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The Damage Of The Dog Whisperer

  • 07/06/2014
millan-finger.pngI’ve now been training dogs for a decade. I find Cesar Millan’s training theory and advice appalling. As a scientist, it is obvious that his factual statements and derived conclusions are entirely wrong. As a trainer, I can tell how stressed and unhappy - not cured - the dogs portrayed on his show are. It’s covered up by rhetoric, the soundtrack and a voiceover. Tens of scientists, trainers and behavioral science organizations have spoken out against his theories. I’ve seen dogs mistreated by well-meaning owners who took his advice unquestioningly. I wrote this paper as a cumulative work for an intensive independent study last year on canine cognition and applied training theory.

Please read this. Even if you don’t own a dog. Then share it. The only way to help a lot of misinformed owners and mistreated dogs is by making the correct information known.

(I had to omit footnotes because it was ridiculous, but I’m happy to provide specific references/page numbers upon request.)

INTRODUCTION

Theories of canine psychology and training derived from legitimate behavioral science have progressed greatly in the last fifty years. Unfortunately, the public’s most beloved source of information – The Dog Whisperer by Cesar Millan - advocates a theory in direct opposition to this progress. For the last eight years, Cesar Millan has put forth an abusive training theory predicated on disproven science, fallacious logic, and incorrect assumptions. Described by a New York Times affiliate as a “one-man wrecking ball directed at 40 years of progress in understanding and shaping dog behavior[1],” Millan mixes an overly simplistic and incorrect view of canine social structures with a lack of scientific knowledge. His philosophy centers around two main theories; that canines have an innate and ingrained need to function according to a ‘wolf-pack’ social structure, and that dogs need to live ‘as they did in nature’, before human intervention. Because the concept of dominance theory is central to Millan’s training philosophy, many other crucial aspects of a dog’s environment and psyche that should be addressed when dealing with behavioral issues are completely ignored. As a result of the Dog Whisperer’s popularized methods, many dogs with simple issues are handled badly and likely abused in the name of ‘pack theory’. The worst part is that the entire situation could be avoided easily. It requires only a small amount of research into the social and psychological lives of the common canine to understand where Millan’s theory goes wrong. 

MILLAN’S BACKGROUND

Millan openly admits that he has no scientific background. An immigrant from Mexico who never went to college, he has had no formal education in any biological or psychological science. The extent of his background is a short period working as a veterinary technician as a teenager in Mazatlan[2] and a period of self-education from dog psychology books popular in the 1980’s [3].  Rather than see this as a problem to be rectified, Millan touts his lack of training as almost another credential. It is a badge of pride for him – he maintains that his work stems from an intuitive knowledge of dogs’ universal ‘language of energy’, which he feels even schooled scientists and most trainers can’t seem to understand. To the uneducated layperson this might be a convincing argument. However, Millan’s lack of any sort of scientific background and the absence of scientific credibility supporting his beliefs means that his theory is built on a combination of outdated behavioral science amalgamated with old-wives’ tales and quasi-scientific concepts.

Millan‘s ‘pack’ theory is not only demonstrably incorrect when applied to domesticated canines, but also did not even exist in the ‘wolf ancestors’ that he draws it from. He holds to the romantic ideal that we need to help dogs return to their ‘wild nature’ and to supplement their lifestyles according to how they would live in a world without human intervention. Millan does not take into account the fact that dogs would have not have evolved into the animals they are today without interaction with of humans[4]. Therefore there is no such thing as “the balance they would achieve naturally in a world without human influence.[5]” Throughout his books he makes statements that are patently false; many of these errors relate directly to his inadequate understanding of canine psychology and behavior, such as the idea that domesticated canines ‘in the wild’ would routinely execute the frail and feeble [6]. These misconceptions lead to serious flaws in his methodology.

MILLAN’S WOLF PACK ANALOGY

Central to Millan’s philosophy (and foremost in his use of incorrect science) is the belief that dogs are motivated by the need to be part of a stable pack hierarchy. He asserts that “a dog’s pack is his life force. The pack instinct is his primal instinct. His status in the pack is his self, his identity. Pack is all important to a dog because if anything threatens the pack’s harmony, it threatens each individual dog’s harmony.”[7]

Millan suggests that while dogs are not wolves[8], a lot can be learned by observing these canine ancestors. However, he never distinguishes between the two in his theory of ‘pack’ and uses examples of (often incorrect) wolf behavior as direct analogies to the behavior of domesticated canines. He believes that by taking the role of ‘pack leader’, or alpha, for himself, “their deepest, most primal instinct guides them to follow [him]… to obey [him], and to cooperate with one another.[9]” Unfortunately, there are numerous problems inherent to Millan’s ‘pack theory’, not the least of which is that the dominance-based theory of wolf-pack structure is not biologically correct. It was created by a Nazi scientist as a way of justifying their eugenics campaign in the 1930s and 1940s.[10]

