The Dog Whisperer, Ceasar Millan

[MissDolittle]

I'm sure you heard of him, if not watched his shows on the National
Geographics channel.

I have read and seen dog training shows, spent money on it going to one,
but this guy has it totally figured out!!!!

If you can't watch the show, read this:

http://www.dogchannel.com/dog/experts/cesar/bio.aspx

It took me 2 tries to get my Lab Butters to heel and not pull me all over the
place while walking with him..if you know the keys, it works! :dances:

[MissDolittle]

Tips for Retraining Humans
Your dog will set the rules if you don’t learn how.
By Cesar Millan


The number one mistake people make in their relationships with dogs is treating them like people. You wouldn’t interact with a horse like you interact with your sister. So why do humans insist on treating dogs like people?

I see it every day with my clients; they think that their dogs will stop tearing up the couch if they just love them more or show them more affection. These strategies might work in the structure of human relationships, but in the animal world, Nature didn’t hard-wire dogs to interact this way. Instead, Nature instilled dogs with a powerful pack instinct. This way of being is how dogs communicate and experience the world.

If you love your dog, treat him like a dog. A dog needs a stable pack leader to lead a balanced and happy life. The recipe is really that simple. Humans are the ones that make these relations complicated.

Retrain Your Brain
I realize this turns upside down most thinking about the human-dog relationship. But think about it – if your husband mistook your needs for the needs of a chimpanzee, where would that leave you? Confused and disoriented.

It’s the same for dogs. But their confusion and disorientation manifest in bad behavior such as tearing up the couch or barking constantly. Most of these dogs – who are probably loved and well cared for by their owners – feel lost in a vast ocean without a life raft. Think of the life raft as the strong, stable pack leader. He or she provides a source of strength and guidance that helps the dog navigate through a complex world.

Become His Leader
You can become your dog’s pack leader by acting like an animal pack leader would. The pack leader tells the pack, through his calm, assertive energy, what do and where to go every day, all of the time. The pack leader doesn’t project emotional or nervous energy and neither should you.

Your dog will look to you to establish rules, boundaries and limitations. Remember, your dog will set them if you don’t.

Your dog is an animal, guided by animal instincts. Dogs have found themselves in an odd predicament by living with humans. But if you treat your dog like a dog and provide him with the pack dynamic he craves, your companion can live a rich, rewarding life -- even among humans.

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Mastering the Walk
Walking exercises your dog's body and stimulates his mind.
By Cesar Millan


Dog moms teach their puppies a lot during their first few days and weeks of life. They set rules, boundaries and limitations, and serve as the first pack leader of the puppy’s life. They also walk with their puppies, which is an important primal activity for dogs.

In their natural habitat, dogs earn food and water by walking and they get to experience the world. If a dog does not walk he does not eat. You can see how this activity exists deep within a dog’s DNA, but too few dog owners recognize its importance.

Walking also exercises your dog’s body and stimulates his mind. It also provides a good opportunity for you to establish yourself as pack leader.

Walk the Walk
I walk about 10 dogs at a time, sometimes off-leash if I’m in a safe area. People are amazed by this, but it’s simple: The dogs see me as their pack leader. This is why they follow me wherever I go.

Walking in front of a dog allows you to be seen as the pack leader because position matters to a dog. Conversely, if your dog controls you on the walk, he’s the pack leader. Master the walk and your dog will relate to you as the pack leader, and accept his submissive role within the pack.

Remember, most dogs are born into the submissive role and like it just fine. The problem starts when naturally submissive dogs try to fill what they see as a vacant pack leader role. Since Nature never intended them to take on this role, “bad” or unwanted behavior ensues as they act out or try to normalize their world.

During the walk you may feel the highest level of connection with your dog. My clients are often surprised by this because they think dogs only crave love and affection – and treats. Not so. Dogs crave rules, boundaries and limitations from their pack leader. They also crave walking, a primal activity that they live to enjoy.

[MrDolittle]

I agree, his strategies have changed the way we handle our dogs. It is a lot easier then I thought, all it takes is a change of attitude.

It's easy to establish yourself as the leader of your dogs once you know to be calm but definite.

