I watched several you tube bits of Cesar Millan. I wanted to look with a fresh and see where I differ so greatly from him. Here is what I found
How we agree:
1. Most people are treating dogs like humans not dogs
2. Most people don't give their dogs enough exercise
3. Most people need to be better leaders
But the difference comes out so starkly in the application
Cesar spends a lot of time "putting dogs in their place." He demonstrates the "bite" as the main means of control. I saw one instance in which two journalists were employing his help with a lab that was predatory to chickens. Cesar held a chicken while he continually "Bit" the dog in the neck over and over. The male journalist said "I see, he's intimidated by you." At which Cesar said "no not intimidated, submissive" Unfortunately the lab's body language said intimidated. Cesar would continue this training until the lab was so scared of reprocussion from a human that he would no longer attack a chicken. I, on the other hand, would like to give the dog another job to do. I would teach the dog to heel next to me when chickens are near. To learn to see chickens and know that leaving them alone produces a reward from the human. Cesar never gives the dog anything else to do. He just says not that, NO to this, never touch that. Stop Stop Stop.
Yet if you give the dog a new positive behavior to do he will gladly do it and thank you for the opportunity.
Cesar: Stop jumping on kitchen counters!
Kat: Sit in kitchen and a reward will come.
Cesar: STOP running the fence and barking!
Kat: Hang out quietly in back yard and more bardyard fun happens
What a nicer way to teach you dog.
Kat Berger
Saturday, August 11, 2007
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