I’m not a fan of Cesar Millan and his techniques. His handling of dogs is very heavy handed and his constant chatter about being the pack leader and energy flow is a bewildering mix of outdated dominance theory and new age woo that makes watching Larry King seem informative. Many dog trainers feel obligated to pay homage to his remarkable handling skills, but based on how the show is edited, how can you tell? How many takes were dragged to the trash during editing? How much time did he spend off camera with the dog? Others commend him for conveying the idea that dogs need exercise and stimulation, but even a stopped clock is right twice a day.
I try to not dwell on the Dog Whisperer too much. When he first received a lot of attention I was pretty upset, but I eventually came to grips with the fact that getting myself wound up over someone who is more a creation of directors and editors than anything else is unproductive. When people ask me about his techniques or seem to be using them, I explain what I have been taught about dog training and animal behavior and move on.
Today I received a link to a news article about the Cesar Millan, or to be more exact about what the American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior (AVSAB) has to say about him, that I think is worth sharing.
Here’s an excerpt:
The American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior (AVSAB) issued a new position paper aimed at countering some of the pervasive influence of his show, which airs on the National Geographic Channel, and of Millan’s training approach, which is based on what the position statement calls outdated dominance theory.
Take a look. Judge for yourself.
Can anybody puhleaaase show me a video of wolves (free ranging or captive) that kick or slap another wolf? Does anybody have footage of free ranging wolves on the hunt in strict military style formation? I am soooooo sick and tired of all that wolf *&^%. Anybody seen an “alpha wolf” strangulating a subordinant wolf? How about a wolf cub or juvenile being alpha under the watchful and approving eye of the true alpha male? No? Come on – somebody has to have proof.
Well then, how about all those wolf whispering experts out there: get a wolf cub, better yet: get several. Then LIVE with them in your home. SHOW us idiots that the difference between domestic dog and wolf is really just skin deep. How about it National Geographic – you could make THAT your new reality show. Dogs are so lame, get us real wolves, real whisperers. If we are told over and over and over again how to be pack leaders and alpha because of the wolf, that the only accurate standard is wolf behavior – put your TV show where your mouth is. You can show it – I will gladly roll over on my own and slink away with tail tucked..
I wish shelters would be more assertive about countering Cesar’s harmful ideas, especially to novice dog owners. When I filled out my adoption application, in the space provided to describe my ideal dog I wrote that I wanted a “balanced” dog. That should have been the first red flag for someone to gently take me aside and explain that there’s no single “right” temperament when it comes to dogs, and tell me why no one should try to poke, jerk, pin or kick any dog into “calm submission.”
When I went back the the shelter to see a trainer for help with my new dog’s leash aggression, I asked the trained how I could avoid “feeding my dog’s fear” during classical conditioning exercises, and that should have been another red flag. She replied that the idea of “feeding fear” is somewhat controversial, but I wish she’d asked me where I heard such rubbish. Because trying to poke, jerk, pin and kick my dog into “calm submission” made my dog jump up and snap at my face, and I wish someone had told me what unsubstantiated bullshit Cesar Millan’s dog-training methods are so I could have avoided conflicts with my gentle, sweet, patient and very forgiving little dog.