Dog Whisperer?
 

Happy New Year! :2party:

A week after I got Lexi, we started major construction on our house. We were basically living out of our kitchen and my bedroom. Much of our stuff was in storage, including the cable box. Our television watching was limited to whatever was on basic cable on the TV in my room.

Now, most of the work is done, and our house is much more "normal". The cable box came back late last week, and we have been enjoying watching some other shows.

During construction, one of the electricians mentioned the Dog Whisperer book. He said his wife loved it, and was able to make some immediate improvements in their dog's behavior.

It sounded interesting, so I asked for his "Member of the Family" book for Christmas. I just started reading it...wishing I had this before I brought Lexi home.

Also, my groomer recommended the show, so I was just able to find it on cable.

I have started watching it in the last few days, and I have to say I am completely in awe of what I am seeing on the show. Cesar seems to have so much knowledge and a tremendous understanding of dogs and how they feel, act, etc. as well as what people, with their best intentions, are doing that may inadvertently cause problems for their pets. I am trying to watch and absorb as much as I can. I don't think what he does is so much an action as a major understanding and the ability to project the feeling to your dog that you are a dominant pack leader, and to express your feelings about what you want and don't want your dog to do.

Does anyone else watch him? What are your thoughts? Do you use his theories?

Any other good book or video recommendations?

I'm curious to see how others feel.

Caesar Millan is an icon in our house. We absolutely LOVE him.

Love the show
 

I have been watching for months. I saw an episode with a Yorkie 2 weeks ago. The little Yorkie kept attacking the ironing board and iron cord. It was so funny. :grin2: I have to say I tried the "ccchhhh" thingy when Bella barks or is in another dogs face. She gets very excited when other animals are around. I say "CCCHHH" loudly and miraculously she stop what she is doing.:yay_jump: I am amazed at what he accomplishes on his show. I just hope it is all real. Sometimes what you see on TV and what is real life is not the same. :aimeeyork

good dog
 

Yes, I've read the book and found it to be a great help in understanding my dogs. I haven't seen the show but have had rave reviews from various friends. I think my dogs are probably the best behaved yorkies in the city because I applied his theries. They don't bark, snap or jump on people and are very calm and obedient. I know yorkies have a bad reputation with many because they seem to be so high strung. I think it's a question of knowing where they stand in the pack and living in a structured environment. Good book, good theories. I wish more people would take their dog ownership more seriously and read the valid resources there are out there.

I think Cesar is awesome too. :)
I started watching the show after my 5 yr old Niece told me about him! She watches him on Animal Planet, which is about the only channel she is allowed to watch without adult supervision. :rolleyes:

She told me; "Aunt Kathy...this guy is great, you have to watch him!" She turned on the show and we sat and watched three in a row. This was the first day I brought Daisy Mae home, and now I DVR his show all the time.

I too have used the "Chhh" command from the beginning and it's magic. :thumbup: I also received his new book for Christmas along with a couple of his DVD's.

I have read others opinions (Mostly trainers) on other boards about Cesar and his methods. Some strongly disagree and think he uses cruel submission techniques. I think that he practices what he preaches...He understands their behavior and works towards breaking the bad and bringing out the good in dogs that are struggling in their lives. He's kinda like a Dog psychologist and he is just teaching families how to co-exsist happily together.

Sorry this is so long. I am so in the training zone working with my baby and I am like a sponge right now. I love teaching her new things and seeing her learn and respond.

I love Cesar too, although he has many critics, everyone I talked to who hates him has never seen his show, and has gotten their information from a third party. What some people don't understand is that he is not a dog trainer; he trains people, and rehabilitates dogs. For people who understand psychology, he would be more Freud-like than Skinner. :D You can't say one's right and ones wrong, they both have good information, and you can't compare the two.


By the way, Net Flick has his whole series of shows; you can rent it really cheap.

Very good explanation Nancy. I try to tell people he is not really a "dog trainer", that he focuses more on the psychy of the dog owner to dog...but I'm no expert and don't know how to explain it any further to people who wouldn't get what I'm trying to say...:p But I like your way so I'll have to steal your explanation (& analogy)...hehehe Thanks

I love him BTW...A lot of people try to compare him to Victoria Stelwell(sp?) from It's Me or The Dog and I try to tell them, they are different techniques to train a dog and the 2 shows take different approaches...I love watching both.

