Feedback received so far...
Name: Susan
I am not a supporter of Cesar Millan's methods..the strange thing is I happened upon his show over the past weekend and it seems he isn't even fully committed to his own type of training: he was using treats (positive reinforcement) to desensitize a Weimaraner from reacting to his family's motorbike. Imagine that, somehow he came up with the concept of helping the dog associate good behavior around the bike with rewards. So apparently he doesn't find his own methods working for him.
========================
Name: Pam Duthie
Thank you for this website. It is so very sad that the public in general believe what they are told and some flashy visuals instead of using their own eyes.
When dog loving children watch CM it makes them sad, they see him hurting and being cruel to dogs.
Because people want to believe there is some magic to training dogs they ignore the evidence of their own eyes and listen to the voice telling them this is a great way to train a dog.
There is no magic to dog training, dogs do things, if something good happens then they will do it again, if something bad happens they dont do it again. If something looks cruel it IS cruel. You can train with punishments but you can train better with rewards and have a happer dog and a happier you
=========================
Name: Liz Marsden
Comments: Thanks for compiling all of this info in one place -- I will let others know about it. I am a professional trainer (CPDT) and have been a witness to the damage being caused by this show and its outdated and cruel message. The only points on which Millan and I agree are that dogs need lots of exercise and structure to thrive in a home environment. (Hardly earth-shattering news). I have taught and "rehabbed" shelter dogs who have all kinds of issues, including aggression issues, for more than 15 years without ever using a choke chain or alpha-rolling any dog. In the face of so much disgust and dismay from every leading canine behavior expert, I am incredulous that Millan's show remains on the air
==========================
Name: Megan LaFollette
This website give me hope. I am only seventeen years old and have read tons of information on dog training and I know for a fact that Cesar Milan is wrong. It makes me incredibly sad when I try to help people with their pets that they quote from him. I believe he is incredibly inhumane to animals and it is a disgrace that he even has his own tv show. I strongly agree with all of the PROFESSIONAL behaviorists that his show is a major setback for advances in animal behavior.
===========================
Name: Kelly Gibson
Feel free to link to my group on Facebook too...it's technically not got CM's name in the title but it's very anti-CM.
Pet Owners for Positive Reinforcement Training
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=46114457486
============================
Too many otherwise fine dog owners get sucked into Cesar's mumbo-jumbo about "calm energy" and "pack leadership," if only because it is so psychologically alluring to consider oneself "Top Dog." They have no way of knowing it's all nonsense until the damage to the dog (and the relationship with the dog) is done. I don't suspect that Cesar understands that it's nonsense, himself. I tell my students "trying to be your dog's 'Pack Leader' is like trying to be your turtles 'Flight Instructor'."
Gallivan Burwell, CTC CPDT-KA
Upward Dog Training & Counseling
New Orleans
============================
Name: Deborah Flick
I'm glad to see this site is up and running again and that there is greater transparency. I hope the site continues to develop in depth and scope. I've bookmarked it will be checking in from time to time to learn about new resources.
Deborah
www.boulderdog.net
=============================
Name: chris neal
So much for the website.
i am at present fighting a one man war to stop cesar milan from coming to the uk to preach his poison.
I have emailed sky news, bbc, kennel club, rspca and started a thread on collienet forum.
he def has a love him or hate him followers .
best of luck to you
================================
Name: Rosie Barclay
Comments: Great website everything you need to know on one site.
I work as a clinical animal behaviourist (CCAB) and a full member of the Association of Pet Behaviour Counsellors (APBC) in the UK. CM is coming to the UK next year and filling football stadiums we are dreading it. We all do what we can to argue the case for a more scientific approach and to try to highlight the dangers of using his techniques but its very hard work. We just keep educating and mopping up mess left in his wake. So thanks for taking the time to collate all this useful information.
Rosie Barclay BSc(Hons) MPhil, CCAB
www.rosiebarclay.com www.apbc.org
==================================
Name: Kendal Shepherd
Comments: Thank you so much for creating this site. There are too many people out there on the planet battling this abusive nonsense on their own. I will e-mail you separately a resource which you can add to your anti-dominance links - my book 'The Canine Commandments' (very favourably reviewed by Kathy Meyer for AVSAB) and my Ladder of Aggression giving an alternative explanation for aggression other than dominance (used routinely by Debra Horvitz and many others now in UK and Europe when counselling the owners of 'aggressive' dogs.)
