Should We " Dog Whisperer"

[W Sibs]

What I would deffinately recommend is some of Cesar's books - I recently purchase the Cesar Millan: How to Raise the Perfect Dog book, I have found some of what he has mentioned throughout the book more helpful than any of his episodes on "Dog Whisperer".

Good luck and please feel free to purchase the DVDs as they are rather interesting to watch - personally it makes me want to get involved into dog training

I'm a huge fan of Cesar Millan

And, I love that book. I have it and I highly recommend people to read it, especially new puppy owners! In fact, I recommend people read all his books

[MelM]

I think Cesar is amazing (and cute). I have used a bit of what he has instructed on various dogs, and mostly it has worked.

The calm assertive thing is quite hard to do when you are frustrated, but it all makes so much sense.

I have also used a lot of his stuff on my own dog who is very well behaved anyway, but it was very helpful for when he became deaf. Using body language and energy is very good for communicating with a deaf dog.

For my next dog I will be applying Cesars techniques but will also be taking it to extensive training. Not only will it be good for socialising but also for training. Cesar mainly talks about energy and pack leader stuff which is brillaint for the overall well-being of your dog but he does not tell you how to make your dog "sit" for example.

I believe that Cesar helps you to understand your dog, which will be an enormous help when it comes to training. It really does explain why people have trouble with their dogs though.

[Costa's Mum]

I just borrowed them from my local library, better than purchasing them yourself.

[persephone]

but that is his special talent and I don't think it is particularly transferable except in general terms

*nods*

Exercise, Discipline, Affection should be stickynoted to every new puppy!!

[twoweis]

I, too, am a great fan of Cesar Millan but do think his actual show examples are mainly for extremes of behaviour; I can also testify however that they work.

Our gsp was rousing on and blueing terribly with our very very soft dalmatian (drawing blood) and, cut a long story short, prior to thinking we'd have to have the gsp pts (devastating), I met Cesar when he was over for his stage show and although Pablo (gsp) didn't exhibit aggressive behaviour to be finally chosen (thank Dog as I wouldn't have been able to go on stage!!) I did have a brief chat and he told me to continue what I had already put in place because it was working.

I didn't even have to go to the alpha roll or anything like that - it was merely a change in attitude; owning space; ensuring they waited, sitting, until I went through any doorway (took AGES with three of them ) but generally ensuring I was consistent, in charge and FELT like I was in charge; it may sound like 'touchy feely' californian crap but dogs really do pick up on how you project. This is why so many women who consult with Cesar adore him; he empowers them. Of course he is funny, attractive and an alpha male; what isn't to like

Otherwise, I'd suggest, socialise your pup, train your pup, walk and when necessary gently discipline your pup and be consistent and in charge. Like kids really

Love and enjoy your pup

[mumsy]

Thanks everyone. I have talked to someone already regarding puppy training. We have to wait a couple of weeks before his second shot so I thought I would get a head start....before Wilson( our new puppy) does!!! I figure if I can raise 4 girls hopefully I can raise 1 boxer!!

[poodlefan]

Thanks everyone. I have talked to someone already regarding puppy training. We have to wait a couple of weeks before his second shot so I thought I would get a head start....before Wilson( our new puppy) does!!! I figure if I can raise 4 girls hopefully I can raise 1 boxer!!

Most puppy schools take partially vaccinated pups. At 12 weeks, he'd be too old for most puppy schools and old enough to start ordinary obedience training.

Dogs aren't kids. While the general principles of consistent boundaries and rewarding desireable behaviours apply, kids won't be hauling you down the street on a lead 6 months from now if you dont' get loose lead walking established from the word go.

Definitely go to obedience training and KEEP going for at least 12 months. The most challenging part of puppy raising is not when they're babies but when they're teenagers. They have that in common with kids too!

Edited January 22, 2010 by poodlefan

[Keshwar]

PF has already given you the URL or Dogstardaily.

If you go to this page: - http://www.dogstardaily.com/free-downloads

There are two free downloads.

Before you get your puppy

and

After you get your puppy.

Both written by Dr Ian Dunbar.

They are both free and well worth a read.

Re puppy classes most vet's these days run puppy pre-schools fro dogs that haven't had all their shots. Check with your local vet.

[sandgrubber]

I found a Video shop that rents CM DVD's. I would rent rather than buy. I doubt there's any difference between the US and Oz versions, other than different cautions about piracy and maybe some format differences that your player may or may not be able to handle.

I like CM, but as a Labrador person, I don't find his approach is generally required with my breed. Dominance is a pretty weak trait in some breeds, and I generally find it hard to tell who is alpha with my group (six girls and me) . . . even though I break all the rules about who eats first, etc.

Daily walkies, on the other hand, works great for me.

[Nic oh lah]

I Cesar. Hehe. He's cute too!

I like his philosophy, and his instinct with dogs, which are especially pertinent in some cases to my GSD, but I agree with most of the other repsonses to the OP being that the DVD's are fascinating watchnig and entertaining, but not intended to be instructional. All dogs are different - if it was as simple as watching a DVD Cesar would just give people his DVD and be done with it - there'd be nothing to film if it was that easy

In my case i'm starting obediance with my girl, and having private sessions with an instructor from our Dog Club, so definately head down that route and keep the training to the trainers and instructors - the thing i've learnt is that in many cases it's you that needs to be trained to guide your dog into the correct behaviour, so I think it's important for Dog and Owner to learn it together in a structured training environment - especially first time round.

[rubiton]

I tried the poke the other day (someone had a jack russell at work and it didn't response of react to no (was trying to sniff stuff it shouldnt). A poke & 'hey' had an immediate result (in that the dog stopped and moved away from that area).

Simple things that break the concentration are the sort of things that everyone can learn from the tv shows as opposed to the more extreme actions to the 'red zone' dogs. And have noticed that in the latest serious a lot of the dogs have lesser issues such as not wanting to walk on a lead or not wanting to go up the stairs, etc not so much of the 'gunna take an arm off' type dogs. Last night the last story was a red heeler that barked and barked and barked and barked and barked.....

[ncarter]

im a not a fan of CM. His books consist of him repeating the same 3 or 4 philosophies over and over again.

Then its like did I mention I am a famous hollywood dog behaviourist, did I mention I trained Oprah's dog. Did I mention I am best mates with Jada-Pinkett Smith and solved all their doggy problems. Too much self-promotion for me.