogs will require one form of interaction/communication/guidance, and others will require other forms. Just like humans.

If one cannot intuitively sense, perceive and interact with the individual "personality" of a dog, then one cannot be an effective trainer/psychologist/psychiatrist.
No amount of education or credentials will compensate for such intuitive deficiencies in communication skills.

Millan brings an obviously positive, enthusiastic, optimistic, loving, caring, intuitive, sensitive, experienced and thoughtful energy to his work with dogs. Any viewer who fails to see this obviously lacks the perceptive intuitive skills required to interact with dogs facing behavioral challenges. Their shallowness conveys only one motivating purpose: a horrible, negative, defensive jealousy.

God forbid that any person with such a deficiency would enter a field of providing behavioral services (dog, cat or human).

[Kim Hanson]

Steve, you make a great point. The problem many have, including myself, is that viewers may generalize his methods to all types of training.

Stacey...your comment "its the result of academic elitist jealousy...that some illegal immigrant from Mexico is more popular then they are..." is unfair. the people who disagree with some of his methods have years and years of experience. It doesn't have anything to do with academic elitistism. You're reaching pretty far, in my opion.

[Aprille Palmer]

Why is it that when a person, such as Ceasar Milan takes steps to help people with their problems, has to deal with people critizing his techniques.Saying he is "inhumane" and "cruel" is utterly ridiculous. Bottom line- he understands how dogs interact together.There is a pecking order in all animals even human society. Is it fair? No not always. Does it change the fact that is the way it is? No.To treat animals as if there some human discipline that will work on them is absurd. Have you seen how animals really act with each other? It is inhumane!!! They are not human!Every species that is on earth has their own inheritant way of living. You can not change that fact.You can not treat all living creatures the same.Now abuse is a different story.Nothing deserves to be abused. I have rescued 4 dogs myself and I feel Ceasar has the dogs best interest at heart. We always have those that go to the extreme on views. Like the spanking issue with children(not beating,there is a difference). Look what has happened to our kids today because of lack of discipline.There has to be a balance of control and love(affection) for all situations,that is why the world is in mass chaos today. NO BALANCE!!!!Stopping judgements on people who really are making a difference would be a great start!!!!!

[Karen H]

The responses to this post really amaze me with the assumptions and generalizations.

"Dogs are pack animals." Really? Where is the proof that the domestic dog, a scavenger, lives in a pack? All documented cases of village dogs, those which are not pets, has shown that are not, in fact, pack animals.

"I'm sure very few [experts] have really observed or been exposed to the true issues that people have with their dogs." And your certainty is based on what? What you choose to believe?

As for the jealousy argument - let it go. Professionals are far from jealous of Millan's success. Sometimes there is pity for a man with very little understanding of animals who has put himself in a position to address behaviors that he is grossly underqualified to handle. Those who long for his success try to mimic him, labeling themselves "dog whisperers" and trying to align themself with him and his success. Those who speak against his methods are doing so out of concern for the welfare of the dogs.

Millan is not changing behavior. He is suppressing it. He does not use positive methods - not even praise. He can't even back up his own arguments.

His fans are those who don't know any better and are the target of an aggressive marketing campaign. You are the ignorant, uneducated consumer that the media loves. You soak it all up, you buy the books and the videos and you never expend the amount of energy it takes to learn beyond what they tell you.

I challenge you to get off your couch and learn a little more about the animals you live with.

[Kim Hanson]

Way to go Karen H!!

[Orlando]

The only thing I have to say about this matter is, how many dogs have these so-called experts have put to sleep without trying to understand or correct the issue at hand, so that the dogs can have a healthy and balanced life verses, Cesar's "Inhumane Methods" lol.

[Phil H]

Whether one agrees or disagrees with Cesar Millan's techniques, it is apparent that many dog owners recognize the effectiveness of these same techniques and the successful results of their aplication in many cases. I am forever amused by statements such as "Cesar has set dog training back 40 years!" Humans and dogs have lived together as companions for 10,000 years by some estimates, and I would venture to say that, up until 40 years ago, the predominant training and social interaction between humans and dogs was probably more similar to what Cesar espouses than to what current academia touts. Why is it that each generation of humans believes that "it has discovered the magic formula" for curing some until-then-unidentified failing in human behovior.

Cesar's methods -- when applied correctly and safely -- are vertainly humane. Of course, when someone applies their craft over time, there will always be successes, faliures, and even gaffes. I don't care what one's profession may be; mistakes WILL be made. Those who love to cite the few instances where excessive force might have been applied fail to balance their arguments with the recognition of the MANY successes using the same methods or the extreme situations leading to the alleged harsh treatment. As for the complaint surrounding claims that some owners getting bitten whiile attempting to emulate Cesar with their own dificult dogs, what makes amyone believe that these bites might not have occured under other circumstances? And, did the owners really have contro of their dogs in the first place?

Many critics lament the fact that Cesar is riding on a wave of popular support; yet, they fail to recognize that their preferred training methods are the result of the same style of pop-culture espoused over the course of the most recent few decades -- a "feel-good-about-myself," empathetic, position which strives to remove any sense of owner-remorse resulting from disciplining one's pet and seeing the resulting "sad eyes" flashed at them in response to such discipline.

Finally, to those who feel that dogs do not function as a pack: I can only wonder what experience these people profess to have. I have had first-hand experince with individual abandoned dogs in the past and, in time, these "individuals" eventually fell into wandering packs. I am an owner of two Sibes -- brother and sister -- who truly operate in a pack mentality. All of their behaviors reflect the academic writings describing pack interaction and their treating me as the "alpha." Whether one wishes to believe that dogs are little people or not (sometimes I do), one needs to recognize that dogs are dogs, and a pack is where dogs descend from. If people do not remove/ween puppies from their mothers, I think most experts would agree that the family would certainly funtion as a pack as they grow together.

I could go on and on, but to what end? There are obviously multiple points of view regarding the most effective methods of training dogs. I would even venture to say that some methods work best with certain breeds while other styles are more appropriate for other breeds. No human-derived system can be universally applied for any application, and dog-training is no different.

Me? I subscribe to the theory that what worked for my ancestors works for me and my pets. They are healthy, happy, well-balanced, and love people and other dogs. How did we do it? By using a balanced approach to discipline and excercise (Cesar's style) and love and reward (Ian's style). The key is to take the time to read, read, read many authors, speak to other owners or trainers, and MOST IMPORTANTLY use the methods which are most effective for the dog and the situation.

[Michelle]

I feel that those trainers and behavior experts who are so against Cesar's techniques are in all reality jelous and under educated about his techniques. Cesar all the time on the show is rehabilitating dogs. Dogs that the BEHAVIORIST, vet, TRAINER, friend, lawyer ALL said was hopeless. I walk my 4 big dogs(using Cesar's techniques i must add)and i am only 16. I can now walk them with no problem, even when we walk past the out of control dogs on leashes, hospital crouds, kids at the park. While we're walking i see people and they always say "oh they're so well behaved". They say they watch the show and have tried it but it "doesn't work for their dogs". I tell them to show me. I have found that all of the failures using his techniques were just not doing it right. The trainers who say his methods are ludacris are really being ignorant. A good trainer/behaviorist is open minded and is willing to accept their method might not work for this dog and they need to try something else. Just because your method didn't work for one dog, doesn't mean your methods will never work, and it doesn't mean the dogs need to be put to sleep. I have a German shepherd mix who has a major fear thing with strangers. I have found that if i take him calmly to the door, talk to him, use cookies, and do conditioning exercises with a clicker, that he does much worse. Or not worse i shouldn't say that. He does everything much slower,and is really jumpy. Somedays i just don't have 45 minutes just to make it though a potty break. And since i live in an apartment, the constant people popping out ruins the whole thing with conditioning. In conditioning you're supposed to stay below the point where the dogs uncomfortable. He responds better to me grabbing his leash, not talking to him, and just aiming for what i want. I just walk calmly but confidently past the people, and he responds better. If i act like i've got somewhere to go he cooperates and doesn't even care that the people are over there. Through watching his show, reading his book, and studying other dog psychology stuff, i think his methods are great if you understand them correctly. I have been much more confident and in control of loose dogs, in one incident that knowledge potentially saved my life. Thank you cesar and everyone out there just remember to keep an open mind. Your method is not the only thing that will work, and there will always be pros and cons about every method of training. It just depends on the circumstances.

