I've heard a lot of commentary about the simplicity of "dog whisperer" (see Animal Planet) training for dogs.

Question

Does anyone have solid info as to how this method compares in effectiveness over the long term for different people (not the 'whisperer') of differing ages and sexes vs. that of the more conventional animal behaviorist approach.

A bunch of bucks can be at play here in making the right choice, much less the impact which a botched training approach will have on the animal and owner.

Answer 1

In the 1980s, Dr. Ian Dunbar, a Veterinarian and Behaviourist, started the trend towards more positive training. Before him, most methods relied on schutzhund and police dog styles which included leash yanking, alpha rollovers, a variety of slaps and jabs, yelling and coercion. Even the Monks of New Skete, in their 1978 book "How To Be Your Dog's Best Friend", recommended you throw your dog to the ground and pin it when it got "out of control". They also advised grabbing the dog's neck scruff and staring it down. Those were the old days.

Since the evolution to positive training methods, many old-style trainers have either modified or completely changed their methods. Then again, many old-style people cannot accept that their way isn't the BEST way an longer and hold onto their ideas tenaciously. Positive training methods have been thoroughly studied and scientifically challenged to prove their efficacy. For a rundown of what positive reinforcement training is read these:

http://www.as.wvu.edu/~sbb/comm221/chapters/rf.htm
http://allpsych.com/psychology101/reinforcement.html

and if you're really interested, try here:

http://www.emtech.net/learning_theories.htm

As you can see, much study has gone into how people and animals learn. What makes they want to learn and try and what makes them frustrated and stop. It's not a new science. Dr, Konrad Lorenz (1903 - 1989), a Nobel Prize winner, pioneered the science of ethology. It just may be that the average person hasn't been exposed to the idea that this is a science people devote their lives to.

Here's an overview of the evolution of modern day dog training:
http://www.naiaonline.org/articles/archives/train-evolol.htm

Now along comes Caesar Millan. He's a self-proclaimed "dog whisperer" - as though teaching dogs was a magical affair possible only by those with the "gift". It's not. It's a science. And he doesn't behave as though he understands the first thing about it. He flaunts the fact that he has little education and grew up in a poor farming community. I don't have a problem with that. What I do have a problem with is that he would DARE to discount scientifically proven methods with his brand of in-your-face, smug arrogance. National Geographic has made a grave error in endorsing his program. Caesar Millan is doing a disservice to people AND DOGS everywhere.

And I'm not the only one who feels this way. Read these:

http://www.charlottedogs.com/dog-whisper.html
http://www.k9magazine.com/viewarticle.php?sid=15&aid=1521&vid=0&npage=
http://4pawsu.com/pmdominance.htm
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2006/10/15/CMGPHL9D1N1.DTL
http://www.sfspca.org/Viewpoint/1030.shtml
http://www.marinij.com/homeandgarden/ci_4720342
http://www.stevedalepetworld.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=203&Itemid=71
http://www.animalbehavior.net/PUBLIC/CesarMillan_Luescher.htm
http://www.stevedalepetworld.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=204&Itemid=71
http://www.esquire.com/features/articles/2006/060906_mfe_October_06_Dog_Whisperer.html

But you can make up your own mind. You can lead a horse to water but you can't make him drink.

Answer 2

There are many methods of training and not everything will work for every dog. You have to find a trainer that you feel comfortable with. One whose style you can learn to follow. Training success depends largely on how well the OWNER follows what they have been told to do. If the owner is consistant with the methods taught the dog will have fewer problems but if the owner is not consistant woth the method they will have spent money for nothing.
The hardest thing I run into is getting the owners to do what they need to do all the time. Most times they do ok for a time but once I am gone they fall into old habits and the bad behavior comes back. With a retun visit I can fix it but it is up to the owner long term to make the changes necessary to get long term change in the dog.
Anyone no matter their age or sex can learn how to properly control and handle a dog. Depends on how bad they want a well behaved dog.
I have worked with a few who were pretty bad at leas the owner thought so until I took them out and walked them and they wer perfect angels for me. But thye do not know me when I come into the home and I project a very clam no nonsense front and do not take any nonsense from a dog. Being firm and consistant with my own dogs has earned my dogs several hunting titles and championships and a few CGC titles.

