INGLEWOOD, California: There are no 'problem dog breeds', just 'problem owners'. That's according to America's own self-taught canine training maestro, Cesar Millan, the Dog Whisperer.
And he should know. While he's had no formal training in veterinary medicine or even have a license to practice, without a doubt the Dog Whisperer has helped hundreds of dogs and their owners with his remarkable methods. And once again his TV show on the National Geographic Channel is up for an Emmy. But is he everything he's cracked up to be?
First aired in 2004, the canine reality show showcases Millan's efforts in rehabilitating real-life 'problematic' canines with their owners. His astounding understanding of and empathy with troubled canines has made him a household name. Whether it's an overly-aggressive Chihuahua or a Rottweiler with a hankering for home furniture, you can expect Cesar Millan to walk on in and work his doggy-magic.
Since then, he's been portrayed in other TV shows, such as The Ghost Whisperer and South Park, has had a #1 bestseller (Cesar's Way), has been invited to posh parties at the playboy-pet-charity-dog-cat.htmlPlayboy Mansion, and even been invited twice onto The Oprah Winfrey Show.
Now The Dog Whisperer with Cesar Millan is gunning once again for an Emmy (it lost last year to Extreme Makeover: Home Edition). The popularity and appeal of the program can be attributed to Millan's uncanny ability to control and bring to heel the most unmanageable of dogs. Each episode usually features three challenging canines, introduced to the viewers by home videos and a narration. Millan visits each of the households, where he sit down with the family to discover the problem. Then he demonstrates and uses his techniques with the pet dog in question - usually by using simple body language and canine psychology - in establishing himself in moments as pack leader over the problem pet.
Dog Whisperer wisdom:
- 1. You're probably not giving your pet dog what it really needs.
- 2. Nature must be confronted on its own terms.
- 3. There's a difference between discipline and punishment.
- 4. Don't over-humanize your pets. We should respect our dogs for what they really are.
- 5. The pack instinct is perhaps the strongest motivator for a dog. Owners need to be calm yet assertive pack leaders.
- 6. When a dog exhibits unwanted behavior, it usually means that the dog doesn't trust its human to be a good pack leader.
- 7. Give dogs structure: establish rules, boundaries and limitations, as a way of showing you're a solid pack leader.
- 8. Humans have to be consistent with their dogs.
- 9. Dogs need enough physical exercise to tire them out at least once a day.
- 10. There are no "problem breeds", just problem owners.
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According to Wikipedia, while most dog psychologists work with one dog at a time, Millan teaches in packs. He teaches that the pack instinct is perhaps the strongest natural canine motivator, and says that in order to establish the proper relationship between owner and dog, owners need to become the 'calm, assertive' leader of their dog's 'pack'.
Instead of teaching them commands such as "sit", "stay", "heel" and "roll over",the Dog Whisperer 'rehabilitates' unbalanced dogs and helps "re-train" their owners. His formula? Exercise, discipline and affection. The program shows how The Dog Whisperer handles his cases with some very interesting insights on dog psychology and behavior.
While Millan has legions of adoring fans, he also has his share of critics. According to Wikipedia, numerous professional trainers, behavior consultants and behaviorists have found his methods inhumane, and say his practices can have serious behavioral consequences.
Dr. Nicholas Dodman, the director of the Animal Behavior Clinic at the Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine of Tufts University, is quoted in Wikipedia as saying: "Cesar Millan's methods are based on flooding and punishment. The results, though immediate, will be only transitory. His methods are misguided, outmoded, in some cases dangerous, and often inhumane. You would not want to be a dog under his sphere of influence. The sad thing is that the public does not recognize the error of his ways."
On September 6, 2006, The American Humane Association issued a press release condemning Millan's tactics as "inhumane, outdated, and improper" and called on The National Geographic Channel to cease airing the program immediately.
Love him or hate him, Cesar Millan The Dog Whisperer has found his place in pop culture. Despite the debates over whether his methods actually do more harm than good, he has helped thousands of dog owners find a better relationship with their pet canines, and has inspired thousands more to be better pet owners.
i have yet to see his tv program but as long as he is helping all those dogs and owners have a better relationship then its all good.
i dont know about his dog training philosphy but i agree with the guy on one count: dont overhumanize your pet. we been hearin lots of people doin all sorts of silly stuff for their enjoyment and their pet's embarassment
this guy is truly amazing. i've seen a couple episodes of his tv show and i feel he's the real deal. Of course, he has his own set of critics but hey, you really cant please everybody.
maybe the experts are just jealous of his amazing abilities. i mean with all their brains and all this guy with no medical background beats them at their own game. lol!
i've heard of this guy although i haven't really seen him with those animals. i have to see him first before i can tell if he's the real thing or not. i'll give him the benefit of the doubt for now.
this millan guy is a cutie.. doesnt he train cats too? lucy can use some disciplining.. lol!
Well, I guess we just have to wait and see if the problematic dogs he has healed will return to its old bad ways. If not, then hey! he's effective, no matter if some people say it's inhumane.
I just don't understand why they say its inhumane.. dog fighting thats inhumane but this? its just tv politics.. his show is a hit!
I've actually seen an episode of dog whisperer and seriously, I don't see it being inhumane. The dogs do not get hurt. Saw some commercial that he was in Oprah, and Oprah does not feature anyone that ain't nice.