[Michelle]

Oh, one more thing, and if Cesar is so "inhumane", then why has he rescued 40 dogs that trainers/behaviorists wanted to have put to sleep? No inhumane person rescues dogs. They just don't. It would be stupid on their part because rescueing requires time, passion, money, care, patience, and an understanding and concern for the homeless dogs of America. He was even supporting a spay/neuter event to stop overpopulation in Mexico and now has a foundation to help the rescue groups throught the country. Now tell me that's inhumane. The only inhumane people who have 40 dogs are the horrendous dog fighters in our country. They're who we should be after. Not Cesar.

[Manda]

I'm sorry, Aprille. I have to agree that the "experts" so vehemently against Ceasar's technique might just be alittle jealous of his thunderous rise to fame. I mean, they went through all that work, earning their Ph.Ds in animal medicine and behavior. And along comes this illegal immigrant from Mexico with a show and suddenly everyone is listening to him... not them. What did HE do to "earn the right" the train dogs? Where the hell is HIS diploma huh? Guys?

...

You're response to our comments bothered me. "Dog's are not pack animals"? It disturbs me to think that "experts" in the field today might actually THINK that. Ian Dunbar even went so far as to say that comparing dogs to wolves was like comparing us to chimpanzees. He implyed that, through selective breeding, we have achieved in dogs what millions of years of natural selection has achieved with us. I respect Ian, he's a dog expert and a very good trainer, but I couldn't disagree with him more on this view.

While I would never say that "dogs are really wolves". It cannot at all be denied that wolves and dogs are of the same fabric. That they are pack animals, scavengers, hunters. When stray, they form packs, leave the packs to start their own packs, fight with each other over food, mates, territory. Just like wolves. This is stuff I'd been taught since kindergarten. Dogs came from wolves and the two really are not than differant. They can even interbreed and produce fertile offspring. We cannot do this with chimpanzees.

I think alot of people's problems with Ceasar stem from a misunderstanding. Ceasar is not a dog trainer.... Despite everyone who believes Dunbar should be in Milan's place, Dunbar and Ceasar really cannot be compared. Dunbar is a dog trainer. He's developed wonderful methods of raising puppies and positive reinforcement training. He's written alot of books on the subject. But Ceasar and Dunbar are two completely differant animals. Dunbar is a trainer, He teaches dogs obediance. Ceasar is a dog rehabilitator. He works with unstable and potentially dangerous dogs and rehabilitates them back into normal, stable animals who can THEN go into obediance. Both of them work with the owners themselves as well and both advocate early puppyhood training. But the simalarities really end there.

Whether or not any "qualified" trainer wants to admit it. The energy you project is an enormous part of training. You are calm, you are assertive. Anything other than that will decrease the effectiveness of the training regime quite quickly. Assertive does not mean agressive, which is a mistake ALOT of the trainers cited in the original article like to make. I'm sorry, but they do.

Alot...

Dog's do not speak, they do not think like we do. They are animals of energy. Watch his show, turn off the sound and observe Ceasar's movements, his body language. No one wants to admit that Ceasar understands the dogs he works with. Maybe he understands them alot more than we could possibly ever, and that is why his methods are so hard to comprehend to someone who has devoted their life to trying to understand them through academic dissertation.

Ceasar's methods go against everything these people were ever taught. Does that make it wrong? No, it doesn't. I will relent and say that not everyone will agree with choke collars, alpha wolf rollovers, or leash snapping. Thats his way of getting his point across, I don't think they are required to put his teachings into practice. It is ignorance that leads people to use them improperly, not Ceasar.