Research has shown that wolves do not actually live in a dominance-based hierarchy as Millan and many others like to assume. The belief that wolves function in a dominance hierarchy can be traced back to the Victorian era. During this time, ideas about the ‘right of the strong’ were perpetuated by influential writers such as Nietzsche and Kipling, often with analogies to wild predators like wolves.[11] The Nazis co-opted this rhetoric of ‘man as predator’ and Nietzsche’s references to a ‘Teutonic blonde beast’ that inspired terror. During this time, Konrad Lorenz, funded by the Nazi party, tried to justify eugenic measures in human populations by comparing the genetics and behavior of wild and domesticated animals – especially canines. He based this work primarily on Nietzsche’s comparisons of human civilization with the domestication of animals. After the end of the Nazi era, the theories of wolf behavior and that of other wild canines put forth by Lorenz in King Solomon’s Ring closely paralleled Nazi ideology: wolves are seen as far-ranging and powerful, devoted to the pack and willing to defend it to the death. In contrast, jackals and their metaphorically Semitic descendants, while intelligent, lack the obedience and loyalty to the group which made wolves supreme.[12] Humans are well-known for projecting their own social structures onto the animals they study, and by using wolves as a metaphor for Nazi ideals Lorenz projected the Nazi structure of absolute rigid rank onto wolf packs. Just like the Nazi structure he adored, Lorenz decided wolves operated in a distinct hierarchical structure, where each wolf adhered to a strict rank – submissive to those above him, ruthless to those underneath.[13] Because he is considered one of the founders of modern ethology, much of Lorenz’s work was accepted as fact for years.  In light of the Nobel Prize he won for his work, the origins of his philosophy were never effectively questioned until after his death.  This is the beginning of the modern myth of dominance-structured wolf packs.

MODERN UNDERSTANDING OF WOLF PACK STRUCTURE

Today it is well understood in the scientific community that Lorenz’s theory of wolf pack structure is entirely wrong. When forced into captivity with other unrelated wolves, a dominance hierarchy will form among the individuals as a way of keeping order – as with almost any group of unrelated individuals within a species who are forced into unnatural proximity.[14] But thanks to David L. Mech, we know that in the wild, wolf packs are simple nuclear family units, led by a mating pair and containing multiple generations of pups.[15] As pups grow up and come to sexual maturity they disperse, find a mate, and create their own pack. Within a pack there is often a non-rigid hierarchy between siblings, which is due more to individual personalities than to any sort of need for violence and dominance within the pack.[16] Nowhere is Lorenz’s idea of a violent and rigid social structure observed. Lone wolves do exist, but not because they are outcasts or martyrs –such situations arise, for example, when there might not be enough prey in the area to support a larger group or when the wolf hasn’t found a mate yet. Aggressive wolves are reprimanded and socialized by the group, not outcast. Wolves living together in the wild are close family units, into which strangers are rarely ever admitted. Within the larger group ofcanidae, the definition of a pack is a nuclear family unit that hunts and defends a territory together.[17]

Thus wolf packs in nature don’t behave with anything like the ‘pack structure’ that Cesar Millan maintains exist in dogs. There is no such entity as a dominant ‘pack leader’ – the closest that exists is the oldest pair of wolves, who are generally the parents of all other wolves in the pack. They lead by example and experience, not by physically dominating their offspring. By preaching that “in a pack, there are only two roles; the role of leader and role of follower,[18]” Millan is completely ignoring the fact that wolf packs function on a family dynamic. He teaches owners that dogs have an ingrained pack mentality and writes that “If you’re not asserting leadership over your dog, your dog will try to compensate by showing dominant or unstable behavior[19].” This leads to the creation of many dangerous situations where a dog that is not showing aggressive behavior will be misread by its owner and its real problems ignored, or an owner will attempt to dominate a dog that is showing aggressive behavior. Both are prime ways for the owner and dog to get hurt – entirely because Millan has misrepresented the situation and the solution.

ADDITIONAL PROBLEMS WITH MILLAN’S IDEAS AND METHODS

There is a crucial error in Millan’s thinking even more important than incorrect wolf science: he completely ignores recent research that shows that the domestic dog is not a pack animal[20]. He cannot ‘lead the pack like an alpha wolf’[21] because in domestic dog society no role of the sort exists. Free-ranging urban dogs spend the majority of their time either wandering alone or with a singular companion.[22] Groups larger than three dogs are rare - and when they do exist, they are not a ‘pack’ because they are fluid groupings of individuals rather than stable family units. These groupings of dogs consist of temporary gatherings of essentially solitary animals that don’t derive benefit from group living.[23] Because the major dangers to feral dogs are cars and poisoning, there is no reproductive advantage to living in a group, for either protecting pups or hunting for food. In fact, domestic dogs are notoriously bad at hunting – hundreds of years of human influence have disconnected them from the behavioral sequence of a true hunter[24]. Domestic dogs that have turned feral survive as scavengers, not hunters. [25] This is the most economic state for a feral dog – unlike wolves:  a dog does not have to travel for miles on end to find food. In fact, free-ranging dogs barely forage at all – living around humans provides enough food that most dogs spend about 80% of the day playing, sleeping, or lazing around.[26]  Science has shown that domestic dogs don’t behave like wolves or function on the same social continuum that wolves do, so it is ludicrous that Millan has based an entire theory on the fallacious assumption that dogs are akin to wolves. His view that “dogs in the wild have [the natural ability] simply to be dogs, to live in a stable, balanced pack[27]” is simply wrong.

Many of Millan’s other assertions are also incorrect. He teaches that owners should always eat before their dogs, because the alpha leader in a pack should always eat first and most – after all, he says, if wolves kill a deer the pack leader gets the biggest piece[28] and the most submissive wolf always eats last.[29] This is incorrect:  it has been shown that wolves in the wild that catch large prey eat simultaneously. Small prey is generally devoured by whomever captures it.[30] Domestic dogs are foragers and scavengers rather than hunters and because they are generally alone, whatever they find, they eat. Because he believes that dogs hunt like wolves, Millan contends that dogs must do so as well in order to be fulfilled in their ‘purpose’. Since “the need to hunt… is hardwired into wolves”[31] it is “natural for them to expect to work for their food.”[32] However, free-ranging dogs in their natural habitats barely work for their food and spend most of their time ‘goofing off’. Therefore, requiring owners to eat before their dog is unnecessary - the supposed hierarchy it creates does not exist in any canine social group.

Even more egregious are other statements that are completely without basis in fact.  One example is the claim that pit bulls were bred for fighting bulls,[33] when in reality the term ‘pit bull’ has been used to describe any dog used for pit-fighting. Millan seems to believe that dogs are as ruthless as humans and says that “dogs don’t feel sorry for the frail and the feeble. They attack and execute them.”[34] Such blatant factual errors call Millan’s already tenuous credibility into serious question.

Evolution Of The Domestic Dog

Millan says that “nature designed [dogs] for a purpose, and that inbred desire for purpose does not go away when we bring them into our homes.”[35] However, in this and many other statements, he seems to forget that interaction with humanity – not natural selection – created the domesticated dog[36]. Throughout both of his books, Millan preaches that his goal is to “help dogs receive both structure and intensive physical activity to help dogs achieve the kind of balance they would if they lived naturally, in a world without human influence.”[37] There is no such thing as a world in which the domestic dog could live without human influence.

Humans and the domestic dog co-evolved starting thousands of years ago.[38] The original theory was that proto-humans decided wolves could be useful, stole a number of pups, and reared them. They would then have intentionally bred the tamest individuals, and eventually ended up with the modern dog. However, this theory does not hold water on further  investigation.

While it isn’t unreasonable to think that early humans might have captured wolf pups and tried to rear them, taming wolves is extremely difficult and the resulting adult would have been hard to handle.[39] Early humans were migratory, and would not have stayed in a particular area long enough to influence the genetics of the nearby wolf population even if they did exert slight control over the breeding of wild wolves. It is much more likely that some wolves ‘chose’ to domesticate themselves. As humans began to create temporary settlements instead of migrating constantly, trash would have accumulated. The wolves in nearby populations who were less wary of humans would have learned to conserve energy by accessing this easy-to-find food.[40] At that point, natural selection would have taken over and these less-fearful wolves would have begun to differ from those that were still completely wild.[41] Over time a tame type of wolf would have developed. During this process, it was likely that humans would have recognized the reciprocal benefits of having such predators around the camp. The camp would have been cleaner; resulting in fewer vermin and less disease, and the presence of the proto-dogs would have warded off other predators.[42]

Eventually, humans would have realized that they could influence the temperament of these creatures they lived with – and maybe even make use of them – and begun to intervene in the breeding process, resulting in the creature we know today as the domesticated dog.[43] Without the presence of humans and their debris, wolves would never have had the opportunity to evolve into dogs. A domesticated dog’s ‘natural habitat’ is anywhere that humanity is – in cities, towns and homes.[44] It’s not possible for a domesticated dog to return to its humanity-free roots, as they never existed in the first place. Millan advocates this romanticized idea of domestication because of its appeal to the layperson, but it has no factual basis.

Flooding and Positive Punishment

When The Dog Whisperer first aired on September 13, 2004, it was shown despite the vehement protests of veterinarians, trainers, behaviorists and other experts who reviewed the show prior to its release.[45] All who spoke out against Millan’s methods understood that his theories were based on outdated science, and that the training solutions he promoted had been proven to create or increase aggressive behaviors[46],[47]. His main techniques are flooding and positive punishment, both of which are unpleasant and often traumatic. These techniques go directly against all sets of professional dog training guidelines, which state that less invasive techniques (i.e, without pain or force) must be competently tried and exhausted before more invasive techniques are attempted.[48]

Flooding is an exposure to something that provokes a stimulus (either aggression or fear) until the animal simply stops reacting. In one episode of The Dog Whisperer, Millan drags a Great Dane terrified of shiny floors onto the surface he feared using a choke chain, ‘flooding’ him with the stimulus. The dog was under extreme stress, as documented by excessive drooling and body posture.[49] The dog collapsed from fear and eventually stopped struggling – the results of a phenomenon known as ‘learned helplessness’, which occurs when an animal repeatedly exposed to an aversive stimulus learns it has no escape. Whether or not the animal is cured, flooding puts it under extreme amounts of stress and runs a huge risk for traumatizing the animal. It has always been considered a cruel method of treatment whether used on humans or animals. Some dogs may become so traumatized by flooding that they become aggressive and dangerous for the average person to handle.

Also an aggression risk, positive punishment is the application of an unpleasant stimulus as a consequence for behavior, and it is generally considered an entirely inappropriate method for dealing with any behavioral problem that is based in aggression or anxiety. Positive punishment quells the symptoms of a problem but does not eliminate the cause of the behavior. In another controversial episode of The Dog Whisperer, a Rottweiler was punished by being kicked for “showing aggression” on a walk; the ensuing struggle resulted in the handler being bitten more than once and the dog being nearly asphyxiated as punishment for biting.[50]

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Both these techniques are not only unhealthy for the animals involved, but they are also extremely dangerous for the handler. Any animal that is scared or forced into an aggressive state is more likely to bite. During the course of his show, Millan repeatedly gets bitten by the dogs he’s working with and is proud of it. Alexandra Semyonova, one of the many behaviorists who have openly spoken out against Millan, attributes this to what she calls ‘Lion Tamer Syndrome’: “There are thousands of us out here working with ‘aggressive’ dogs every day and not getting bit,” she says:

This isn’t because we intimidate or terrorize the dogs even better than Mr. Millan does, but because we understand them… if Mr. Millan is worried the dog won’t get aggressive, he does something to make it do so. The dog must be aggressive, and the more aggressive it is, the greater an authority the trainer must be… The Lion Tamer Syndrome is not, not ever, about competence in training animals. It’s more a kind of pissing contest between humans. And the more a human engages in it, the less s/he generally really knows about the animal involved.[51]

Attesting to this, at the beginning of each show, a disclaimer reminds owners not to try his techniques at home. Many professionals who speak out against Millan say that, bad science aside, any dog training show that considers its methods so dangerous that it needs such a disclaimer should not be on the air.[52],[53]

           One Size Fits All

Even more worrying then the specific techniques is the ‘one size fits all’ approach Millan takes. To Millan, every behavioral problem is rooted in dominance and pack hierarchy, which ignores a dog’s true mental state. Regardless of whether the dog is fearful, anxious, excited, or has severe psychological issues, Millan diagnoses it as a dominance issue. [54] Even something as simple as an excited dog greeting its owner by jumping up is diagnosed as a dominant behavior[55] and Millan recommends dealing with this by stepping on the dog’s toes, throwing her to the ground, and forcibly rolling her over into a submissive posture and holding her there. That sort of ‘training’ can lead to further behavioral problems – the dog will stop jumping, but she’s also going to quickly become afraid of her owner’s apparently ‘random’ violence. Veterinary staff say they can always tell when dogs come in who have been subjected to dominance-based training, as they are often very fearful and aggressive towards people as a result.[56]

Dogs with actual mental disabilities often fare even worse. In yet another episode of The Dog Whisperer, Millan treats an Entlebucher Mountain Dog that has a compulsive disorder with a prong collar, ‘popping’ it every time the dog began a compulsive behavior. Dr. Andrew Luescher, the director of the Animal Behavior Clinic at Purdue University, compares this to abusing a child exhibiting stereotypic rocking behaviors. “The method Millan used to approach this problem would be like hitting this severely disturbed child each time it rocks. I bet you could suppress the rocking behavior, but certainly no-one would suggest that that child was cured.”[57] This is particularly disturbing because obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is known to be a neurochemical imbalance, and is therefore an undeniable medical condition. Nevertheless Millan advocates using punishment to control the behavior. Dr. Rachel Casey, Senior Lecturer in Companion Animal Behaviour and Welfare at Bristol University considers the blanket assumption that every dog is “motivated by some innate desire to control people and other dogs” ridiculous.[58] None of the dogs in the examples above were displaying any signs of dominance – all of them had entirely legitimate reasons for their abnormal behavior that were completely ignored by Millan. Many trainers call his reasoning and techniques “outdated, needlessly harsh, often cruel, and dangerous.”[59] Those who were trained to use the same techniques say that when science proved them to be ineffective and cruel, they quickly switched philosophies and have had far more success ever since.[60],[61],[62]

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SUMMARY/CONCLUSION/PROFESSIONAL CONCLUSIONS REGARDING MILLAN

In his review, submitted to National Geographic before The Dog Whisperer was ever aired, Dr. Andrew Luescher stated that the show “would be a major embarrassment… as my colleagues and I and innumerable leaders in the dog training community have worked now for decades to eliminate such cruel, ineffective (in terms of true cure) and inappropriate techniques.”[63] In criticizing the program, the director of The SF/SPCA Academy for Dog Trainers goes even farther, saying that “a profession that has been making steady gains in its professionalism, technical sophistication and humane standards has been greatly set back.”[64] Set back how far? Easily twenty years, according to the letter written to National Geographic by Dr. Nicholas Dodman.[65] Outcry against Millan’s methods has come from all corners of the scientific world. His methods are outdated, dangerous, and scientifically baseless. Not only is Millan himself abusing animals, but he is perpetuating incorrect scientific knowledge throughout common media, leading to the mistreatment of thousands more animals. Any small amount of research would make it clear to a nonscientific layperson that dogs are not wolves, and in no way function on the dominance-centered hierarchy that Millan espouses as the basis of his theories. While entertaining and charismatic, The Dog Whisperer is the worst thing to happen to the domestic canine in recent history.

Editor's Disclaimer: I did not write this insightful piece. Authored by Rachel Garner ...

Here is a link to the page with all the experts who were used to make this article the people are at the bottom: https://www.facebook.com/notes/rachel-garner/the-damage-of-the-dog-whisperer-a-scientific-critique-of-cesar-millans-theories-/10150861101089441

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Comments (184)

Julia
Said this on 20/08/2015 At 11:27 pm

As a Licensed Veterinary Technician, I was a bit insulted to see you label Milan as a former veterinary technician. To most people it may not be a big deal, and it is simple to group all the veterinary support staff under the term of "technician." However, to me and many others, we had to work hard to earn that title including the requirements of additional schooling and examinations. In our schooling we were taught about basic animal behaviour and how to respond to these behaviors in a safe mannor for both the animal and ourselves. It is quite obvious by watching Milan, that he has never received such training.

steven Fraser
Said this on 11/08/2015 At 02:01 pm

All animals need discipline including us humans. Just look at the state of our children who have no respect for adults, their property or authority. Now we are doing the same for dogs....In my opinion. ..positive punishment does not need to be traumatic.

