Cesar Millan (dog whisperer) Books...any success with them?

[samy23]

Has anyone here purchased/read any of the 3 dog behaviour books by Cesar Millan? Would you recommend them? Which is best? etc?

[Nicole915]

Originally Posted by samy23

Has anyone here purchased/read any of the 3 dog behaviour books by Cesar Millan? Would you recommend them? Which is best? etc?

There are much better resources for canine behavior out there. In fact, there are a number of organizations that take issue with Milan's techniques. I'm not a behaviorist, but in my practice I end up doing enough behavior to know that this guy is very old school, and the way he goes about handling dogs isn't the way I'd ever want a patient of mine treated.

Try Good Owners, Great Dogs by Brian Kilcommons if you're looking for a general dog training book.

[greenmagick]

First, to directly answer your question...I have several of his books and have read them...they have no actual what to do info in them really...very general basic things.

That being said....I do not like him as a trainer. :

Check out Jean Donaldson. Patricia McConnell, and Suzanne Clothier

[Ola_]

I agree with both of the above posters, and their recommendations!

[youngnhappymamma]

I actually really like him and his philosophies. He does not cause any pain to dogs, as some other trainers insenuate. I think his philosophies are so close to natural dog behavior and instincts and make a lot of sense. I love the way he runs his dog behavior center. He is NOT a dog trainer...that is not the point. I think his rehabilitation of unbalanced dogs makes so much sense and I have learned so much from him about how to be the pack leader. Most people feel like you need to lavish your pets with attention and spoil them to make them feel loved and wanted and to make them happy...this so goes against natural dog instincts and mentality. I have used his techniques and love them...and they are so simple and straight-forward. A pack leader tells his pack when they can and can not do things. A pack leader lets his pack members know when they are doing something he does not like. Dogs don't get "hurt feelings" like humans do. I actually feel like I can give my dogs more love and affection now that I know I am the pack leader and my dogs don't run the household, I do. I can also see how my taking leadership takes that burden off of a dogs shoulders and just lets them enjoy their doggy life. The way Cesear works with dogs really feels like the natural way to me.

[greenmagick]

the problem is he does not mimic natural dog behaviors. Its all based on outdated ideas about wolf behavior...and yes, he does cause pain and fear in dogs. Does he abuse them, no but there are MUCH better ways to communicate and lead your dog.

The authors I mentioned above all discuss dog behavior, how it relates to us and how to communicate with them.

Basically Milan - the Pearls or since Milan has changed his views a bit, maybe Ezzo

clothier, mcconnell etc - Dr. Sears

[greenmagick]

Oh, and for a clear look at the difference...watch his show (which includes warnings of dont try this at home) and then watch Victoria Stillwell's Its Me or the Dog

[Nicole915]

Originally Posted by greenmagick

Its all based on outdated ideas about wolf behavior...and yes, he does cause pain and fear in dogs.

So very true.

This is the link I have in our exam rooms, for people who ask about his techniques. In the very beginning please note that before he begins he kicks the dog, then he proceeds to hang the dog repeatedly until the dog finally submits. When he puts the dog down on the ground, his tongue is blue and he is gasping for air. When he finally releases the dog it looks as though the dog has also urinated. Watching without sound give you a much more acute sense of what is happening, since you're not distracted by the narration.

I don't mean to get all grumpy about it, but if I saw someone on the street do this to a dog, I'd be calling the ASPCA, not labeling it as entertainment or training.

[~PurityLake~]

Patricia McConnell is awesome. I met her in person back when I was working in pet training and health care. She wrote 'How to be the Pack leader and have your dog love you for it'. That is an excellent starter book for those who do not yet understand dog behavior.

[Ola_]

Originally Posted by greenmagick

Its all based on outdated ideas about wolf behavior...and yes, he does cause pain and fear in dogs.

I agree also. Members of the crew filming his shows have spoken up and said that he uses shock collars for some of the dogs on the show in order to get quick results. That way he can show them as "rehabilitated" never mind what the owners will have to deal with later when they take the dog home. Apparently he also uses shock collars for some of the "results" tapings but covers them up with a bandana so it's not apparent to the viewers.

It also doesn't sit well with me that during his speaking arrangements he doesn't take any questions or interact with dogs. If he were so awesome indeed, why not show it so the audience can learn from you? They have a disclaimer at the beginning of the show that says it's for entertainment only and I think that's how it should be viewed.

[Girl In The Fire]

This is the link I have in our exam rooms, for people who ask about his techniques. In the very beginning please note that before he begins he kicks the dog, then he proceeds to hang the dog repeatedly until the dog finally submits.

I was going to post that very link... Kicking and choking a dog out until it can no longer stand is not close to natural dog behavior in any way shape or form. IMO it is abuse plain and simple.

Shock collars- I have seen them on dogs in episodes before.

[samy23]

Originally Posted by greenmagick

Oh, and for a clear look at the difference...watch his show (which includes warnings of dont try this at home) and then watch Victoria Stillwell's Its Me or the Dog

I have recorded this program but not watched it yet, are you saying It's me or the dog's victoria stillwell is much better than cesar millan?

I have ordered one of Cesar's books, and have just ordered the patricia mcconnell book recommended here, thanks.

