I've tried Cesar Milan-style tricks with my dogs, How do you apply Cesar's tricks and get them to WORK?

Question

I've seen hours hours of his shows, yet the things he advises NEVER do anything when I try them with my dogs. I try the 'stand up straight' thing, the 'ssshhh' thing, the leash jerk, it never works like it does on tv. WHY?

Are his shows edited to make it appear that he's more talented than he really is? Does he ever actually fail with dogs, we just dont see those times because it would hurt his rep?

Answer 1

Hey somebody is catching on. I'm proud of you. None of his "tricks" are new to the dog world. They are all old stand bys and basic common sense.

Answer 2

They're not edited like that, but they have to be edited to make for time. It takes longer then what you actually see, but it usually doesn't take 14 hours. I try doing his tricks with my dog, and because I do them over and over, he's starting to learn what he can, and cannot, get away with. He's actually learning a new attitude, and a better temperment. It's going to take a while, because we're not professionals, but we will get it. Consistency, persistency, and a hell of a lot of patience!! There are some things that don't work with my dog, but that's only because of his breed, and my lack of muscles lol.

You need to take the leash with the attitude that you're the leader, and you WILL NOT!!!!!!!! allow your dog to be the leader. It's going to be more difficult the older the dog is. You know how people say " a dog can smell your fear" ??? Well, they can't actually smell it, it's the energy you give off, like what Cesar talks about. If you take the leash, and you demand that the dog behave, or do whatever you're wanting it to, then chances are you'll get better results. The holding he head up doesn't realy work for, seein how there's alot of things for me to trip on in my neighborhood, but It's the mentality I have, once I put that leash on my dog.

Check out his website for tips, and a questionare, and all sorts of stuff. He never said, or anyone for this matter, that owning a pet was easy! LOL

Answer 3

Read the book, it will be MUCH more clear! Caesar's Way. I've watched all the shows up to date and read the book, my big dog acts for me the way the dogs on the show act for him (my little one is good, but "slow" - see question above about this). People are always impressed with my big dog, he is NOT dominant, listens VERY well and knows my intent before I speak. He responds to gestures, sounds and finger snaps. But truly the biggest things is what is in your heart, if you're just doing the motions but don't MEAN it, you'll get no where. I am the same way around every dog and people always comment on "what an animal person" I am. I work in a pet store and we had to start telling people to NOT buy puppies based on the way they react to me, unless they are going to treat the puppies like I do... they all just fall in line. Just like on the show. However, it is important to note that I am a natural leader and my attitude is "my way or the highway" when it comes to the behaviour I expect - and I get what I expect, now that I have the tools to focus what I want.

Sorry, left out detail that my dog has been treated this way since he was about 3 months old. However, most adult dogs I come across that don't have a lot of dominance or behaviour issues respond to these techniques very quickly. A dominant animal will not respond so quick, they point this out on the show, sometimes its taking weeks. Also, I doubt you have a stable pack to subject your dog to, he always claims that his pack does more than 1/2 the work or difficult cases.

Answer 4

Cesar Milan is not teaching tricks. He's teaching behavior modification. The little "tricks" you do see are ways he advocates for an owner to spend TIME with his dog.
None of his techniques work on the first try. It may take days, weeks or months to teach or correct a behavior. Ever try to stop biting your nails or other bad habit? It takes time. Cesar Milan only has 30 minutes to show you part of what he did to teach the dog. There is no way he could show you everything he does for each dog. (One reason there is that disclaimer on every show!)
Too many people get a dog or cat or rabbit or any other "PET" and then don't want to spend the time to teach it what's expected of it. That's one reason so many animals end up in shelters, labeled "hyper", or "nasty", or "nippy", or one of dozens of excuses people use to surrender their pets.
Mr Milan teaches people not to treat animals like people... but to respect the fact that they have their own instincts and how to make the dog fit into our lives.

Answer 5

Technically, they do work. I do these things with my dogs. I always have, but I have fine tuned them partially from watching his show. But, I have the temperament to back it up. I am dominant in my house, and there is no question about that. If you don't have the temperament to back it up, then the dogs will know. If you are not serious about it, the dogs will know. They pick up on things in your body language that you don't even know you are doing. When you watch it, really watch how he stands, and how he faces the dog, all the little things. And no, these things don't work instantaneously, they take time, especially, since you have suddenly changed, and that makes them take you less seriously. It works faster for him (still not instantaneously), because when he walks in, he is dominant. He doesn't start out submissive, and then try to convince the dog that he changed his mind. I don't know if he has ever failed, but he is truly very talented.

Answer 6

I have tried the shhhh thing, and the leash pop. It works on my 2 dogs. Consistincy really is the key here. Exercise, discipline, then affection in that order! I walk my dogs everyday that the weather is nice, I take them out to pet stores, and to the dog park sometimes socializing them. I practice walking with them, and make sure they walk behind me so I am leading and being the dominant one and not either one of them. I had to step in and be the top dog in my pack because this breed that I own is very independent and was bred to think for themselves. (which is a typical hound characteristic and it drew me to the breed the most) and not a recommended group for first time dog owners. Me being that this wasn't my first dog, I thought I was "somewhat" prepaired....Rhodesian Ridgebacks are not like Golden Retrievers or Labradors. I thought this may have been because of their similar outgoing and friendly personalities. Goldens are successful in many activities as the Rhodesian is, but they fail miserably as protective watchdogs. This is my biggest turn off with Goldens. They may bark and growl defensively, but when it comes down to brass tacks, they are more likely to run away or bring an intruder their tennis ball than bite or corner him with a snarl. If you are looking for a watchdog, DON'T GET A GOLDEN! The aren't Labradors in short coats either. Labradors are Mouthy and like carrying and chewing objects, mouthing your hands with gobs of salavia! (I have known too many of them in my lifetime) Yuck! :P I can't get my ridgeback(s) to fetch for nothing. Not even for their favorite treat. The go get their toy and drop it halfway and look up at me like "you go get it." Too smart huh? I don't mind though. A mature Ridgeback is happiest when either running flat out across a field or flat out asleep at your feet! This is when they are the best dogs. Quiet, and snoozing away but still alert. Some one can ring the doorbell or knock or slam a door, and they bark ferociously and If I am expecting someone or I see who it is throught my peephole and I know them, then I do the sssshhh thing, and they stopped after it took me quite a few times.
Ridgebacks obviously do have an independent mind of their own and are not pushovers to raise and train. Some Rhodesian Ridgebacks are willful, obstinate, and dominant (they want to be the boss) and will make you prove that you can make them do things. You must show them, through absolute consistency, that you mean what you say as with all breeds of dogs.

Answer 7

I think that Cesar's techniques work, as I have applied the touch and sssshshsh!! methods and have had some success on both a mini-dauschand and a weimeriner (large hunting breed).

I have found that the show is misleading regarding the amount of time it takes to get the dogs to respond to Cesar's training. You have to work with your dog EVERYDAY and constantly watching for undesireable behaviour in order to correct it. If you have a large breed it is definately worth the time spent.

Good luck!!

Answer 8

I would not refer to them as 'tricks'. possibly because you think they are tricks is the problem you're having. it's all in attitude. it's not about pushing a magic button and your dog responds, you have to be a leader and that comes from within not just from a word or motion. if i were you i'd get a personal consultation with a local professional to learn how to be more assertive. many people on cesar's show obviously take a lot of time to adjust to being a leader. you may also need some time and personal guidance to learn how to be the leader.

Answer 9

I think Cesar is amazing and what he can do with those dogs is just incredible. I never really had much luck with my dog, probably because he felt that no matter what I did, he was still in charge around there. Very frusterating. So I wasn't sure what to make of his tactics.

But I do volunteer work at an animal shelter and it worked wonders on those dogs! I wouldn't compare myself at all to Cesar, but I think I did a pretty good job! One of the dog walkers was walking this massive Pit-Catahoula mix and for no reason he started trying to mount her and was acting really dominant towards her. I ran over and he (not to sound like I'm bragging) instantly listened to me. He was as calm as could be! As soon as I tried to leave, he did the same thing to her and I had to take him.

Then one day I was at a friend's and heard a dog yelping at their neighbor's house. Evidently, this stray dog had wandered into their yard because their female was in heat. The morons thought it would be a good idea to chase it around and eventually managed to lock it in the shed. When they went to get him out, the dog snapped at him (actually drew some blood) and took off to hide in the corner of their (fenced) yard. They were after him with a shovel! I yelled over the fence for them to stop and told them I would get him out. They told me good luck and let me go back there. The poor thing was petrified and they were just making it worse having him backed into a corner with no where to go. I made a makeshift collar/leash thing and managed to throw it over his head and he did a complete 180. He came out from under the bushes with no problem, was completely friendly towards me, and walked like a little angel on the leash.

So.... moral of the stories.... as long as you show confidence and let them know you are in charge you can do anything! And when I got my next dog, I was actually able to train him properly!

Answer 10

CONSISTENCY is the key!
It looks great on TV but it doesn't happen that fast!
You have to keep on keeping on, and don't give up!
It takes some animals longer to re-learn and correct bad behaviors. Remember he's a professional and been doing it for years. Hang in there! Good luck