"The DOG WHISPERER"
Further Discussion about Cesar Millan's training methods
Continuing the Conversation about
"The Dog Whisperer"
Because there was a lot of after-the-fact interest in the DOG TALK show about Cesar Millan - which was a round table discussion of "The Dog Whisperer's" training philosophies - I am going to continue exploring the topic. I have set aside a page for this on the website which will have links to relevant articles, correspondence, etc.
On April 14th I am going to recreate the on-air round table discussion live at the U.C. Davis veterinary college in Sacramento, California. I will be moderating this live conversation and have invited Cesar Millan to come up from Los Angeles to explain and defend his methodologies with some other dog trainers and some veterinary behaviorists.
Here is a link to an earlier article in the NYTimes. Be sure to enlarge the drawing which is a really nice depiction of the "vicious ;circle" of aggression.
This is an article from the BBC about the legal action taken against Cesar Millan (which was all over the papers in Los Angeles at the time — but publicized very little eslewhere) and which resulted in an out of court settlement that included a gag order on the dog's owner. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/4977324.stm
This is an article comparing the training styles of Ian Dunbar (who has been a guest on DOG TALK®) and Cesar Millan, as originally posted on the blog of a devoted listener to my show in Florida, who does Dobermann Pinscher rescue. http://dobermannpinscher.org/WordPress/?p=1772
Further Thoughts on Cesar Millan DOG TALK® Show
This is a letter of further explanation about the show debating CM's controversial training techniques with hopes of helping his followers and disciples and those who just watch his TV show for entertainment to reconsider some of his training ideas.
Read the Letter. (PDF, 33KB)
I got this thoughtful perspective on Cesar Millan's techniques from Maureen, whose Dobermans Deion and Baci were Dogs of the Month on DOG TALK®. What Maureen couldn't have known without reading Temple Grandin's book ANIMALS MAKE US HUMAN is that she actually does not approve of Millan's harsher methods and ideology for dogs without serious problems, but does feel his techniques are effective with aggressive or dangerous dogs. I had asked her to clarify this before I interviewed her, but I decided not to get into that territory with her in the interview.
Hi Tracie!
I just finished listening to your conversation with Temple Grandin. My NPR station here in Ohio doesn't carry your show but I listen online and just listened to this one. I'm reading her book right now and am thoroughly enjoying it! What I appreciated most was her candor and honesty on Cesar Milan. While I don't prescribe in my dog training, both in a shelter and in my business, to many of his methods (I'm pure positive reinforcement) I don't believe in the demonization of him in the PR dog training world. I think he does bring interesting insight in pack/family dynamics and that he has learned by observation which is something that Temple speaks heavily on. I appreciate her respect for him as a man that does love dogs obviously and even though we may not agree with his techniques, we can agree that one dog that has been saved from euthanization and has been given a new lease on life, is something that can be applauded. Thanks for your show!! Don't worry, I'm not alpha rolling any of our furry friends!
Maureen D. (Deion & Baci, my pups, were your Jan. dogs of the month)
b.f.f.- best friends forever dog training and behavioral management
Update:
Hello again Tracie - I actually did read Temple's book Animals Make Us Human and loved it!! I did understand her to say that while she doesn't agree with his techniques (which I do not as well) she does recognize his understanding of dog behavior because he actually watched them as apposed to verifying statistics on dog behavior through scientific math problems. She has a respect for his knowledge I guess is what I meant to say which many dog trainers won't even give him that. Sorry for the confusion.
Maureen
05/07/2009
SOME FEEDBACK TO THE CESAR MILLAN DEBATE
I got this intelligent, thoughtful and respectful commentary from a dedicated lady to whom I had already written once after the first Cesar Millan debate. I appreciate the time and consideration that went into her comments.
Dear Tracie - I know you are really really busy, but I hope you read this and I am honored to get a reply from you especially after a few weeks (or is it just many days!?).
