Ceasar Milan has changed recently! yea!

I haven't read his books but I do know that all of the stuff that people found objectionable about his show were drastic tehcniques to use on problems dogs. In one case, a couple was going to make a euthanasia appointment for their aggressive Rottweiler, when they saw an ad for his services. I would imagine there are plenty of times when he can use friendlier techniques but the producers often edit for the maximum drama, time constraints, etc. One of the neatest things he did was to help a Visla become more confident by manually lifting the tail with the hand loop end of the leash.
 
I would like to see his show involve more of his own editing, rather than a ratings-crazy producer.
 

I would like to see an admission by CM that his techniques have been changed.  The change you thought was taking place on the air may be real, but it may also be so that viewers will be sympathetic, in light of a recent lawsuit for animal cruelty that was lodged by a client.  Jury is still out for me.

That's true Anne that's the first  thing I thought of . But as long as he's changed and the American public is watching and they are, I'm glad he's different.
 
"I would like to see his show involve more of his own editing, rather than a ratings-crazy producer. "
 
I agree Ron, but there in lies the problem.
that's why I think he has taken a stand, and if it's because of the lawsuit or a conscience I don't know, but at least the typical American public won't be throwing a dog on his back by a 12 year old kid or anyone for that matter.

And perhaps, current events, such as a lawsuit will help him to change things, as well. But he will often point out that he is a behaviorist, rather than strictly a trainer. He will also recommend that you find a trainer. What has been the subject of debate is, in fact, his approach to dog psychology. I have also read from another source of dog training that some people disagree with wherein she approaches from the mom-dog approach. Mother dogs do physically correct their pups with scruffing and rolling but only toward survival and not for human obedience demands. That is, they correct but not for the reasons that we do. The training that most humans want in their dogs runs counter to the survival instincts.
 
Being alpha means you get to eat first. Resource guarding means you get to keep what you are going to eat. Boundary guarding and pack guarding equates to survival of the pack. Mounting for dominance to maintain alpha status and, once in a while, to mate and propogate the species. Following instincts and disregarding and even steering clear of humans. Attacking and casting out weak links or individuals who will not follow the pack order provides tight cohesion. These all lead to survival for a canid. And are the opposite of what a human desires in a house pet.
 
To disagree with CM, I do not always view a behavior by Shadow as rejecting my authority. Sometimes, during a meal, he will want to chase the ball once and bring it back to the bowl and then continue eating. Rather than view this as a usurpation of meal time, I see it as him hunting a prey and bringing it back to the den to provide for everyone. An instinct. I also free feed him and he usually eats right after exercising on a walk. This is out of order, according to CM, who advocates exercise, obedience, affection, in exactly that order which is, indeed, a good way to go. I agree with CM that most dog problems are the result of human misunderstanding. A lot of dog problems can be solved with a proper walk, at least once a day. Dogs, unlike cats, are high energy creatures, with many breeds having been developed for a particular job. They have energy to burn and exercising them gets rid of a lot of nervous energy that usually leads to problems. A dog with an energy outlet is a happy dog. Also, if drained of excess energy, they don't have to expend on the nearest outlet, such as boundary guarding.

"To disagree with CM, I do not always view a behavior by Shadow as rejecting my authority. "
 
I agree with that 100% all dogs are different and if we know our dogs well, which is our job, we will know when they are pushing something or not.

True, and leadership of one's dog is not always about scruffing, rolling, or hanging by the collar. Times when Shadow is too excited to pay attention, I will, if possible, remove him from the situation and let him calm down, and then give an obedience command. Other times, when available, I take him into public with the express purpose of socializing him. The more familiar he gets with seeing other dogs in public, the less of a "new, exciting" thing it becomes and the calmer he can remain. Even at that, we go for a regular walk and meal before then, so that he's already burned quite a bit of energy.

