It's Me or the Dog

 I don't really like her. I've seen a few episodes where she takes people to shelters and gives them the dire news that this is what will happen to their dog if they don't shape up. I don't think you need to make someone cry to convince them they have to train their dog if they've already come to you asking for help for that very thing.

I also think she doesn't deal with fear aggression very well, but I've only seen the earlier episodes, so maybe she's changed.

Otherwise, she's pretty sensible. She doesn't rely very heavily on aversives and even though she's still pretty obsessed with pack hierarchy I think it's a message people seem pretty able to take in. 

I think she is funny too BUT in a good way.... I have not seen her do anything that seemed counter productive to training. I use many of the same methods and logic and have done so for years.  I do nto agree with everything she says but the majority is uncomplcated and to the point.  The thing that cracks me up the most is when you have a counter surfer and it licks about everything in the house then she remarks about bnot wanting to eat anything out of their kitchen,,,, After working restaurants for ages I quickly realized MOST of us would never eat out if we saw everything that goes on in comercial kitchens!   I would far rather get a plate the dog licked clean by mistake then one handled by someone who never washed their hands. ( and I do mean NEVER washes)    .

Bonita of Bwana 

corvus

 I don't really like her. I've seen a few episodes where she takes people to shelters and gives them the dire news that this is what will happen to their dog if they don't shape up. I don't think you need to make someone cry to convince them they have to train their dog if they've already come to you asking for help for that very thing.

Yes but have you noticed it's only the people that say their gonna have to give up the dog(s) if she cant help them? 

I like her. I think I'm doing a good job with my dogs but I would love it if she would show up near me and have a training class or something of that sort. I learn alot from coming on this forum and watching It's Me or the Dog so I think I would learn alot if I could meet her in person!! But that's just one of my many wishes. Hehe.

I know I've said more than once that Stillwell's interpersonal skills with humans sometimes rubs me the wrong way. OTOH, to be fair, some people need a stern hand. I've worked with a few people that will run all over you until you holler back at them. Then they "respect" you and treat you nicely. A few have even mentioned wanting to kick my butt. So, I would drop my tools, step up to them, and ask, "What are you waiting on? Christmas?" That usually does the trick. They reconsider and find it's better to get along with me than not.

Perhaps she is a bit stern with people because she expects, considering they are humans and should have greater brain capacity, that they would have understood some of these things by now.

She does use positive punishment but in a way I think helps. The countersurfing episode, particular. She used noisy pots to make a noise but the dog didn't identify the noise with the human, he identified with putting his nose on the counter, which was the whole idea. Also, perhaps, her approach is just as alpha as the other guy but her "alpha" is directed toward humans. Come in, take over, "this is how it's going to be, no discussion." A number of humans will simply step in line and take the advice. For the others that want to balk, she will out-stubborn them. In essence, she can sound like a scolding mum and some people need that kick in the pants.

Again, too, her show is edited for dramatic effect and of course, all the clients are in dire need.

I have asked before if the other guy could ever show the dogs that didn't make it or respond and I think the same question should be asked of her. What happened with the "failures?" Barring misdiagnosis of the dog's problems, I think there are problem dogs that are not able to adapt to the program.

What I do appreciate about her is that she has a keen understanding of OC and doesn't rely physical domination and she will explain to the clients the process of how a dog learns.

 I like watching her, because she doesn't break dogs. She uses methods that most anybody can use, and while they may or may not succeed, they won't do irreparable harm.

She'd hate my dogs, LOL. They sleep UNDER the covers, come into my lap whenever they feel like it, and get scraps off of my plate. They eat homemade food, and the jump on guests in greeting. None of that bothers me, though, and they do behave well enough in public

jennie_c_d

She'd hate my dogs, LOL. They sleep UNDER the covers, come into my lap whenever they feel like it, and get scraps off of my plate. They eat homemade food, and the jump on guests in greeting. None of that bothers me, though, and they do behave well enough in public

A trainer I really admire and consider to be one of the best, once told me something that relates to the above statement.  He said that he will often go to someone's home on a purely social visit, not to train their dog/s, and they invariably start apologizing for the dog's "bad" behavior. He said he always just smiles and tells them that if it's not bothering them (dog's owner) then it isn't bothering him either.  OT but I thought it was interesting.

I watch Victoria and Cesar.  I'll watch just about anything to do with dogs.  Never know when you might accidentally learn something. LOL

 That's pretty much how I feel about it. It doesn't bother me, so it's not "bad". My dogs hump, and mouth, and jump, and are extremely vocal. They "beg" for food, and are extremely demanding. They would never, ever touch my feet, though. They would never steal food from my plate (even when I walk away). They move when they're asked to move, and they behave on a leash. I'm pretty darn happy with them!

