Comments: The dog trainer's trainer

“Millan's view of "DON'T FIGHT WITH MOTHER NATURE" is an outgrowth of his lack of education. Aside from being a naturalist fallacy - assuming nature = right/good - his view of nature is like that of a naive child, a charicature that doesn't reflect the reality. Frankly Millan's ignorance is offensive to all knowledgable trainers and it's not jealousy that drives his critics but real concern for the dogs that he ruins and for the false hope that he sells.

People are lazy and they want easy fixes that take no thought - this is the segment that finds Millan so appealing. Of course it doesn't hurt him that science education is in the toilet, so people don't know that most of his claims have no validity. It is easy to hit a dog when it's not doing something you like; it takes more effort to train one. ” — Corinthian, Feb 05 2009

“I think we need to remember that Ceasar is working with problem behaviour dogs and not puppies. It easier to use the positive reward based system on a puppy than say a shelter dog with aggession issues (like mine). You need to adjust based on what you are dealing with and what you want to achieve. With my dog, I need to use a Ceasar method, however once I get past her issues, I will use the rewards based system for training new tricks.” — kyla_la_riv, Feb 04 2009

“People prefer to follow Cesar's methods because his methods sometimes work and take less time and effort - it is so much easier to bully and force a dog than to train it properly. So many dog owners are lazy and want a quick fix, just like they do with unruly children. Why bother with proper training when you can bellow or bully them into submission? When a dog bites Cesar (which does happen) I think great - he deserves it! As all of us will never, ever have to "control" a pack of 50 dogs, this so called talent he has is totally irrelevant. I have seen him be extremely cruel to nervous, fearful dogs which is certainly NOT something to be proud of. Cesar has an ego as big as his dog pack!! His methods sometimes work, but at what cost? A fearful, mistrusting, anxious dog - not something any of us should be comfortable with.” — sonia, Jan 21 2009

“Of course "I'm a dog lover & owner" I know very well Ian's Dumbar techniques and I know that the work perfectly. Also, I'm a Cesar's Millan fan... Why? well because as "TZ" says: Have control over 50 dogs is not easy and he shows leadership over them (furthermore love). "TZ" also said that the tv show make everything seems like easy and in mater of few min all bad bx is fixed... Well, is not like that, of course on tv they don't have all the time to follow through everything. But Cesar strongly make clearly the follow quote: "DON'T FIGHT WITH MOTHER NATURE" and also he says that you must to work hard every every day to succeed without putting time. So what do I believe is that all this bad comments are because they just want more publicity and they are jealous of Cesar's success!” — Ronal, Jan 12 2009

“I live with a dog trainer and I know A LOT about both of these trainers. Here is the difference. If you have ever been in a dog daycare where 50 to 75 dogs play together all day, then Millan's methods are more appropriate. He has a pack of 50+ dogs that have to be controlled. It is my strong opinion after more than 10 years in the daycare business that it would be VERY hard to control that many dogs with a clicker and a treat. Ceasar completely understands pack behavior. I do believe that all trainers should have the talent to use all training methods as it not one size fits all EVER. I do agree that Dunbar has shown that yank and crank method should be NOT be the first choice in training. While I understand the use of an electric-collar seems horrifying to some of you, think about this. If you have a dog that it is a runner, or the neighborhood cat killer, or car tire chaser, then is getting euthanized, sued or killed by a car worth not trying it. And don't give me the "keep them on a leash" comment because s_ _t happens! My personal issue with Millan is that on his show he gives the impression that major issues can be fixed in minutes or the time span of a show. If you are a dog trainer that may be true but what happen when he leaves. My other issue with Ceasar is his lack of using more positive approach on his program. Have you seen just how uncomfortable he seems to be with style, I have. But I will always agree that you have to be the top dog in your home however you get there. The is a NEVER a place for abuse to your pet and all that does is cause fear. Dog training takes MAJOR effort on the part of the dog OWNER, the trainer shows you how to the use the tools properly. The problem is most pet owners DO NOT get that and failure follows because of it. A dog is a animal and we expect perfection from them with little or no effort on our part. That is the definition insanity in my opinion. ” — TZ, Jan 10 2009