(see Kendal's own page on this site)
================================
Name: Silvia Jay
Comments: Excellent site. I will link your URL to my site www.voice4dogs.com if you have no objections.
I am a dog behavior consultant and author, and purely positive.
=================================
Name: Denise Linger
Comments: I am very glad to see all of this information in one place where it is easily accessible. It's great to have one link to direct people to, so that they can read all of this for themselves. As you probably know, I run the Cesar Millan Is A Hack facebook group - and more and more people are referencing this website. Hopefully its popularity will continue to spread. Our biggest tool to combat his harmful methods and propaganda is education and information. I hope the anti-CM movement continues to gain more of a following, and that one day we'll see the end of his career as a 'trainer.'
Denise Linger
http://www.facebook.com/#/group.php?gid=20444826822&ref=ts
==============================
Hi -- thank you for your website! I love the line up of experts you have assembled. Thank you for contribution -- you have made it easier for people to be exposed to a wide range of expert input and evaluations!
Veterinarian Theresa DePorter, DVM
Oakland Veterinary Referral Service
www.ovrs.com
=================================
Name: Amie Davis
Comments: I am amazed by the comments of those people who continue to defend Cesar Milan's methods after viewing this video. What needs to be pointed out, which seems so clearly evident in this video, is that Shadow's aggressive outburst is a direct result of Milan's methods. Had Cesar used positive, reward-based training in the first place, Shadow would never have escalated to the aggressive state shown in this video. It's unfathomable that dog abuse is being marketed as entertainment. I am appalled.
=================================
Name: Marla Cooper CPDT-KA
Comments: Thank you so much for putting all these resources together in one place. Now we have somewhere to direct people who would like more information about CM and what real dog trainers are saying.
Dogs all over the world thank you Helena!
==================================
Name: Yamei Ross
Thank you so much for putting together this site. As a dog trainer I have had to spend time educating some of my clients about the dangers of using training methods advocated by CM and others like him.
I will be conducting an "Ask the Trainer" clinic at a wonderful pet food store in my area that is very enthusiastic about positive methods. I would like to have some information/articles available for the customers to help educate/enlighten them on these serious issues.
Thanks so much for the information and thanks again for this most informative and helpful site.
All the best to you,
Yamei Ross
CANINE SOS Inc.
Ontario, Canada
=====================================
Name: Sylvia Dorosh MA Psych
Comments: THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart for creating this blog and including powerful statements from credible and reputable veterinarians, scientists and animal behaviourists who oppose the aversive techniques employed by Cesar Millan. Unlike Millan, these other individuals work from a body of knowledge that has clearly demonstrated that punishment, flooding and other aversive methods contribute to aggression and fear. I am 'only' a dog breeder and trainer of my own dogs with a MA in Applied Psychology but I have attended many animal behaviour conferences where several of these individuals who have lent their names and statements (Leuscher, Donaldson, Yin, Dodman) have spoken. We all need to work to overcome the damage that Millan's program and books have done in the dog training world and work even harder to promote positive, reward-based techniques.
Name: Renee Premaza
Comments: I am a professional dog trainer and certified dog behavior consultant. I can no longer watch Mr. Milan's programs on National Geographic as they upset me terribly. I am tired of watching him use force, intimidation and physical confrontation. It breaks my heart to see the stress and anxiety he creates with the dogs he works with. Look at their body language -- ask yourself if these dogs look happy.
I had a family recently who wanted me to work with their 10 week old Maltese puppy. When I arrived at their home, the owners complained that their puppy was play-biting (a normal puppy behavior at that age). The husband proudly told me that the puppy had stopped biting HIM, but continues to bite the rest of the family. I asked why he thought the puppy stopped play-biting with him. His answer: "I flipped her over on her back and jabbed her in the neck with my two fingers. She never bit me again!" I asked him where he learned that technique and he said, "Oh I watch the Dog Whisperer and do what he does."
I spent the better part of my visit with this family having to explain the ramifications of using harsh methods on puppies or any dogs. I asked him if he ever flipped his kids over and jabbed them in the neck. He smiled sheepishly and said, "of course not."
