Evolution of dog training
Dog training has changed so much over the past 40 years. Can you hear the dogs applauding and singing the praises of the trainers who have evolved?! I can. There are hundreds and thousands of dog trainers who have changed from the old school jerk and pull, choke and shock methods to the methods of Ian Dunbar, Patricia B. McConnell, Karen Pryor, and Pat Miller from the Whole Dog Journal, just to name a few, and the dogs are the better for it. Trainers who change and evolve, moving to positive training (in my personal dictionary “positive training” means no harm) say that they can’t believe they stuck with the old methods for so long. Truly positive training is easier on the dog and the person and the training stays with the dog for a lifetime. Trainers tell me, and you’ll see this in new books coming out too, that they cry when they think of the things they did to dogs way back when in the name of training. It’s sometimes hard to forgive oneself when there has been unnecessary hurt especially when you love dogs so much.
The most prominent of the old style dog handlers is Cesar Millan. It’s only because of TV but it’s as it is. I keep trying so hard to give Cesar Millan an A on his shows. That show impacts so many dogs’s lives. I watched the most recent one about a dog who was tearing up the front door trying to get out whenever his people left him alone. As I watched the good and positive treatment of the dog by Cesar, I breathed a sigh of relief. Good. A show I can write about and praise Cesar for his good guidance to his TV viewers. He showed the people how to crate train the dog and once the dog was happy in his crate, the dog calmed down. The next scene was a split screen. The dog in the the house, the people and Cesar outside watching on a monitor. Here’s what seemed to happen.
The dog was left alone and seemed to be calm. He went to the window to look outside. He looked at the door but didn’t approach the door at all, even though the opening scene of the show showed the dog tearing the molding off of the door and bloodying himself mouth and feet trying to get out. I was pleased to see the calmness and thought that all was well. Then I noticed something and had to rewind and watch again. The dog had flinched and become rigid when he approached the window. What was that? So I rewound the whole scene to watch again. Here’s what really happened.
Aw, there it was, the reason for the flinch and the wariness. The dog was wearing a shock collar. And there was a ScatMat on the floor in front of the door. I don’t have a lot of trouble with the ScatMat, I think it’s the least hurtful of any of the battery driven disciplines and if a dog is harming itself, a ScatMat can make a life saving difference. I carry these in the SitStay store hoping that people will use it instead of a shock collar.
So as I watched the rewind, the dog did not approach the door at all…because the ScatMat was there. He apparently hadn’t been trained to or calmed down enough to stay away from the door, he was avoiding the ScatMat. As he approached the window and flinched he was hesitant to move again at all. There is the shock collar on his neck. Someone had just pushed the button, had just shocked him. He seemed to stay rigid and still not knowing what would cause another shock to come. I’d have to guess that it was Cesar with the shock collar button, he was watching the dog approach the window on the monitor.
The biggest problem I have with this episode is that a shock collar was used but a close second to that was that the shock collar and ScatMat were never mentioned. Not once. Nothing at all about either of them. I wouldn’t have noticed either if the dog hadn’t flinched and I watch closely for anything out of place or different from the words that are being spoken by Cesar and the narrator. Viewers who don’t know dogs or the products may not have seen those things or wouldn’t have questioned them because they weren’t pointed out at all during the entire episode.
So it appeared that simply training the dog to a crate for calming, then letting the dog have the run of the house did the trick. It wasn’t true. It didn’t happen that way. We didn’t get to see what was edited out so we don’t know how many times the dog, who was truly at the peak of anxious energy and had no regard for his own pain in the beginning of the show, got shocked or stepped onto the ScatMat before he learned to avoid those things or react to them.
The show this season seems to be trying to keep it’s viewers this year by appearing to change to more positive training. There are the die hard viewers who’ll continue to watch the reruns and continue to love the show but more and more I see that Cesar, or his producers, are trying hard to change the format to appear positive. There has to be a reason for that. Maybe viewers have started to get smart about what they are seeing and have started to move away from the show. I’m happy that the show is trying to at least appear to change, I hope they will continue to evolve and start telling the whole truth in every episode so the viewer can have some transparency on how the training or psychology is put into play.