“I rescued a 2-yr old American Bulldog mix. The next day after I brought him home the dog got excited and clamped down on my arm like it was a tug toy and would not release. The dog repeated this behavior several times causing severe bruising. I contacted a dog trainer who was a Dunbar follower and spent a lot of money trying to train the dog. The dog learned lots of commands, but still engaged in severe "play aggression" whenever he was excited. I contacted the shelter and was told they would put him down if I brought him back. I contacted the trainer in tears and he yelled at me that I must not be following his methods correctly. Then, I read Milan's books and watched every episode I could. It took dedication, time, and was not easy, but I have a different dog now. From my experience, the rewards method is great for training the dog how to do commands (and my dog knows lots of them and is very obedient), but it will not necessarily correct a severe behavior problem. While my dog is still a work in progress, we have not had a play aggression issue in 14 months. Cesar saved his life! ” — Jennifer, Jan 02 2009

“I 'd like to comment on the 72 hour dog health guarante.In fl the law states the dog will be guaranted against genitic flaws for one year most breeders give you a couple of days to have a vet look your dog over.fl reguires dogs to have currant health certifacate at time of purchase while alot of vets have seen this as a chance to gouge It does help the consumer. If seller doesn't stand be hind thier dog Don't Buy!” — cattoy69, Dec 30 2008

“I lived with a pack of dogs before I ever heard of Cesar Millan. If one is fortunate enough to have a dog who spent 49 days with its siblings and a nurturing bitch before joining your stable family, training is pretty easy no matter what approach you choose. The reality is that many dog lovers nowadays would never dream of getting a dog from a breeder. The consequence of that is, however, the high likelihood that you will be dealing with some behavioral issues. Cesar is not dealing, generally, with well-adjusted dogs. What I admire most about him is his creativity. His "rules" are too often ignored, particularly in the amount of exercise many dog owners believe is enough. I run my dogs off-leash for at least 6 hours/week, year-round (in any weather except temps above 85 or more than -15 below zero) and I consider that barely adequate. Discipline is as simple as making the dogs follow you to where they are supposed to eat and insisting that they take turns. But the most egregious error most dog-training approaches make is assuming a one-size-fits-all philosophy. All dogs, like all people, have species specific traits and behavior, but the variation is remarkable. Again, I believe that where Mr. Millan shines: he meets the dog where he is at, and always asks the owners what their goals are. You can't train a dog to do anything that is not important enough to you to be communicated to the dog with almost insane consistency (in fact, I use inconsistency deliberately, like the order in which they get their treats, to communicate pack leadership.)” — viking55803, Dec 29 2008

“If this is the quality of artcles you have to offer then I'm off to hit the un-subscribe button Dogtime!

Talk about cashing in on someone elses sucess! I just googled 'Cesar Millan' and this article about Ian Dunbar was on the very first page! Cheeky bugars!
Is Dr Dunbar aware his name is being used in this context. You say that Mr Millan 'was contacted but declined an interview'. I'm more interested in hearing from Dr Dunbar accually, seeing it's his name that is connected with this public crtisism of a fellow canine proffessional! .

I have a libary of dog training and behavioural books covering aprox 17 different professionals including both Millan and Dunbar. No good dogman or dogwoman should subscribe to any ONE, but instead borrow from all. If Dr Dubar believes he has reached such a pinacle of wisdom that no longer can find value or inspiration in the work of his collegues then I think he should hang up his treat bag and clicker and go have a nice lie down!” — kirstie_fuller, Dec 06 2008

“Anyone who has not heard of Ian Dunbar, does not know the slightest bit about training. Cesar may catch your eye with his no-nonsense approach, but attempting these methods at home just does not work for the average owner. In fact, attempting "Cesar's Way" can be dangerous for both you and your dog, ending in heartache. There are much more fulfilling ways to get the job done, and Ian Dunbar has this recipe.” — Thomas Rivers, Nov 30 2008

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