I like that last lesson from the dog whisperer.. Problem owners.. which is actually true. I think he;s fine. What the experts should do is work with him rather than just crticize him so together they can help more pets and owners.
My grandson & I watch the show as often as we are able & we have learned quite a bit from doing so. How can Caesar be mean if he is "saving" troubled dogs from being put down. I agree, swallow your PRIDE and let the man do what he does best. What a sad, sad people we have become.......
I've watched a couple dozen episodes, and I've grown up with dogs. To call Cesar's approach inhumane really waters down the term. If people want to treat their dogs like humans, that's their choice (and they'll have to live with the behavior that results). But Cesar is on to something with the pack leader approach. My 7 year old lab had never been calm enough to take for a walk, but with little training, I'm now able to have her out on the leash, around people and other dogs, using Cesar's techniques. No hitting, no yelling, just calm, assertive leadership. Doesn't sound inhumane to me!.
if this experts really want to help they should take libby's advice and work together.. put the science in cesar millan's techniques. the problem with some people is that they let their pride get in the way even if other people are trying to do more good and make a difference.. and if it really is inhumane then they should do something and not just sit there to point out his flaws..
I love this show! What exactly is inhumane about this? It works right? and none of the dogs get hurt. Authorities are just overacting too much coz a person with no formal traning or extra studies managed to do something amazing like this one.
Could someone please exlain to me how his ways of dog training are inhumane. I have not seen him dislay any inhumane methods on the programmes that I have watched but I have seen much inhumane behavior by owners who also pamper their pets with expensive, unecessary gizmos etc
its like spoiling ur children which is never good because they grow up to become irresponsible individuals. pets dont have minds of their own so its worse when you spoil them.
Actually read the Wikipedia article before you claim that professionals are just jealous.
Dr. Andrew Luescher, Veterinary Behaviorist for the Animal Behavior Clinic at Purdue University says "Millan's techniques are almost exclusively based on two techniques: flooding and positive punishment. In flooding, an animal is exposed to a fear (or aggression) evoking stimulus and prevented from leaving the situation, until it stops reacting. To take a human example: arachnophobia would be treated by locking a person into a closet, releasing hundreds of spiders into that closet, and keeping the door shut until the person stops reacting. The person might be cured by that, but also might be severely disturbed and would have gone through an excessive amount of stress. Flooding has therefore always been considered a risky and cruel method of treatment."
On September 6, 2006, The American Humane Association issued a press release condemning Millan's tactics as "inhumane, outdated, and improper" and called on The National Geographic Channel to cease airing the program immediately.
isn't there a way to go around his techniques? like maybe make it more scientific or something? because he seems to be helping awfully lots of pets and pet owners..
any person will always have his critics. i've seen some episodes of him in action and i really don't see anything wrong with his technique. he doesn't even hurt those dogs one bit. i just don't understand why The American Humane Association can issue a press release like that when i personally don't find any basis in it.
The Dog Whisperer, Cesar Milan, advocates that his way is not the only way to change behavior in dogs and to check with professionals to decide what is best to help your dog become healthy and balanced. When dogs exhibit tantrums in attacks, it seems a very logical way to give the dog time out on his side. I don't want to humanize the pets, but when a kid has a tantrum, time out leads the child into the direction of balance. Where is the inhumanity of standing between a dog and the door or a toy the animal is fixated upon? What about the happiness and new freedom of the pet owner and the pet, when the animal has learned to walk properly on a leash? Exercise, discipline and affection in that order seems to be a good plan for a happy and healthy life not only for Michael, my rat terrier, but for me too. Keep up the good work. Cesar Milan. You have been blessed with a special gift and my friends and I are grateful for your shares. May all the dogs n eeding rescue find someone who is willing to try Cesar's way.
i have 4 much loved somewhat spoiled dogs all large guys. since the hubby and i started watching cesar we have fixed several doggy issues.scared of storms,racing for the door.jumping on people and fences,and even doggy spats over toys. the mans a whiz. for the first time in years i can open my front door to let them outside and they are all sitting there lined up and waiting for the word go. i've had dogs all my life but some of the things he says are so simple and obvious it like duh! why din't i think of that? we like him so much we tape his show so we can watch it together so we both agree on the training process. you go cesar
cesar millan has been overwhelmingly helpful to many dog owners all over the world no matter what the crtics say.. i just hope that soon someone will also come out who is a master of cat behavior. cat behavior still remain to be quite a mystery..
i personally feel cats won't appreciate being given orders to behave.. and that is based on experience.
Cesar Millan is to me the real deal when it comes to dogs. His techniques have not only had great success but saved many dogs from wrongful euthanasia. Cesar seems to live by actions not by the so called theories and knowledge of book-sense. I am a real fan now after seeing him in action.
Sincerely,
Mike and Leikan
I agree that I don't see how his methods are inhumane. Cesar does suggest to refer to a professional before using any of his methods (as Barbara mentioned). So if there are people out there that don't agree with how he goes about it, well then let's see... go somewhere else??? Unfortunately there will always be critics no matter where you go or what you do. My hubby and I have used a few of his methods on training our rat terrier and we're confident that we don't have to feel like we're constantly eyeballing her to see if she's 'up to no good' or doing something we wouldn't approve of. Cesar just needs to keep doing what he's doing.