Dislike the show or love it, shocking a dog can’t really be called “psychology” can it?
I’m still hoping to see an episode with completely positive training. I know that Cesar can do it. He has such a following, can you imagine what he could do and the changes that could be made for the dogs collectively if he went full bore positive? Evolution from jerk and pull and shock to real dog psychology without pain or hurt is the miracle I’m praying for.
For those of you who love Cesar, I’ve said it before and I still believe it. That he is a guy with a good heart. He said it himself that he’s changed a great deal from a culture where women are second class citizens, he used to treat his wife pretty badly he says, to a kind and loving husband. Maybe he’s just in need of some more evolution and understanding to understand that no hurt to dogs feels better and works better, too. One day he’ll start treating the dogs with the same changed kindness that he chose to with his wife. Honor, cherish, understanding, and respect for another breathing being.
I could sit on my butt and keep my mouth shut and never say another word about trainers who use jerking, choking, shock collars. That’s not likely to happen. My words and those of other positive trainers and consultants have made a life saving difference for so many dogs. Why would we stop? The dogs love us.
Thanks for listening. – Darcie
Thanks for describing the episodes, Darcie. I couldn’t watch them, even if I did have cable (too scary). I have to rely on other people’s descriptions of the shows when I try explaining to someone why I’m not even vaguely interested in using CM’s techniques (and they shouldn’t be, either).
I totally agree with you when you say trainers that have switched often cry when thinking about the methods they used to use. Though I’m _just_ a dog owner, to this day I am thankful that my first dog forgave me for using (parts of) the Khoeler method on him. I stopped when he knocked me down and I got a concussion. I took the choke chain off him when I saw it was bloodying his neck. He never did learn not to pull, but we developed a very close bond, and that was enough.
Since then, I’ve learned enough about clicker training to train the basics and a few tricks. I can’t believe I used to think it was hard to train a dog to heel. My dogs now drool at the chance to train. They LOVE it. And I only need to work with them a couple times a week to make steady progress. What a difference!!
Alyson
November 10, 2009 at 9:08 am
I am sorry to say, I only made it through your article about Ceaser until you talked about the Scat Matt and Shock Collar. It makes me sick to my stomach, my throat close up and just plain nauseous. I train with positive reinforment techniques only. I have helped to show folks, sometimes one person at a time, that positive is so much better than adversive. I really don’t think Ceaser can or will change his training practices until someone pulls the plug on the media hype of him. Is he a bad person? I don’t know him so I can’t say. But I do know his training methods are mean and unforgiving. Why does the public seem to think that is ok?
Keep doing what you are doing Darcie. Hopefully, you can get the word out one person at a time.
Best, Robin
robin
November 10, 2009 at 10:51 am
This is the second time (that I am aware of) that Cesar concealed his use of a shock collar. The other time was a few years ago where he used it to shock a dog every time she showed interested in a cat that was confined to a crate, traumatizing both the cat and the dog.
His heavy-handed techniques are bad enough, but the fact that he conceals and/or obfuscates them is even more distressing. It seems that he knows how questionable they are and feels obligated to hide behind the camera.
Eric Goebelbecker
November 10, 2009 at 1:43 pm
Ceasar is indeed a very nice guy, as I’ve met him. I do think his heart’s is (or was) in the right place, and he’s done a lot to rescue dogs, change image of pitbulls, etc. And I also keep thinking how wonderful it would be if he evolved to being truly positive. He’s been doing things this way for so long, and it works for him, so it’s probably not realistically going to happen. Maybe people should invite him to APDT conferences and other seminars.
It is a shame they are using deception, though I agree, if people are “seeing” that it appears more positive, hopefully that will influence the public that way. I’m very weary of seeing people on the street with dogs, who are using his methods. They’re combative, and in conflict with their dogs. What kind of relationship is that going to develop? Who cares if a puppy walks a few feet ahead of you exploring their world?? The public thinks it’s OK, or even desirable, because it’s on TV, and it appears to work. They aren’t seeing the alternative perhaps.
I’m glad that my dog can be an ambassador of positive training, as my self-trained assistance dog, he’s with me literally everywhere. I remember when Ceasar would say women can’t handle large powerful breeds. Um, I’m in a wheelchair with a big GSD lol. It’s great to show people what a positive relationship can be like.