Ceasar isn't popular soley because he's "flashy", "sexy" and "charismatic" even though he was blessed with those gifts. His show is popular because it makes sense to people. We watch him walk his pack of forty dogs and a light goes on. Not everyone is blessed with Ceasar's level of confidence and patience. That doesn't mean his methods can't be applied by the adverage person. The adverage person can't maintain control over a pack of forty dogs, he's not expecting us to. He's just trying to help us understand our dogs so we can give them a balanced, peaceful existance. Like a dog. Not a person. Not some animal highly removed and much more complex than its wild cousin.

A dog...

How can you say thats wrong? I'm sorry for making my post so long, but I feel these experts are being very unfair to Ceasar, and perhaps even grasping for straws. When applied correctly and consistantly, his method works. Lots of dogs have Ceasar to thank for being alive today. Think about it.

[Helen]

I do agree, that Milan is a phenomenal dog rehabilitator. I do have 3 dogs and I know, how they can read my mood. They know exactly what they can get away with and when I will tell them to stop. I walk all 3 (Boston Terrier) without a leash. They accept me as there pack leader and that what I want to be, they feel protected and save with me. This is what you get if you are assertive with you dogs. This does not mean, they sleep in my bed and I treat them like my children. (By the way being assertive works also raising kids.)

[MJ]

Oh, good grief. Dunbar, Miller, Pryor, Dennison, McConnell and many other positve trainers are not jealous--they just hate to see dog/human relations set back 50 years! My dogs are NOT dumb enough to think I am a member of their pack--nor do they think the 10 cats in the house are pack members--we are different but live in a peaceful family. I am not, nor do I need to be, "alpha"--a term almost totally misused by those who haven't read recent wolf and dog studies. I am the source of all good things and get cooperation of non-robotic Afghan Hounds easily--works on the cats, too (ps, works on parents, sibs, spouses, bosses, etc). I tried saying SHKKKTT to one of my bitches with my hand in the "curl" at her neck and she looked at me as though I was nuts---well------she is usually right-lol. My dogs go out the door in front of me--in orderly fashion. We don't eat at the same time and they don't bug me when I do eat. Positive reinforcement works--"pack leadership" methods say more about the egos of those using it. At least, he woke up a lot of Americans to the necessity of paying some sort of attention to their animals.

[jeff]

Cesar Milians methods make sense and create results. After watching his show a couple times it immediatley clicked. Everything he teaches does have order to it and it starts with being the leader which is very simple to do. For me myself i found that what he taught was the truth was when i decided to be the pack leader in my family, i live with my aunt and she does not quiet agree with being pack leader and treats our lab/mix like a human or baby. It almost made me laugh when i got results by being leader that our dog immeadiatley knew what to do when i took her for a walk she immeadiatley fell into position as follower. Along with everything else she just knows. With my aunt who the dog doesnt listen to consistantly, she tryed training classes which only do so much. Our dog still does not listen to her consistantly to her, she listens when she wants. When the dog is with her she is in away forced to be leader causing for unhappy dog because thats not who she really is, most dogs are not dominant. They are forced to be because someone has to be and they understand that. Its like trying to be someone your not, its hard to do; and things get out of order. The thing i notice most between me with the dog and others who are not leaders is my dog face when she with me she knows its okay and when were doing anything together you can see fufillment just by looking at my dogs eyes. BE YOUR PACK LEADER

[Nicole]

i have to add to this:

I groom hard to handle dogs only. i am not a business, but i seen a real problem for elderly people and the fact that some are getting racked through the coals. they are told there dog bits and is combative. the dog needs to be taken to the vet sedated and shaved, $200 later and a bad hair cut. these places out here are grooming and dog trainers? then why cant they groom the combative dog and i can? because i use what i have learned from watching Cesar.
1 its not personal, so dont get angery
2 stay calm, the dog will only feed into any thing else
3 use the sound and touch to get there attention
4 use the leash to prevent any bits and to redirect.
5 be patient its going to take as long as its going to take.
6 remove the owner its there energy thats the problem

i have NEVER been mean to any dog but after a few trims all the dogs are fine for me. why? because i took what i learned from Cesar not trying to convince the dog to sit nice for that treat and to PPLEASEE let me trim them. most of the dogs could care less if i was holding a T bone. they dont know me, they dont like me, and i am touching them in very personal areas. but with in mins the dog sees me as someone who is not afraid of there teeth and there posturing means nothing to me. they soon relax and everything go smooth.