Owners often call me after being bitten by their own dog. After taking a complete history, I learn all too frequently that they have used very confrontational methods that they learned from Mr. Milan on TV. I can't believe I have to teach people not to kick their dogs! Mr. Milan uses this method on almost every show he does. People are so convinced that their dogs are being dominant. This is a bunch of bologna!
As far as I'm concerned, he abuses dogs. If he was not a celebrity and someone saw him kicking a dog on the street or forcing a dog down on the ground, most people would call the police to report it.
Name: Susan
Comments: THANKS for all this info. I can't wait to pass your website along to others.
Name: Danielle
Comments: I'm an exotic animal trainer that uses positive reinforcement and I have been fighting a losing battle against the ignorance of Cesar Millan. I'm glad that someone has a website blatantly exposing his cruel, unscientific "training" methods. I actually used to groom Riley the Saint Bernard in Moorpark, CA and he was already a little unstable and prone to aggression. Being dragged relentlessly up the stairs was the last thing that dog needed. I really enjoyed reading the Kathy Sdao article. I had the oppportunity to attend a few of her seminars and she is a wealth of information. Thanks for establishing this website to educate people on Cesar Millan's ignorance and lack of understanding in operant conditioning learning theory.
Name: Debbie Jacobs
Comments: I created the fearfuldogs.com website to help people to better understand how they can work with fear based behaviors in their dogs. Watching CM physically bully and intimidate dogs on national television is upsetting. Not only are the dogs suffering but the relationship between owners and their pets suffer as well when these techniques are employed. Please add me to your list.
Debbie Jacobs
www.fearfuldogs.com
Name: Anne S
Comments: Regarding the Shadow episode, I cannot believe that CM has been at this as long as he has and he has STILL not figured out that aggression begets aggression, and the dog's mouth is four times faster than the human hand. I don't think I've ever seen anyone who works with dogs get bitten as much as this guy does - is that just for show so he can call every dog a "red zone" dog???
Name: Tom Sullivan
Comments: My wife, CPDT Diane Sullivan, was referred to as The Dog Whisperer in 1994 in Nashville. But, whether Paul Owens was first or Diane was first really doesn't matter; what matters is that Cesar Millan ISN'T!! It's incredible how people who don't know anything about dog training will buy into this idiotic behavior; people who we otherwise looked on as smart, like Oprah or Wil Smith and other Hollywood types. It's just amazing the ignorance is basically what keeps Millan going.
Comments: BTW, if you want to get this guy off the air, maybe you should include links to National Geographic Channel and PetCo. I'll be if we get thousands of people complaining, he'll go away pretty fast.
Name: terry pride
Comments: Thank you so much for conveniently gathering many knowledgeable and qualified professionals *statements* about Cesar Millan, dominance, aversive handling and training, and so on, all in one place!
It is frustrating to see pseudoscience and snake-oil salesmanship used to prop up a debunked theory; it is far worse to watch the dogs duck, flinch, shake and bite defensively.
The sheer number of dog-owners and dogs who have been injured, physically or emotionally, by this claptrap is incalculable. National Geographic has damaged their academic standing and reputation beyond recovery, by broadcasting this travesty.
sincerely -
Terry Pride, member Assoc of Pet-Dog Trainers Australia; member Assoc of Pet-Dog Trainers USA #1827; Certified Veterinary Assistant; member Intl Assoc of Positive Dog Training; member Truly Dog Friendly
Name: Mira Jonesm
Comments: Millan's NatGeo show is a debacle. Misleading the dog owning public in the name of entertainment is shameful. Harming dogs along the way is criminal. Adding to this outrageousness is Millan's recent endorsement gig for Merial's veterinary pharmaceuticals.
I'm pleased to have this site as a resource for my clients. Thanks to all who put it together.
Mira Jones, APDT, CPDT, CDBC
Name: Bev Truss
Email: [email protected]
Comments: What a wonderful place to discuss evolving from Mr Millans methods to more fair and nonabusive methods for our dogs. My clients who have been following the "whisperer" way, and do a lot of yelling not whispering, are now seeing the light when I explain about more up to date reward based echniques based of science and ethology not aggression. Motivation NOT intimidation is my chant.
Please visit www.coape.org and follow the links to Ask Why say No to help end dogs abuse in training.