Tamandra
November 10, 2009 at 2:06 pm
I’m glad you saw this and wrote about it. I haven’t watched CM in years and years, and only remembered that he saved many pit bulls from being destroyed for which I was grateful.
I recently came across a couple of videos online that well-illustrated what other trainers and vets were talking about and it saddened me to see such rough and unnecessary handling. And what you have related goes to the (lack of) integrity of the show and a decision by CM and producers to keep the show bringing in money at any cost. I include CM as he is in charge of his own reputation, and presentation of his method which is not at all as dog-friendly as I had thought. It took him ages to supposedly come around to spay neuter and imagine changing his method will take longer, if it ever happens.
Thanks for your work on this subject!
Mary H
November 10, 2009 at 3:10 pm
Great post – thank you. Do you happen to know any details for the episode? I would love to be able to find the clip on youtube to show Cesar ‘fans’ this in action alongside your critique. So many people fail to see the details like the sly little kicks to the dog as he smooth talks to the owners.
Beth
November 10, 2009 at 3:24 pm
Great piece Darcie. We are just getting these episodes over here – thanks for the warning.
Shock training is abhorrent. We have moved on from such barbarism and we no longer have to live with it. The more we speak out the better things get and the more alternatives we can provide. Nice alternatives.
One day at a time, one post at a time, one complaint at a time… Thanks, Karen
Karen Wild, Member of the APBC
November 10, 2009 at 3:28 pm
I see very little real difference between spraying a dog in the face with water and using a shock collar. Both apply aversive, non-painful ways to correct a dog’s behavior. The shock collar may well cause a dog to wince, but I’ve tried one on myself and it doesn’t hurt – although it does shock. About like the zap you feel when you touch a car door in the dead of winter. That makes a person wince, but it doesn’t hurt him. Just as it doesn’t hurt the dog. The Scat Mat doesn’t hurt either. Have you ever stepped on one with your bare feet? I’ll bet you haven’t. They don’t hurt, either, but they are unpleasant – as is the shock collar, as is the unexpected spray of water in the face. How about refraining from judging a method of discipline – not talking about torture or punishment here – until you’ve tried it on yourself?
Kaelinda
November 10, 2009 at 7:27 pm
I can’t watch Cesar, because I don’t see him showing people HOW to train their dogs. I just hear a lot about alpha and how he knows what the dogs are thinking. (so, I have watched a few episodes!) I am glad that you noticed these signs that punishment was being used in this particular episode. I hope that the producers of his show start looking for somone to do a REAL positive dog training show. I’d love to see Pat Miller with a show — how cool would THAT be?
BTW, I am a positive dog trainer, too (of course). Keep the good info coming!
Jessica
November 10, 2009 at 7:50 pm
CM no doubt is a nice guy. good looking and just what the TV audience like. It is worrying to me the level of deception that is taking place to con the audience that CM has evolved to non abusive methods. Can he explein why he does not/cannot comment on why he has changed his methods Has he decided to take a formal qualification in canine behaviour? Has he attended APDT seminars? Does he have any recognised qualification in training? Lecturers and other professionals have to keep up to date with their education but I am afraid that CM has had a taste of fame and the adoration and financial gain that comes with it. I believe the poor man is carried away by his media machine and has a living to make. He has no doubt natural talant with dogs BUT think what he could do for Positive trainers around the world if he educated himself in less abusive techniques. I dont care if the Shock collars or Sct matt hurts US, people are using them on dogs without knowing how to use use them. Why do they get the results they get? What effect is it having on the dogs they think they are training? we dont use them on unruly kids or criminals because they are seen to be inhumane to US but why then deem them suitable to stop the dogs behaving in a way WE find intolarable. People behaving badly get counselling, why dont we try to figure out whats going on in the dogs head before we decide to stop one behaviour without offering a more postive behaviour. CM does damage. TV promotes the damage. People want a quick fix and follow his instructions DESPITE the warning flashed up on screen everytime he deals with a dog, Oh and as a trainer I would lose client like a tidal wave if I get bitten as many time as he does! He misses the dogs screaming body language at him never mind whispering to him! Last thought – If I were Monty Roberts, the Horse Whisperer and someone using the same methods as CM was also called a Whisperer I would drop the label like a moulten meteor! How insulted must Monty be. Swampy
(Just a quick note from Darcie: Sorry, my error! It wasn’t Monty who made the TV show with Cesar, I wrote down the wrong name. It was Pat Parelli. Monty was the original horse whisperer, Paul Owens is the original dog whisperer. Pat made a show with Cesar showing Cesar how he handles horses, they did not disclose payment received for the show or how it came about that I am aware of. Paul Owens is the original Dog Whisperer with a book by the same name. See it here The Dog Whisperer, it’s fantastic!)
