Dog Community

Supernanny and the Dog Whisperer!

Posted : 1/23/2007 11:43:16 AM

I was watching Supernanny last night and had to laugh at how many similarities there were between how she deals with obnoxious kids and oblivious parents and the way Cesar deals with obnoxious dogs and oblivious owners.

Cesar: Rules, boundaries, limitations

Supernanny: Rules, boundaries and structure

Cesar: Calm and assertive

Supernanny: Calm & in control

Cesar: Consequences for undesireable behavior (physical leash corrections)

Supernanny: Consequences for unacceptable behavior (physically putting in a "naughty place";)

Cesar: Critics say physical corrections are harmful

Supernanny: Critics say calling a child "naughty" is harmful

Cesar: Uses techniques learned from real-life experience, no formal dog training education

Supernanny: Uses techniques learned from real-life experience, no formal child development education

Cesar: "Tssst!"

Supernanny: "That behavior is unacceptable!"

I always have to laugh about how Cesar and Supernanny often have the same "jaw-dropped" reaction to some parents/dog owners who tolerate really obnoxious stuff. But, then the parents/owners often have the same blank look when Jo/Cesar ask them what they do to stop the behavior.

Anyways... thought this area of the message board needed a little lightening up! Join in if you like Supernanny, too! If you haven't seen Supernanny's show, watch it sometime. She's worth watching for her techniques alone. But that "at-least-my-kids-aren't-that-bad" feeling is a nice bonus! (I get that feeling after watching some of the dogs Cesar works with, too. [

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DPU

Posted : 1/23/2007 11:50:50 AM

As a matter of fact, while watching the last 2 episodes of Supernannny, I did draw similariites from what I have read in the CM discussion categories. May be that is part of the reason why I am here. Last night I got the same impression as you. Also watch the physicality of discipline.

esteban ley

Posted : 1/23/2007 11:51:08 AM

and....they were both in southpark....

one difference though, Cesar didn't end up in the loony bin...just joking, I have no kids nor have I ever seen super nanny.

espencer

Posted : 1/23/2007 11:51:43 AM

What? didnt you know that in a South Park episode non of the Nanny TV shows where able to correct Cartman and he behaved only till they brought Cesar Millan? [

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[linkhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4wvVFf6td88]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4wvVFf6td88[/link]

esteban ley

Posted : 1/23/2007 11:56:17 AM

ORIGINAL: espencer

What? didnt you know that in a South Park episode non of the Nanny TV shows where able to correct Cartman and he behaved only till they brought Cesar Millan? []

[linkhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4wvVFf6td88]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4wvVFf6td88[/link]

Yeah I knew that, I just meant that if it wasn't for southpark I wouldn't even know there were such "nanny shows". The ending on that episode, when Cartman is huggin his mom with the "omen" choir in the back is priceless.

That has got to be one of my favorite southpark episodes, I believe CM did his own voiceover for that one, which I think is a first in southpark history, aside from George Clooney making the voice of "gay dog". I've heard a lot about the "Cartman-Hall monitor" episode, I've even seen some clips, that one looks hilarious too.

jones

Posted : 1/23/2007 11:57:24 AM

I like Supernanny a lot though I'm not always in the mood for screaming kids when it comes on. [

] I think a lot of the time in her show, and Nanny 911 as well, you see that the parenting problems go straight to marital problems between the parents. The parallels you drew are interesting, food for thought. But there are always several ways of thinking about things so how about I throw out some parallel between Supernanny and PR training, just for kicks[

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Supernanny: time-outs for naughty children
PR: withdrawal of attention for naughty puppies

Supernanny: get down to their level
PR: ditto! don't loom over your dog
[I'm thinking of Supernanny's wonderful demonstration of personal space where she makes a dad sit on the ground and then progressively gets more & more up in his space. Good demo for dog owners too!]

Supernanny: do not reward naughty behavior with attention & arguments [see bedtime routine]
PR: the same; negative punishment for unwanted behavior

espencer

Posted : 1/23/2007 12:02:33 PM

ORIGINAL: eley

Yeah I knew that, I just meant that if it wasn't for southpark I wouldn't even know there were such "nanny shows". The ending on that episode, when Cartman is huggin his mom with the "omen" choir in the back is priceless.

That has got to be one of my favorite southpark episodes, I believe CM did his own voiceover for that one, which I think is a first in southpark history, aside from George Clooney making the voice of "gay dog". I've heard a lot about the "Cartman-Hall monitor" episode, I've even seen some clips, that one looks hilarious too.

