Comments: The dog trainer's trainer

“This article is all about bashing Cesar and his methods. But one must realize that though Ian's methods may work, (though the article makes no mention of these methods, other than "puppy socialization")it doesn't necessariliy mean his methods are the only effective ones.

This article is filled with negative commentary from allegedly acclaimed dog experts, and side commentary about "why he's way off."

Through experience with my dog, I can disagree with much of the challenges made to Cesar's methods. I trained my dog with a choker collar before Cesar's TV debut, and now, ten years later, I can still walk him with or without his leash. And as for making the dog confront his fear, this method is also used on people, so how inhumane can it be? Cesar helps the dog be comfortable around what scares them, (sometimes a thing as necessary as being medicated) associates it with relaxation to show them there is nothing to fear. He also used this technique on one of his clients! He had a woman, who had a fear of pitbulls, walk through his pack to show her animal behavior up front.

As for rolling dogs over on their back, he reserves this behavior to what he calls "red zone cases." It is not as though he does this to all his client's dogs.

I feel that his animals look very happy and healthy; they do not cower in corners but roam around their area looking very content. Either way, he encourages owners to exercise their animals and reminds many that dogs are still animals, and we cannot always treat them as people.” — darkerphoenix, Aug 17 2008

“All these so-called dog experts condemning Cesar Millan remind me of religious leaders insisting only *they* can interpret God's words and only *their* religion is the one, true religion. And it's all a crock. Their way is no more "right" than Millan's is "wrong." So get over your bruised egos and get over your jealousy that Millan is getting the attention and praise you wish you were getting.
” — woebegoner, Aug 15 2008

“Whoa dude, deja vu...” — chasorg, Aug 13 2008

“Some of the most extreme fadists are the "clicker training" folks. For a cult-like subset of this group, Karen Pryor's book, Don't Shoot the Dog is a virtual Bible, and clicker training their sole religion.
They become Fundamentalists of 'Only Positive' training
I have no issue with debate. I have no issue with with those who choose their own assortment of philosophies from all that's out there when it comes to the ultimate goal of creating a balanced happy dog, who is a safe, stable member of society and welcomed anywhere.
Ed Frawley, Cesar Millan, Kevin Behan etc.
I have no issue with using a combination of classical conditioning, operant conditioning, or the social philosophies depending upon what you are trying to achieve with a given dog within a given moment...
” — PrometheansFire, Aug 13 2008

“The problem many APDT/Positive Only dog "trainers" seem to have, is getting stuck in operant conditioning brain-lock.

Follow that by defining one or two OC quadrants as "good", and the others "bad"...and you have wandered from the path of science an into the twilight zone of cherry picked beliefs.

I suggest understanding (at the very least), OC is coexisting with both classical conditioning and social learning, functioning in harmony with the other two.

Unless a dog lives alone inside of a box, social learning is an ever present factor.

Time to think outside the box.” — chasorg, Aug 10 2008

“Still waiting to learn more about Dr. Dunbar and less about why you dislike Cesar Millan. Do you think Dr. Dunbar would be as efective with problem dogs as Cesar is?” — doglover, Aug 09 2008

“Reading this article one can come to no other conclusion that it is a very poor one. There is mentioned a lot of non relevant information (as when he met..., when he married, when he founded...)but no relevant information about his method(s) and techniques what so ever. That leads to the article becomming an advertisement for Ian Dunbar. Its a non-article. Every reader can see through this. When Dubar was less popular than Milan before the article, after publishing he is whorse off. Its a writers beginners failior to try to put someone up by writing someone else down. Every one can see that. Even the comment of the editor of this article is a poor one! See tries to hide behind the argument that the goal was "to facilitate a spirited dialogue". Well she did, allthough it went in the opposit direction than she planned. Its obvious the editor tries to prevent more damage than allready was done, but by trying that it becomes even whorse. ” — doginterpreter, Aug 07 2008

“I suspect Ian Dunbar fans who try to make a case and hopefully find a TV channel to show to the world Ian is the best.
Bucky happy with Cesar Montreal Canada

The best way to succeed is to prove you are the best not bashing other people. And when I read the article there is no mention not a single tiny bit of the method Ian is using. Check for Cesar you will find plentifull information on the net how he train the dog.
I guess Ian want to keep it's training secret that way it's hard to bash against Ian.
” — yves112, Aug 05 2008

“I'm very disappointed in this article and in Dogtime for running it.

I thought I was going to read about Dr. Dunbar. Instead, I'm treated to pages of smear against another respected trainer.

The statement 'about the people who matter most' is ridiculous. The dogs matter most and what is best for them matters most. Until these trainers can let go of their egos and understand that in behavioral sciences nothing is black and white and never is there one treatment that fits all, it is the very dogs they claim to help that suffer the most.

I am even more disappointed that this site published such a negative article about one trainer while lauding another.

And lo and behold - the "good" trainer and his wife are part of the Dogtime family (which was not mentioned in the article of course).

This appears to be an advertorial - making any other product reviews, ideas or information very suspect.

Best of luck to you, DogTime - I do believe you will need it.” — Newfies4Me, Aug 05 2008

“Editor's note: This article sparked an amazing amount of feedback from our readers. It was our goal to facilitate a spirited dialogue, and we thank everyone who took the time to comment. It was not our intent, however, to imply that there is any sort of ill-will or lack of respect between Dunbar and Millan. In fact, the two have a very amicable, friendly relationship and we look forward to bringing you more about that in an article to be posted later this month. We at DogTime recognize there are a variety of methods for working with dogs and there is always room for discussion and new ideas. ” — Leslie Smith, Aug 05 2008

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