CM, his pack, and their relationship.

No, I disagree. They aren't sniffing, exploring etc. on the walks. They are not thinking for themselves. I think it is important for dogs to think for themselves at times, rather than just respond to their leader. Further, not all dogs can walk that long. I don't know what CM does with dogs with dysplasia etc., but I've found that with a physical problem reducing exercise, mental stimulation takes up much of the slack.

 
 
How do you figure the dogs don't get to sniff or explore on the walks?
 
I take out my 5 dogs, and that is exactly what they are doing......

How do you figure the dogs don't get to sniff or explore on the walks?

 
It seems that CM is moving at a pretty good clip and that the outings are much more focused on physical exercise. I prefer to be able to walk (not that I could run that far) and have each dog go at their own pace. The Malinois lopes along in big circles around me rarely slowing, the Golden/Chow explores hoping to perhaps flush some birds or squirrels, then trots to catch up and the dog with dysplasia pretty much stays by my side.
 
It's hard to determine how many assistants are picking up the slack etc., but the appearance is that all of the dogs are moving rapidly along focused primarily on staying with the group.

CM takes the dogs into the mountains or hills of California, no way to use roller skates.
I can't see him running the whole time, unless he is a marathon runner and he hasn't told anyone.
I did see in one episode where the dogs were resting and he was pointing out how breeds seem to group together.

Certainly taking "throwaway" dogs and creating a safe and stable environment is a worthy goal. Cesar succeeds well with 40 plus dogs. Best Friends succeeds too in a slightly different way with far more dogs, cats & other animals. Dogs are placed in compatible groups. There are many volunteers and even visitors help walk the dogs.
 
I'm not sure dogs are capable of gratitude, but they are capable of showing the benefits of security amongst other things.
 
Do I think either CM's pack or Best Friends is the perfect home for most dogs? No.

Do I think either CM's pack or Best Friends is the perfect home for most dogs? No.

 
 
I think he is doing a good job.
 
How many homes out there are the ideal homes for most dogs? Probably not that many.....

ORIGINAL: Stacita

but I do think most dogs would be happier in a smaller group with more independence.

Like i said before, people is free to adopt any dog from Cesar's pack:

http://www.dogpsychologycenter.com/dpc/dpcadoptions.php

What would you do different? would you stop saiving dog's lifes just because you rather to be more one on one with the dog's you already have? even when you have the resources to do itjust like him? i dont think Cesar goes around saying "what? saving another dog? no thanks, i have a lot already, i have plenty of food and room for many more but if i take another one then the rest is not gonna be as happy as they should, my babies like to cuddle and i dont have enough time to cuddle with each one of them if i take one more, you will have to go someplace else, even if that means that the dog is PTS"

Yes he is trying to find a home for every single one, in the mean time he tries to do the best he can to make the ones that are alredy in his center and happy as they can be, and yes, he will take in as many as he can rescue to avoid having the dog PTS instead, i think a dog's life is waaaaaaaaay, and i mean WAAAAAAY more important than missing to cuddle with a human because you have 39 other buddies with you

All those things that you mention are preferences, not needs, i love going tothe movies but i'm not gonna die if i dont, even less if i stop going to the movies to be able to save another life

If a dog likes to cuddle then he does not need a human for that, he can cuddle with other dogs, if a dog likes to explore, well like snownose said before, they have plenty of exploring every morning for 5 or 6 hours, they fufill their preferences with eachother, their needs are fufilled by humans

And i ask again: What would you do different if you were having the resources like the ones he has?

I think it's fabulous that he has saved and rehabilitated so many dogs.
I may not use his techniques, but his dogs seem happy and active. And I'm quite sure they have PLENTY of people interaction even though it may not be always with Cesar himself. I'm sure that staff spends a ton of time with them.

So, the topic, just to clarify, is Cesar's relationship with his pack? Not whether or not they are happy? Not whether they are better off at his center or the shelter?
 

If a dog likes to cuddle then he does not need a human for that, he can cuddle with other dogs, if a dog likes to explore, well like snownose said before, they have plenty of exploring every morning for 5 or 6 hours, they fufill their preferences with eachother, their needs are fufilled by humans

 
Espence, I'm curious from this and from your comments in the cultural differences thread, do you think that dogs should not be household pets? Keeping it on topic, is the dog-human relationship irrelevant, unnecessary, or perhaps even corrosive?

ORIGINAL: jones

So, the topic, just to clarify, is Cesar's relationship with his pack? Not whether or not they are happy? Not whether they are better off at his center or the shelter?