swampy
November 11, 2009 at 7:43 am
Thank you for your informative and descriptive article. Fancy editing does such a diservice to the dogs and the public watching. There was one episode in the first season where fancy editing tried to conceal the fact that CM had choked a pitbull hard enough that the dog passes out for a moment. This is when she became “submissive”. Like you, I had to re-wind a couple of times as something did not seem right…
Jennifer Mauger
November 11, 2009 at 8:03 am
Chinese water torture isn’t “painful” either. It’s painful trying to defend treating animals with respect to other human beings. When did we lose our dignity?
Laura Dorfman
November 11, 2009 at 8:03 am
Unless you have watched, listened, and read Cesar for yourself with the intent of actually learning, I don’t believe anyone has the right to talk against him (or anyone else for that matter). I have heard countless arguments against Cesar by people who have never watched his show (or only once or twice) and never read his books. Thus they don’t even have a basic concept of his philosophy. Instead they judge him based on what other people say. I have been told by a number of people they thought I was stuck up when they first met me. After getting to know me they learn I’m just shy. If my friends wouldn’t have taken the time to get to know me they would have continued to think I was stuck up and probably told others the same thing. Would it be my fault?
Cesar does teach people-not how to TRAIN them, but how to gain a relationship with them that will leave their dog WANTING to take direction (be traiend) from them.
Of course there is a lot of room for positive training and Cesar uses it himself. I still smile when I think about the episode he used a banana to teach a dog not to eat it’s own poop! (Note from Darcie: I’m posting this comment with one note from me to clarify. The owners said at the end of the show that the dog still eats it’s poop so the training wasn’t conclusive.) I use positive training techniques myself but I’ve noticed the difference between training a dog in an action vs. working with a dog on a certain behavior (or behavior in general) is the difference between working with the body vs. working with the mind. When I train my dogs (mine and foster) in a certain action (sit, stay, come, lay down, high five, etc.) I’m training their body to do a certain action. Of course their mind is involved because they learn to associate a certain word with an action.
However when dealing with behavior, as Cesar does, I’m working with the mind. I’m shaping a dog who wants to follow me (physically or mentally). Therefore the dog is always in tune with my energy and with what I’m doing. The actual action of the body doesn’t matter. For example if we’re out hiking and I decide to stop atop a cliff overlooking a river to take in the beauty, my dogs will stop and look at me waiting for directions. If I say nothing, they wait with me. They may lay down, they may sit, they may just stand there, maybe sniff a few feet away, but they are waiting and resting because I am. When I decide to keep going I don’t have to call them-they know to follow my lead and if I’m going, then they go too. They may walk at my side, they may walk 5-10 feet behind me, but they don’t go ahead of me because they are following me. We may hike then to the bottom of the cliff where the river is and I’ll stop. They look at me, I wave my hand in front of me and they go diving into the river. But when I start hiking again, they come running to join me without me saying a word. I didn’t train them with treats or praise or petting. I ‘trained’ them by showing them I’m their leader and forming that pack leader/pack follower relationship-it’s a behavior.