I've watched quite a few dog whisperer shows with cesar and found them all very informative and not abusive on the dogs at all...maybe I just haven't seen the bad ones. He seems so great with dogs, I'm quite shocked by some people's replies on here. Not sure what to think now...

[EFmom]

I can't remember which of his books I read, but I didn't find much useful. It essentially boiled down to "quit your job and walk your dogs all day long."

[Girl In The Fire]

Originally Posted by samy23

I've watched quite a few dog whisperer shows with cesar and found them all very informative and not abusive on the dogs at all...maybe I just haven't seen the bad ones. He seems so great with dogs, I'm quite shocked by some people's replies on here. Not sure what to think now...

You probably have but just not realized it. Keep in mind the show is edited, and also many of the abusive things he does are subtle or you could easily miss if you were not paying close attention. In the link above where he chokes the dog out I missed him kicking the dog the first couple times I watched it.

If you are having trouble with training your dog you have to keep in mind there are no quick fixes. The CM way is a quick fix. You can harshly correct a dog into behaving a certain way in a very short amount of time but that can lead to other unwanted behaviors like, physically and mentally ruined dogs, and just plain old bad human/dog relationships. The best way to train your dog is set some specific goals, find a humane appropriate way of teaching your dog the desired behavior, and training your dog every day for the it's life.

[greenmagick]

Originally Posted by samy23

I have recorded this program but not watched it yet, are you saying It's me or the dog's victoria stillwell is much better than cesar millan?

I have ordered one of Cesar's books, and have just ordered the patricia mcconnell book recommended here, thanks.

I've watched quite a few dog whisperer shows with cesar and found them all very informative and not abusive on the dogs at all...maybe I just haven't seen the bad ones. He seems so great with dogs, I'm quite shocked by some people's replies on here. Not sure what to think now...

Yes....she is much better. She actually teaches you how to build a relationship with your dog. Cesar is all about dominating a dog. Dogs do need leaders....but like with children, there is no reason to lead by force. Many of his edited episodes dont *seem* that bad (thought they all say dont try this at home) but once you read McConnell, I think you will see the difference.

I have a couple of Milans books....really, there is not much there. The same thing is repeated over and over. I do agree with him that dogs need a lot of exercise, and a tired dog is a good dog. His books though didnt really teach anything beyond that and be a calm assertive leader.

[Catubodua]

Originally Posted by samy23

I've watched quite a few dog whisperer shows with cesar and found them all very informative and not abusive on the dogs at all...maybe I just haven't seen the bad ones. He seems so great with dogs, I'm quite shocked by some people's replies on here. Not sure what to think now...

most folks in the training community hate him and his techniques - they feel he's teaching antiquated thinking and worse teaching owners how to bully their dogs into submission rather than actually training them to follow your commands.

[Brown Lioness]

Originally Posted by EFmom

I can't remember which of his books I read, but I didn't find much useful. It essentially boiled down to "quit your job and walk your dogs all day long."

LOL!!! That tickles me too, lol. Oh and dont forget that every dog is not for everybody (well, DUH!). Ive been research dog breeds for a couple years now and i can almost predict what folks will tell me (this breed isnt for everybody, the dog owns YOU, they need X amounts of exercise each day, if you work a 9 to 5 that's frowned upon, if you live in an apartment its frowned upon if you want any dog bigger than a cocker spaniel, and if you dont have X amount in you bank account, you're not ready to own a pet). Some things are common sense, but it seems dog ownership is much more subjective than folks realize.

/rant

[mystiquesmom]

Originally Posted by EFmom

I can't remember which of his books I read, but I didn't find much useful. It essentially boiled down to "quit your job and walk your dogs all day long."

[samy23]

Originally Posted by greenmagick

Yes....she is much better. She actually teaches you how to build a relationship with your dog. Cesar is all about dominating a dog. Dogs do need leaders....but like with children, there is no reason to lead by force. Many of his edited episodes dont *seem* that bad (thought they all say dont try this at home) but once you read McConnell, I think you will see the difference.

I have a couple of Milans books....really, there is not much there. The same thing is repeated over and over. I do agree with him that dogs need a lot of exercise, and a tired dog is a good dog. His books though didnt really teach anything beyond that and be a calm assertive leader.

Thanks for the heads up, I had no idea! I will look more into Victoria Stillwell from now on.

[samy23]

Originally Posted by greenmagick

Yes....she is much better. She actually teaches you how to build a relationship with your dog. Cesar is all about dominating a dog. Dogs do need leaders....but like with children, there is no reason to lead by force. Many of his edited episodes dont *seem* that bad (thought they all say dont try this at home) but once you read McConnell, I think you will see the difference.

I have a couple of Milans books....really, there is not much there. The same thing is repeated over and over. I do agree with him that dogs need a lot of exercise, and a tired dog is a good dog. His books though didnt really teach anything beyond that and be a calm assertive leader.

Thanks for the heads up, I had no idea! I will look into mcconnell.

My dog too is good after exercise because she's tired, but I'm having problems with her being snappy/mouthing and being very dominating -I think that's what's happening, so I need to read about how to show you are the dominant one. I have done a few things such as hold her on her back by the scruff of the neck which works during that specific moment, but doesn't have a long term effect.