"Cesar's Way"

[Mirg]

Well, my "Cesar's Way" book is on its way in the mail. It will be here sometime next week. Im just wondering who read it and what they thought of it. Im a big fan of Cesar's techniques. Sometimes he does get a little too rough with some of the dogs, IMO, but i like how he uses "pack" methods and how his training is based on how dogs react to each other. I have used a lot of his techniques, and they really work! I dont use them as much on Simetra, because shes still fearful of humans a little bit, but, now, both the boys respect, but not fear, me. Sophie is kind of stuck in middle, she doesnt WANT to accept me as leader (she's been the leader for about 4 years now), but im mentally forcing her to accept me as leader. So, im excited to read Cesar's book and hopefully learn more about his methods of training.

REMEMBER: This is not on the debate forum, so please dont start any arguments. I read the thread about Cesar Millan, and i know a lot of you dont like him, but i do. So, if you read his book, just tell me what you thought of it. Thanks!

[sammy]

I'm not a fan of his methods. I have nothing against the man himself. I think he is well intentioned and has a serious love for dogs. I think he has some ideas that are solid:-- dogs need more exercise and mental stimulation, dogs need an owner to be a good leader, set boundaries , leaders should be calm and confident etc etc. His ideas of *how* to train and to be that leader are way off the mark, extremely outdated and less effective than the methods I prefer.

Anyway....onto your question

My Dad bought me the book at Costco last year figuring I'm a big dog nerd, I'd want to read it. LOL. I knew enough of Cesar that I knew his methods weren't for me, but I thought it would be good to read since we see so many dogs coming in for training whose owners have watched the show, read the book etc. I figured I should know where they are coming from, so I read it.

I was really unimpressed actually, surprisingly so especially after I had heard so many people loved the book. I had heard over and over "don't just go by what you see on tv; the book is different. Go by what he says in his book" So although I was expecting to disgaree with him on some things, I was expecting a well written book and a unique or interesting perspective. I got neither. Even if I was a proponent of the dominance theory stuff that Cesar is big on, I would still have found his book extremely if not completely laughable.

[Mirg]

Oh, well, i hope i like it. Sounds like i like Cesar's techniques more than you, so maybe i will. Thats kind of the same with me, though. I like most of his techniques, but some of them just dont make sense to me. But, ill have to wait for the book. I wouldnt be able to judge him just by watching the show, since everyone has their good days and their bad days.

[Rivsky]

I have yet to read it but I did come across his book at the library (even bigger bonus cos know I get to read it without having to buy it!!!)

I've only ever seen him on TV once and I'm really interested to read his methods so I can have a more informed opinion on his methods.

[Glitzie]

I have read it & liked it very much! I know alot of people here don't
like him, But I am a BIG Fan. I think you will enjoy it. I also have his seminar video, Training People to Train Dogs. I don't reccomend the Alpha Roll, But aalot of times I go by gut feelings working with dogs.
I found that alot of what I do & my Boss does aare the same with Ceasar. My Boss has never heard of Ceasar & goes by what she has learned with working with dogs for over 50 yrs. My boss is 84 years young.

[mrsgrubby]

I enjoyed the book too. It doesn't so much explain his methods as much as theory, his life, and some examples of dogs he has worked with.

I've actually been thinking about pulling it out again and re-reading it if I find time.

[Mirg]

Ok, thanks everybody! Im getting impatient for it to get here, now!

[mrsgrubby]

I cant wait for you to get it either. Keep posting as you read it so we can discuss the book as you go along

[Mirg]

Ok, i will!

[Mirg]

I got it!! I got it on Monday, WAY earlier than we expected, we thought we would get it on Thursday! But, i started reading it, i read the Prologue, but no farther yet, im reading an other book at the same time so im kind of slow at it. So far i find it pretty good, i cant believe he gets so much exercise, but i guess thats what he gets for taking care of so many dogs at one time. I have to admit though, i skipped ahead, just to read the Separation Anxiety section, since both my springers have it. It really helped, i dont know why i didnt think of that myself, lots of exercise, eat, then you can leave, since they will want to sleep. Im glad he talked about his 2 springers. I always see one of them on his show and im always like "Hey! Springers!!! *gasp*" Ok, no, im not that obsessed with springers. But, it was bothering me about how he never said anything about them. But, now i know about them!