one dog i was grooming was very matted and took forever to clean up she would not relax. (partly becuae it hurt and because she hated it) during that time i could not figure out why this dog was the way it was. her owner was a clean freak and i know she gave this dog a bath because experience told me... after hours of dematting and dodging teeth it was time for a bath. that dog was a different dog =0 well the owner was a clean freak and never let the dog get away with bad behavior in the tub (she didnt want her house all wet) so in the tub she was relaxed. so i finished grooming her in the tub. the next groom we started in the tub and finished on the table. she still didnt like it but learned to except it because it stated off and finished good. the point is the owner knew what she wanted from the dog in the tub and made sure the dog knew it but when it came to brushing.... the dog took advantage of her every were in the house except the tub. the owner showed the dog leadership in the tub and it reflexed away from home. and it was done with out bribes treats or begging. i dont bribe my children to do things and i dont beg. my dogs are no different some things are just expected to be good people or good dogs. i dont beat my children and i dont beat my dogs but they both know there boundary's and limitations. so maybe all the people who are against cesar have been blessed with dogs who are easy and dont understand that most dogs need boundary's and limitations. maybe they dont understand how difficult it is not to baby a dog because it could cause large problems. and how hard it is not to pet the scared dog because if it were a person you would tell them it will be ok. but the dog dont understand English (imagine if they could) only body language. and if you feel sorry for the dog the dogs gets worried "why is my person feel that way, whats wrong?" and they make them more worried. or when the aggressive dog is being aggressive, and the person tightens up the leash and the hole body gets tense dog thinks "ok there ready, with there back up i can take that dog on!" you all get the point. oh and by the way i am not trying to change anyones mined. just stating MY opinion.

have a great day
and please dont kill your dog with human emotions. remember we are different but all the same. we all need boundary's and limitations, we all need rules of conduct on how to behave. i dont ask for good behavior i expect it. and i dont except bad behavior by saying "what do you want me to do its a dog/or 2 year old?"

[Nicole]

i have to add to this:

I groom hard to handle dogs only. i am not a business, but i seen a real problem for elderly people and the fact that some are getting racked through the coals. they are told there dog bits and is combative. the dog needs to be taken to the vet sedated and shaved, $200 later and a bad hair cut. these places out here are grooming and dog trainers? then why cant they groom the combative dog and i can? because i use what i have learned from watching Cesar.
1 its not personal, so dont get angery
2 stay calm, the dog will only feed into any thing else
3 use the sound and touch to get there attention
4 use the leash to prevent any bits and to redirect.
5 be patient its going to take as long as its going to take.
6 remove the owner its there energy thats the problem

i have NEVER been mean to any dog but after a few trims all the dogs are fine for me. why? because i took what i learned from Cesar not trying to convince the dog to sit nice for that treat and to PPLEASEE let me trim them. most of the dogs could care less if i was holding a T bone. they dont know me, they dont like me, and i am touching them in very personal areas. but with in mins the dog sees me as someone who is not afraid of there teeth and there posturing means nothing to me. they soon relax and everything go smooth.

