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Due to the lively dog debate that happened a couple of weeks ago, and the newest member of the Chicagoist offices, (see pic!), we decided to check out the best-selling book, “Cesar’s Way”, by Cesar Millan. Millan is known as “The Dog Whisperer”, and we believe he actually might be. In the last few days, our “dog whispering” walks have been thoroughly enjoyable.
Millan’s theory is that we spoil our dogs in this country; we humanize their emotions, and forget that our dogs are just that…dogs. He starts with the basic principle of what a dog needs: “exercise, discipline and affection, in that order.” With exercise, it’s not as much about time (we know, the more time the better!), but it’s also about the walk itself. Dogs in packs are always on the move, they may stop to rest or hunt, but most of the time, they keep moving. For a dog, a walk is returning to his true self, cruising with his beloved pack leader.
For discipline, he teaches that energy is our most powerful dog-training tool. He says our energy should be “calm-assertive” and the dog’s should be “calm-submissive”. Dogs can sense our energies and moods, and “calm-assertive” will let them know we are the natural leaders.
One thing that really challenged our ideas is the difference between “excitement” and “happiness”. Some of us let our dogs pounce and bounce around the living room, feeling secure that it’s just “our dogs love us so much they can’t stand it”, but that’s not it. Their energy is out of control and they are venting the only way they know how. And then we pet them, and tell them they’re funny, and smugly think it’s because we’re so fabulous. Notice that affection is last in the pecking order (or should we say, packing order) of what dogs need, they should (and want) to earn affection, and they must be in the calm-submissive state of mind before they can get it.
This isn’t a “how to” book, it’s beyond tricks and treats, and honestly, we’ve been walking with this calm-assertive energy, correcting our pup each time he stops paying attention to us. We’ve had such good walks, our dog staying right next to us, clipping along at a great pace, and fulfilled in the knowledge he has a strong, calm, assertive pack leader to make sure he doesn’t get in any trouble. We recommend this book, but be prepared to let go of some your hard and fast doggie ideas.
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Remembering the pack animal inside the dog is the only way to go. They don't know that they aren't still wolves. What kind of crazy dog is that in the picture?
a couple other good books: Leader of the Pack (by Nancy Baer and Steve Duno)and The Dog Listener (by Jan Fennell)
na... not my dog... he is a genius!
I love that show. I have an old college roommate who anthropomorphizes her dog to a riduculous degree. I can't fucking stand it. I love how on his show Cesar walks into people's houses (generally, rich twats) and calls them (essentially) idiots to their face. I love it. And, as someone who has always liked dogs, but fully agrees that this country (and people in my neighborhood especially) treats their dogs entirely inappropriately, he has been a breath of fresh air.
i'm fairly sure that my 5lbs maltese is in no way, shape, or form a wolf of any kind.
The Art of Raising a Puppy and How To Be Your Dog's Best Friend are two excellent books as well. I think my dog has canipomorphized (?) me more than I've anthropomorphized her.
i'm fairly sure that my 5lbs maltese is in no way, shape, or form a wolf of any kind.
Yeah dogs like that are probably closer related to the rodent family.
5lb. Maltese = 5 lb. Bag of Crap
Those Maltese totally ruined Rainbo.
If you did on the Dog Whisperer, you might also really like The Other End of the Leash by Patricia McConnell.
dude ripping off your name = lack of imagination
lol, mike.
One thing I didnt understand before watching Cesar's shows was the difference between dog behavior, which is what Cesar works with, and dog training, which is what Patricia and many others work with.
After watching Cesar for a few months, I had the opportunity to rescue a "red-zone' dog for which animal control had been called to put down by the facility I was working at. This animal was so crazed with fear that I had to use Cesar's techniques 100% because everything I knew to do didnt work!
Not only did I rescue the dog safely, rehab and rehome him, but I have replicated the experience with 6 other dogs who were about to be put down because no one could help change their behavior!
It is so heart warming to me how many dogs are being saved now, people working with rescues, owners hanging on and working with their dogs intead of abandoning them or taking them to shelters for behavior problems that now are fixable!
It has been interesting how much using Cesar's way with my human/dog relationships has helped to improve my human/human relationships too. Learning to "be in the moment", not telling (making up) "stories" about what the dog might be thinking/feeling, learning how to respond with emotionality or taking things personally, have improved the quality of my life outside of my home as well!
thank you for the thoughtful article!
Cesar Millan has brought the world of "dog training" and the definition of "packs" together in his book and his show, "The Dog Whisperer".
As mentioned here, understanding the effect your energy, your actions and your mindset has on your dogs is an incredible discovery, and the results are astounding and well worth the effort involved.
A skeptic at first, I find myself empowered not only as a pack leader for my dogs, but as an individual as well.
His book, his show, his philosophy, his dog psychology methods and techniques will create a balance for any human who chooses to open their minds.
Because over 4 million animals are killed in the United States each year, most misunderstood, misguided and forgotten, I highly recommend that people adapt his "way" to their own dogs and their own lives. The results are as quick for those who are determined, calmly & assertively, to be the very best pack leader they can be so their dogs may be fulfilled.
While it won't solve all of the problems of animal overpopulation and bad behavior, it definitely will reduce the need to "surrender" a companion, once placed in a home.
Linda B.