If you like Cesar, who are your other role models?

Comin' from the flip side, do keep an open mind.

I used to be Cesar's #1 Fan (way back in season 1, even before he started getting a bit more gentle and putting a way more detailed warning on the show). Then I did some reading and some thinking and some more reading and some more thinking, and then some experimenting with other methodologies and then I changed my mind completely.

I also have big dogs. [] The better to snuggle and spoon with!

ORIGINAL: TeriF

This thread has been very interesting and informative.  I'm new to this forum but not new to dogs and training.  I've read a few books over the years (unfortunately I'm terrible at remembering author names and I lost my entire library of books 2 yrs. ago in a house fire) and have learned alot about how to train dogs.  I've also learned, mostly through instinct and intuition and knowing MY dogs, what will probably work and what won't.   I am a Ceasar fan because I believe he truly does understand the dogs he works with.  He's not a dog trainer and he doesn't claim to be.  He doesn't even play one on T.V.  (just a little humor folks)  He understands dog behavior and the relationship between dogs and their human family.  It's been my experience that what he says about the importance of being a pack leader, exercising your dog, and establishing a relationship of mutual respect and trust is absolutely essential in raising well mannered companions. 

I've always had large dogs.  I'm a small person.  If I didn't establish my self as the leader of my pack, I wouldn't have a house left.  I've NEVER hit one of my dogs and I've never seen Ceasar hit a dog.  I've never had to do the alpha roll but I've raised all my dogs from puppies so I've always had complete control over them.   They have all been taught to walk off a lead, stay in the yard, come when called--all the basic stuff.  I haven't used anyone's particular training methods.  I've just taken what I've learned and used a little common sense.  I think Ceasar does the same thing. 

Welcome to the forum, you will find a lot of people with misconceptions on Cesar's techniques, some of us here spend good amount of time trying to explain is not a bad thing what he does []

jenhuedepohl: i have a quote for you since you like them that much: "even if the monkey wears silk, monkey he is" []

Thanks for the welcome you guys.  Believe me, I do keep an open mind.  I don't totally like everything he does but I understand pretty much why he does what he does.  As a dog lover I sometimes cringe watching him, but I think he is used to working with and learning from some really hard core cases.  Dogs who have been neglected and/or abused.  I think he has studied the absolute worst cases and has developed techniques to reach them on their level.  Those are the types of dogs who have to be reached before other more conventional training techniques can be employed.  There are dogs out there who will not and cannot respond to positive reinforcemnent and treats or whatever, until there has been some sort of intervention and rehabilitation.    To me, for the most part, his techniques make sense. 
 
As hokie as it may sound, I absolutely DO believe we, as dog owners and dog lovers, have to have an intuitive and spiritual connection with our animals.  We can't properly train and cohabit with our dogs if we don't understand them.  I'm not talking about just learning about the quirks and nuances of the particualr breed of each dog.  I'm talking about knowing your dog.  I'm always shocked at how many people don't know or understand their dogs.  They don't have a clue!
 
As far as all the disagreement about particular terms and words....it's all a matter of perception.  I don't care what terms or words you use to describe your relationship with your dog, and believe me, they could care even less.  I do care about responsible ownership and having loving and well behaved companions.  As I'm sure we all do or we wouldn't be so passionate about our animals and our opinions!  LOL

Welcome TeriF! [&:]