DamianSapinski
Said this on 12/08/2015 At 03:33 pm

it is a sign of our times. Epoch idiots. When celebrities and their trinkets are valued more than science and knowledge. Nobody no longer interested in the question that drives science ... Just let go of the stupid fart in the style of "All animals need discipline Including us humans" .... because ... because ... because nothing ... such talk for talking so long as no ask yourself or anyone else "why" questions ...

Caino
Said this on 11/08/2015 At 11:36 am

Ive never heard CM say "wolf pack" i have heard him use the word dominance a lot. i dont agree with many of his methods and you probably wouldnt agree with mine and i probably wouldnt agree with yours, so as a smart person what conculsion do you come to when reading this!? We are all dfferent, we are brought up differently and we raise our kin differently, does that make me "wrong", No it just makes the person judging very narrow minded. CM has saved lots of dogs being PTS so for that i applaude the man. Do you have more than 20 dogs living at your "Ranch"? No i didnt think so, so different methods for different situations. but let me tell you this "Science" has NOTHING to do with this at all, you either "have it" or you dont! thats how i see it, you either have patience or you dont, you have empathy or you dont and love for all animals or you dont! You cant teach these things and i honestly believe certain people have a sort of affinity with dogs, i have 4 dogs, and i will tell every dog trainer, physcologists, and scientists on here that although you will take little heade of this because of the narrow minded thing. We are all different in our own little ways, just because you dont agree with how someone does something does not automatically make you "right", their are no "right" way to train any animal, their is just "your"way and as long as the animal is well fed, watered and given affection and direction, patience and understanding then who the hell are you lot to judge them. Oh right youve been a classroom for 8 years, that must make you automatically better than everyone else! hahahahahaha your hilarious and highly misinformed, but thats "science" for you

Amy
Said this on 11/08/2015 At 06:15 pm

Well said 

John M
Said this on 11/08/2015 At 02:10 am

showing CM giving the middle finger will not go far in convincing anyone except the people who are already knowledgeable about this.

you have to understand that people who know nothing about the actual sciences behind dog behavior and the fantasy world that is alpha dogs, hierarchy, and dominance theory think CM is a saint.

it will take a lot to convince people that CM has actually psychologically damaged dogs and has spread misinformation to the world that will set back dog training for 20 years.

and here is a nice youtube video. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tNtFgdwTsbU

Heidi Naude
Said this on 10/08/2015 At 07:47 pm

It amazes me that so much effort is made to discredit someone that maybe does not have all the credentials that the people who wants to discredit him have, even though he can back everything he says with results. He has positively changed the lives of many many dogs, and is making a huge contribution to society as a whole. I can understand that opinions might differ, but back your opinions with results. I have always believed that if you have time to critisize, you are not doing enough yourself. I discipline my dogs in a firm and strict manner, and find that they are submissive and indeed do live as a pack. (I have 4 great danes). 

 

All this fuss is almost like the psychology of raising children without ever discipling them. It simply does not work.

 

Ceasar, you are doing great work - and as long as the "qualified" people out there go through so much effort to prove you wrong, you must be doing something right. 

I suppose you cost them some income - hence their drive to discredit you.

 

Ivana
Said this on 11/08/2015 At 08:03 pm

My thoughts exactly! Thank you!

Amy
Said this on 11/08/2015 At 06:19 pm

Well said, this artical really annoyed me, I couldnt even finish it. I feel bad for ceasar getting this kind of grief from people after all the good he has done.

Said this on 31/07/2015 At 08:05 pm

Apparently the autor of this post, is a 22 years old person, who studied Animal Behaviour... All that I can see in this post is an exercise of copy and paste different parts of published books. If I were this person, I will focus my energy in become the best I could be and have a better mission that attempt to scratch someone else reputation. 

Cesar Millan has been always very open about his background and he is proud of it, on another hand the legacy he is living to the world is remarkable. Thank you!

Dr. N van Meurs
Said this on 11/08/2015 At 12:35 pm

When people do not seem to understand the concept of 'evidence based practice' then this is unfortunate as this is also how medicine works, for example. You wouldn't want a doctor to prescribe you medication or engage in surgery without being educated and without the medication or surgical procedure being tested and researched! The author of the piece uses facts, research and evidence to back up the argument made to come towards a conclusion that will, ultimately, benefit the dependent, in this case the dog. We evolve by people being brave enough to critique damaging practices (if evidence shows time and again that it is!) and the "best" practitioner would welcome critique if he/she is confident in what he/she does but be open and willing to learn. Anything else is simply dogmatic thinking... ;-)

Said this on 17/06/2015 At 11:32 am

I remember once hearing him advocate for the use of homeopathic medication for dogs. That proves he hasn't got a clue about science. Can't speak directly to his ability to train dogs, but it's a credibility issue that gives me pause.

jim
Said this on 17/06/2015 At 09:15 am

This is either satire or the person who wrote it is an idiot...maybe both?

Said this on 02/06/2015 At 11:03 pm

Rachel Garner 22yo knows everything about dog training

Behavior Apprentice · February 2013 to present

If you look ate her FB: Authored by Rachel Garner ...

RichieO
Said this on 01/06/2015 At 10:34 am

Every singe person who has spoken out against Cesar Milan is either a complete idiot or a an ignorant, jealous, despot with no real knowledge of dogs, people or nature, this article is just nonsense, get a proper education.