Name: Liz Marsden
Comments: Thank you for compiling so much great data and creating an excellent resource for those of us who are dismayed by Cesar's popularity. Americans can be shockingly gullible about believing whatever they see on a TV show. I will put a link to this on my site right now.
Name: hedy from florida
Comments: his treatment of Riley was deplorable and if i ever saw ANYONE dragging a dog up stairs or anywhere like that i would put an immediate stop to that.. I have taught PIGS to go up stairs with LOVE easier than he did Riley and it has nothing to do with SIZE.. Riley just had no need or desire to go up those stairs.. the training would have been easier if given a REASOn or desire to go UP. this man would NEVER be allowed around ANY of my animals. FORCE doesn't train...force SCARES-just like with kids. grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr
Name: Libby Marquardt
Comments: Finally a place to refer people who think his methods are solid. It's sad that national networks continue to help promote him.
Name: Candi Cane Cooper
Comments: I don't agree with the Alpha human approach at all, dominance is never the answer!!!!! I'm an animal communicator and I have never met an animal that said PLEASE Dominate me !!!
I also have a radio show "Four Legged Love" my platform is for alternative animal facilitators. My current interview is with Victoria Stilwell from Animal Planet's "It Me or the Dog: We discuss this theory in depth. Please visit me and listen in at www.thesweetwaterranch.com
Name: Julie Webber SFSPCA
Kudos on this web site. I've been carrying around copies of the ASPCA's press release to give to my clients. This web site will give them much more to see and contemplate.
Thank you,
Julie
Name: Lisa Giesick
Comments: Thank you for making this website. Awesome as it is educational!
Name: Patricia Bentz
Comments: I am a certified trainer and behavior consultant here in Philadelphia. I support this and want to join your list!
How do I go about doing that?
Many thanks,
Patricia Bentz
Philadelphia PA
Name: Kathy Sdao ACAAB
Comments: Please feel free to reference/include my article "Forget about being alpha in your pack." (You can find it at http://www.kathysdao.com/articles/Forget_About_Being_Alpha_in_Your_Pack.html )
Thanks for the very useful site.
Kathy
Name: Deborah Flick
Comments: I have bookmarked this site! It's an excellent resource for dog people of all stripes--trainers, doggie moms and dads, vets, behaviorists--everyone.
Name: Chloe
Comments: Having finally found and watch the video greatly discussed on this site about the so called "dog whisperer" strangling the husky/wolfish looking dog (Shadow, Jake & Riley and Norton episode), I just couldn't stop crying at how much distress he had put that dog in. When everyone was saying the dogs tongue was blue, I didn't think it was going to be a shade that would make a chowchow jealous.
There are people who have been arrested for doing less, but I guess you can get away with it if you call it 'training' or 'rehabilitation'. I would love to see how much he'd like his 'techniques' if we used them to deal with his fears.
"Come on Cesar, that rattlesnake isn't going to harm you so stop being scared of it or I will drag you to it by your throat and kick you whenever you struggle"
Name: Karen Wild BAHons Dip App Psyc
Email: [email protected]
Comments: I am a professional dog trainer and accredited behaviour consultant in the UK. I am a full member of the Association of Pet Behaviour Counsellors (APBC) I am Associate Member of the British Institute of Professional Dog Trainers (ABIPDT).
Regularly I am called out to see clients who have attempted Cesar Millan's punishment strategy and have been bitten or are subsequently dealing with a stressed, panicky animal.
Worse still this has been attempted on young puppies.
Punishment strategies are old fashioned and based on flawed theory. Please help to communicate better understanding, education and handling of our dogs.
Name: Elizabeth Comartin
Comments: I used to think that National Geographic was the name for "quality programing" on TV, and I am shocked that they are the ones putting on this abusive show!
Name: Mary Harvelik
I wanted to thank you for putting this site together. You are doing dogs and their people a wonderful service.
Mary Harvelik
NEGATIVE COMMENTS
Name: tonyathas
Email: [email protected]
Comments: So let me get this straight. Small minded, jealous, insecure, prejudice morons are targeting a man who has forgotten more about dogs than they will ever learn because they weren't hugged enough as children. I'm not surprised these idiots exist, I'm just surprised they make enough working the drive-thru window at Burger King to afford hosting a website.
