The Dog Trainer’s Trainer
While Cesar Millan is dazzling TV audiences, Ian Dunbar has been quietly gaining the respect of the people who really count — other dog experts
Chances are you’ve heard of Cesar Millan, Hollywood’s famous dog whisperer. Chances are you haven’t heard of Ian Dunbar, soft-spoken Northern California behaviorist. That, however, is about to change. And when it does, dogs and dog owners everywhere will be having a ball.
In recent years, Cesar Millan has taken the world by a storm, starring in National Geographic Channel’s Dog Whisperer, pumping out books and DVDs, appearing on talk shows, even offering to buy fans their very own doggie treadmills. Millan’s philosophy? We, as humans, must act as dominant pack leaders; our dogs must behave as submissive followers.
For the full story go to:
http://dogtime.com/cesar-millan-and-ian-dunbar.html
The Trouble with Cesar
While television star Cesar Millan is credited with placing dog training on the public radar, the field’s most respected behaviorists and trainers are concerned that many of Millan’s ideas are unfounded. As for his methods? A few are downright harmful.
Putting your dog in his place
Cesar’s way: Dogs assume either a dominant or submissive role in their “pack.” If he doesn’t get off the couch when you ask him to, it’s your dog’s way of telling you that he’s dominant and you’re submissive.
Why he’s way off: The notion of a rigid pack hierarchy with fixed roles between humans and dogs is largely a myth. Dogs are most likely to do what we humans ask when they clearly understand what we want – not as a sign of submission. Patricia McConnell explains: “So many issues – sitting on the couch, coming when called – have nothing to do with social status, any more than how you do on a math exam reflects your social status. A dog who doesn’t sit when you ask him to sit – in most cases – simply doesn’t understand what you want.”
The truth: In groups of canines, roles among individual members are both fluid and give-and-take.
Treating fear with fear
Cesar’s way: You can “cure” a dog’s fear by overwhelming him with the very stimulus that terrifies him.
Why he’s way off: Imagine treating a human’s acrophobia by dangling him over the edge of a skyscraper. This technique, called “flooding,” actually leads to further psychological trauma in the form of learned helplessness: An animal learns that resistance is futile – his spirit is broken and he ceases to assert himself.
Trish King, Director of the Animal Behavior & Training Department at the Marin Humane Society observes: “In some of his shows, Cesar tells the owner how ‘calm and submissive’ a dog is, when to me, the dog looks shut down and fearful.”
The truth: It may take weeks or months for your dog to truly overcome deep-rooted fear – and setbacks along the way are to be expected.
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Review of an allegedly stolen camera…
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