one dog i was grooming was very matted and took forever to clean up she would not relax. (partly becuae it hurt and because she hated it) during that time i could not figure out why this dog was the way it was. her owner was a clean freak and i know she gave this dog a bath because experience told me... after hours of dematting and dodging teeth it was time for a bath. that dog was a different dog =0 well the owner was a clean freak and never let the dog get away with bad behavior in the tub (she didnt want her house all wet) so in the tub she was relaxed. so i finished grooming her in the tub. the next groom we started in the tub and finished on the table. she still didnt like it but learned to except it because it stated off and finished good. the point is the owner knew what she wanted from the dog in the tub and made sure the dog knew it but when it came to brushing.... the dog took advantage of her every were in the house except the tub. the owner showed the dog leadership in the tub and it reflexed away from home. and it was done with out bribes treats or begging. i dont bribe my children to do things and i dont beg. my dogs are no different some things are just expected to be good people or good dogs. i dont beat my children and i dont beat my dogs but they both know there boundary's and limitations. so maybe all the people who are against cesar have been blessed with dogs who are easy and dont understand that most dogs need boundary's and limitations. maybe they dont understand how difficult it is not to baby a dog because it could cause large problems. and how hard it is not to pet the scared dog because if it were a person you would tell them it will be ok. but the dog dont understand English (imagine if they could) only body language. and if you feel sorry for the dog the dogs gets worried "why is my person feel that way, whats wrong?" and they make them more worried. or when the aggressive dog is being aggressive, and the person tightens up the leash and the hole body gets tense dog thinks "ok there ready, with there back up i can take that dog on!" you all get the point. oh and by the way i am not trying to change anyones mined. just stating MY opinion.

have a great day
and please dont kill your dog with human emotions. remember we are different but all the same. we all need boundary's and limitations, we all need rules of conduct on how to behave. i dont ask for good behavior i expect it. and i dont except bad behavior by saying "what do you want me to do its a dog/or 2 year old?"

[jw]

The trainers and behaviorist that have criticized Milan are some of the best in the world at their field. They have studied dog behavior for years, have worked with countless dogs in every situation. Many of them specialize in aggression. They are well educated (which in any profession of this magnitude is certainly helpful), and have years and years of experience. They work on proven theory and practice of their craft. Milan...not so much. Makes it up as he goes along. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't (you don't see when it does not work). His methods are what was used for many years (Koehler), and have been largely discarded for more positive and humane methods. Open your eyes people..choke collars, alpha rolls, stare downs...why use these methods when there are more humane ways to work with your dog based on more intellectual behavioral methodology? Do not be put off by someones education and knowledge...it should not intimidate, but enlighten you to something new and better. Milan is old school...the times, they are a changin.

[Nicole]

your talking of old methods. well everywhere there is old methods going hand in hand with new. trimming horse feet... you have 2 groups the ones who are going with what is traditional and the people going with what is new. new being "natural horse trim" however this "new" is based on something much older then traditional including some tradition the 2 working had and hand making it new.

then in the horse world you have cowboy training, natural training, and traditional. when a "good trainer", "good blacksmith" can see/and use all methods when the situation fits and except ALL methods as reasonable then and only then can they be called educated, and studied in all training and behavior.

the same applies to dog trainers and behaviorists when a person/or group puts down a training method it shows me ignorance with the inablity to see what it is the other person or group is trying to teach. if a "well educated" person can not learn something new from somebody and except that they still can learn then that "well educated" person has more to learn. CM has things to offer and advice that is worth some thing. he teaches that dogs are not people and should not be treated as such. this will give some dogs the advantage of controlling there peoples actions weather it is hurry up and let me out, of hurry up i want to go for that walk or get away from my food. the simple solution is letting the dog not that this behavior is not excepted. and this is done with excersize, discipline and then show the love. CM suggests that a dog is a dog first, then breed then name. he said that most people do all these things the wrong way name, breed, dog, love discipline then excersize. this is what he teaches. and he is not lying. if the "experts" dont see this as true then i would see a new expert. dogs all want to please there people by getting ride of the energy before asking a dog, kid, horse any thing it is easyer to teach any of them something new. and after they have done the good things and are happy you can give any of them love. by not giving love every time they complete ever little thing they learn that this is expected all the time and love is not a release to go ahead and do the bad thing. when training is dont with both positive and negative reinforcements then you have good training one can not live with out the other. the yeng and yang. but positive dose not have to be petting food or praise. it is simple being content. if a dog can smell fear why cant he smell that you are happy with what he is doing? CM method work and some can be called old cowboy way some are new some are traditional this is what makes a good teacher for your dog. dont put blinders up and only see what others tell you is there look for your self your all smart people, you can see it works. and should not be underestimated. he dose not do the same thing with every dog but he uses the same guidelines. exsersize, discipline, affection,/ dog, breed, name.