If a dog likes to cuddle then he does not need a human for that, he can cuddle with other dogs, if a dog likes to explore, well like snownose said before, they have plenty of exploring every morning for 5 or 6 hours, they fufill their preferences with eachother, their needs are fufilled by humans

Espence, I'm curious from this and from your comments in the cultural differences thread, do you think that dogs should not be household pets? Keeping it on topic, is the dog-human relationship irrelevant, unnecessary, or perhaps even corrosive?

My answer is so simple, if i think that dogs should not be household pets i woulnt be having one myself and i would not be writing in this forum []

At no time did I state that CM shouldn't try to accomodate dogs. The question was what is his relationship with them? I think it is generally good but one person with that many dogs does have limitations. Obviously there must also be some relationships with others that are not featured. CM does go out of town.
 
Thanks for the link. I clicked on it and it referred me to Much Love who apparently handles adoptions. There are only a few dogs listed for adoption and they seem come from several sources. They are looking for foster homes in the Los Angeles area. Perhaps the other members of CM's  "pack" are in some way difficult placements. There would also be the problem of unsuitable homes trying to adopt based soley on the celebrity factor.
 
Anyone who helps with animal rescue, whether they be a celebrity or the person who quietly adopts a senior pit bull is part of the solution. A 24 year old vet tech in this area has single handedly rescued 72 cats on their last day at the pound, speutered them, and found homes for them with almost no publicity. I find that amazing.
 
There seems to be a problem that if I don't find CM's efforts earth shaking in relationship to his money and fame, merely good, I must be unfairly condemming the greatest solution to canine and human dysfunction in known history.  

I ALWAYS find I'm responding to CM threads when I clearly either don't know what I'm talking about, appear to look like a brand spanking new dog owner and like I'm clueless about dogs in general, or I have completely forgotten to discuss the topic for what it is.

I ALWAYS find I'm responding to CM threads when I clearly either don't know what I'm talking about, appear to look like a brand spanking new dog owner and like I'm clueless about dogs in general, or I have completely forgotten to discuss the topic for what it is.

 
This seems to be central to CM and only CM threads. It doesn't apply to health, nutrition etc. where posters generally display respect and look for common ground rather than name calling. Certain elements are indeed different.

Lol...if you think the NUTRITION and behavior/training areas in general area don't have a lot of interesting discussions, their share of name calling and put downs, going waaaay afield from original topics, moderator step-in's, etc...wow...maybe you mean on a different forum?
 
That is why I didn't volunteer to moderate those areas lol, truth be told.
 

I think Cesar provides the ideal life for his dogs and has a solid "relaashonship" with all of them.  I only wish I could do for my dog what he does for his 40+ dogs everyday.  Just the 5-6 hour, off leash walk in the mountains alone is probably plenty to fullfill most dogs needs.  I don't know why one would assume the dogs aren't sniffing and exploring on these daily hikes.  They're off leash for christsakes.   His dogs lead about as natural as a life as possible without living in the country or on a farm.

I'd like to think I'm a slightly above average dog owner in that I give my dog a 45-60 minute walk everyday and feed him a raw, natural diet.  I also take time to read and learn as much about dogs as I can.  On the weekends I try to take him on a hike or some other activity.  In my opinion, this is the LEAST I, or anyone else should be doing for their dogs everyday.  Most average dog owners never take their dogs on a walk, they let them run around in a small backyard and feed them the cheapest dog food available.

I think Cesar provides the ideal life for his dogs and has a solid "relaashonship" with all of them.

 
That is your opinion and a valid one. I believe a smaller setting is best, but his setting is not an inappropriate one. None of us without being there has the full picture so at best every single person is giving opinions.
 
"They're off leash for christsakes."
 
Do all of your disagreements cause you to swear?
 
"I'd like to think I'm a slightly above average dog owner in that I give my dog a 45-60 minute walk everyday and feed him a raw, natural diet.  I also take time to read and learn as much about dogs as I can.  On the weekends I try to take him on a hike or some other activity.  In my opinion, this is the LEAST I, or anyone else should be doing for their dogs everyday.  Most average dog owners never take their dogs on a walk, they let them run around in a small backyard and feed them the cheapest dog food available".
 
I'd say you are far above average at least where I live. I'd love to see that standard for all dogs. Differences of opinion don't need to escalate to the point where one is accused of wanting dogs put to sleep or not caring about them. I feed two of my dogs home cooked and one home cooked plus raw, and weather permitting do one group leashed walk, 30-45 minutes of off leash time and try but don't always suceed to take Tasha for a solo walk, just because she loves it and play an extra session of ball with Floyd.