Anom
Said this on 18/06/2015 At 12:18 am

The ignorance extolled by those who idolize the fake and animal abuser, Cesar Millan, is apathetic commentary on the midnset of those who value controllingother sentient beings at any cost. This is because they crave power which they never had and never will. These illiterate follwho cannot be bothered to do the homework,  conduct the research, oreven familiarize themselves with the facts, the empirical science, and decades of firmly established data, should be ashamed of themselves for putting dogs as well as human being in danger.  The ludicrous, specious accusations that indicts bona fide authorities who have labored for years in their disciploines, both medical and scientific, proceed from  the mouths of idiots who have either never read a book, or are so cynical and fearful of authority that they dare not. Such people  should be incarceratted for the criminals they are, as they essentially advocate cruelty to animals. Rest assured, these moronns mAy not understand animal behaior, the science that successuflly evaluates it, or the scientists and professionals who do, but WE UNDERSTAND YOU. And we underswtand that you are hopeless, in that you don't even want to know. Keep it up, and rest asured, you will be either bitten badly or auled by the dogs you mistreat. And you will deserve every fucking bite they take out of you. Drop dead,assholes.

Ann
Said this on 29/05/2015 At 03:57 pm

I have to say after visiting the facebook link of the author of this article I was convinced that this article is a hoax and indeed more damaging than anything Cesar has ever done or will ever do. I think it was written by a self destructive, amateur who likes to write dark and disturbing material , It could have been a rant about anyone and due to the popular nature of the subject matter she selected someone who matters dearly to most folks and who is making a very positive difference in our world. The real fact is that the author of this article is very disturbed herself and needs to look within before she goes about writing articles that are unscientific , more to the point selfcentered lies.

Ann
Said this on 29/05/2015 At 03:43 pm

I have heard critics dispute the best of the best, Jesus, JFK, and Cesar Milan to be exact. I take this article for what it is, an article. The proof is in the pudding so to speak, It takes action to show contraversial empirical data is false or true, I see no action on the part of this writer, I see only a negative rant. I am sorry to have read it in good faith that perhaps during the course of the reading I would find out some shocking revelation that would discourage me from believing all that my experience had taught me, which is that Ceasar Milan is a gifted teacher , one who has a purpose here on earth to change the way people relate to dogs and to give them a second chance whereas before  he came along the so called "dogma of the day" was to just put the dog down.. that is no longer a norm in our society and he has has a huge influence on that. I see that the dogs he works with are calmer and more in a mindset that excersices self control which is what I wish for the author of the article that lamblasted him . Perhaps we could see evidence of her work with the canine world someplace. just saying...

Mary Ann C Golden
Said this on 24/05/2015 At 11:52 pm

Leave Milan alone.Don't you jealous bums see his positive outcome.Your just jealous cause your crap doesnt work.He is a great Mexican so BUZZ OFF.

Martha Fillinger
Said this on 28/08/2015 At 07:05 pm

What does being a Mexican have to do with anything?

Gary Wilkes
Said this on 24/04/2015 At 08:14 pm

Milan is a television entertainer. Behavioral scientsts aren't really scientists. This is simply an attempt by highly educated but entirely ineffective academics to derail his business while having nothing of substance to offer. If you doubt this, consider the comments from this scientists regarding the use of positive punishment to stop aggression. Then look up Ulrich, Wolfe & Dulaney, JEAB, 1969, Punishment of Shock Induced Aggression. It's valid. It's peer-reviewed science. What does it mean? They both triggered and completley suppressed aggression with positive punishment. The specific modality was electric shock. That's science. The most likely side effects of aggression include a dead dog. Worshipping the great God "side-effects" ignores the likely lethal outcome for the animal in order to push a flawed ideology. The real scientific method woudl be to find out the rules to create a practical application. The person who wrote this has never been trained in the use of punishmnent, has no credentials that would make him/her an expert and is simply passing on hearsay to attack a TV guy. That ain't science. No, I'm not a Cesar Milan fan. I am a veritas fan.

 

lixie
Said this on 30/04/2015 At 06:44 am

Who would trust anything you propose when right out the gate you say, "behavioral scientists aren't really scientists"? Your logical fallacy shrouds your argument so anyone sourcing behavioral studies done by scientists in the field of behavior are inadmissable. 

Bob Bailey, B F Skinner, Sophia Yin... Look up their credentials.

Your comment even use the term B F Skinner prints in his theory of operant conditioning, " positive punishment "!

And a five seconds search reveals these prestigious institutions of higher learning offer board certifiable masters programs for animal behaviorists.

University of Pennsylvania
University of California-Davis
University of Georgia-Athens 
Tufts University
LTC Daniel E. Holland Military Working Dog Veterinary Hospital Program
University of Montreal
University of Minnesota
North Carolina State University
The Ohio State University
Purdue University

And to say this is just attacking an entertainer is grossly naive. His long running program has huge influence on dog owners internationally and promotes faulty logic and scientific reasoning.

Maybe read this...https://yourlogicalfallacyis.com

MWK
Said this on 23/04/2015 At 03:11 pm

Love this line:

"Tens of scientists, trainers and behavioral science organizations have spoken out against his theories."

Not THOUSANDS, not HUNDREDS, but TENS of scientists.  ROFL

Kathy
Said this on 17/06/2015 At 12:35 am

That's clearly a typo.  Because tens of thousands of trainers, scientists, vets and behaviorists have spoken out against him.

Jane Doe
Said this on 23/04/2015 At 01:11 pm

I think you ruined any hope of professionally arguing your point when you refered to Cesar as an immigrant from Mexico, as if it was another vaild point on why he is wrong. If your going to write an essay you should take the emotions and personal attacking out and keep it factual.

