'The Dog Whisper's' aka Cesar Milan's dominance method of training

[Nicky, Riley & Boris]

I came across this very interesting in depth examination which is calm and considered with lots of examples.  I think it's worth debating as 'The Dog Whisperer' has world wide publicity and seems to be in the 'Most Popular' celebrity catagory.

Please watch the videos and then post your thoughts.  As a newbie and someone who wants the best for my new Puppy I need to know what you think.

http://www.drsophiayin.com/philosophy/training

 

If you click on the Dominance Controversy it will bring you straight to the videos.

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

Yes, and for many dogs I think this would be fine.  Guinness would be a great family dog, even without formal obedience training.  I wanted him to be a Therapy dog, so I went through a formal training program.  Poor Murphy would never have been able to leave the house without all the training he's been through, and we would not have been able to have any visitors in the house without him being crated.  For him, "not training" just wasn't an option.

[Sandra Griffith]

I forgot to mention in my previous post that ensuring that a dog has had the proper amount of exercise is another important component to having a well-behaved dog; with too much unspent energy a dog (or child, horse, etc for that matter) will quite often use his/her energy in ways that we humans are not particularly fond of. This is a well known concept and not really Caesar Milan's concept.

[Nicky, Riley & Boris]

Thanks to all of you to contributing so far to this debate.  Reading all your thoughtful and in depth posts is very interesting indeed and is getting me focused for the task in hand which will it seems be a way of life and not just a few minutes a day thing.  I am signing up for the best classes I can find and am starting clicker training a couple of days after my puppy comes home.  I will try to love him like a child but treat him like a dog!

 I understand that regular exercise is very important but am I correct in being careful about lots of exercise and how do I deal with that?.  I was thinking that perhaps running on grass rather than lots of walking on hard surfaces might be safer for growing bones?

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Walking on hard surfaces is fine, just no running on hard surfaces. Keep exercise sessions shorter and build up to longer walks over time. Most important, no vertical jumping.

[Nicky, Riley & Boris]

Thanks Karen, that's clearer now.

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

A little exercise goes a long way with new puppies....they seem to tire themselves out pretty quickly.  You'll be getting your puppy at such a great time.  Playing outside on the grass for 15 minutes will probably lead to some good nap/crate time....at least it did with my guys.  After 15 to 20 minutes they were exhausted...not that it lasted too long.

[Nicky, Riley & Boris]

Thanks Jane, My last puppy came in january and I spent hours outside in the freezing cold ( I lived in an apartment) and it was torture.  I'm so glad that puppy is arriving in the early Summer. Irish Summer, you understand is not quite the same as an American one lol ; ) ! )

[Adina P]

It is that delicate balance. The few min a day while LEARNING something new are much needed...but once a behavior is learned and well established it is important to USE it in daily life because, after all,that is the point unless one's goals are only to compete and use obedience as performance rather than utility.

[Sandra Griffith]

Nicky, the others are right regarding exercise with a young puppy.  They do tend to tire themselves out quickly.  I prefer to use active play as a form of exercise with young pups.  They tend to have energy bursts and often get the "runnies"; this is when they run around your house/ yard like crazy.  Self-regulation works well with the little guys but be sure to give them regular opportunities.  This may seem to contradict all of the housetraining guidlines, but it isn't as complicated as it seems.  When a puppy first wakes up-out they go (on lead) to their designated potty place.  I like to give them three minutes to go (the person holding the leash remains neutral-no talking, moving around, etc.).  If they go it's party time and they are given around 20 minutes of supervised play time.  If they do not go they are put back in their crate and you try again in 30 minutes.  This gives them a chance for exercise but also accomplishes the house-training goals.

 

I do not like to take young puppies on long walks as this can stress their little skeletons while they are growing at their fastest.  Stamina must be built up slowly and carefully.  I also reccomend waiting to do any real agility or strenuous athletic activities until they are somewhere between 12-18 months.

[Nicky, Riley & Boris]

Thanks sandra, as usual you give me really great concise advise.

[Cheryl and Finnegan]

Adina, well said!  I couldn't agree more.  What I've learned from Cesar is a mind set --what he describes as "calm assertive" ---and striving for that has worked well with my dog and others I've worked with.   Also his mantra, "exercise, discipline, affection," in that order creates an environment --which helps immeasurably in training and bonding.  His use of the word "discipline" means rules and consistency ... not dominance.  A pack leader doesn't physically dominate...she/he leads.  It's about developing a mutual respect between human and dog and a willingness to please. Whatever Dr. Yin is selling, I'm not buying.

[Karina]

I love the Dog Whisperer. I watched him for 2 years before we got Rosie. I raised her on Cesars program and I can vouch that it works! I am grateful to Cesar for sharing his knowledge. I have heard all kinds of things about Cesar and when I talked to them further it turns out that they saw a part of an episode and that they don't know that most candidates for the show are extreme cases and need more structure. My doodles benefited greatly and my husband and I feel like we understand Rosie much better with Cesars tools.