Answer 3

His method is simple because he only knows one thing: if the dog is "bad" it is "being dominant". His only answer to handling behavioral issues is to inhibit all behavior and call it "calm submissive". I don't want dogs that are "calm submissive", I want dogs that have a good relationship with me yet are well-behaved. The two things are not mutually exclusive.

There is zero evidence that anything Cesar does even has long term results. He doesn't do follow-ups on the show, he only shows the short-term effects that an intimidating stranger can have on a dog. It's not magic, it's part of well-established behavioral theory. What bothers me the most is seeing the number of times he or dog owners are bitten on the show. FYI, there are plenty of other trainers out there who work to rehabilitate aggressive dogs and the attitude that the trainer or owner getting bitten is "just part of the job" is NOT a normal attitude. It's an irresponsible reflection of the fact that he had no education on canine behavior. He has skill, yes, but charging forth with raw skill alone is dangerous and foolhardy, not commendable. He gets his methods to work because of this skill; they are not appropriate methods for the general public. There are too many other well-documented, well-proven, SAFE methods out there -- it's heartbreaking to see people monkeying around with his nonsense.

Yes, he has some things right, like promoting exercise and not treating dogs like small humans, but ALL respectable trainers promote this... it's not like Cesar invented the concepts. He's not even the first one with a TV show. He happens to be highly charismatic and very compelling to watch on television -- that doesn't make him the most qualified trainer out there.

Answer 4

If it seems too good to be true, it probably is. His methods are not that simple. The show is highly edited, the mistakes are left on the cutting room floor. He seems not to be bothered by being bitten, that is a huge mistake. Every time a dog bites a human, you increase the dog's likelihood of biting again.

Scientists are starting to study the effects of handling the way CM and other do and contrast with Positive Reinforcement. While it positive reinforcement feels slower or less dramatic than going tssst and poking your dog into learned helplessness, the studies are showing fewer behavior side effects with the positive reinforcement and no longer training curves.

Answer 5

cesar milan is not a dog trainer and what he does is not dog training. he is conditioning dogs and in his words, "rehabilitating" them. the phrase "dog training" is associated with obedience work. the science of dog behavior is about communicating with dogs in a language they can understand instinctively instead of teaching them word-action associations. because of this, it's imperative to study dog behavior and the psychology of a pack. if used correctly, this method can and will have very long-term effects, if the person using them can be consistent (the "i train people" part). it can be tedious and difficult at first, because you're speaking a different language, but like any other skill, it will come more and more easily to you.

take what you can from the dog whisperer. his methods are much discussed and even controversial, like the alpha roll, but there is a lot of positive, useful stuff in there, like his views on leadership and discipline. i especially applaud his rule of "excercise first." you can't go wrong there. use the show as an introduction and continue watching it, but also read up on the topic and learn as much as you can. there's a lot of different opinions out there, and so you need to form your own understanding and methods of applying these principles.

Answer 6

Cesar Milan says it himself in every episode- he doesn't train dogs, he trains people. It's not about training, it's about establishing a natural pack order in your household, and letting everything else fall into place from there. And it is simple. Once you recognize that you are the dog's leader, the dog will recognize it too, and the battle is over. Dogs always obey the leader, it's in their nature.

He also has a disclaimer at every episode telling viewers NOT to use his techniques on their own- so if someone tries it anyway and messes up, it's their own fault, isn't it now?

Answer 7

The Dog Whisperer approach seems to be very effective in the long term vs a conventional trainers methods. Only because it is not treat motivated and there isn't bribing involved at all. It is simply their job to be respectful and it's our job to protect them.
I'm sending my dog to a dog whisperer recommended trainer and I've done the whole conventional thing but it all goes out the window if he's hyper focused on something else.

Answer 8

My father was a great animal person, grew up on a farm as did I we were toughed the same techniques that the dog whisperer teaches from Dad

Answer 9

all i can say is i have yet to disagree with a single one of the dog whisper's methods. but sometimes i can see a problem with some other training methods. you have to look at your pet and yourself and decide which is going to work for you.

Answer 10

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