I am not a supporter of Cesar Millan's methods..the strange thing is I happened upon his show over the past weekend and it seems he isn't even fully committed to his own type of training: he was using treats (positive reinforcement) to desensitize a Weimaraner from reacting to his family's motorbike. Imagine that, somehow he came up with the concept of helping the dog associate good behavior around the bike with rewards. So apparently he doesn't find his own methods working for him.
========================
Name: Pam Duthie
Thank you for this website. It is so very sad that the public in general believe what they are told and some flashy visuals instead of using their own eyes.
When dog loving children watch CM it makes them sad, they see him hurting and being cruel to dogs.
Because people want to believe there is some magic to training dogs they ignore the evidence of their own eyes and listen to the voice telling them this is a great way to train a dog.
There is no magic to dog training, dogs do things, if something good happens then they will do it again, if something bad happens they dont do it again. If something looks cruel it IS cruel. You can train with punishments but you can train better with rewards and have a happer dog and a happier you
=========================
Name: Liz Marsden
Comments: Thanks for compiling all of this info in one place -- I will let others know about it. I am a professional trainer (CPDT) and have been a witness to the damage being caused by this show and its outdated and cruel message. The only points on which Millan and I agree are that dogs need lots of exercise and structure to thrive in a home environment. (Hardly earth-shattering news). I have taught and "rehabbed" shelter dogs who have all kinds of issues, including aggression issues, for more than 15 years without ever using a choke chain or alpha-rolling any dog. In the face of so much disgust and dismay from every leading canine behavior expert, I am incredulous that Millan's show remains on the air
==========================
Name: Megan LaFollette
This website give me hope. I am only seventeen years old and have read tons of information on dog training and I know for a fact that Cesar Milan is wrong. It makes me incredibly sad when I try to help people with their pets that they quote from him. I believe he is incredibly inhumane to animals and it is a disgrace that he even has his own tv show. I strongly agree with all of the PROFESSIONAL behaviorists that his show is a major setback for advances in animal behavior.
===========================
Name: Kelly Gibson
Feel free to link to my group on Facebook too...it's technically not got CM's name in the title but it's very anti-CM.
Pet Owners for Positive Reinforcement Training
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=46114457486
============================
Too many otherwise fine dog owners get sucked into Cesar's mumbo-jumbo about "calm energy" and "pack leadership," if only because it is so psychologically alluring to consider oneself "Top Dog." They have no way of knowing it's all nonsense until the damage to the dog (and the relationship with the dog) is done. I don't suspect that Cesar understands that it's nonsense, himself. I tell my students "trying to be your dog's 'Pack Leader' is like trying to be your turtles 'Flight Instructor'."
Gallivan Burwell, CTC CPDT-KA
Upward Dog Training & Counseling
New Orleans
============================
Name: Deborah Flick
I'm glad to see this site is up and running again and that there is greater transparency. I hope the site continues to develop in depth and scope. I've bookmarked it will be checking in from time to time to learn about new resources.
Deborah
www.boulderdog.net
=============================
Name: chris neal
So much for the website.
i am at present fighting a one man war to stop cesar milan from coming to the uk to preach his poison.
I have emailed sky news, bbc, kennel club, rspca and started a thread on collienet forum.
he def has a love him or hate him followers .
best of luck to you
================================
Name: Rosie Barclay
Comments: Great website everything you need to know on one site.
I work as a clinical animal behaviourist (CCAB) and a full member of the Association of Pet Behaviour Counsellors (APBC) in the UK. CM is coming to the UK next year and filling football stadiums we are dreading it. We all do what we can to argue the case for a more scientific approach and to try to highlight the dangers of using his techniques but its very hard work. We just keep educating and mopping up mess left in his wake. So thanks for taking the time to collate all this useful information.
Rosie Barclay BSc(Hons) MPhil, CCAB
www.rosiebarclay.com www.apbc.org
==================================
Name: Kendal Shepherd
Comments: Thank you so much for creating this site. There are too many people out there on the planet battling this abusive nonsense on their own. I will e-mail you separately a resource which you can add to your anti-dominance links - my book 'The Canine Commandments' (very favourably reviewed by Kathy Meyer for AVSAB) and my Ladder of Aggression giving an alternative explanation for aggression other than dominance (used routinely by Debra Horvitz and many others now in UK and Europe when counselling the owners of 'aggressive' dogs.)
