One of my dog trainers shared this with me. Thought I'd pass it along....
STLtoday - Cesar Millan may be famous, but he remains controversial
Cesar Millan may be famous, but he remains controversial
By Steve Dale
TRIBUNE MEDIA SERVICES
11/08/2008
Cesar Millan has an opportunity enjoyed by no other dog trainer in history. Here's the only problem: The messages he delivers are sometimes debatable, some even say dangerous, leaving many animal behavior experts cringing about the outcomes.
Dog training books by H.R. East and William Koehler were trendy back in the day, but they greatly pre-dated TV. Captain Haggerty delivered dog training to TV audiences early on. He was followed by a wildly popular, stern British lady who repeated the command "Walkies." However, Haggerty and Barbara Woodhouse peaked before the explosion of cable TV and the Internet.
Millan is everywhere and his reach is unmatched. He continues to host "The Dog Whisperer with Cesar Millan" on the National Geographic Channel, and is a frequent guest on other TV shows, even appearing on "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno." There's his personal Web site, cesarmillan.com :: fitness solutions ::, and now a new interactive site, Sessions with Cesar, where followers can pay for lessons and network with likeminded fans. He recently released his fourth book, "A Member of the Family: Cesar Millan's Guide to a Lifetime of Fulfillment with Your Dog" (Harmony Books, New York, NY, 2008; $25.95).
Unfortunately, his impact isn't all good. Veterinary behaviorist Dr. Lore Haug, of Houston, is among dozens of dog trainers, behavior consultants and veterinary behaviorists who've told me that they see a lot of clients because of Millan's advice. "My colleagues frequently have dogs come to us after owners unsuccessfully used his methods, often making a problem worse and damaging the relationships between dogs and their owners," says Haug.
In fact, there are pop-up bubbles on Millan's TV show warning viewers against attempting his techniques at home.
In a recent appearance on "Pet Central," my Chicago-based WGN Radio show, Millan said, " 'The Dog Whisperer' is not a 'how-to' show; the book is for that. I don't want people to try it at home because every episode is tailored to a specific family and specific dog."
Still, many viewers ignore the warnings.
"I realize many viewers say we know we're not supposed to try this at home, but it works, of course," Millan said. "God bless their hearts. But we still say you're not supposed to try it."
What about concerns that children, some barely able to read those warnings, may still follow Millan's instructions, or that people have been hurt attempting replicate his often intimidating methods of dog training? Credible organizations that have expressed concerns about the "Cesar Way" include the American Humane Association and International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants.
"Everyone has their own way of doing things," Millan said. "I'm not saying every dog trainer should be me. My way is not the only way. I'm always learning from whatever I see."
So who is Cesar's teacher? He mentions Leon S. Whitney, who authored dog books in the 1950s and '60s, including "Dog Psychology: The Basics of Dog Training."
"I read every single (dog training) book; it's always good to be in a surrender state and stay open to everything," Millan says. Yet, he fails to come up with the name of even a single contemporary dog trainer whose work has influenced him, or the name of a recent book he's read.
One criticism is that Millan's methods and philosophy were contemporary back when Whitney was writing, taking dog training back decades toward intimidation over contemporary learning theory. One example is how Millan compares dogs to wolves and how owners must assert themselves as the dominant pack leaders in their homes.
Appearing later the same night on my radio show, Dr. John Ciribassi, a veterinary behaviorist based in the Chicago area and immediate past president of the American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior, said, "The reality is that the pack explanation, the need to fight for dominance (in a home) is an arcane theory. The idea of dominance and need for it implies the need to, in fact, dominate our dogs. There is a need to communicate and to motivate but not to dominate. (Millan) uses the word 'leader' (for the owner); perhaps the word 'teacher' is better."
"My emphasis is on getting the behaviors you do want," added Dr. Barbara Sherman, president of the American College of Veterinary Behaviorists (veterinarians board certified in animal behavior) and professor in the Department of Clinical Sciences, at North Carolina State University's College of Veterinary Medicine. "It's the over-riding rule of animal behavior: Encourage the behaviors you want; ignore the behaviors you don't. Also, punishment doesn't make clear what you want the dogs to do. And punishment, like rollovers (rolling a dog over and/or pinning a dog) can be very frightening. You may get a backlash of aggression because the dog is scared and doesn't know what is going on. This can worsen behavior."
Interestingly, Millan admitted he has softened his views somewhat.
"Listen, dominance is a mental act," he said. "Just like a cat controls a dog just with a state of mind, we can do the same; control (a dog's behavior) using our minds. And I'm certainly not against using food, or whatever it takes to motivate a dog."
Viewers who closely follow Millan may note that his views have moderated to accept more conventional and contemporary approaches. "Of course," he says. "It's all about moving forward. Most of the time, I come to cases when other professionals have tried, and it's up to me to save that dog. I have a certain knowledge and common sense. I hope to share that knowledge through my video game, or Sessions with Cesar, or the TV show. My job is to help dogs."
