I'm a big fan of your show (Dog Talk on podcast). I have 2 dogs - 1 2 yo GSD and 1 14 mo Weimaraner, so I really appreciate the Weimaraner comments on your broadcast. And thank you for pronouncing the breed's name correctly! One last thing I want to mention is I have been working with and training my own dogs for about 20 years. I've read dozens of books on dog training and behavior. I've also volunteered at my local Humane Society from time to time.

I just listened to your podcast #35 from 08/04/07 and I can't disagree with you enough on your Caesar Milan comments. I do not agree with everything he does or recommends. I do, however, agree with most of what he recommends. I understand his methodology (and his terminology!) are outside of the mainstream. However, I think he is by and large a genius. He seems to understand dogs, as if he were a dog. Over the last few years I have personally met dog trainers who admire CM and those who hate him. As you can imagine I have trouble reconciling your take and his take on dog handling.

Have you ever considered having him on as a guest? Or have a panel of experts to discuss his approach - some pro, some con? As you probably have seen he works closely with dog trainers, shelter advocates and behavior experts. They seem to admire and respect what he does. (for example the Katrina dog episode). Maybe I am kidding myself, but it seems to me that you and he have a great deal more in common than not.

Thank you for everything you do on behalf of our four legged friends!

Tim in Wisconsin, USA

Dear Tim -

I really appreciate that you took the time to write and explain so well what is on your mind about Cesar.

I don't honestly remember what I said on that show about him but I try to keep my comments based on facts of what I have seen him do on TV - not a personal opinion based on emotion., but fact abased

I do agree that trainers either line up in worship (my own trainer for years, and someone who advised me on training issues for The Dog Bible thought the world of him and had worked in a workshop with him. We agreed to understand and disagree with each others opinion of Mr Millan. Other trainers feel he is incredibly old fashioned, and uses fear-based over-powering kind of training (like the Monks of New Skete)

Unlike my former trainer (and maybe you??) I have watched nearly all of his shows - as research - to understand the mass market phenomenon. There is no doubt he is extremely gifted and talented and maybe can train trainers. I do see his value and skills - but his showmanship on TV and his uninformed opinions and pronouncements about what makes dogs tick (especially female dogs) shows why some independent education benefits each of us, no matter how naturally gifted we might be.

I actually have played devil's advocate with what Cesar does, but his technique on TV became more and more high drama, inciting dogs to bite him, to go after each other, etc. When he forced a dog into a dog house using a Wilson tennis racket as a tool and then goaded the dog into biting the racket once driven into his dog house, i really thought it was becoming ridiculous. Ditto the multiple episodes on which he had English bulldogs he ran until they were panting on the verge of collapse - really dangerous for this breed and not in any way related to training - certainly not teaching viewers how to interact with their dogs.

As for having him on the show, I understand that is it very very difficult to get Cesar as a guest and those who do get him are basically there to praise his success on television.

You sound like a bright and educated and concerned dog person (anybody who has a Weim gets high marks from me!!) - would you want to call in and we can have this discussion as two people at a dinner party might? People do not have to be experts to form opinions about what they see

I will be having Parvene Farhoody back on the show to discuss Cesar and other training topics - if you listen to the show from 1/12/08 you can hear what an accomplished and well spoken trainer she is. I also have the Official trainer of Dog Talk coming on Jan 26 so please listen - I will ask her what she thinks of Cesar.

On that same day I have a woman who runs an incredible Weimaraner rescue in Calif - where i got 2 of my dogs - so you will definitely want to hear her!

Let me know if you want to chat on the air.

Best,
Tracie Hotchner