I'm just gonna copy 'n paste one of my old posts to put in here...
I think it's highly ignorant of people to state Cesar is abusive to his dogs because that statement is so bluntly false. Without knowing Cesar (or you, for that matter) and just seeing the dogs at the center on TV... they are so NOT abused. Puh-lease. If that ain't the biggest load of crap I've heard, then I don't know what is. All those dogs are extremely happy around Cesar and happy in general, and dogs
don't act for the television.
I think trainers are just jealous of him because he actually has success. He does more than just making the dog rely on a treat to do something. You shouldn't have to have a treat in your hand to make your dog listen. I'm ALL for positive re-enforcement. I think it's great. My dog is very food motivated and it's a great thing to have and be able to do. Cesar even uses food occasionally. It all depends on the situation, as you know.
It annoys me to no end how much crap Cesar gets that he doesn't deserve. He damn well loves all the dogs he encounters and if anyone thinks he is doing this to abuse or damage the dogs mentally... you may need your eyes checked. Yes, we only see what's on TV, but I've done tons of research on him (among with all sorts of training methods) and you can just SEE the dogs are
not emotionally scarred by Cesar. They lick him, they give him affection, they wag their tails. It's not like when he comes into a room, they stick their tail under with their ears all the way back, absolutely terrified.
The thing is, Cesar does not claim to be a typical "sit-stay-down" trainer. He claims to train PEOPLE how to handle dogs, and rehabilitates dogs. His cases are normally not very "typical" in most episodes as they're more extreme than anything else. Sometimes dogs NEED a quick tap on the shoulder or a quick tug to snap them out of it. That's not to say you should KICK your dog. Cesar has stated MANY times he's not hurting, injuring or kicking or hitting a dog.... the dog is not in pain when he gives a quick tap. It's no worse than training a horse. You kick the horse to get it goin'. kids used to be SPANKED when they did things wrong, and I don't think children who were spanked are mentally and emotionally scarred for life. My parents were spanked and my grandparents were too and they'll tell ya one thing... they never did it again. I'm not an advocate for spanking your children or anything. I'm just sayin'.
You also have to remember... we live in America where dogs are SPOILED ROTTEN. A lot of times they don't get to even be dogs because their humans smother them so much. Cesar grew up on the streets of Mexico where dogs were "wild" or stray, so he got to see the TRUE interaction of a pack without it's human handlers to ruin them. Most of the time, it IS the owners fault, and not the dogs. So, yes, of course he is going to have a different viewpoint. Don't we all?
Now, I'm not a professional in any way, but I feel I've done my research and know a hell of a lot more about dogs in general and their psychology than the general typical dog owner next door so I feel my opinion should count for something.
I just think it's very unfair to single him out and I feel the need to stick up for him, even though
he could care less about your opinions. What he does works, he's a millionaire, and he's a good human being with good moral values. Is everything he does right? NO! He's made mistakes, who hasn't? He's admitted to making mistakes and updating his ways and discovering new training methods. He's not stuck on ONE idea.
His philosophy of excersise, discipline and affection WORKS. I don't care what anybody says. It's worked for Jackson so that's all I can say. It's a good philosophy for children as well.
On another spectrum
(I'm sorry this is getting so long, I hope someone is still reading) when you look at dog trainer Victoria Stillwell, who trainers seem to value more... she really focuses on the SAME exact things as Cesar, without the "touch" but she also brings up dominance issues, who is head of the household, and basically everything Cesar says, just in a softer way.