(see Kendal's own page on this site)
================================
Name: Silvia Jay
Comments: Excellent site. I will link your URL to my site www.voice4dogs.com if you have no objections.
I am a dog behavior consultant and author, and purely positive.
=================================
Name: Denise Linger
Comments: I am very glad to see all of this information in one place where it is easily accessible. It's great to have one link to direct people to, so that they can read all of this for themselves. As you probably know, I run the Cesar Millan Is A Hack facebook group - and more and more people are referencing this website. Hopefully its popularity will continue to spread. Our biggest tool to combat his harmful methods and propaganda is education and information. I hope the anti-CM movement continues to gain more of a following, and that one day we'll see the end of his career as a 'trainer.'
Denise Linger
http://www.facebook.com/#/group.php?gid=20444826822&ref=ts
==============================
Hi -- thank you for your website! I love the line up of experts you have assembled. Thank you for contribution -- you have made it easier for people to be exposed to a wide range of expert input and evaluations!
Veterinarian Theresa DePorter, DVM
Oakland Veterinary Referral Service
www.ovrs.com
=================================
Name: Amie Davis
Comments: I am amazed by the comments of those people who continue to defend Cesar Milan's methods after viewing this video. What needs to be pointed out, which seems so clearly evident in this video, is that Shadow's aggressive outburst is a direct result of Milan's methods. Had Cesar used positive, reward-based training in the first place, Shadow would never have escalated to the aggressive state shown in this video. It's unfathomable that dog abuse is being marketed as entertainment. I am appalled.
=================================
Name: Marla Cooper CPDT-KA
Comments: Thank you so much for putting all these resources together in one place. Now we have somewhere to direct people who would like more information about CM and what real dog trainers are saying.
Dogs all over the world thank you Helena!
==================================
Name: Yamei Ross
Thank you so much for putting together this site. As a dog trainer I have had to spend time educating some of my clients about the dangers of using training methods advocated by CM and others like him.
I will be conducting an "Ask the Trainer" clinic at a wonderful pet food store in my area that is very enthusiastic about positive methods. I would like to have some information/articles available for the customers to help educate/enlighten them on these serious issues.
Thanks so much for the information and thanks again for this most informative and helpful site.
All the best to you,
Yamei Ross
CANINE SOS Inc.
Ontario, Canada
=====================================
Name: Sylvia Dorosh MA Psych
Comments: THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart for creating this blog and including powerful statements from credible and reputable veterinarians, scientists and animal behaviourists who oppose the aversive techniques employed by Cesar Millan. Unlike Millan, these other individuals work from a body of knowledge that has clearly demonstrated that punishment, flooding and other aversive methods contribute to aggression and fear. I am 'only' a dog breeder and trainer of my own dogs with a MA in Applied Psychology but I have attended many animal behaviour conferences where several of these individuals who have lent their names and statements (Leuscher, Donaldson, Yin, Dodman) have spoken. We all need to work to overcome the damage that Millan's program and books have done in the dog training world and work even harder to promote positive, reward-based techniques.
Name: Renee Premaza
Comments: I am a professional dog trainer and certified dog behavior consultant. I can no longer watch Mr. Milan's programs on National Geographic as they upset me terribly. I am tired of watching him use force, intimidation and physical confrontation. It breaks my heart to see the stress and anxiety he creates with the dogs he works with. Look at their body language -- ask yourself if these dogs look happy.
I had a family recently who wanted me to work with their 10 week old Maltese puppy. When I arrived at their home, the owners complained that their puppy was play-biting (a normal puppy behavior at that age). The husband proudly told me that the puppy had stopped biting HIM, but continues to bite the rest of the family. I asked why he thought the puppy stopped play-biting with him. His answer: "I flipped her over on her back and jabbed her in the neck with my two fingers. She never bit me again!" I asked him where he learned that technique and he said, "Oh I watch the Dog Whisperer and do what he does."
I spent the better part of my visit with this family having to explain the ramifications of using harsh methods on puppies or any dogs. I asked him if he ever flipped his kids over and jabbed them in the neck. He smiled sheepishly and said, "of course not."
