Cesar Millan (dog whisperer) Books...any success with them? - Page 2

[Girl In The Fire]

Just because she is snapping and mouthing does not mean she is being dominant.

What exactly do you mean by "being very dominating"? In what sort of context is she doing the snapping/mouthing behavior? What breed (s) and age?

[betsyj]

Please stop rolling and scruffing her. You aren't showing you are a leader when you do this-you are showing her that you can and will hurt and frighten her. Everyone, dogs included, learn and repsect leaders who are calm and fair. Alpha rolling and scruffing are neither calm nor fair.

There are so many better ways to work with your dog rather then using pain and fear as tools.

[Ola_]

Originally Posted by samy23

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.

Whoa, why would you do that? Not only is it dangerous to you, but dangerous to your relationship with your dog. You're basically teaching her that you're unpredictable and hurt her. And some dogs decide based on experiences like this that the best defense is a good offense, then you've got a bigger problem on your hands.

Alpha rolling is such an outdated technique. Please don't do it anymore.

[LionTigerBear]

Thank you everyone, for this advice! I had no idea! Thank goodness we don't have a dog yet. I know someone who has a large, strong-jawed breed of dog who uses these techniques to control their dog and now I don't think I would feel so safe around that dog . . . :Z

[Girl In The Fire]

Originally Posted by LionTigerBear

Thank you everyone, for this advice! I had no idea! Thank goodness we don't have a dog yet. I know someone who has a large, strong-jawed breed of dog who uses these techniques to control their dog and now I don't think I would feel so safe around that dog . . . :Z

If the dog is an otherwise nice stable dog, just because they are using their methods does not mean there is a danger to you. Alpha rolling/scruffing wont turn an otherwise stable dog into a menace to society but can pose a danger to the person actually doing the rolling and or scruffing. If a dog becomes frightened enough it can defend itself by biting. Some dogs require a firmer hand than others but there are far better ways than scruffing and rolling.

[~PurityLake~]

Samy, I agree with the other posters who responded to your last post. There is a difference between trying to achieve a dominant position with your dog, and establishing you are the pack leader. Establishing pack leader status does not require any of the scruffing, rolling, etc. It's simply a way of living. You really should get that book by Patricia McConnell. It's a very small book with just the basics, called "How to be the pack leader and have your dog love you for it'. I've even seen it in the library. I think it only costs $5 or so at a bookstore.

[thixle]

Originally Posted by Nicole915

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...

Holy crap. I have no idea why I even read this thread (not a "dog person")... That first 8 seconds of the video are going to haunt me. The dog looks at the other dog, Milan jerks his collar hard and kicks him!?!?! Where you don't even realize it. He even has the audacity to look surprised. Way to get the dog to get you ratings...way to get bitten and show everyone how horrible that dog is.

ugh

[samy23]

Originally Posted by Girl In The Fire

Just because she is snapping and mouthing does not mean she is being dominant.

What exactly do you mean by "being very dominating"? In what sort of context is she doing the snapping/mouthing behavior? What breed (s) and age?

I recently left her in the care of a friend who has had dogs all her life and her own dog is very well behaved. She is the one who told me my dog is very intelligent but also tries to be very dominant, but she soon put her into place by doing the rolling/scruff thing and other things -not sure what other things she meant. I know she pulled her on the leash hard when the dog pulled.

She's a 2 year old jack russell chihuaha mix. She snaps at anyone when she feels like it, except for me unless I push her. She snaps at my dd for no reason (dd is 6), she's be stroking her gently and then all of a sudden she gets snapped at.

She's just not a very tolerant dog. She likes to be in charge of what I am doing, like if I go in another room and she can't get to me she will bark, she barks when I'm cooking, she tries to push my dd away from me. She hates other dogs. When I try to put flea cream on her she tries to bite me. And she gets in these moods, maybe when she has excess energy If I don't take her out to walk, she gets all mouthy with ME....and then she will try to hump my arm! -All dominating signs, or so I thought?

I have ordered the mcconnell book, it should be on its way.

[Girl In The Fire]

Dont have a lot of time...

1. Dont let your friend watch your dog anymore!

2. No more scruffing, alpha roles, and leash yanking it will cause issues to escalate.

3. Your dogs behavior sounds like rude, obnoxious, fearful, and untrained dog behavior.

A couple misc things - Dogs don't bite "for no reason", she is giving warning signs and you and your family are missing them.

Loose leash walking - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sFgtq...BD3DDC&index=7

Your dog needs training and you need to learn how communicate in an effective manner with your dog.If you arm yourself with the right tools it wont be hard and you will have a better relationship with your dog and a happier dog in general.

Have these books been recommended yet?

http://www.amazon.com/Culture-Clash-...d_bxgy_b_img_b

http://www.amazon.com/Dont-Shoot-Dog.../dp/1860542387

Check out this website http://www.clickersolutions.com/arti....htm#dominance

There is a lot of info there but make sure to check out the "dominance and social behavior" section as well as "Techniques for Handling Problem Behaviors"

[Oubliette8]

First, small breed dogs can be seriously injured by leash-yanking techniques (large dogs too actually). Second, behaviors are not always straight forward- some dogs bite, hump etc because they are dominant, other dogs do the exact same things because they are insecure. To use a technique for dominant dogs on an insecure dog, or a technique for an insecure dog on a dominant dog, is a recipe for disaster and can make the situation far worse.

Honestly, if your dog is biting at your small child, you're past the point where books alone will help. You need to invest in a good trainer who has experience working with aggressive dogs. They can asses the situation and give an opinion on whether your dog will EVER be safe around kids or other people. If its a possible, they can help you with a training plan, otherwise, you have a tough decision to make. Even a very small dog can inflict serious injury on a small child. To allow the situation to continue without professional, hands-on guidance is playing russian roulette with both your dog and your child's lives.

[kittywitty]

I actually like him a lot. I watched the first season and read his book. It helped ENORMOUSLY for my lab/ border collie mix. We tried classes, clickers, treats, everything and only his methods work. I do have a gentle leader instead of his collar/leash system, and find it works better. But his general advice about dominance/wolf pack system and exercise have been enormously helpful. Maybe not for every dog, but his way of looking at what dogs need psychologically and genetically really made me re-evaluate what was not working for my dog in particular and has actually helped me handle several dog fights and attacking dogs out on walks without getting hurt. I don't hurt my dog, yank on her leash, etc. but I do redirect and have had to make her submit when situations got very bad and things were going to get dangerous-making her lie down and submit gently to me has got her to the point where she will let me have her roll over so I can pet her stomach and get her to submit (she was a badly treated and almost dead puppy we got from a shelter). It's taken a lot of work and trust. I have not tried the books that were recommended on here, but just wanted to add that some of his stuff has worked for us.