Great post, by a great person :D

[thundersquirrel]

i could use that with my dog Zora. she's an australian shepherd mix, mostly black, kinda short and fat lol.

she's very vocal, and it drives us crazy. she's always barking or whining. we love her so much but it's gotta stop. maybe taking tips from this caesar dude would help......

*WOOF WOOF WOOF WOOF WOOF WOOF WOOF WOOF WOOF WOOF WOOF WOOF WOOF-*

ARRRRGH! silly dog, she's gotta shut up. :D

[MissDolittle]

Yep, he has that covered too:

http://www.dogchannel.com/dog/experts/cesar/article_bark.aspx

So-called nuisance barking – which is often ongoing and not in response to a particular stimulus, like a jogger running by the house – is your dog’s way of sending you a distress signal.

Somewhere his needs as an animal are not being met.

Is his world anchored by a pack leader who project calm, assertive energy? (http://www.dogchannel.com/dog/experts/cesar/article_energy.aspx).

Are you Are you walking him every day (http://www.dogchannel.com/dog/experts/cesar/master_walk.aspx) which exercises his body and his mind?

Is he living a balanced life? (http://www.dogchannel.com/dog/experts/cesar/article_balanced.aspx)

If nuisance barking is a problem, consider these issues to find a solution. It’s the best way to show real love for your dog.

I'm not getting email notifications anymore when somebody registers or
starts a new topic or replies, that's why I'm not jumping on every post
anymore..need to figure out how to fix this.

[thundersquirrel]

does it matter at all that she usually barks at the window? when we look out there, sometimes nothing is there, but she's looking at something as if there is. other times there really IS something there, like a person or dog.

either way, we can't get her to stop barking unless we squirt her with a water. :? we used to try to restrain her when commands didn't work, but she's extremely hard to budge, and sometimes she can get snappy because she's in the moment.

i do think she's a little paranoid though, and probably a strong and protective figure would help. the problem with that is that all of us are really busy at different times of the day; it's inconsistent. maybe that's it? i dunno.

she's a really sweet dog, though. we love her a lot. :D

[MissDolittle]

Ya I know you love her, you love 'em all :).

Barking is frustration because she doesn't have anything to do. What are
Assies bred for? Herding! So that dog needs something to herd for at least
an hour a day. Of course she gets frustrated if she can't do her job.
She is not paranoid at all nor is she protectiv in that sense.

Is there a place with other dogs or sheep or if she gets along with cats,
that's fine too. In some cities they have extra herding facilities for shepherd
dogs so the can work out and do what they are born to do.

If that's not possible, you need to get that energy out of her, every day.
At least an hour walk before she even gets food (to a dog that's working
for food, a rigorous walk that is. All wild dogs and wolves work for food
by following and waiting for the alpha to be done eating).

So you need to be the alpha dog. She needs to follow you on the leash,
always a step behind.

In order to break her of the barking at the window, put her on the leash
inside the house and pull her back, sit her down, stare her in the eyes
and tell her NO. I don't use the word no, I just say tssssststssssss, like
Cesar does, and it works wonders.

However, if you are not serious or feel guilty for disciplining her, it won't
work. If you can't be the alpha, she will.

Excercise, Disciplin and then Affection is the motto :). That's how you
really love a dog, by giving her what he needs, not what you want, hehe.
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Interaction Without Words
Discover how to communicate with your dog through constant energy.
By Cesar Millan


Dogs do not speak using words; they interact through constant energy. Barking is one part of interaction but not the only way dogs communicate.

Think of a newborn puppy: First the nose starts to work; then the eyes; then the ears. The nose is the most powerful thing for them to use to relate and connect with their surroundings.

Humans often rely on verbal communication when they interact with dogs: “Come on, Johnny, please, please stop eating the flowers!” The pack leader doesn’t negotiate or cajole to get what he or she wants. No wonder the dog is ignoring you!

When you meet a dog for the first time, share the same energy that they would receive from their pack leader. This calm, assertive way of being will let them understand who you are and really see you. Crouching down to their level while smiling and cooing tells a dog absolutely nothing; you might as well be speaking Martian.

The dog will respond to your calm, assertive energy by balancing it with a calm, submissive state. Once he achieves this state you can share affection and love.

Unspoken Rules
The mom or the pack leader also uses this calm, assertive energy to set rules, boundaries and limitations for how the dog interacts with his surroundings. The pack leader enforces these laws in a quiet way: maybe the mom picks up the puppy if he strays outside the den.

