I actually tried the ignoring thing yesterday when I came home. Nikko was ecstatic as usual but when he saw that I was ignoring him, I saw the confusion in his little face (here I go projecting human emotions on him. A BIG no-no according to Cesar;) ). He then started to calm down but followed me everywhere. I calmly sat down on the couch and he sat down next to me. Here I admit, I cheated. I picked up that furball and I ate him up with the kisses. I can't help it, he's so darn cute!! But I can see where this would train him not to jump on the company.

I agree, I believe if the dog is not a problem then it does not pertain to your situation.

But even a small dog can be extrememly annoying if they will never leave you alone and constantly wanting your attention. If they never go and play by themselves.

I have met dogs like that. My sister had a pom years ago and the dog was constantly scratching at your legs, wanting attention. We have friends that have a s**tzu that will not allow the humans to visit because she wants to be the center of attention, so she barks the enitre time we are there.

If you have either of those issuse going on, then it is more thn just your dog being happy to see you. He is DEMANDING that you pay attention to him and therefore showing dominance over you.

There is NOTHING more special than coming home from a bad day at work and being greeted by such love!!! We too, spend about 15 minutes having a HAPPY FEST when I get home... it is GREAT! This is WHY I have my babies, the unconditional love that we have for each other is by far more important than "Human dominance" over a dog. The are trained, VERY WELL, to behave and NOT jump on visitors....

I completely agree! I swear I would cry if Coco didn't have a WELCOME HOME fest for me everyday! I look forward to that 5 minutes of whimpering alllll day long. I would be so worried about her if she didn't make a big deal of me coming home..lol..we have a 15 minute make out session when I get home, far more than any boyfriend ever got :p

He is...wow. seriously. I think I'd die as would Tucker and Rusty, if they didn't come greet us every time we come in the door!!!! Sorry, I don't agree with Ceaser's opinions on a lot of things. dogs need more attention than just "when they're calm." Just. No.

I couldn't agree with you more. I don't always look forward to trying to get through the doorway, but I wouldn't have it any other way. I have to sort of shuffle through them to get to the couch and sit down so they call all have their turn of letting me know how glad they are to see me home and I am just as happy to see them.

I have never once felt that my yorkies were DEMANDING my attention when I arrive home nor that they are showing dominance over me. What I do feel is lots of love and a big "hey we missed you" today. By not showing my delight and paying no attention to them is like ignoring a grandchild, or child, who runs to greet you with a big bear hug. Sooner or later they do get the message that you are not excited to see them and look at what YOU are loosing. It has nothing to do with dominance.

I agree with vainchick5 that the book is a bunch of crock. I've never even heard of it or seen the show but sounds very much like some of the same crock Dr. Spock spread over raising children. JMO

read this article: http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercu...s/14505140.htm

there is a growing group of people as well, who think that Cesar Milan teaches outdated, and in some cases, cruel ways. He relies on choke chains for dogs, as one example.

I would never rely on "expert" Cesar Milan to train a dog. He teaches dogs to fear their owners, and that is NOT GOOD.

I'm a real Caesar fan -- but somewhere along the line - I heard him mention a hundred times that he is not a dog trainer.... he works with dogs that have problems. He a behaviorial specialist.

Another time, I heard him say that a lot of things that are problems with bigger dogs are not problems with smaller dogs (not that small dogs can't have problems - they certainly can!)

We certainly know when our dogs are happy and well adjusted --- and when their behavior is acceptable to us. And, I'm sure a lot of us rightfully feel that we have no real problems with our little dogs.

When we come home and out little dogs run around in circles, stand on their hind legs, and occasionally bump into our legs. This is no problem.
BUT - if you came home to a 70 to 150 dog that exhibts the same behavior, I would consider this a problem. Especially, if the person coming into our house is a child, a relative, a neighbor, or a friend.

I read his Caesar's book too. And, I think his emphysis on exercise is another things that is more geared to somewhat larger dogs (especially with dogs that need to be better controlled). We don't need to go to quite these same lengths to exercise our tiny little house dogs. Although they certainly need daily exercise also and our walking with them is a wonderful way to bond with them and exercise them at the same time.

I have seen Caesar work with small dogs with behavioral problems - separation anxiety - aggressiveness - etc. ....very effectively. And - I've used some of Caesar's methods with my two small dogs, and I was amazed at how quickly I taught them to behave in certain ways.

As I read his book, I kept thinking of my friends and relatives with big dogs who have all sorts of problems - and kept thinking "So and so should be reading this book - or some other person should be reading this book." But, like a lot of you, my little Yorkie was just lying there beside me - and truthfully, a lot of the book wasn't geared toward a little guy like him who has never been a problem for me or anyone.

But at the same time -- let's admit that we read a lot of posts here on YT about a lot of little Yorkies that are quite aggressive and have other problems as well. And how many times have we seen people advise someone to get a behavorial specialist ASAP. Perhaps these are the times when Caesar's advise might be welcome.....or needed.

I got his DVD also about "Aggression." I don't need it - I have the two most passive dogs in the world. But, I do have a lot of friends with dogs that have aggression problems -- and they are all in line to see this DVD. Plus, I just want to learn more about working with dogs or being around dogs that are aggressive. I think his work and methods are very interesting....

So - I enjoyed his book and his DVD - I'm still a big fan.

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***** Have to laugh - my daughter said that for those of you who think of your little dogs as your children and your babies - Caesar's book would be a waste of time and money - you need a book on "how to raise children."

Carol Jean

I don't get this show here on the other side of the world, is he the "Dog Whisperer?"

Exactly!!! We are talking about Yorkies, aren't we? They are the most loving, energetic, and playful dogs. I don't agree on that part. I read that a happy dog licks it's nose a lot, tries to lick people, and wags his/her tail. Well, Baby does that CONSTANTLY but she also freaks out from excitement when I come home. Not happy? I don't think so. Sorry Mr. Milan, I disagree with you on this one.

Good point! :thumbup:

Yes, that's him! ;)

My advice, don't ignore poor little Nikko. He LOVES you!! :hearts-xx :kiss3: :hearts33: :heart79: :kiss4: :iheartu: :heart48: :hearts6:

I love dogs that come and greet me. I like the clicker training method better. If someone doesn't want a dog jumping on them, teach the dog to do tricks on command like "sit" or "waive". I don't want Sparks jumping on my two year old neice. She gives him treats if he sits and says "good boy". Now when he sees her, he doesn't jump on her...he sits in front of her...Runs to her and gets into a sit. It is very cute.
I trained him that when bikes pass on a trail to come to me (treat) and sit and stay (treat). Now, even if I don't do that because I don't see someone coming, he will not go barking at or towards the bike. I had him sitting 3 feet from a chihuaua on our vacation...he wanted to play with that dog SO bad. My last dog would have barked his head off and I could see that Sparks was thinking about doing that. I kept treating him for sitting and being quiet...for 2 hours he NEVER tried to go at that dog and never barked. I saw how Cesar handled similiar situations and I guess it worked for those people...good...but this way worked for me.
When I open the door, I've trained him to sit too. Any open door, he is supposed to be sitting becaus eI don't let him out the door without an "okay". I used postivie for all of this. Now...I do give negative too...he has been yelled at...but I think a mix from all sides is good and what works for you personally.
I am of a different spirituality. I believe that animals do have emotions and thoughts and such so I don't believe in what those trainers say...but that is me. :-) and it is my dog and I'll live how I want to and make sure he behaves so that people enjoy him...so far I get compliments ALL the time on how well behaved he is...and let me tell you...he is a freakin nutcase so it isn't like it comes easy to him.
suz