The Dog Trainer's Trainer

While Cesar Millan is dazzling TV audiences, Ian Dunbar has been quietly gaining the respect of the people who really count -- other dog experts

Kelly and Ian Dunbar with Casey,
one of DogTime's office dogs.

Chances are you've heard of Cesar Millan, Hollywood's famous dog whisperer. Chances are you haven't heard of Ian Dunbar, soft-spoken Northern California behaviorist. That, however, is about to change. And when it does, dogs and dog owners everywhere will be having a ball.

In recent years, Cesar Millan has taken the world by a storm, starring in National Geographic Channel's Dog Whisperer, pumping out books and DVDs, appearing on talk shows, even offering to buy fans their very own doggie treadmills. Millan's philosophy? We, as humans, must act as dominant pack leaders; our dogs must behave as submissive followers.

Good TV, but who's watching the dogs?

Millan's charismatic persona and bold approach to dog training have taken firm hold on the country's collective scruff of the neck. For one, the idea of the faithful dog walking dutifully behind his commanding master taps into our very image of a strong America. The second, and probably more telling explanation for his success: Millan's I'm-the-boss method makes for pretty dramatic television.

But even without a hit show, flashy website, and his own monthly wall calendar, Ian Dunbar has been winning over dogs, dog owners, and dog trainers for years. Talk with the most respected names in the dog training world and you discover Dunbar's impact is unparalleled.

"His contribution to this field is immeasurable," says Patricia McConnell, author of The Other End of the Leash, co-host of NPR's Calling All Pets, and founder of Dog's Best Friend Training. "Ian Dunbar created an entirely new perspective about dog training. He deserves tremendous credit for teaching us to be loving with our dogs and to have fun with the training."

Let's not get physical

Dunbar's hands-off, reward-based approach stands in stark contrast to Millan's figurative chest-thumping and physical corrections. Perhaps not the stuff of Hollywood television, but watching Dunbar quietly train--without so much as wagging a finger--is riveting to anyone who has ever tried to teach their dog anything.

Rather than leash pops, alpha rollovers, and finger jabs, Dunbar advocates a trusting and respectful relationship, treating dogs as companions and family members as opposed to a lesser species requiring physical dominance.

"Ian carried the torch for lure-and-reward training," says Sue Sternberg, founder and owner of Rondout Valley Animals for Adoption in upstate New York and author of Great Dog Adoptions: A Guide for Shelters and Successful Dog Adoptions. "He converted an entire generation of yank 'em, crank 'em dog trainers into better communicators."

Doctor, teacher, trainer

Raised on a farm in England, Dunbar's connection with animals formed early and undeniably. After attending the Royal Veterinary School in London, he earned his Ph.D. in animal behavior at the University of California, Berkeley, merging--what at the time were--two very discrete aspects of animal study: medicine and behavior.

For him the pairing was natural--and long overdue. "People don't bite their hairdressers or the ob-gyns," says Dunbar. "But biting's an issue for vets, so it's in our best interest to know a bit about behavior."

He moved to Berkeley in 1971 and later taught a dog behavior course, which was the first time he realized how hungry dog owners were to understand their own pets. Discouraged that he couldn't find a training course for his own young puppy, he started a school, Sirius Dog Training in 1981. (With 19 locations, it's become one of the country's biggest training centers.) Dog training was changed forever.

Ground-breaking approach

He didn't know it at the time, but Dunbar introduced a concept so revolutionary he's credited with launching what is now commonly regarded as the modern era in dog training: Train puppies before six months of age--off leash (the way they live at home)--and use rewards rather than punishment to teach proper behavior.

Today, the notion that very young puppies can not only be trained, socialized, and handled, but that doing so actually prevents most problem behaviors from developing, is a founding truth of modern dog training.

"Ian Dunbar understood that problems up front lead to problems down the road and he pounded the podium talking about early socialization and enrichment," days Nicholas Dodman, author of The Well-Adjusted Dog: Dr. Dodman's Seven Steps to Lifelong Health and Happiness for Your Best Friend (Houghton [Continued]

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The trouble with Cesar

While television star Cesar Millan (who turned down our request for an interview) is credited with placing dog training on the public radar, the field's most respected behaviorists and trainers are concerned that many of Millan's ideas are unfounded. As for his methods? A few are downright harmful.