The pack leader doesn’t project emotional or nervous energy and neither should you. If you don’t set rules, boundaries and limitations in calm, assertive ways, your dog will not respect you.

Waiting is another way that pack leaders assert their position. Puppies wait to eat; dogs wait until the pack leader wants them to travel. Waiting is a form of work for the dog – psychological work. Domestication means dogs don’t need to hunt for food, but they can still work for food.

Establish your position as pack leader by asking your dog to work. Take him on a walk before you feed him. And just as you don’t give affection without your dog being in a calm, submissive state, don’t give food until your dog acts calm and submissive. (Exercise will help the dog – especially high-energy ones – achieve this state.)

Try this: To further achieve a calm and submissive state before feeding, ask your dog to sit and wait a moment while you place his meal in his bowl. When he has sat patiently, give him the OK to eat.

Interact as the dog’s parents interact with their puppies. Begin your day with calm, assertive energy before you share emotions or excitement. Establish rules, limitations and boundaries to create a healthy state of mind in the dog. Finally, enjoy a simple walk – primal activity for dogs accustomed to following pack leaders over hundreds of miles. It will say more than any word ever could.

[scottielover]

Have any of you seen him work with puppies, or does he only work with older dogs that have behavior issues?

I'm trying to determine how young is too young, and what it is that I need to focus on first with my puppy...

[MissDolittle]

I replied in the other thread. There is no such thing than too young :).

Here is another article from Cesar Milan:

Mastering the Walk
Walking exercises your dog's body and stimulates his mind.
Cesar Millan

Dog moms teach their puppies a lot during their first few days and weeks of life. They set rules, boundaries and limitations, and serve as the first pack leader of the puppys life. They also walk with their puppies, which is an important primal activity for dogs.

In their natural habitat, dogs earn food and water by walking and they get to experience the world. If a dog does not walk he does not eat. You can see how this activity exists deep within a dogs DNA, but too few dog owners recognize its importance.

Walking also exercises your dogs body and stimulates his mind. It also provides a good opportunity for you to establish yourself as pack leader.

Walk the Walk

I walk about 10 dogs at a time, sometimes off-leash if Im in a safe area. People are amazed by this, but its simple: The dogs see me as their pack leader. This is why they follow me wherever I go.

Walking in front of a dog allows you to be seen as the pack leader because position matters to a dog. Conversely, if your dog controls you on the walk, hes the pack leader. Master the walk and your dog will relate to you as the pack leader, and accept his submissive role within the pack.

Remember, most dogs are born into the submissive role and like it just fine. The problem starts when naturally submissive dogs try to fill what they see as a vacant pack leader role. Since Nature never intended them to take on this role, bad or unwanted behavior ensues as they act out or try to normalize their world.

During the walk you may feel the highest level of connection with your dog. My clients are often surprised by this because they think dogs only crave love and affection and treats. Not so. Dogs crave rules, boundaries and limitations from their pack leader. They also crave walking, a primal activity that they live to enjoy.

[scottielover]

I'll certainly try this.....!!!!!

[MissDolittle]

Good luck! You sound like you are up for the challenge :).

[MissDolittle]

For those who are interested, I made a lil movie (1.4 MB) earlier today while
walking my dogs on the leash. This was not possible before I applied Cesar's
technique:

http://www.amazes.us/album/albums/userpics/10001/walkinthepark.wmv

[Saviah Wildlife]

For those who are interested, I made a lil movie (1.4 MB) earlier today while
walking my dogs on the leash. This was not possible before I applied Cesar's
technique:

http://www.amazes.us/album/albums/userpics/10001/walkinthepark.wmv

I wish I had a before video, but I was thinking of taping my dog. I'll post it when I'm done (although my host is being problematic).

[Saviah Wildlife]

Will try uploading it soon, it is short and hard to see him (since he's right next to me) as well as in the dark but I used nightvision.

[Catoogie]

Not sure if this is the right place for this but I have to start somewhere and I am BEYOND worried and frsutrated.