Tallen
November 11, 2009 at 8:15 am
Darcie-I saw your note in my reply. A couple of questions regarding your comment as I did not see that entire episode so did not hear the owners say that. Would you chalk it up to them not following through with what Cesar taught them or because Cesar used a reward to train the dog and rewared based training did not work with this dog? Thanks! Tallen
(Tallen, If you miss the end interviews, you miss a lot. The little girl was the one who said the dog still eats poop, Mom nodded and that exchange wasn’t edited out of the show. Picking up after a dog poops cures the poop eating problem so I’m not sure why that wasn’t suggested. Poop eating can be a tough nut to crack. I’d say the biggest problem for me in this show was that the dog wasn’t being taught not to eat poop, it was taught that if there was a person present and there was also poop present, the dog would get a banana. Actually, as I watched the episode, it crossed my mind that the dog was being rewarded with a banana treat for pooping in Cesar’s trailer, he did not clean it up before giving the treat. I think his words were and I’m paraphrasing, “I’m sorry that you have to see this poop in the trailer but I need to show you that I will give the dog a banana to eat as a reward for looking at me instead of looking at her poop”. So if the dog still eats poop after Cesar is gone, that would mean that no one was present with a banana when the dog pooped, thus the eating of it. So was the dog really taught not to eat poop? Thanks for asking. Darcie)
Tallen
November 11, 2009 at 10:48 am
So what techniques would any of you use to retrain this dog who was “tearing the molding off of the door and bloodying himself mouth and feet trying to get out”? How much longer would you have this dog bloody himself or keep the family captive in their home?
Are you aware that electric collars worth anything at all can be set to vibrate rather than shock? Do any of you use invisible fencing? Why do YOU hide what’s controlling the dog?
Many of the cases CM takes on are extreme (owners have allowed them to escalate unchecked) and need something more effective than treat therapy. I don’t see CM setting out to inflict pain. I do see him altering his method as necessary to fit the circumstance. Sometimes learning and growth are not entirely comfortable. That’s true for all species but we seem to have lost sight of it. I see Cesar transition chaos, fear, and obcessions into calm relaxed partnerships.
mary
November 11, 2009 at 9:44 am
Hi Mary.
Yes, some of the cases Cesar takes on are extreme, but, so are some of the case that Victoria Stilwell takes on. Her series has started in the USA now, it’s called “Me Or The Dog”. She deals with the same sort of cases as Cesar and gets excellent results using positive training methods and no negative reinforcement methods. So, it’s not necessary to use e-collars, prong collars, choke collars, pinch collars or Scat Mats when you’re training or re-training a dog.
Elaine Downs
November 12, 2009 at 2:20 pm
Sorry that should read “It’s Me Or The Dog”
Elaine Downs
November 13, 2009 at 12:33 pm
It is refreshing to read this article and read some of the comments people have posted. I have never even made it through an entire episode because I wind up getting aggravated. As a veterinarian, I believe in positive techniques in training dogs, and, while I seem to lack the skill and/or patience to be a trainer myself, I am glad there are trainers out there embracing positive behavior training that I can refer my patients to! And if anyone knows of a trainer in the Austin, TX area who doesn’t find it necessary to use any thing other than treats (and clickers!), please let me know!
bnlechli
November 11, 2009 at 12:18 pm
I didn’t see the shock collar or scat mat in the episode (no dvr to record), but certainly don’t have a problem with it. It’s not harmful like the disastrous behavior he was doing was! I’ve tried on a shock collar and did not feel any pain – different levels of stimulation were applied. I think “shock” is more like “surprised” when using it and thus redirects the dog’s attention.
The owners of this dog were obviously at wit’s end. Positive approaches are wonderful, and Cesar uses them as well, when appropriate. What Cesar does is he uses what WORKS with the dog and owner and situation at hand. Every situation is different and Cesar’s approaches are often different, but remaining calm and assertive with his body and energy are his constants.
Cesar is evolving and always open to learning new, but unfortunately I don’t see positive only trainers evolving! Discipline is something that dogs do with dogs. He relates to dogs the way they relate to each other, which is why what he does works so quickly. But, note, what he does once does not mean the dog is “cured” of it’s behavioral problem. The owner still has to follow through.
Carolyn
November 11, 2009 at 1:03 pm
Oops! I just wanted to clarify in my post above that in the first paragraph, second sentence, I’m referring to the disastrous behavior the DOG was doing.