Owners often call me after being bitten by their own dog. After taking a complete history, I learn all too frequently that they have used very confrontational methods that they learned from Mr. Milan on TV. I can't believe I have to teach people not to kick their dogs! Mr. Milan uses this method on almost every show he does. People are so convinced that their dogs are being dominant. This is a bunch of bologna!
As far as I'm concerned, he abuses dogs. If he was not a celebrity and someone saw him kicking a dog on the street or forcing a dog down on the ground, most people would call the police to report it.
Name: Susan
Comments: THANKS for all this info. I can't wait to pass your website along to others.
Name: Danielle
Comments: I'm an exotic animal trainer that uses positive reinforcement and I have been fighting a losing battle against the ignorance of Cesar Millan. I'm glad that someone has a website blatantly exposing his cruel, unscientific "training" methods. I actually used to groom Riley the Saint Bernard in Moorpark, CA and he was already a little unstable and prone to aggression. Being dragged relentlessly up the stairs was the last thing that dog needed. I really enjoyed reading the Kathy Sdao article. I had the oppportunity to attend a few of her seminars and she is a wealth of information. Thanks for establishing this website to educate people on Cesar Millan's ignorance and lack of understanding in operant conditioning learning theory.
Name: Debbie Jacobs
Comments: I created the fearfuldogs.com website to help people to better understand how they can work with fear based behaviors in their dogs. Watching CM physically bully and intimidate dogs on national television is upsetting. Not only are the dogs suffering but the relationship between owners and their pets suffer as well when these techniques are employed. Please add me to your list.
Debbie Jacobs
www.fearfuldogs.com
Name: Anne S
Comments: Regarding the Shadow episode, I cannot believe that CM has been at this as long as he has and he has STILL not figured out that aggression begets aggression, and the dog's mouth is four times faster than the human hand. I don't think I've ever seen anyone who works with dogs get bitten as much as this guy does - is that just for show so he can call every dog a "red zone" dog???
Name: Tom Sullivan
Comments: My wife, CPDT Diane Sullivan, was referred to as The Dog Whisperer in 1994 in Nashville. But, whether Paul Owens was first or Diane was first really doesn't matter; what matters is that Cesar Millan ISN'T!! It's incredible how people who don't know anything about dog training will buy into this idiotic behavior; people who we otherwise looked on as smart, like Oprah or Wil Smith and other Hollywood types. It's just amazing the ignorance is basically what keeps Millan going.
Comments: BTW, if you want to get this guy off the air, maybe you should include links to National Geographic Channel and PetCo. I'll be if we get thousands of people complaining, he'll go away pretty fast.
Name: terry pride
Comments: Thank you so much for conveniently gathering many knowledgeable and qualified professionals *statements* about Cesar Millan, dominance, aversive handling and training, and so on, all in one place!
It is frustrating to see pseudoscience and snake-oil salesmanship used to prop up a debunked theory; it is far worse to watch the dogs duck, flinch, shake and bite defensively.
The sheer number of dog-owners and dogs who have been injured, physically or emotionally, by this claptrap is incalculable. National Geographic has damaged their academic standing and reputation beyond recovery, by broadcasting this travesty.
sincerely -
Terry Pride, member Assoc of Pet-Dog Trainers Australia; member Assoc of Pet-Dog Trainers USA #1827; Certified Veterinary Assistant; member Intl Assoc of Positive Dog Training; member Truly Dog Friendly
Name: Mira Jonesm
Comments: Millan's NatGeo show is a debacle. Misleading the dog owning public in the name of entertainment is shameful. Harming dogs along the way is criminal. Adding to this outrageousness is Millan's recent endorsement gig for Merial's veterinary pharmaceuticals.
I'm pleased to have this site as a resource for my clients. Thanks to all who put it together.
Mira Jones, APDT, CPDT, CDBC
Name: Bev Truss
Email: [email protected]
Comments: What a wonderful place to discuss evolving from Mr Millans methods to more fair and nonabusive methods for our dogs. My clients who have been following the "whisperer" way, and do a lot of yelling not whispering, are now seeing the light when I explain about more up to date reward based echniques based of science and ethology not aggression. Motivation NOT intimidation is my chant.
Please visit www.coape.org and follow the links to Ask Why say No to help end dogs abuse in training.
