It's Cesar Milan Time Again

SUMMARY: A link to a well-stated article

A few years back, someone gave me Milan's training book, knowing that I am a "dog person" but not themselves really knowing much about dog training and not knowing that I had already seen enough of Milan's work to feel that it was overly harsh and as (politely stated) old-fashioned as whipping your lazy slaves into obedience. You know, "The beatings will continue until morale improves."

I gave him the benefit of the doubt and read the book. I did like some things that his book said. Dogs need exercise, although very few people are going to be able to jog with them 30 miles a day, or however much he does--most of us have other jobs, other activities, physical limitations, and so on. Dogs need clear, consistent, firm leadership from their people, although to me that does not mean choking, intimidation, or brute physical dominance.

His methods, in short, sucked.

I'm not a professional trainer and have not worked with truly troubled dogs, but the trainers with whom I have worked and spend many of my weekends, the well-regarded books I've read, and the dog-behavior trainer training that I have attended are all greatly at odds with his methods.

Enough about me: Linda Knowles (a successful agility competitor and a trainer) had posted the clearest statement I've seen about Milan's work and shortcomings. Please read What Do I Think About The Dog Whisperer?

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Oh, huh, wrote this similar post about 3 years ago with a link to another good anti-Milan article.

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He Whispers So Quietly, No One Knows What He's Doing

SUMMARY: A review of Cesar Milan's book.

I knew a bit about Cesar Milan even before someone gave me his book-- from reading & hearing descriptions; had seen a couple of his shows. I knew that most Dog People I know--trainers and behaviorists especially-- think that he's the worst thing to happen to dog training in decades. I wasn't impressed with what I saw; I felt sorry for the dogs, sorry for the owners.

I read his book. There are some things that he says that I like. Dogs need exercise. You must be firm with your dog. OK. That about sums up what I agree with in the whole book. The rest seemed like smoke and mirrors--OK, THAT example seemed to work for him, but really what went on behind the scenes? What happened after he left the room? What happened on the days he DIDN'T write about?--or like just appalling lack of understanding or engaging in all the progress that's been made in companion animal training in recent decades, reverting to I Am The Bigger, Stronger Beast method.

But I'm not an official dog trainer--although I've studied in that direction. I'm not a behaviorist--although I've learned so much by working with people who are, and interacting with so many people and their dogs (and my own six, too).

Here's a review by a professional; it's the most clearly thought-out explanation of why it's a bad book at the very least. (It's near the bottom of this page, which also lists brief reviews of other fairly well-known training books.)