Sorry for any confusion.
clsmoonchild
November 11, 2009 at 1:22 pm
I don’t believe that an E-collar hurts the dog as I have had one on my arm and turned up the volume past 25 with no pain what-so-ever. I did that because someone I know uses the collar at times with aggressive or difficult behavior cases. She encouraged me to feel it before judging.
I encourage you to open your mind and really try and listen to the message that Cesar is putting out there. Cesar’s message is always the same, no matter what the problem. Live in the moment. See in your mind the end result. When you are in your dog’s presence, always present positive, confident energy. Never ever correct out of frustration or anger.
For those of you who say his methods are outdated….since when did dogs change the way they communicate with each other? They use touch and assertive energy constantly to communicate. That has never changed. This is what Cesar teaches.
I agree with Mary…how long do you allow the dog to injure itself and destroy property?
I know someone who adopted a dog and found her to have horrible separation anxiety even in the car for a moment. She destroyed screens, wood doors and every crate she was left in. The family had a trainer come in to help them (using positive methods) and after trying everything….nothing worked. The family gave her back to the rescue from which she was adopted. They gave up. It is times like these that Cesar’s methods work.
Cesar always says whatever works, as long as it does not injure the dog.
JV
November 11, 2009 at 2:07 pm
And let me clarify…when using tools it is very important that they be used properly.
JV
November 11, 2009 at 3:27 pm
Why do people who advocate shock collars think that those using positive methods training dogs don’t know how to use these collars? You can’t condem them if you don’t know how they work, it is the same with any collar that is an aversion.
What is more worrying is CM being underhanded in his training, how can anyone trust a person like this with their dog when he isn’t honest with what methods he uses.
Mattie
November 12, 2009 at 7:17 am
Cesar does use positive reinforcement for many aspects of his approach toward dogs with problems. But positive only does not always work. Sometimes you have to use physical touch with a dog to get its attention. This is not cruel nor is it a punishment — it is a correction! As a society, we have grown afraid of physical touch because we have become so concerned with abuse that we have overcompensated! It is one thing to abuse an animal or a person; another thing to touch — i.e. tap — a person or an animal. Would you lure a child away from traffic with a treat? Or pull that child out of the way? Cesar uses methods that work and that do not harm the dog — according to the dog!
I believe that there are many ways to approach a dog with problem behaviors. Including Cesar’s Way. And sometimes, his way works better than other ways. I am disappointed in people who insist that only one way is best. There is room for discussion that does not condemn, but most people who approve of positive only training seem to have to condemn other approaches. If you seek to stop cruelty to animals, please stop the people who are really cruel to animals — not those who use corrections to save a dog’s life!
Thanks for hearing me out.
Jackie
November 13, 2009 at 12:46 am
If I’m not mistaken, the episode with Cesar and the horse trainer involved Pat Pirelli. Jackie
(Dear Jackie, You’re right! I pulled the wrong name out of my diary. Thank you. It was Pat! – Darcie)
Jackie
November 13, 2009 at 12:47 am
Again, Cesar is Not a Dog Trainer, he is a Behaviorist, and if everybody could just take the time to be able to tell the difference between the two, we could all move past this issue.
I like him, I like his Techniques, I use them, have raised 2 of my own dogs his way, and no problem, I even incorporate them in my daily business.
It’s all about Energy. I bet that’s hard for some folks to ‘breakdown’ what that word means, and if they can’t see it, or touch it, then is does not exist, but Energy DOES exist, and until you can understand how to use your very own Energy, you really don’t know what your talking about.
If we all stole moments from our own lives. and Rewound it, over and over, we could all be a bit concerned with what we see, now have someone else, peer through our windows, and try to make out what we do on a daily basis, break it down yourselves, and wonder, just what someone would say, was Harmful.
Those of us that Follow Cesar, understand the use of our Energy, and are taught to never use Negative Energy when we are with our dogs, or people close to us, because “WE” know what it can do, Harm.
Positive Energy is just that, Positive. No Harm.
I have a 12 week old Rottie pup, that is understanding the Rules Boundaries and Limitations of my Home, Yard, and Store. He’s doing great, and I don’t even have a leash on him yet.