Name: Liz Marsden
Comments: Thank you for compiling so much great data and creating an excellent resource for those of us who are dismayed by Cesar's popularity. Americans can be shockingly gullible about believing whatever they see on a TV show. I will put a link to this on my site right now.
Name: hedy from florida
Comments: his treatment of Riley was deplorable and if i ever saw ANYONE dragging a dog up stairs or anywhere like that i would put an immediate stop to that.. I have taught PIGS to go up stairs with LOVE easier than he did Riley and it has nothing to do with SIZE.. Riley just had no need or desire to go up those stairs.. the training would have been easier if given a REASOn or desire to go UP. this man would NEVER be allowed around ANY of my animals. FORCE doesn't train...force SCARES-just like with kids. grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr
Name: Libby Marquardt
Comments: Finally a place to refer people who think his methods are solid. It's sad that national networks continue to help promote him.
Name: Candi Cane Cooper
Comments: I don't agree with the Alpha human approach at all, dominance is never the answer!!!!! I'm an animal communicator and I have never met an animal that said PLEASE Dominate me !!!
I also have a radio show "Four Legged Love" my platform is for alternative animal facilitators. My current interview is with Victoria Stilwell from Animal Planet's "It Me or the Dog: We discuss this theory in depth. Please visit me and listen in at www.thesweetwaterranch.com
Name: Julie Webber SFSPCA
Kudos on this web site. I've been carrying around copies of the ASPCA's press release to give to my clients. This web site will give them much more to see and contemplate.
Thank you,
Julie
Name: Lisa Giesick
Comments: Thank you for making this website. Awesome as it is educational!
Name: Patricia Bentz
Comments: I am a certified trainer and behavior consultant here in Philadelphia. I support this and want to join your list!
How do I go about doing that?
Many thanks,
Patricia Bentz
Philadelphia PA
Name: Kathy Sdao ACAAB
Comments: Please feel free to reference/include my article "Forget about being alpha in your pack." (You can find it at http://www.kathysdao.com/articles/Forget_About_Being_Alpha_in_Your_Pack.html )
Thanks for the very useful site.
Kathy
Name: Deborah Flick
Comments: I have bookmarked this site! It's an excellent resource for dog people of all stripes--trainers, doggie moms and dads, vets, behaviorists--everyone.
Name: Chloe
Comments: Having finally found and watch the video greatly discussed on this site about the so called "dog whisperer" strangling the husky/wolfish looking dog (Shadow, Jake & Riley and Norton episode), I just couldn't stop crying at how much distress he had put that dog in. When everyone was saying the dogs tongue was blue, I didn't think it was going to be a shade that would make a chowchow jealous.
There are people who have been arrested for doing less, but I guess you can get away with it if you call it 'training' or 'rehabilitation'. I would love to see how much he'd like his 'techniques' if we used them to deal with his fears.
"Come on Cesar, that rattlesnake isn't going to harm you so stop being scared of it or I will drag you to it by your throat and kick you whenever you struggle"
Name: Karen Wild BAHons Dip App Psyc
Email: [email protected]
Comments: I am a professional dog trainer and accredited behaviour consultant in the UK. I am a full member of the Association of Pet Behaviour Counsellors (APBC) I am Associate Member of the British Institute of Professional Dog Trainers (ABIPDT).
Regularly I am called out to see clients who have attempted Cesar Millan's punishment strategy and have been bitten or are subsequently dealing with a stressed, panicky animal.
Worse still this has been attempted on young puppies.
Punishment strategies are old fashioned and based on flawed theory. Please help to communicate better understanding, education and handling of our dogs.
Name: Elizabeth Comartin
Comments: I used to think that National Geographic was the name for "quality programing" on TV, and I am shocked that they are the ones putting on this abusive show!
Name: Mary Harvelik
I wanted to thank you for putting this site together. You are doing dogs and their people a wonderful service.
Mary Harvelik
NEGATIVE COMMENTS
Name: tonyathas
Email: [email protected]
Comments: So let me get this straight. Small minded, jealous, insecure, prejudice morons are targeting a man who has forgotten more about dogs than they will ever learn because they weren't hugged enough as children. I'm not surprised these idiots exist, I'm just surprised they make enough working the drive-thru window at Burger King to afford hosting a website.