I watch Cesar, too, but sometimes I yell at the TV and have to turn it off.

I love love love her training methods. I was watching the Great Dane episode and thinking "what is she going to do with that dog?"  I loved seeing how she handelled him in such a positive way. I think her methods are very common sense and the key is consitency, really that is the absolute bottom line no matter what training method you use!

I do think her people skills need some work though.   There are times she can be condescending. I mean, at times I understand, like the Great Dane episode. That guy really had no instincts when it came to dogs whatsoever, when she would tell him the dog was about to bite somebody, he'd laugh it off. He needed a wake up call. Sometimes though, like with crating or the pug episode, I think she's over the top with the condescention. She doesn't need to stand there with hands on hips telling pug guy what a bad husband he's being, I thought she came off really rude in that episode. But they were asking for her help and they do need to be willing to change their attitudes if they want their dogs under control. 

LillianD

She doesn't need to stand there with hands on hips telling pug guy what a bad husband he's being, I thought she came off really rude in that episode. But they were asking for her help and they do need to be willing to change their attitudes if they want their dogs under control. 

Right, but the fact that they are asking for her help means they already recognize there is a problem and they are willing to work at it to find a solution.  Condescending behavior rarely gets anyone very far with others.  It's like that saying goes - you catch more flies with honey than vinegar.

jennie_c_d

 That's pretty much how I feel about it. It doesn't bother me, so it's not "bad". My dogs hump, and mouth, and jump, and are extremely vocal. They "beg" for food, and are extremely demanding. They would never, ever touch my feet, though. They would never steal food from my plate (even when I walk away). They move when they're asked to move, and they behave on a leash. I'm pretty darn happy with them!

 

I watch Cesar, too, but sometimes I yell at the TV and have to turn it off.

Ditto on shutting it off and yelling - I do that sometimes, too.  But, then, I did it on Ice Road Truckers, too.  I think when you know a subject well, things that wouldn't bother the average Joe can really make you want to scream.

As to the behavior of your dogs, or anyone else's, I always tell my students that, so long as the behavior is not dangerous or obnoxious to them, and is not a public nuisance,  it is only they who determine what is acceptable from their dogs.  For example, some of my clients have no interest in teaching polite leash walking and they walk their dogs in an Easy Walk forever.  Do I care???  Of course not.  Would I care if the dog was guarding the sofa and wouldn't let the owner sit?  Sure - it's dangerous.

To be honest, I LOVE when Sequoyah jumps, climbs, and wiggles all over me on my recliner at night, but then again, she is not a dog that will be out on walks doing that to others.  She's a typical working Aussie who doesn't want to love the general public.  My other dogs have to be more controlled because they must act as therapy dogs and must be well behaved in public.  So, their regimen is slightly different, and they are trained accordingly.

I have no problem with VS or CM in terms of how they relate to the clients - TV must have some entertainment value, and part of it is exaggerated interactions with people.  I also think that part of VS' modus operandi is supposed to be along the lines of "The Nanny".  She's an authority figure.  And, speaking of theatrics, how many trainers do you know who wear trench coats and high boots???  (Runs to find trench coat.)

spiritdogs

And, speaking of theatrics, how many trainers do you know who wear trench coats and high boots???  (Runs to find trench coat.)

And if I had to choose a trainer between the two, I would choose VS, knowing what I know. But another human may simply go with the trainer that doesn't start out punishing them, even if they need it, once again, proving the process of OC. It's like one of those contradictory conundrums on House, M.D.

Well, I like her training methods....but I don't like her one bit. I think she's extremely rude.

If I called a trainer for help, and, they talked down to me like she does to her clients, and/or tried to embarrass me in my own home, they'd be kicked out so fast. Sorry, but I don't need to be talked to like that when I'm consulting you for help.

Good thing she's just a TV personality! She was on a different show (I think as a judge) and she seemed pretty nice.

BlackLabbie

If I called a trainer for help, and, they talked down to me like she does to her clients, and/or tried to embarrass me in my own home, they'd be kicked out so fast. Sorry, but I don't need to be talked to like that when I'm consulting you for help.

I have wondered if the producer's let all the prospective owner's know that they will most likey be insulted and made to feel completely idiotic?  I'm sure that everyone clamoring to be on the show are well aware in advance of what to expect and what does that tell you about those people?  No wonder their dogs are such messes.  In the real world, she wouldn't get past the front door in most cases.  I have never known what her background in dog training is, does anyone know anything about her prior to her fame? Just curious as I go off to google VS......

ETA, interesting that she started as a dog walker, just like CM. Well, ok he really started as a groomer but he was a dog walker too.