John Doe
Said this on 28/04/2015 At 07:19 pm

When did it become inappropriate to say someone is an immigrant? Pretty sure the only person viewing that as a derogatory statement against Milan is you and the other bleeding hearts reading this. If he did in fact immigrate from Mexico, then he is, by definition, a Mexican immigrant...no?

Suzanne
Said this on 17/06/2015 At 05:53 am

But the article writer is using his Mexican Immigrant status as an argument agains his methods.  That's not a valid, nor a scientific point. 

Adele Barnswell
Said this on 28/04/2015 At 03:47 pm

I had NO interest in reading after this comment . It became personal from that point on as far as I was concerned . A vendetta to ruin Cesar's reputation . Science does not always have to stand behind everything to prove a point . I believe the work alone that this man has done proves it loud & clear , he had bounds of knowledge , not just from a freaking book ! Let Cesar be , and keep doing the good he does for the precious dogs of this world , god knows it's an up hill battle always . As man is NOT always kind to mans best friend :(

Nicole
Said this on 22/04/2015 At 08:01 pm

Not everything has to be based on science...big words....or theories. Sometimes the average man knows a thing or two...you don't have to have fifty letters behind your name to be talented or know information on a certain subject and he able to share it with so many lives.  Caesar Milan is not abusive...maybe the author should look up the meaning of abuse...or check out some real abuse stories in the animal world....quite a harsh accusation.  

Suzanne
Said this on 17/06/2015 At 05:57 am

Have you seen animals natural reactions to each other, and their own young, without man's influence?  Would any of that be considered abuse to you?  No?  Yes?  This is what Cesar is endeavoring to immitate when he performs such actions.  He's not pulling these actions out of a hat.  He has watched how animals treat each other, and he emulates that.

Rosie
Said this on 22/04/2015 At 10:30 pm

Did you even read the article at all?

Carolyn
Said this on 24/04/2015 At 09:01 am

I read it, beginning to end, and I am disgusted and nauseated. She has traduced both Lorenz, who was a great scientist and animal lover, not perfect but greater than most of us; and Millan, whose work is not as she describes it; she lies and distorts. I have read his books and watched many of his shows. She lies about both. IMO, this article is a brazen attempt to gain a name for herself, by libelling two good men in their fields.

I have used Millan's methods with my dogs, with huge success, and my dogs adore me and I  them. Millan does not abuse, jhe does not use cruelty or fear. Frankly, I hope never to read another word from Rachel Garner.

Said this on 22/04/2015 At 08:01 pm

It's clear from these comments that Cesar is a star that many won't dare question. Even though his methods are outdated, cruel, and scientifically unsupportable, many won't consider more humane options simply because he's charming. Do his methods work? Yes, of course they do. Beating your children will also make them "mind" you. But there will be consequences. And it's all so unnecessary since there are proven methods for training dogs without fear, intimidation, or pain.

It's unfotunate that Cesar became such as star just as more positive methods have been gaining traction. I do not doubt Cesar's sincerity - just his knowledge about other methods. I feel sorry for the dogs who will be treated less-humanely than they could have been simply because Cesar is charming and has a popular tv show.

Bobbie Jo
Said this on 05/12/2015 At 07:42 pm

Tim,

Thank you for your clear, dispassionate statement about Cesar Milan's methods.  All around me, I see the good effective trainers using humane, caring training.  I want my own dogs as companions, not animals who fear me, and progressive positive reinforcement methods result in happy and obedient animals.

Kathy
Said this on 17/06/2015 At 12:36 am

Thank you!

Me
Said this on 03/06/2015 At 07:31 am

When has anyone ever seen cesar "abuse" an animal. Iv watched all his shows and il think ul find there is a massive difference between his corrections and abuse.. Has he ever blatantly beaten an animal?..no! Has he ever lost trust through his corrections ..no! He is always calm and controlled..never violent or aggressive, in the animal world correction is normal and natural. A lion would bop one of it's babies with it's paw if it did something wrong..its human nature. The guy is about 5ft5 yet corrects dogs that could eat him alive. Get a grip!!!.. your making out like he uses brute force when a simple tap is all he ever uses. .and when he pins an aggressive dog,there is no force! Its a hold! it would hurt a lot more if that dog got in a fight. Would it not!? ... exactly 

Kathy
Said this on 17/06/2015 At 12:37 am

He killed a dog and nearly killed another and has severely injured many more.  Reality tv is severely edited. And a lion may bop his baby on the head, but if a bear tried to bop a lion there would be a serious fight.  Cesar is not a dog.  

Suzanne
Said this on 17/06/2015 At 06:03 am

Please post a link about the dog that Cesar has killed.  I searched Google and found nothing.

 

Said this on 22/04/2015 At 07:50 pm

You lost me when you stopped talking about CM and started talking about NAZIs.

WTF?

Sure CM is not perfect.  But he's more right than wrong.

Where is he wrong:  A pack structure has two groups:  the leader and the non-leaders.  Period.  Pecking-orders are for chickens, you know, the creatures that peck.

 

Deborah
Said this on 22/04/2015 At 01:28 am

my experience with Cesar Milan is not extensive, nor do do I know him, or anyone who knows him personally. I watched the show, and read his books because I adopted a pitbull from the pound that pretty soon after become aggressive to other dogs. I  Tried a lot of "Cesar's" methods and found some slight behavioural changes in my dog immediately, and some that came gradually over sereval months. I also consulted numerous trainers,who all have very different methods and eventually choose one who helped in the process. Unfortunately that dog did attack another dog, and we had to euthanize her. 