I will certainly listen to your podcast again -- I believe I've saved it on my itunes file -- when I have the time to devote to it. And I apologize if I seemed to have a kneejerk reaction to criticism about the Dog Whisperer. So many people who do criticize him seriously do NOT "get it." And he has been subject to criticism by people who mention the same episodes, as if he has not progressed since then....
Read the rest of the letter. (12KB, PDF)
Comments From A Cesar Fan After Hearing The Dog Talk® Devoted
To Explaining Criticism Of Some Of His Techniques
This came from Mary, a dog trainer and rescuer of German Wirehaired Pointers (GWP). My comments are at the end.
I just listened to your podcast discussion with Parvene Farhoody about Cesar with great interest. Some very goods points were made, and I use most if not all of them in my rehabilitation work. Let me tell you, 7 out of 10 of my GWP's come in very abused and neglected, they are broken....in body and spirit. I have worked with tyhe German Wirehaired pointer breed for 12 years exclusively, and all breed rescue before that. Our breed is seen much like a tool for the field, they are not treated as living beings. They are extremely sensitive, and do not do well with harsh methods. They will recoil into themselves.
About the bulldog in Texas shown on The Dog Whisperer - that had the hose obsession. Well, I have a dog here now that is the worst case I have ever had. She was extremely aggressive/possessive of anything in her mouth. She was very broken... I am sure her crate had been kicked, and she was extremely dominate on top of that. What I did was to teach her the drop command... praise and treat. She soon learned that I would throw the ball or toy and not only did she have more fun, she got something very tasty and high value. She tried to engage me in tug of war, was very competitive and was growling/snarling... so we do not engage in that activity as it feeds her dominant behavior. We simply ignored her until she dropped the rope, then would praise and throw it. This replaced the "game" with an acceptable activity that was even better. She has now overcome all but one of the target behaviors as I outlined in my behavior mod plan... as we focus on one behavior at a time. We are still working on the food bowl issue... she can eat from my lap now... from the bowl without guarding. She is quite submissive... but we are a work in progress, and it takes as long as it takes.
By the way, on a hunch from the studies from Dr. Dodd's, I had Suzy tested for thyroid as 70% of the dogs in Dr. Dodd;s studies with extreme aggression had a thyroid imbalance. She was a .03 and should have been closer to 2.5 thyroid level. She has been on meds for a month, and though she has softened in her intensity, learned behaviors are being worked on. She is still below the 2.5-3.0 level my vet wants her to be. She is currently a 1.5.
Daisy is a soft, sweet dog that came in from a shelter in Barron WI. She was dumped into the shelter with advanced heart worm disease, lyme disease, a UTI, emaciated and worms. She was put onto a hunting preserve and "leased" out to hunters. She had absolutely no confidence, as badly as she wanted to interact with people, she had no idea how. She had never seen the inside of a home. She has been with me for 2 months now, and stretched out here at my feet as I type this. She is now housebroken, is learning that she is safe, has had 2 heart worm treatments, and still on Antibiotics for the lyme disease.
I also do a lot of canine massage. Use DAP (dog appeasing pheromone) collars, soothing ways to engage the dogs. I do follow Cesar's way from the books, videos, as I do not get the National Geographic Channel. Also I follow my heart, and know my breed inside and out.
So Cesar will be on your show?
Daisy is only letting me type with one hand now: she wants her massage
I really enjoyed your comments - and appreciate all your kind, patient and positive solution to the dogs who come to you for rehabilitation and a second chance. It is ironic that many of those who staunchly defend Cesar Millan's strong-armed methodology in dealing with problems such as these, are actually using entirely different, kinder, non-dominating attitudes in solving behavior problems. I never got a reply from his publicist so I have to assume he's not interested in being interviewed by me. But keep up the great work you are doing. I only wish Cesar could see you at work!
P.S. If you ever have silent auctions or raffles to raise moeny for the rescue let me know so I can send an autographed copy of THE DOG BIBLE to raise a few extra bucks!
Tracie