I read his book "Cesar's Way" and loved it...gives you his background and an understanding of why he takes the approach he does.

I recently started watching it. I think that its a great show. I haven't seen any of the ones with Yorkies. I am determined to train Hannah to be a well behaved dog. Does his new book have anything about biting? I am personally at my wits end on this particular subject. :animal36

Lots of people love Victoria, and I think for actual training she can extremely helpful, but I thing Cesar's most important contribution is his reminder that dogs read our energy. Calm assertiveness works best when dealing with dogs, or people for that matter. Some people come off as passive/nervous, and others come off as aggressive, while some jump back and forth between the two extremes, both extremes are really disturbing to he dog, and humans as well.

I haven't read his book yet, I've heard some good things about it though, and would like to.

It's a great show
Cesar has given me great incite to how the canine mind reacts and sees things
They are very different from people
That I knew but until Cesar came along I didn't really know the techniques we can use to tap into some of those processes
He's def made it easier to train my dogs this go around:D

Oh, WE love Cesar in my home, I have all his books, now I need the time to read them....LOL
hugs,
cARmen in nj

I believe that we have seen every episode. We love his show and I use his methods.

I love to watch Cesar too although what he does is not all that easy to imitate in real life coz that is the reason why he was on tv right but he is good and his reasonings, I love to listen to the logical reasonings.

Well he has had a lot of practice. And it is not easy for a person to change the way tha they relate to their dogs, it is someting that one has to work on, it does not come naturally to everyone.

I watch both shows, It's Me Or THe Dog, and The Dog Whisper. I like both of them, even though their approaches are very different. I have seen Ceaser work with many Yorkies though and he is good. But, he is more hands on to the dog. I've seen him jerk leashes and put a collar on a yorkie who then started breathing funny. I like Victoria because she does not touch the dogs, she uses more treats and motivaters and teaches the owner how to deal with the dog's behavior in detail, she also follows up with the family, then comes back if needed. I just think she is more detailed oriented, and more of a probelm solver to the families.
I do like Ceaser, but, he is just more physcial with the dogs. I have seen him be like a miracle worker to some of the larger breeds he has worked with. They both are absolutely amazing, but use very different approaches. :animal36

What I like about Cesar as compared to Victoris, is that he teaches one way to deal with every problem, whereas Victoria has a different method for each issue.

Her methods just seem to take longer. With Cesar it is just a matter of changing the way that you relate to the dog and everything will fall into place naturally.

Of course with either one it is still going to take a while for the dog to adjust to the NEW YOU.

I can recommend The dog listener, by jan Fennell. Similar to Cesar, but maybe with a slightly softer touch.

Great informatiton. I seem to buy more books than I ever read, so I'll hunt down the programs on cable.... they must be there somewhere (I also don't watch enough TV to know what's on).

Oh, and about the construction.... well I can sure relate. We have done it a few times and it's a wonder our marriage has survived living "IN" it. Good luck.

And one more thing.... that lil baby in your avatar is too cute for words; I'm gonna see if you have more pics in an album!

Dog Whisperer
 

I saw that too. Tried it with Tricksie and the vacuum but she can't hear me to well over the sound. I love Cesar.

Although Cesar is criticized by many..we love him at our home. I think alot of what he teaches specifically his saying, "Exercise, Discipline, then affection" makes so much sense. Out Biggie is by all means not 100% disciplined, he has his moments whe he will not listen, but Cesar's tips have certaintly made our relationship with our little man so much better and I think it has made us better dog owners.

I love Cesar too....I like his techniques and I like to just listen to him :) I am in awe when he works fearlessly with big dogs !~

LOVE him!
 

There has been a Dog Whisperer marathon on this week and I have stayed up WAY too late every night because I can't stop watching! I watched one last night about a guy who thought he was using Ceasar's methods, but was not actually doing it right. When he became calm and assertive then the method worked! He RULES! I also enjoy It's Me or the Dog almost as much. I have seen Victoria work more with smaller dogs, I think.:aimeeyork:aimeeyork

First, I would like to thank everyone who responded to my questions. I read every response, and found your thoughts interesting.

I am happy to hear that there are so many Cesar Millan fans out there! I can't wait to see the episode with the Yorkie. Most of the ones I have seen so far have shown him working with bigger dogs. Some of the things he does really can't be done the same way with such a small dog, so I am curious to see how he adapts to the size difference.

