Dog Whisperer, Full of s*** or right on??

[jacky]

i think the book/show centers on bigger dogs. and the time frame he gives for walking is probably geared towards larger breeds. I agree with him somewhat on the whole DOGS ARE DOGS issues. in some ways, yes our dogs are our babies, but unlike babies, dogs can bite and cause damage. so unlike babies, dogs need DISCIPLINE. Nothing is more fun that cuddling and kissing our dogs, but i would rather not cuddle all the time and have a WELL BEHAVED dog that i can take on fun trips and walks and to parks and stores. then cuddle all the time and enforce no rules and end up with a dog that i cant take anywhere or do anything fun with and that is one of those crazy lil dogs that ends up on ceasars show.
My mom lives with me and has always given charlie nothing but love, even when we was bad. while i was the one who enforced discipline when he was bad AND loved him when he was good. and now, hes the biggest brat with her, he doesnt come when she calls him and he thinks hes dominant over her.

the one thing i swore when i decided to get a small dog is that it wouldnt end up like those chihuahuas on ceasars show. Agression is never cute and it shouldnt matter how big the dog is to decide if aggresive behaviors are acceptable.

[JENNGENE01_]

I believe in his methods a 100%. The thing is he is not hurting the at all he is treating them the way that the pack leader would treat their pups in the wild. The leash pulling isn't pulling them to choke them he pulls it quick enough to grab their attention from what is giving them anxiety. He really does know what he's talking about.
Also the reason that he states that the dogs should be left on the floor (I don't do this because my little ones are to cute ) is because once you let a dog sleep on your bed and on the couch it makes them think that they are your equal or above you especially with larger breed dogs and yes yorkies too because they tend to be jealous. I do believe in the walking and holding them by the back of the neck it has worked for me since I have teld with overly aggressive dogs.
His methods are based on the health and well being of the dog from back in the day when dogs worked and doing what they were breed for and helping them extend their life. So many dogs are overweight, not sociaizedl, and overly hyper because they are not walked enough. Walking is huge for their life no matter what size they are.

[RosieRomeosmom]

I absolutely LOVE his methods... for our Chocolate Lab. He has said himself that he is more comfortable working with larger breeds, and so I can see that the training absolutely applies to bigger dogs. I do treat our Yorkies so much different than our Cocoa. I also think that he has to be more strict with the dogs on the show, because they are on the show for a reason. So he needs to get them back in line. As far as Tamar's training... works good with little dogs but not one method she provided would work for our lab. (Don't get me wrong, our lab is very loved, but we have to be much more disciplined with her so that she is not an obnoxious out of control large dog.) Oh, and as far as the walking thing... that again is for large breeds. If we didn't walk Cocoa at least an hour every day, she would tear our house apart. The needs of big and little dogs are just so differrent...

[Sukoshi's Mom]

I've only seen him on Oprah a couple times, so I don't really have an opinion one way or the other. I do think he seems to have an attitude/ego though, and that kinda turns me off, no matter what his methods are.

[Dan & Corinne]

My feelings are Cesar is more about large dogs, especially since he started out with Rotties and Pitts. Smaller breeds just can't be handled like the larger breeds. But a lot of Cesars techniques can be used on the little ones. I do the finger nip thing and it works but I do not do not agree with the hold them down until they submit method.

I don't want my kids to be afraid of me.

Just like any thing else in our lives, you take what works for you and leave the rest behind.

Just cuz Tofu is good doesn't mean you want it to be a part of your diet. Right? - But I love Tofu!!!

[JuicyGirl]

I know a lot of people who do not like him and say he is cruel, but I agree with his methods.

[OpheliaLoved]

I have not had time to read all of the posts, so sorry if I am repeating. I will read them all tomorrow and probably post again, I just have a few things that I'd like to say now.