(Steve Dale welcomes questions/comments from readers. Although he can't answer all of them individually, he'll answer those of general interest in his column. Write to Steve at Tribune Media Services, 2225 Kenmore Ave., Suite 114, Buffalo, NY 14207. Send e-mail to PETWORLD(at)STEVE DALE.TV. Include your name, city and state. Steve's website is www.stevedalepetworld.com; he can be heard Sundays on WGN Radio, 8 to 10 p.m. CST (WGN Radio - HOME to listen live), and hosts the nationally syndicated "Steve Dale's Pet World" and "The Pet Minute." He's also a contributing editor to USA Weekend.
__________________
One of my dog trainers shared this with me. Thought I'd pass it along....
STLtoday - Cesar Millan may be famous, but he remains controversial
Cesar Millan may be famous, but he remains controversial
By Steve Dale
TRIBUNE MEDIA SERVICES
11/08/2008
Cesar Millan has an opportunity enjoyed by no other dog trainer in history. Here's the only problem: The messages he delivers are sometimes debatable, some even say dangerous, leaving many animal behavior experts cringing about the outcomes.
Dog training books by H.R. East and William Koehler were trendy back in the day, but they greatly pre-dated TV. Captain Haggerty delivered dog training to TV audiences early on. He was followed by a wildly popular, stern British lady who repeated the command "Walkies." However, Haggerty and Barbara Woodhouse peaked before the explosion of cable TV and the Internet.
Millan is everywhere and his reach is unmatched. He continues to host "The Dog Whisperer with Cesar Millan" on the National Geographic Channel, and is a frequent guest on other TV shows, even appearing on "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno." There's his personal Web site, cesarmillan.com :: fitness solutions ::, and now a new interactive site, Sessions with Cesar, where followers can pay for lessons and network with likeminded fans. He recently released his fourth book, "A Member of the Family: Cesar Millan's Guide to a Lifetime of Fulfillment with Your Dog" (Harmony Books, New York, NY, 2008; $25.95).
Unfortunately, his impact isn't all good. Veterinary behaviorist Dr. Lore Haug, of Houston, is among dozens of dog trainers, behavior consultants and veterinary behaviorists who've told me that they see a lot of clients because of Millan's advice. "My colleagues frequently have dogs come to us after owners unsuccessfully used his methods, often making a problem worse and damaging the relationships between dogs and their owners," says Haug.
In fact, there are pop-up bubbles on Millan's TV show warning viewers against attempting his techniques at home.
In a recent appearance on "Pet Central," my Chicago-based WGN Radio show, Millan said, " 'The Dog Whisperer' is not a 'how-to' show; the book is for that. I don't want people to try it at home because every episode is tailored to a specific family and specific dog."
Still, many viewers ignore the warnings.
"I realize many viewers say we know we're not supposed to try this at home, but it works, of course," Millan said. "God bless their hearts. But we still say you're not supposed to try it."
What about concerns that children, some barely able to read those warnings, may still follow Millan's instructions, or that people have been hurt attempting replicate his often intimidating methods of dog training? Credible organizations that have expressed concerns about the "Cesar Way" include the American Humane Association and International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants.
"Everyone has their own way of doing things," Millan said. "I'm not saying every dog trainer should be me. My way is not the only way. I'm always learning from whatever I see."
So who is Cesar's teacher? He mentions Leon S. Whitney, who authored dog books in the 1950s and '60s, including "Dog Psychology: The Basics of Dog Training."
"I read every single (dog training) book; it's always good to be in a surrender state and stay open to everything," Millan says. Yet, he fails to come up with the name of even a single contemporary dog trainer whose work has influenced him, or the name of a recent book he's read.
One criticism is that Millan's methods and philosophy were contemporary back when Whitney was writing, taking dog training back decades toward intimidation over contemporary learning theory. One example is how Millan compares dogs to wolves and how owners must assert themselves as the dominant pack leaders in their homes.
Appearing later the same night on my radio show, Dr. John Ciribassi, a veterinary behaviorist based in the Chicago area and immediate past president of the American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior, said, "The reality is that the pack explanation, the need to fight for dominance (in a home) is an arcane theory. The idea of dominance and need for it implies the need to, in fact, dominate our dogs. There is a need to communicate and to motivate but not to dominate. (Millan) uses the word 'leader' (for the owner); perhaps the word 'teacher' is better."
"My emphasis is on getting the behaviors you do want," added Dr. Barbara Sherman, president of the American College of Veterinary Behaviorists (veterinarians board certified in animal behavior) and professor in the Department of Clinical Sciences, at North Carolina State University's College of Veterinary Medicine. "It's the over-riding rule of animal behavior: Encourage the behaviors you want; ignore the behaviors you don't. Also, punishment doesn't make clear what you want the dogs to do. And punishment, like rollovers (rolling a dog over and/or pinning a dog) can be very frightening. You may get a backlash of aggression because the dog is scared and doesn't know what is going on. This can worsen behavior."
Interestingly, Millan admitted he has softened his views somewhat.
"Listen, dominance is a mental act," he said. "Just like a cat controls a dog just with a state of mind, we can do the same; control (a dog's behavior) using our minds. And I'm certainly not against using food, or whatever it takes to motivate a dog."