We have a 3-year old male Chihuahua, who is a sweetheart. We recently (4 months ago) got a female Chihuahua mix. Since that time whenever they are outside the male is less likely to respond to him if you call him to come in. Not only that when's out in the yard he's begining to wander instead of staying in your general vicinity. BUT the biggest problem is that, if he is in the front yard and he sees someone walking on the sidewalk in front of the house he starts barking and walks over to them and follows them barking, barking barking. The other day a woman was jogging down the street close to the sidewalk and before he had a chance to react I called him, nothing. I saw he was about to bark so I called his name and began walking over to him, calling him, making some noises to distract him, break his concentration. NOTHING WORKED. Not only that but instead of just shadowing her path as she jogged, she started crossing the street and he went out into the street to follow her. All the while completely ignoring my calls or attempts to distract him.

I thought maybe he needed to be put on the leash when he goes out to the bathroom so I tried it. In the past we always walked him with a harness (my wife said she was concerned with his little neck) but since our female walks with a collar and leash I attached the leash to his collar. As soon as I did and tried to walk outside, he wouldn't budge. I started slowly walking and gently forcing him to follow, not good. He was just sliding as he was not moving his legs. It was pouring rain outside and he was standing completely still outside and wouldn't move, wouldn't go to the bathroom. At this point I thought well maybe if I take the leash off and just stay close to him while he's out there that will work. Who knows, we were the only ones out there. WE NEED HELP!!

[MissDolittle]

Heyas Catoogie and welcome on board!

Sounds like you have a perfect case of not being recognized as the pack leader amongst your dogs.

I would start out with taking them on daily walks, on the leash (on the neck) and make them follow you, not walk in front of you, not sniffing around anywhere, not getting distracted, no paying attention to other dogs or people, just moving forward following you.

There is a whole ritual to how to walk a dog right, because if it's done "wrong", it's of no use really. Here's a post about it:
http://www.petsandwildlifeforum.com/showthread.php?t=271

Have you seen any Dog Whisperer show?

This is extremely hard to coach via the internet, if I was physically present, I could show you exactly how to do it. But the Dog Whisperer has quite a few shows covering that exact problem...I can dig some up for you to download maybe, if you'd like that.

[Catoogie]

Ya know what's funny is that in MOST ways we are definetely recognized as pack leader, my wife has always been BIG on that. The male is very submissive in nearly every other way, except when it comes to the mailman coming to the door, he starts barking crazy!! But when you address him he calms down and stops. Or if he hears a noise, like someone new coming to the house, ears up and if you let him he will start barking.

Both the male and female are great walkers, the male's tail goes down between his legs but he keeps a steady pace and is always either right by your side or slightly behind us. Never does much sniffing or getting distracted, even by other people or other animals, if anything he gets very submissive. He's sort of a scaredy-pants. When we walk up the stairs in our home he never goes before us, always waits for us to go first.They are in almost every instance extremely well behaved that's what makes this situation so perplexing.

Another thing that is weird is that when we're inside and you call him, to give him so love or something he gets really slow, and crouches down, extremely submissive as if he's in trouble and you're gonna beat him which we never have or never would do. And it doesn't matter what tone of voice you use either. He's sort of skittish at times but never growls or snaps or displays any sort of dominant-aggressive behavior what-so-ever, except for this thing with the barking at passers-by.

What now?

Thanks

[MissDolittle]

There's a fine line where submission ends and fear starts. I think somewhere along the line the dog misunderstood something and that behavior is being enforced by trying the same approaches.

My next step would be to practice the problem in a controlled environment..in other words have a couple of friends play the mailman and have the dogs on the leash and practice until you get the desired behavior.

This way you are more relaxed too and the dogs will pick up on that as well instead of you participating them to bark, you know what I mean?

It sounds like you guys are doing a great job though! Cesar says that there is no half pack leader or just a little bit pack leader or most of the time pack leader. He says in the animal world are only 2 roles: leader or follower, nothing in between. No gray areas or shades, it's either or.

I'm not sure I agree with that though, because there are times where my dogs don't take me serious for the life of me (which usually tells me that it's me who has to chill out and get grounded), but we'll recover from that fairly quickly with dogs living in the moment and me learning to do that too.

[Saviah Wildlife]

Also some dogs will do that, without ever being beaten. You can try changing your tone but chances are the dog will still act like it feels it's in trouble.

I also don't agree with EVERYTHING Cesar says but for the most part he's been a great influence in my training.