I dont think is the same voice, i can tell by the accent since i'm Mexican [

]

Some people have been telling him that they apply the same philosopy to their children and works hehe, of course no leash or alpha rolling [

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J M

Posted : 1/23/2007 12:05:27 PM

You know, I was actually thinking of this today.

It seems most of the dogs on CM's show are just spoiled (fur)brats.

Just like kids who have never been told they couldn't do something.

And...Ceasar does have a saying...who runs the US?

Dogs and children.

I saw the South Park episode. That was killer.

The voice on SP is an impersonation. And an impoorly done impersonation at that. SP always runs that disclaimer before the show.

TinaK

Posted : 1/23/2007 12:07:15 PM

It seems most of the dogs on CM's show are just spoiled (fur)brats.

Yes!

CM doesn't believe time outs work for dogs though!

Angelique

Posted : 1/23/2007 12:09:16 PM

I want to see supernanny use clickers and treats for one entire episode, instead of using her more "social" leadership and the setting of boundaries approach. Only reward good behavior with goodies, and ignore the bad.

jenhuedepohl

Posted : 1/23/2007 12:10:02 PM

Supernanny: get down to their level
PR: ditto! don't loom over your dog
[I'm thinking of Supernanny's wonderful demonstration of personal space where she makes a dad sit on the ground and then progressively gets more & more up in his space. Good demo for dog owners too!]

Supernanny: do not reward naughty behavior with attention & arguments [see bedtime routine]
PR: the same; negative punishment for unwanted behavior

That personal space demonstration was one of my favorites! And I also find that getting down to my kid's level helps a lot. Dogs - not quite as helpful - they want to PLAY! I've started some yogo and pilates in the AM and finally had to start filling kongs to get some peace when I'm on the floor!

And I'd almost forgotten about how well ignoring attention-seeking behavior can work in certain instances. It's second nature at our house. I've seen CM and read McConnell talk about the same thing. It's amazing how kids (and dogs) who want more attention will even seek negative attention rather than get no attention at all.

I guess my favorite part about both shows is that instant when you see yourself on the screen and go "aha!" THAT'S what we need to do. Second favorite part - the "At least that isn't MY kid!" moments LOL!

J M

Posted : 1/23/2007 12:18:21 PM

This is so true.

"It's amazing how kids (and dogs) who want more attention will even seek negative attention rather than get no attention at all. "

I think when they (dog or child) is behaving, we have a tendency to ignore them. It's like..."oh man, a moment of peace and quiet, don't bother them"

I can vividly recall the saying while growing up concerning we wittle won's..."don't bother them, they are being good" [sm=rotfl.gif]

esteban ley

Posted : 1/23/2007 12:21:26 PM

The voice on SP is an impersonation. And an impoorly done impersonation at that. SP always runs that disclaimer before the show.

The reason I thought it was actually him is in his IMDB credits the southpark episode is listed. It would be HILARIOUS if it was actually him, I have an incredible amount of respect who are willing to make fun of themselves publicly.

brookcove

Posted : 1/23/2007 12:26:18 PM

Supernanny uses TONS of PR techniques. One I remember right off - and she usually sets up something similiar for most households - there were three little girls and they each had a vase. When they got "caught doing something right" they got a lovely tissue paper flower (which they had helped make - structured activities/modeling good behavior). Flowers purchased some kind of reward at the end of the day or week or something, I forget. Another family had a tower of balloons for each child.

As to professional input on the show, SN has an army of pros backing her up, providing creative ideas, and sometimes you even see them in front of the camera - I've seen marriage counselors, speech therapists, behaviorists, and occupational therapists.

It's funny you mention this because I sort of model my ideal training on her paradigm - clear consequences, clear communication of expectations and extinction which incorporates both withdrawal of reinforcement and positive aversive techniques. I'm still learning though. I think kids are easier because you really can just crouch down, put on a sad face, and say, "You really disappointed me - I would like an apology!" And it works. [

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houndlove

Posted : 1/23/2007 12:33:18 PM

I

want to see supernanny use clickers and treats for one entire episode, instead of using her more "social" leadership and the setting of boundaries approach. Only reward good behavior with goodies, and ignore the bad.

Oh yeah because that's totally how I train my dogs. No boundaries, I just hand out treats and ignore everything bad my dogs do!

I'm going to edit the rest because while I'm telling the truth and speaking form the heart I know it would be considered rude and uncalledfor and apparently only certain people are allowed to be rude with impunity in this particular area of the forum. So, I'm self-censoring.