Viewers who closely follow Millan may note that his views have moderated to accept more conventional and contemporary approaches. "Of course," he says. "It's all about moving forward. Most of the time, I come to cases when other professionals have tried, and it's up to me to save that dog. I have a certain knowledge and common sense. I hope to share that knowledge through my video game, or Sessions with Cesar, or the TV show. My job is to help dogs."
(Steve Dale welcomes questions/comments from readers. Although he can't answer all of them individually, he'll answer those of general interest in his column. Write to Steve at Tribune Media Services, 2225 Kenmore Ave., Suite 114, Buffalo, NY 14207. Send e-mail to PETWORLD(at)STEVE DALE.TV. Include your name, city and state. Steve's website is www.stevedalepetworld.com; he can be heard Sundays on WGN Radio, 8 to 10 p.m. CST (WGN Radio - HOME to listen live), and hosts the nationally syndicated "Steve Dale's Pet World" and "The Pet Minute." He's also a contributing editor to USA Weekend.
__________________
POSITIVE ANIMAL TRAINING:
No disclaimers! You CAN try this at home!
Clicker Training, Positive Training, and Shaping Behaviors works and helps create a bond of trust between dog and human. It's a win-win! A basic, easy to read book is: Complete Guide to Postitive Dog Training by Pamela Dennison.
A lot of controversy seem to surround him doesn't it. Most of my dog training friends can't stand him...(I think there might be some jealousy involved lol). Most of my non training friends really like him though. I have enjoyed watching him (I don't get that channel so don't have many opportunties) although as this says, it's not a how to, it's just really to show what CAN be done...and I am sure there is also a fair share of failures that they never show on the air. And I wouldn't be surprised also some harsher corrections here and there also not shown. But overall I really like his methods and ideas.
One part of that article makes me shake my head.
"Appearing later the same night on my radio show, Dr. John Ciribassi, a veterinary behaviorist based in the Chicago area and immediate past president of the American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior, said, "The reality is that the pack explanation, the need to fight for dominance (in a home) is an arcane theory. The idea of dominance and need for it implies the need to, in fact, dominate our dogs. There is a need to communicate and to motivate but not to dominate. (Millan) uses the word 'leader' (for the owner); perhaps the word 'teacher' is better.""
Dogs are not people. They are not the same as people. They do not think the same as people. Therefor as much as we love them and pet on them and baby them, they are not people. We can not apply 'people' thoughts and motivations to dogs because they are not people. They have not evolved a new way of thinking that negates the pack mentatlity with a clear leader. That leader isn't always beating up on the lower ones, but he/she does maintain control. Calling it something else doesn't change the fact that it is pack mentality that dogs follow.
I love my two hounds, they are absolutely the sweetest critters I could ask for and I'd do what ever I could for them, but they are not the same as a person. They can't be taught the same way Elf was/is taught. They are treated with respect as are all living creatures. We don't hit, or starve or otherwise mistreat them (unless you count putting a sweater on them occasionally). They get snuggles and playtime and treats and food and all the love they could want, but they are lower in the pack than me or Elf or David.
Well said April.
And I have had very good results using Caesar Millan's techniques with Willy and Alex.
I've honestly never seen his show although I've heard quite bit about it. As a result I can't actually comment on HIM or HIS approach. I just thought I'd point that out since I realize I was very direct in my previous post. I'm not "taking up for" either side, just evaluating a part of the article that caught my attention.
I've used different techniques with Gretchen than I did with Cajsa, and I don't think I've ever read a book or watched a TV show about dog training. I just do what works without causing harm. I have a feeling I'd be lumped in with the 'ancients' from the 50s though.
I'm just catching up on some of the posts. This caught my attention because I feel so strongly about Cesar's approach and his work.
Cesar has said many times that he trains humans. It is the human in the equation that is usually screwing up the dog. :BangHead:
Parents who don't supervise their children when watching TV are irresponsible. If a child can "barely read a warning on the TV screen", why is that child being allowed to watch it unsupervised? :verdict: A TELEVISION IS ONE OF THE MOST DANGEROUS OBJECTS IN A HOME TODAY!!
I have watched every episode of Cesar's first season more than once. The overall message of giving a dog leadership is a valid one. The field of dog psychology is constantly evolving, just as human psychology is constantly evolving.
Steve Dale, the author does give credit to Cesar, grudgingly, in the last pararaphs, saying that "nterestingly, Millan admitted he has softened his views somewhat" and in the last paragraph Dale writes, "Viewers who closely follow Millan may note that his views have moderated to accept more conventional and contemporary approaches. 'Of course,' he says. 'It's all about moving forward. Most of the time, I come to cases when other professionals have tried, and it's up to me to save that dog. I have a certain knowledge and common sense. I hope to share that knowledge through my video game, or Sessions with Cesar, or the TV show. My job is to help dogs.' "
Steve Dale need journalism 101. Actually, given the state of journalism today, he fits right in. :cussing:
Karen :soapbox: