Cesar Milan

I like him a lot.
He talks a lot of sense and has a real affinity with dogs.
The only danger is people running out and copying what he does without reading up and researching the root causes of their dog's behaviour. Which never really gets explained on his shows.
FI my friend's dad thinks it is fine to scruff and roll his baby puppy because 'that is what you are supposed to do' because he saw it on telly.

Some dogs, with scruffing, you are taking your life in your hands - it's not for every dog.
A lot of people don't like e-collars and pinch collars.
Neither did I until I exhausted all options and had to use a pinch collar on my dog (under the guidance of three trainers) and I have to say, it could well have saved my dog's life.

All in all, I like his outlook and attitude to dogs. I pick and choose what advice is relevant to me.

- Awaits all the usual suspects who NEVER post ANY good advice, positive reinforcement or otherwise, for users who have difficulties with their dogs but suddenly appear en masse once Cesar's name is mentioned to call him a dog abuser.
Go ahead and post the videos of him hanging a big dog for jumping up and grabbing someone's arm - yeah, if a huge dog was biting my arm unbidden, I would cut off his air supply too.
Oh and the clip of him using an e-collar on a dog trying to attack a cat. And the one of him pulling a Saint Bernard up the stairs. And then tell me what you would do in a similar situation.

I would particularly like to hear from the Cesar-bashing user who says they have trained security/service dogs, who I have twice asked to tell me via PM what lines they used (a relatively small pool of breed working lines in the UK - I am actually genuinely interested) and what training methods they have used for their dogs, but they always then disappear.

I have no problem with those who do not like him. That's fair enough. But it's one thing saying what you should never do - so tell us then what we SHOULD do?!
 
I think some of what he does makes sense - I am particularly a fan of 'exercise, discipline, affection' and treating dogs like dogs instead of surrogate children. But I don't agree with all of what he does (eg some of the alpha roll-type stuff) and I do worry that some people might try to copy him without fully understanding how and when to apply certain techniques, and do more harm than good.
 
ITA agree about the E,D,A thing Spudlet.

That huge row I had with that stupid woman (from America...), was partly to do with that - she thought it would be better that I put a fence around the yard and they lie in it every day, than they get a 12k uphill yomp through fields, forests, streams, getting worked and stimulated.

He also talked a lot about how dogs see the world and greet each other, smell, then sound, then sight, and that is why they often recoil when we rush up to them going 'PUPEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!'
How we treat a distressed dog - he likened it to a paramedic coming upon an injured person...they don't say 'Oh no...you look awful! You're going to DIE! But it's OK, I feel SORRY for you!' they say 'It's OK. We're going to take care of you. Everything's going to be fine.'
 
CaveCanem said:
How we treat a distressed dog - he likened it to a paramedic coming upon an injured person...they don't say 'Oh no...you look awful! You're going to DIE! But it's OK, I feel SORRY for you!' they say 'It's OK. We're going to take care of you. Everything's going to be fine.'
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^I really like this!! I'd really like to see Cesar live - I don't think you really get a proper overview of anyone's techniques through a TV programme, with all the inevitable edits (some of us want to watch the "boring" parts!) Shall be keeping my eyes peeled for his next tour :)
 
Noooo! Even so, we're a much more civilised bunch in AAD when a debate ever does crop up :p

It's like most things - do lots of reading, take lots of advice, pick and choose what works for your particular dog. I don't think I have or ever will subscribe to the word of just one person as gospel - I'm reading a book by someone who could probably be the exact opposite of Milan, some of what she says I totally disagree with, some of it I think 'Bingo - right on the money'.
Even the three trainers at club - I go to each of them for different things, one is great for heelwork, one is great for tracking etc.
 
I prefer Ceasar to Victoria (sure you know who Iam on about, can't remember her surname), not saying I don't like victoria, but I like Ceasar's approach better.
 
I like him....a lot of what he talks is 'common sense' stuff I was doing with Jack before I heard of him.

I wouldn't use some of his methods (luckily don't have to as Jack is very submissive) because I don't understand them and would want thorough instruction first. Has given me a bit more confidence to deal with a certain mini lady who's being a drama queen about a lead...funnily enough it works and we're having very few strops now :p

I look at dog training the same way I do horses.....I pick and choose what I like and understand and I'm constantly open to new ideas and points of view. I can see a place for most things just not necessarily in my hands.
 
numptynovice said:
I don't think you really get a proper overview of anyone's techniques through a TV programme, with all the inevitable edits (some of us want to watch the "boring" parts!)
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I do often wonder how much time passes in some segments; I know some bits have 'time elapsed' at the bottom but not all of them. :p

That said, I think the exercise>discipline>affection message he preaches is incredibly valuable. And we'd all love to have a Daddy in our lives at some point. :)
 
Ruthnmeg said:
I prefer Ceasar to Victoria (sure you know who Iam on about, can't remember her surname), not saying I don't like victoria, but I like Ceasar's approach better.
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Stillwell, I think? I'm not so keen on her either, though I'd be hard pressed to say exactly why - maybe she isn't quite as hands-on as Cesar. Not so blunt with the owners either. :p
 
The reason I ask is I am getting a new pup next week and its been so sooo long since I have trained a dog, I picked up a book called 'Be the pack leader' and as I'm getting a husky I just thought that may have some useful advice? But yes, I agree you do have to sift through lots of professional advice to find the kind that you agree with and applies to you.
 
Be The Pack Leader is good. Pick up 'The Culture Clash' by Jean Donaldson too. Totally different angle but I like it a lot. Even if I do use a 'strangle collar' as she puts it :p
Don't discount going to a training class too :)
 
I have Be The Pack Leader and it is very good, lots of common sense, just remember that huskies are nothing like any other dog on this planet. When they ignore you and piss off into the distance for the umpteenth time, remember that, breathe, and try again. With more shouting and/or sausages. Or just attach something with wheels and go with it. :p
 
My dog trainer likes Cesar so a lot of her methods are influenced by him. Therefore I feel more confident using them as I have been shown how to do it.

He published a book earlier this year on puppies called "How to Raise the Perfect Dog". It's really good. Sadly it was published months after I got my puppy, but it was still a really good read! I'd recommend it!
 
I will have a lok for the Jean Donaldson and perfect dog book. Got a week left before she comes.
Blackcob, I'm sure being a husky we may have a few heart-stopping moments if she runs off. I say 'if' because I really hope she doesn't, you know what every new owner is like 'my dog would never do that' :)
 
I always enjoy his programmes and think he preaches common good sense. When he is re training a really damaged dog the programme does always state that this should not be tried without an experienced trainer etc etc. I would love to see if he could ensure that my bitch would stay with me at all times when out walking as she will go after pheasant/deer etc. As she is a staffy I won't risk it (cos of all the bad press), so she stays on an extended lead and only comes off naked when we are at the yard as the perimeter fencing is deer fencing and staffie proof.
 
Im a cesar fan, I have to echo CC, I really get a bit peeved when people make comment about his methods, esp when it comes to full on aggressive dogs, and it generally comes from someone with no experience of any form of dog aggression that owns a lovely old lab and a little fluffy, I use very similar techniques, I dont use an e.collar but thats cos im to stingy and disorganised:D to buy one, because I have nothing against them used correctly.
I have dealt with some seriously aggressive dogs, thats no one would touch with a bargepole who would be the same people to slate cesar, yet prasie me when they saw the dog rehabilitated, they did not really give a sh!t what method I used, just astonished it was the same dog, hypocritical me thinks:rolleyes:, and I can tell you, I did not stop it from wanting to maim a human or kill another dog with sausage rolls and cheese:rolleyes:
If there are so many fantastical trainer out there, where are they? with there fantastical methods:rolleyes:
Im not at all impressed by V stillwell, the more I watch of her the more I wince with disbelief, she touches on the very basics, and even then, u maybe see her teach a few tricks, I have never yet seen her teach a dog not to pull, it irritates me when I see her walking dogs on harnesses or their owners and having their arms pulled out:confused:
I like what cesar stand for with the exercise, discipline and affection, as it's what I have always practised myself, and I think he has definately educated owners for the better, since his programmes started I have definately seen a surge in dogs being walked.
I too went to see him, I did not take anything educational away mind you, but he was funny and it was an experience.
The cat programme made me laugh, he went about that the wrong way, but for the most he is spot on:)
 
masterbronze said:
I will have a lok for the Jean Donaldson and perfect dog book. Got a week left before she comes.
Blackcob, I'm sure being a husky we may have a few heart-stopping moments if she runs off. I say 'if' because I really hope she doesn't, you know what every new owner is like 'my dog would never do that' :)
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A sibe won`t run off if she is kept on a lead or long line ;) thats one thing Mr Milan can`t seem to do...train out a breeds instinct and drive.
I don`t normally watch dog training programmes as I`m quite lucky to have my breed mentor at the other end of the phone and the woman is magic, has even taught one of her malamutes heal work to music :) but even she thinks siberians are crazy as much as she loves her two adopted nephews
 
I like him. I have said before that i had a chance to meet him at a summer camp where we worked with him in 2006 at his rehab center in LA.

(can i just say he is way shorter than i expected)

Anyway he teaches good common sense that i think people should know before they even get a dog.

It breaks my heart at how many dogs don't get waked regualaly and then the owners complain when they have bad bored/ frustrated behaviours.
 
Cyrus said:
A sibe won`t run off if she is kept on a lead or long line ;) thats one thing Mr Milan can`t seem to do...train out a breeds instinct and drive.
I don`t normally watch dog training programmes as I`m quite lucky to have my breed mentor at the other end of the phone and the woman is magic, has even taught one of her malamutes heal work to music :) but even she thinks siberians are crazy as much as she loves her two adopted nephews
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Don't worry I have no intention of ever letting her off a lead, I was thinking perhaps a long lunge line so I have control but she can 'almost' run free
 
hmph - Cesar Milan is a sore subject in our house. I want to watch the programmes but the puppy goes a bit mental as soon as Cesar comes on the TV, so we really have to turn it off. From what I have seen (before a small terrier took control of the house ;) ) it looks really interesting.

I've been reading a book called Think Pet, written by the person who runs the puppy school we go to, and have found it enlightening, it moves totally away from 'being the pack leader' - very interesting stuff.
 
I like him alot, its a bit like monty roberts and the like, if you don't know the method I wouldn't even entertain trying to do it, there are signs to look for, I can definately relate to the tension created by the owner/being on the lead. He is amazing with aggressive dogs, you have to know what you are doing and when to do it.

I was going to see him when he came to cardiff but it was too expensive £50 ish or £100 if you wanted to be 1 of 100 people who stayed after, but even then how could you guarantee you'd get to speak to him, bit steep if you ask me ......
 
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