We are in our 2nd week of Puppy class, and my Dog Trainer, ( Not Behaviorist like Cesar) Frank, said that were doing great for where we are in class, others have asked me how I get him to be so responsive, and Calm, and all of the other Puppies that come near us, feel My Energy and Lay down on the spot, and just act like puppies, cute and curios and Quiet.
If you have read this far, I thank You. Please understand, that a million people will have a different point of view, everything is not for everyone. But, one of the most important things to remember, is a little something my Grandmother used to say to me.
“If you don’t have anything nice to say to someone, then don’t say anything at all.”
I love ya Grandma!
kimberleigh
November 13, 2009 at 2:26 pm
You are right kimberleigh, Cesar is not a dog trainer. But you are also wrong because he is not a behaviourist either. If you really want to describe him, it would be a dog groomer and TV personality.
The argument ‘I’ve used these techniques and my dogs are fine’ fails on many levels. It presumes there is a direct causation – a post hoc error – between his methods and dogs turning out fine. It ignores the ethical considerations that have been mentioned by so many – that is the justification in using pain when there are less traumatic options available. Many children can grow up in abusive families and turn up fine, using your logic this would be enough to justify such treatment.
It’s all about Energy. I bet that’s hard for some folks to ‘breakdown’ what that word means, and if they can’t see it, or touch it, then is does not exist, but Energy DOES exist, and until you can understand how to use your very own Energy, you really don’t know what your talking about.
Energy is the word he uses because he lacks the skills and education to accurately describe the situation. This is why behaviorists (real ones), ethologists, psychologists use descriptive language. The reader doesn’t have to guess as to the meaning of ‘energy’ Millan’s use of metaphysics and his reliance on magical thinking are of no practical use.
Those claiming to be using “energy” are fooling themselves. They are employing behavior. Hitting the dog is a behavior. Kicking the dog is a behavioiur. Jerking the dog is a behavior. Staring down teh dog is a behavior. Alpha rolling the dog is a behavior. Threatening gestures are behaviors. Using your voice voice is a behavior. Erratic, fast movements is a behavior and so are slow, deliberate ones.
Just exactly where is this supposed magical ‘energy’ that cannot be described in physical terms?
BTW there is no such thing as negative or positive energy – these are mere convention used for convenience.
Finally the most important part for me is that Millan is lying to people. Whenever he supplies some explanation or description of nature he is venturing into the world of science. And here we can categorically show that his proclamations are scientific nonsense. On this there is no question and the claims of a dog groomer – even if he’s on TV -can’t change the science.
Corinthian
November 14, 2009 at 2:29 am
Kimberleigh, wonderfully put.
Corinthian! Wow! Hard to argue with someone who’s so far off the mark in every way. But let me ask you this…. haven’t you ever stepped into a room and felt the “tension so thick you could cut it with a knife” (thus making you very uncomfortable)? Have you ever been in love? These are energies. You can’t see either but you know they are there. Your emotions have energy. Then again, there are those who cannot feel those things because they’ve never allowed themselves to or maybe never paid attention enough to their body’s reactions to learn how to. I’m sorry if you can’t feel energies. That’s a big part of life that you’re missing out on. And that alone is a huge reason why you (and some others) just can’t accept CM’s ways.
clsmoonchild
November 14, 2009 at 11:51 am
I agree. Right on the nose.
He IS NOT a behaviorist. Behaviorists have gone to school and often know the basics of other behaviors in other species. Often have a basis in Biology. They have had many years in the field and don’t get to the top fast. They work their way up under many people to get a wide breadth of techniques and experiences. Its kind of like saying you’re a Dr. when you’ve never went to school… I think they call those quacks. (I don’t know if he has called himself a behaviorist or not…)
A good behaviorist never puts themselves in a position to be bitt. If they have been bit, they admit it was in an error of judgment on their part.
I think he should go to college and see what the mainstream professionals recommend. It may change him for the better.
Knowledge is power and he COULD be a powerful leader if he truly educated himself.
Check out a true “behaviorist”: http://www.theotherendoftheleash.com Claire
(Note from Darcie: Cesar has admitted that his getting bitten is because of his lack of judgment, timing and energy. The question put to him in the interview show was, “If you’re the alpha pack leader, why do so many dogs bite you?”)
Claire
November 14, 2009 at 12:42 pm