I was turned on to Cesar because I adopted a dog who had a predisposed issues. I didn't do anything to make this animal aggressive and yet she was mine and I loved her so it was something we worked on.in the end it was a very traumatic experience and I was even more disappointed with the pound who had put this animal in my home and yet offered no support, or information and treated me like a criminal when there was an issue. 

The point to my story? Cesar Milans methods may not be based on science, some may go against evidence and other educated respected behavioural scientists. But not everything he says or does is wrong and he makes basic information accessible to the everyday person who may have a behavioural issue with their pet and not know who to turn to.

 Every trainer I met with told me something different about how to deal with my aggressive dog, they were all extremely expensive, and I felt completely  confused and lost. 

throughout my whole experience and especially from the Cesar's book, My biggest take away was that all dogs are dogs firsts and then their breed.  Different breeds have different needs and it is important to understand those needs when training and when choosing a pet. However, All  dogs need exercise, discipline and affection and in that order. 

i now own two pitbulls who are totally well adjusted, are the best behaved dogs on our street and great ambassadors for the breed. I also foster pit bulls and work with them on any issues or training in a home environment until they can be adopted.

My success with my dogs have come through Cesar's most simple method:  exercise, discipline, and then affection, creates a balanced dog. 

jiamrat wichaiwong
Said this on 23/04/2015 At 04:34 am

You sould be a shamed of yourself to euthanized your dog and you should never own any for the rest of your life!

Heather
Said this on 24/04/2015 At 01:53 pm

You're an idiot if you actually believe this. As a Vet Tech, animals get euthanized all of the time. Their dog attacked another one, once they have that mindset - it's only a matter of time before they do it again. If you really think that someone shouldn't own another dog in their lifetime just because they had one euthanized, you need to reevaluate your life. Pets get euthanized for various different reasons.... For example, would you shun the person who had their dog.humanely put to sleep after seemingly endless trials of chemo? I wouldn't. I think a very good choice was made for the safety of other dogs and potentially family members.

Me
Said this on 16/06/2015 At 03:05 pm

Absolutely! This woman is saving dogs and because one dog has to be humanely euthanized you think she should never own a dog? Clearly you are ignorant. 

My husband is a veterinarian and I bet you're the cruel person that keeps alive dying pets in terrible pain because you want them to die "naturally" which often means starving to death. Ugh!!! So ignorant!

Sundee
Said this on 22/04/2015 At 09:33 pm

We have a pit bull rescue in Bakersfield and when I read your comment, I was so glad to hear you didn't give up on the breed!!  Thank you!!! We need more like you. Continue spreading that pit bull love!  Visit us on our Facebook page if you can.  Would love to hear more of your story and see pics of your pups.  Bakersfield Boxers & Bullies Rescue

Terrie
Said this on 21/04/2015 At 08:04 pm

We have been utilizing Cesars methods in our Prison training program in Oregon, which has been modeled by other prisons around Oregon, as well as prisons all over the US. Our program produced highly successful and happy dogs that are highly adoptable. Many of our dog graduates have gone on to therapy training. These dogs are happy, healthy, and no longer homeless because of Cesar's methods! I find this "scienftific finding" to be HIGHLY offensive to us who train, teach training, and rescue damaged dogs due to lack of training.

Jodie
Said this on 24/04/2015 At 07:06 pm

Other, more positive methods can achieve the same thing. 

Teaching immates methods based on relationship, trust, behavior understanding would be much more productive all the way around. 

At-risk people most likely haven't had a lot of positive relationship building opportunities. Using Milan's methods is like using courthouse dogs with choke chains. It sends the wrong message. 

I disagree whole heartedly that Milan's methods should be used. 

I've never "pinched" or poked or used a choke chain or a pinch collar On ANY dog in 10 years of professionally training over 100 dogs. 

Steph
Said this on 21/04/2015 At 10:02 pm

If you work in a field with ligitimate trainers then you know that this article is 100% truthful. This man is a terrible example to follow and he should not be in a position where guillable individuals reading his books or watching his show claiming to be an authority of training. 

Lily
Said this on 21/04/2015 At 05:11 pm

I get the feeling the author of this article was reported by Cesar for abuse or had their dog taken away because they weren't a good match. 

I, honestly, started to make a heartfelt, lengthy comment based upon items in the article, but as I scrolled and replied to each ill-informed paragraph, my comment began to resemble a novel. 

If you don't believe in the pack theory, you truly do not know and understand dogs. I can see why you don't get CM's methods. I'd say you'll do better with a cat, but as a cat lover, I wouldn't wish that on any cat. 

Kelley
Said this on 10/05/2015 At 06:46 am

I don't think I could stand to read a long comment from you. There is so much RIGHT with this article and has been proven by scientists and years of study. Pack theory have been disproved many many times. Maybe you should pick up a current book about dog behaviour and not listen to someone that knitted nothing about dogs.

Sylvi
Said this on 21/04/2015 At 06:06 am

I use the CM Methode in many ways and a Lot of People are impressed about the behavoir and the Strong bonding between me and my Pack, even older People with a Long Life with many Dogs and a Vet. I met was impressed. YES you Need roules YOU have to be the Pack Leader. But believe me, you cant have such a lovley Dog like Junior if he woulde't recives a Lot of Love from CM

You better ask, why so many People get the wrong dog. The Am. staff isn't to Show off with Friends to have a Strong & danger Dog, still Most People get them. out off that reason. Chihuahuas Are not to wear in a bag. Still moste Ladys get them To Carry round. Better Talk about that. How can we Chance That People get a Dog to Show off

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