Im looking forward to reading more of the book, ive read a sentence every now and then while i was looking at the pictures, and it sounds really helpful. I will post more once i get more read!

[SpringerLover]

I've only watched the show a couple of times and polietly said "I want Don't Shoot The Dog instead" when someone offered to buy it for me.

I think he's very good at telling people what common sense should. Dogs need exercise and stimulation, and if it takes him to get their dogs exercised... well, then at least the dogs are living a better life.

As you can tell, I'm no fan of his, but if he's actually helping people *shrug* I can't really say anything too bad. I just hate the terms "alpha" and the way he uses "leader" *shudder* because I do/believe much differently about dog training than he does. But, I do hope you enjoy the book!

[rmci]

I liked his book.

I think people over react when he mentions the terms alpha, dominant, discipline & submissive. People seem to take these to the extreme, which is not how he meant it.

For example; submissive, wanting to do as you say because you're the leader. Not: cowering or being fearful as most seem to take this

I think you'll like the book.

[SpringerLover]

The other thing that gets me... I'm not a dog. I'm 99% sure my dogs know I'm not a dog... *shakes head* and I never want to be a dog!

[Mirg]

Some dogs do think humans are dogs, though. I saw a little dog that accually claimed his female owner as his alpha female. He wouldnt let anyone get near her and was very over-protective. Some people would probably think thats just being protective of his owner, but i do believe in leadership with dogs.

Lol, i would love to be a dog! Well, only for a little bit, though. It would be fun to have so much energy and be so care-free.

Like Rmci said, being the leader doesnt mean making your dog scared enough to mind you. It means both of you respecting each other, but the dog understanding that he needs to be submissive to you. It really works, too! I was trying to explain this to my family last night. They always work themselves into a rage before telling Wiener no, so he attacks them because he senses it and gets scared. Last night i wanted Wiener out of the kitchen, but he was growling at me. So, like Cesar does, i just kind of puffed myself up, but stayed very calm, and Wiener left without a fight.

I dont think Cesar's techniques are for every dog, though. Like, Simetra, if i "puff up" at her, she just cowers. I dont think his techniques are good for dogs that were abused as bad as she was.

But, i still cant imagion (spelling?) not being the leader of a dog. I dont like dogs being dominant over me and it accually makes them more comfortable when they have a leader. A.j. used to be extremely hyper when he came inside, and our house is small, so that wasnt working out. Now that im the leader, hes calm and doesnt get excited as easily (unless hes outside, then he gets excited easily).

I dont want to start an argument, though. I know that some people just dont like those type of things with their dogs, and thats fine with me. I am just desperate to try to get my mom to understand that annoying Wiener one minute, then expecting him to be lovable the next minute, isnt going to work. My mom likes Cesar, too, but she doesnt seem to want to even try to be leader over Wiener. I think Wiener just sees her as the annoying, unrespectful dog of the pack, thats why he attacks her more.

I also use Cesar's "pack" tips, since we have a small yard with 3 big dogs and a stubborn Dachshund in it. So far, everything is great, if a argument starts out with the dogs, i just have to step in and they back off. Except Sophie, shes kind of the rebel of our dogs. She likes to attack A.j. and when i step in, she just darts around me to attack again, so i have to work with her a little bit. It doesnt seem to effect A.j. much when Sophie attacks him. Hes bigger than her and is VERY solid, just if you put a hand on his back, you can feel it, he feels as muscular as a Pit Bull. Hes my handsome, stong man.

Anyway, i still didnt get more of the book read. The other book im reading is distracting me. But im pretty sure im going to read more of Cesar's book tonight.

[Cassiepeia]

Some dogs do think humans are dogs, though. I saw a little dog that accually claimed his female owner as his alpha female. He wouldnt let anyone get near her and was very over-protective.

Dogs do that with toys and food as well, and I guarantee they don't think toys and food are dogs. That over-protectiveness, as I see it, has nothing to do with a dog seeing a human as another dog (which I refuse to believe they ever do) and everything to do with a dog saying "It's important to me and it's mine, so back the hell off!".

But I'm really glad you're enjoying the book.

Cass.