I have to agree with the exercise thing-- a tired dog is a good dog. A sporting breed or northern breed dog is capable of running full out all day every day, and most folks simply cannot meet that need. So the dog finds other ways to expend his energy, like digging giant craters, eating the furniture, and knocking the kids down.
I've never found that enforcing leadership by physical means was necessary or even helpful. I watch my alpha bitch, and she is the least violent dog I've ever met. The worst she's ever done is given a low growl to remind a subordinate dog to not step on her as she lay sleeping in the sun totally blocking the hallway. True leaders among dogs don't enforce their authority by scruffing, fighting, or alpha rolling, and certainly not by hanging other dogs by the collar. Have you ever noticed that often the smallest dog in the household is the leader? the one that is incapable of besting any of the other dogs in a fight?
I personally think that dog owners who try to use physical methods of dominance, and constantly inflict petty demands on their dog to demonstrate his submissiveness (such as demanding the human always go through the doorway first, etc.) actually undermines the human's leadership in the mind of the dog. A secure leader doesn't act like that. A human should easily be able to establish leadership over a dog without having to use violence. Dogs can't use can openers or drive themselves to the park. Nor do they understand how to act in human society. The human just has to make the decisions (NOW is time for dinner), not let the dog do it, and has to show the dog how to act in human-specific situations (lawnmowers sure are noisy and smelly, but I, the leader, am clearly not concerned).

Good post Mudpuppy. 
 
I really never need to demonstrate dominance to my dogs.  I am committed to them working everyday...fulfilling there K9 needs, and I never have any problems.  If people would commit to that we can really pretty much toss out the rest of the crap.
 
That is the focus of my newest facility.  If you work your dog everyday the behavior problems go away, the obedience problems disappear, the socialization issues become less prevalent, and people can have the dog they want with out all of the dominance crap.

(such as demanding the human always go through the doorway first, etc.) actually undermines the human's leadership in the mind of the dog. A secure leader doesn't act like that.

 
I agree with you there. I don't insist on going through the door first but Shadow will move out of my way if I ask him to do so. He eats after a walk, which is before our dinnertime, so he is eating before us, which does not create a problem. Nor do I want you think I'm always rolling or scruffing him, though I have in the past. He submits in the roll by himself. But I get actual obedience out of treats and play. Plus, I more fully understand doggy-think these days and am less likely to "need" to control, once I understand what the reaction is about and how to solve or divert it.
 

mudpuppy- That was a really good post. I for one am tired of all the dominance stuff. I think alpha rolls are a terrible idea in almost all cases- especially when it's been recommended as a routine practice with puppies. What a way to create mistrust. [&:] And I totally agree that a true leader doesn't need to exert physical force. Being a leader is more about attitude. I'm calm, gentle, firm, and what I say goes. []

ron- We seem to have basically the same philospohies. With doorways; I don't insist on going first, but my dogs have always deferred to me if I did. And Gingerbread also free feeds; I think with dogs that don't have any resource guarding tendencies, it's not an issue. 

I personally don't think a dog has to walk right next to you on leash either. But, I won't let any dog drag me through a doorway or pull me down the street. That is always disrespectful IMHO.

I really feel that some of Cesar's "harsh techniques" are greatly exagerated by some people on this forum.  He aproaches dogs differently depending on thier specific problem and temperment.  You're not going to see him handle a shy toy poodle that doesn't walk on the leash correctly the same as a dog aggressive, red zone pitbull.  He usually uses whatever tools are already available to help solve the specific problem.  

I'm not saying I agree with every single thing he does on the show but come on people!  His core philosophy cannot be argued.  It's really just common sense (which unfortunately, much of the dog owing public doesn't have) Giving your dog exercise, disipline, affection, rules, boundries, limitations and to be your dogs calm, assertive pack leader.  I don't see him as overly dominating unless it's a really hard dog that has major issues.

That said, I think it's great that he's incorperating new techniques into his dog rehabilitation.  I can't wait to see the new episodes. 

My problem is that everything is a "dominance" issue. If only real dogs were so black and white; in reality, real dogs can misbehave, be aggressive, or be shy but still view their owners as their leaders.
 
Although I do think is core philosophy is good, but the 1hr long walk a day... or whatever he recommends, isn't going to be enough for the hyperactive pitty or prey driven shepherd.  They need more excersize than that.

The exercise deal will help out some what but it isn't going to nip it in the bud of dogs having aggression. The digging deal I have two mini dachshunds that love to dig and they get a lot of exercise it just in them just like most terrier breeds it is part of their character. And my dogs will set at the door and wait for me to go in out first. Dogs have to have limits if they don't have limits they will start ruling the roost. I'm not saying beat it in to them but some dogs at one point or another will need a hard hand and level headed own. As for Ceasar Milan he can't be all wrong. I don't agree with some of his techniques. I've seen far more worse then him come and go through the dog world.

but the 1hr long walk a day... or whatever he recommends, isn't going to be enough for the hyperactive pitty

 
In one episode where he helped a family deal with their pittie, he gave them a doggy saddlebag to load down with stuff like bottled water. Increasing the load during the walk helps to burn off the energy and gives the dog a job.