Putting your dog in his place

Cesar's way: Dogs assume either a dominant or submissive role in their "pack." If he doesn't get off the couch when you ask him to, it's your dog's way of telling you that he's dominant and you're submissive.

Why he's way off: The notion of a rigid pack hierarchy with fixed roles between humans and dogs is largely a myth. Dogs are most likely to do what we humans ask when they clearly understand what we want - not as a sign of submission. Patricia McConnell explains: "So many issues - sitting on the couch, coming when called - have nothing to do with social status, any more than how you do on a math exam reflects your social status. A dog who doesn't sit when you ask him to sit - in most cases - simply doesn't understand what you want."

The truth: In groups of canines, roles among individual members are both fluid and give-and-take.

Treating fear with fear

Cesar's way: You can "cure" a dog's fear by overwhelming him with the very stimulus that terrifies him.

Why he's way off: Imagine treating a human's acrophobia by dangling him over the edge of a skyscraper. This technique, called "flooding," actually leads to further psychological trauma in the form of learned helplessness: An animal learns that resistance is futile - his spirit is broken and he ceases to assert himself.

Trish King, Director of the Animal Behavior & Training Department at the Marin Humane Society observes: "In some of his shows, Cesar tells the owner how 'calm and submissive' a dog is, when to me, the dog looks shut down and fearful."

The truth: It may take weeks or months for your dog to truly overcome deep-rooted fear - and setbacks along the way are to be expected.

Snapping the leash or rolling the dog

Cesar's way: Physical corrections - such as snapping a dog's leash or forcefully rolling him onto his back - are an effective way to garner good behavior.

Why he's way off: Physical corrections add to your dog's stress rather than offer instructive information. You may temporarily stun your dog into obedience in the short run, but in the long run, the use of physical force increases aggression and, ultimately, your behavioral problems.

"You can lead with force, like Saddam Hussein, or you can be a benevolent leader to your dog by choosing a style more like Gandhi's," says Tamar Geller, trainer to Oprah Winfrey's dogs and author of The Loved Dog. "Your approach will determine the type of relationship you have - and whether your dog acts out of intimidation... or respect."

The truth: Rewarding for the behavior you do want, as opposed to punishing for any number of behaviors you don't want, clearly communicates to your dog what's expected and is far more likely to generate confident, appropriate behavior.

Comments

“i think it's great when the first line i read states that customers don't count. dog owners who are the reason for people such as dunbar and millan alike to have the career they do just absolutely do not count. just dog experts. i take nothing away from dunbar but respect. and would know more about his work if he didn't spend the whole time bashing someone who's work is for everyone to see unlike himself. if this was written or personally approved by mr. dunbar himself he is a sad sad man. moving on. i have a husky and a pittbull that take turns dragging each other across the floor(with teeth of course)all in play. would it be ok for one child to do this to another? when they start really enjoying themselves teeth are clashing, and they're biting each other. this is playtime for them. humans not so much. it would be a nightmare for parents to see children doing this. my point being, what would be a headline in the paper and many years of theropy for a child can be pure delight for a dog. dogs are not humans. as a trainer i think it is important to learn the basics of dog language and relate to them in a way they can naturally understand. having said that, i still find that positive reinforcement can be very usefull. ” — tosmooth81, May 13 2008

“I am brought almost to tears reading the support here for Cesar Milan. He is the worst thing to happen to dog training in the past 50 years and the opinions posted here reflect the power of television and the lemmings who believe what they see on a 30 minute edited TV SHOW. This is footage of a man threatening dogs into doing what he wants long enough to get the required shots that "demonstrate" his point. Guess what? TRAINED dogs do not need the fear of losing access to oxygen in order to listen to what their handlers request. I have bad news for you Milan supporters ER and Law and Order are fake too. Wake up. ” — sharkey18, May 13 2008

“I am brought almost to tears reading the support here for Cesar Milan. He is the worst thing to happen to dog training in the past 50 years and the opinions posted here reflect the power of television and the lemmings who believe what they see on a 30 minute edited TV SHOW. This is footage of a man threatening dogs into doing what he wants long enough to get the required sshots that "demonstrate" his point. Guess what? TRAINED dogs do not need the fear of losing access to oxygen in order to listen to what their handlers request. I have bad news for you Milan supporters ER and Law and Order are fake too. Wake up. ” — sharkey18, May 13 2008

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