I have read the dog whisperer book and really recommend it to anyone who is having problems training their dog, no matter what kind they have. I think he is a man who really understands the creatures he works with, and how their minds work. I think if people took the time to listen to him when he talks about why dogs get into the behavior patterns they do, we would all be a LOT less frustrated with our babies when they pee on the carpet, or seem to do things "out of spite"

I have used mostly his methods in training Paddington, and I think it's done wonders! People where ever we go can't believe that I've been training him less than two weeks. Today we did a little "show" for my grandma at the memorial day picnic, and even I was amazed at what he has picked up. Even potty training has gone SO well! And I think it is because I have been following his methods. Then again, I also think I have a genius dog (but which of us on here doesn't!!! )

I really like what he has to say about the owner being in control of everything the dog has access to, and that the dog has to earn priviliges. It sounds harsh to a lot of people (my mother chides me for being mean to my dog because I make him sit before I give him his food) but it really makes sense when you look at it from a dog's perspective. Not only is it in a dog's instincts to work for his food and survival, but it reminds him that I am the one in control.

I've never seen his DVD's, but plan on getting them with my next paycheck, and I have only seen parts of his TV show, so I am only basing my opinion on his book. As a behavioral psychologist, I love his methods, and even if you don't agree with them I think it is still worth it to read his book just to understand what it is that you don't agree with. Either way you get a better understanding of how you want to train your dog!
-O

[OpheliaLoved]

Originally Posted by Dan & Corinne

My feelings are Cesar is more about large dogs, especially since he started out with Rotties and Pitts. Smaller breeds just can't be handled like the larger breeds. But a lot of Cesars techniques can be used on the little ones. I do the finger nip thing and it works but I do not do not agree with the hold them down until they submit method.

I don't want my kids to be afraid of me.

Just like any thing else in our lives, you take what works for you and leave the rest behind.

Just cuz Tofu is good doesn't mean you want it to be a part of your diet. Right? - But I love Tofu!!!

In his book he talks against using this method! I am confused, does he use this method on his show???? There is a whole chapter in his book talking about how old fashioned and just plain wrong this method is
-O

[Holly_QD]

I agree with most of his tactics. I also agree with some of you who say that he is a little rough. But he does it accordingly. I'm sure he knows exactly how much pressure to apply with each dog. He's gotten his share of bites and mostly from the little ones that look the least harmful. I totally agree that dogs are dogs and not people. I love my Holly, but at the end of the day she is a dog. A pampered one, but a dog nonetheless. She knows I am the pack leader and to this day has not challenged my position at all. Anyhow, I do love Cesar and will continue to watch his show and be a big fan. Oh I forgot to mention, I definitely use the shhhhht sound and finger with Holly. It totally works.

[jacky]

C'mon who has the hots for Cesar? go ahead and ADMIT IT!

lol i must admit. i did think he was hot for a while

[Holly_QD]

I think he's good looking too! (running and hiding)!

[SJK1113]

Originally Posted by crb

I have seen quite a few of his shows and have to say that some of the things he teaches are really good, one of things I do disagree with is the whole "dogs are not people and you shouldn't treat them as so" because I surely treat my little babies as if I bore them myself and that will never change I don't care who tries to tell me otherwise.

I totally agree!

[SJK1113]

Originally Posted by jacky

C'mon who has the hots for Cesar? go ahead and ADMIT IT!

lol i must admit. i did think he was hot for a while

Yeah he's cute, I'll admit that.

[Sukoshi's Mom]

Originally Posted by jacky

C'mon who has the hots for Cesar? go ahead and ADMIT IT!

lol i must admit. i did think he was hot for a while

LOL! OK...I CANNOT admit that. He seems very short to me. (Of course, I'm on the tall side for a girl at 5' 8"). I don't tend to go for short guys. My husband is 6' 2", and it's perfect...even when I wear heels! The rest of you can fight over Cesar!

[SJK1113]

Originally Posted by Sukoshi's Mom

LOL! OK...I CANNOT admit that. He seems very short to me. (Of course, I'm on the tall side for a girl at 5' 8"). I don't tend to go for short guys. My husband is 6' 2", and it's perfect...even when I wear heels! The rest of you can fight over Cesar!

lol he's cute but not worth fighting over. I agree about the short thing. Sometimes I feel like the dogs have a bit of a sad look after he's done training them. It's hard to explain, but I don't like it. I do think some of his ideas about training the people are right on because some people have no clue!