I felt the same way, BellaAmore - hoping it was real. I know that TV doesn't always show everything. It seems like the people are genuinely happy with the results. If you saw the one with the bulldog, they said he worked with them for 3 hours. On the same episode with the dalmatian at the firehouse, they said it was a matter of seconds or minutes where he got the dog to leave the food alone. And the follow-ups usually show that the changes have lasted.

The whole idea of the pack and pack leader is very interesting. I think, as misskate said, it would be great if more people took their dog ownership more seriously and tried to learn more about their pets. I feel like I still have so much to learn, but I am anxious to do so. I think it would only make my pet, my family, and myself happier in the end.

To DaisyMaesMama, I have tried making "the sound". I'm not even sure I'm making the sound correctly! But it doesn't usually work for me - or at least only for a brief time. I think my attitude and what I am projecting needs to change for the sound to work.

Nancy, yes, that is repeated often during the shows: training people and rehabilitating dogs. They make that very clear. It's amazing how much what WE do affects our dogs in such a strong way! Thanks for the tip about Net Flick too. :) And you are right about our energy. I have a feeling that I am not projecting the proper energy to get the best out of Lexi.

I will have to check out "It's Me or The Dog" too, when I get a chance. I'm open to learning more techniques, and maybe both of them have things that will work. If I am looking for more info., I will check out "Cesar's Way" after finishing the one I am reading now.

ddavis, I haven't gotten far enough into the book to see if it deals with specific topics like biting. I am dying to jump ahead, but he recommends reading from the beginning, even if you already have your dog, so I am trying to do it "the right way" so I can get the most out of it.

Potter, I completely know what you are saying! He makes it look so easy, but it really isn't that easy to do. I love to listen to his reasonings, too, and I feel like if I watch enough shows, and read the book(s), then eventually I might really have a good understanding of it. He really knows SO MUCH about dogs!

To MollysMum, that book sounds interesting. Thanks for the recommendation. I will try to check that out one too. :)

MauiGirl, thanks for understanding about the construction thing. ;) I agree - it is a wonder that our marriage survived - and our family unit! I am thankful that the majority, and the worst of it, are done. And thank you for your kind words. I do hope to get an album put up. Soon?? I hope so...

Donnarod, what if you work on the vacuum while it is off?

Yasminv1, I see how much he stresses the exercise part. I hope that when the weather is a little better, I can get Lexi outside more. I think it will be good for *both* of us!

IWannaYorkie - I feel like I was destined to watch this show... Our cable box was hooked up just in time for the marathon. I have been staying up late, too, but I must say...thank goodness for TiVo! I have plenty of shows waiting for me to watch. I am very anxious to see the one you mentioned about the guy who was not doing the methods correctly. I feel like that is me! To see what he was doing wrong, and how he corrected it, might help me make corrections myself.

Again, thank you for all of your responses. I am so glad that Cesar's methods have helped so many of you have better relationships with your dogs. :animal36

Love the Dog Wisperer
 

I love Cesar. I try to always catch his show if I dont catch it I try to go to Amazon and watch the episodes.
I ordered becoming the pack leader and love all three parts of it. I am determined to make a well behaved dog out of Mia. I use his ways to acomplish that.

Cesar Millan
 

I love Cesar, I have been to one of his seminars, I would tell anyone that gets that chance do it. That man is wonderful. I watch him all the time. I would also recommend his newest door CESAR MILLAN A MEMBER OF THE FAMILY!!!!

I just went over to Amazon - I didn't even know they had that. Thanks for teaching me something new today! :)

How cool! I would love to see him in person. I am reading A Member of the Family now. I got it for Christmas. :)

Caution!
 

After reading a couple Dog Whisperer books on vacation, I am thoroughly brainwashed!

Regarding "cruel submission techniques", Cesar makes a good point in his books that he is called in to handle the most severe cases. Those harsher techniques (or "corrections" as Cesar calls them) are only applied after positive reinforcement and calm-assertive approaches have failed for a particular dog. He also cautions that if those harsher methods are needed, it's probably time to call in an experienced professional -- don't try this at home yourself!

I practice Cesar's Way at home as many of us YTers do, just wanted to clarify that the harsher correction techniques are a last resort and should only be attempted by a trained professional.

Happy Pack-Leading, all!

how do you watch them on amazon?

I'm glad you pointed this out, many of his critics only stress his "cruel submission techniques".