Cesar Millan Dog Whisperer

elsien

I haven't watched caesar milan. I do like watching dog borstal (mainly to make me feel better about my own hooligan animal and because Mic's comments make me laugh), but at the end of the day it's an entertainment program, and I think it's seriously unrealistic to give the impression that a couple of days training can solve some really quite serious problems. They do a bit of a follow up, but I'd like to see some of the dogs a bit further down the line to see how much difference the programme has made in the long run, without longer term input from both trainers and owners.
My mutt has fear aggression issues and is also a typical hysterical bull terrier - we've made lots of progress without the aid of a trainer, although I now realise we could have done a lot better with professional help.
I also know that although she trusts me, and will let me do things she doesn't like if I'm careful how I approach her, any attempt to hold her down, roll her over or any of the other suggestions made by CM and I'm probably going to get seriously hurt - trying to hold down a BT going into a major panic meltdown is not a good idea.

hethmar

He got quite badly bitten by an English Bull Dog on there once didnt he. Give he his dues, he ignored it and carried on going

foreign_correspondent

hethmar wrote: »

He got quite badly bitten by an English Bull Dog on there once didnt he. Give he his dues, he ignored it and carried on going

So would I, if I was being paid enough!

As callywally says we see edited highlights and as with any similar TV his programmes are entertainment primarily.

I have always had rescue dogs, I have never alpha rolled one and I have never had one that hasnt been reasonably well trained - but I do believe in the NILF idea (nothing in life is free) so my dogs learn that they neecd to do things my way quite quickly!

ie. they have to do something for me before they get something - that may be sitting before they get fed, waiting calmly before they go for a walk, sitting before I take their lead off for a run, etc.

Di

foreign_correspondent wrote: »

I do believe in the NILF idea (nothing in life is free) so my dogs learn that they neecd to do things my way quite quickly!

ie. they have to do something for me before they get something - that may be sitting before they get fed, waiting calmly before they go for a walk, sitting before I take their lead off for a run, etc.

totally agree with that, i also like to have a big squishy licky cuddle on the sofa (when i say) .

orlao

What scares me about CM is that people take what is primarily entertainment and "have a go" on their own dogs....the old saying that a little knowledge is a dangerous thing is so true.If you have a dog with so many issues it is likely that your methods are already flawed (obviously rescues are different but then the rescue itself should be advising you) so to change tack and try a quick fix on the back of a TV series, particularly such a confrontational method is potentially lethal IMHO.

I have only seen a few of his shows and found them so upsetting that I don't watch them any more. I'm sure his methods can work but they are not for "amatuers" (Sp! sorry) to safely try .

MrsTinks

foreign_correspondent wrote: »

Has anyone read Jan Fennell? - a lot of people lump her into the CM camp - in my opinion she has some parallel views on leadership, state of mind, calmness and body language - but - this is all done in kind ways.

Yes and as pro Cesar as I am you will find me anti Jan flipping Fennel - can't stand the patronising harpy...

MrsTinks

orlao I totally agree - however it does state that on ALL dog training programs... "Do not try these tecniques without consulting a professional" - be it dog borstal, CM, it's me or the dog etc... The trainers themselves say it again and again - it's entertainment programs NOT a dog training class. If anything then hopefully it will make people think and realise that there IS hope for their mutt and to go and get a professional trainer in to help them! I think Cesar also hopes to make people realise that dogs are dogs... not people, babies or toys... no matter what the size of the dog then it's a dog first and foremost - treating it as a person will more than likely lead to a one way road to serious issues.

foreign_correspondent

MrsTine wrote: »

Yes and as pro Cesar as I am you will find me anti Jan flipping Fennel - can't stand the patronising harpy...

lol - I don't give a monkeys about her personality, it is her methods - especially the lack of prong collars and shock collars that wins her brownie points over the 'charming' Cesar!

MrsTinks

foreign_correspondent wrote: »

lol - I don't give a monkeys about her personality, it is her methods - especially the lack of prong collars and shock collars that wins her brownie points over the 'charming' Cesar!

LOL still don't like her and don't really like her methods either But the world would be a boring place if we all thought the same way

foreign_correspondent

too true!:beer: