[~Karla~]

My brother has been spending a lot of time with us lately. He is a massive Cesar fan and keeps using his techniques on Bickie, which is really confusing her as we don't. He also keeps giving me advice although he has no pets and never has, other than our childhood dogs and fish.

So I'm curious about who here is a Cesar fan and who isn't. I don't really like the physical punishments but I can see some value in his teachings (in the really basic "person before dog" stuff that I already knew).

So anyone willing to fess up either way?

[GlitterFarts]

huge Cesar fan here! I have generally had 'unsaveable' rescues and was doing his method long before I knew about him. I also grew up around 'camp dogs' - basically dogs that roamed in packs - friendly, but definitely NOT your suburbian pet.

Can't STAND some of the trainers out there, but have never had that feeling with Cesar

ETA - if he has to 'use' his techniques, then he's not doing it properly then. (Just my opinion as I don't know the whole story)

And if he has had NO pets, tell him to pull his head in - Just my opinion as well

This post has been edited by Freakypet: 19/01/2013, 10:33 PM

[~Karla~]

Oh, I have nothing major against Cesar. I think a lot of "his" techniques have been around for a very long time and have a lot of merit. Edited now to say I DO have something major against him.

But I have a 4 month old Lab pup who sits, drops, stays, comes, gives, fetches, shakes, waits for her food on command (with a food reward). She is also learning to (and doing really well with) eliminate on command, walk beside me on the lead etc. For 4 months I think she is doing brilliantly although she doesn't defer to me for every single thing.

I'm not sure she needs the full "Cesar treatment" my bro is so keen on.

This post has been edited by ~Karla~: 20/01/2013, 02:21 PM

[Miss S]

I would be telling your brother to back off and leave the dog alone People like that know just enough to be dangerous.

[la di dah]

I think Cesar himself relies on a tremendous amount of exercise/interaction (which is good!) but he says "do this, and also run with your dog twelve km a day!" and a lot of people just do the growly macho alpha thing and don't do the running, and half a loaf in this case is not necessarily better than none.

The dog doesn't get all the exercise to be a good (i.e. tired! ) dog naturally, and the positive interaction that he does do, and they do get the relatively harsh style that can have temperment side-effects.

And I think a lot of family pets would be better if they got the exercise he gives and that's half the issue he solves.

[FiveAus]

I like him, but you need to take his whole philosophy into account, not just cherry pick what you do and don't like, and criticise the bits you don't like. And remember he works with real core cases, some whose next step is the green dream.
Mostly I like his philosophy of interaction, discipline, affection and making the dog part of your life, not just a sometime interest.

[*Spikey*]

NOT a fan at all. In fact, downright disagree with some of his methods. They're bloody dangerous and have resulted in the deaths of animals. His own.

[~Karla~]

Thanks for the opinions.

I don't really know much about Cesar tbh. I watched a few episodes of "Dog Whisperer" years and years ago and while I agreed with some of the basics, I didn't like the physical punishments. I haven't really had anything to do with him since - haven't watched his shows or read his books but my brother has always been a huge fan. Everything is "Cesar does...." and now he keeps trying to work his magic on my puppy. I'm not sure who's getting more annoyed - me or the dog. I know he means well but I'm just not convinced Cesar's way is the way I want to do things IYKWIM.

[*Spikey*]

Cesar's way is not in line with the code of ethics of the Australian Pet Dog Trainers association. As in, many of his methods involve physical punishment which is an outright no-no, or negative reinforcement, again, a no-no if used as the main method. Obviously, when it comes to the 'exercise your dog sufficiently' theme, well that's a no-brainer. Its hardly Cesar's way, its the bleeding obvious.

It is not well published, but he was sued at least once for killing a dog in his care. His "choking" method crushed a windpipe and the dog (owned by a lawyer) had to be euthanized. That's when his "don't try this at home" warnings started.

From here: BeyondCesarMillanWeekly

If I were you, I'd buy my brother "Clicker training for dummies", and suggest that he look into a proper and ethical training method instead.

Also point out that its made for TV. They only show the success stories. They don't show the ones that fail because that would be bad for ratings.

I'd be mighty (faux) cranky with my brother and tell him that if he wants to help train my dog, that he use my methods or I'll be separating him from my dog.

Positive reinforcement is what the professional animal trainers use - from zoos, to theme parks, horses, camels, livestock and pets.

If these work for the animal, there is absolutely no need whatsover to fix what isn't broken.

[caninestorm]

Not a fan at all. I think it's a miracle he doesn't get bitten more than he does (and he still does quite often).

My dogs are trained through positive reinforcement and are wonderful (one has a number of obedience titles).

I'm not against the use of punishment entirely but it needs to be used in only the right circumstances, for the right dog, with the right handler. Unfortunately most people (including myself) are terrible with timing so don't do the dog any favours. At least when you make mistakes with rewards you are not harming the dog in any way.