Cesar's Way- the book

[mrsgrubby]

Before GP went down someone had started a thread about Cesar Millan's book, Cesar's Way.

I just bought it and am reading it, and loving it so far.

Has anyone read it yet? What do you think?

I am pretty sure it was Raised by Wolves that had started the original thread, so I am guessing she has finished it by now.

[Raised By Wolves]

Yes. It's excellent!

As soon as I get my settings fixed, from the crash we had where we lost two months worth of posts...grumble, grumble...I will be able to post without losing it all.

Haven't got things fixed, yet.

[c0_re]

I was wondering where that thread went.

yup I think it's great very entertaining, almost 1\2 way through not a difficult book to read at all but it's good enough to read it again have been to busy lately.

[mrsgrubby]

I'm about 1/3 through and I really have enjoyed it. Made me think over and over about the "kind of energy" I am projecting to the dogs, and about being a better pack, especially now we have added Violet to our family.

Also made me think about all the posts we see on here about what people want from their dogs, but how little some of them are willing to give.

So many dogs have inadequate training, exercise, and stimulation. Dogs are so much a "thing to have because I deserve it, or I want it" But people don't "step up to the plate" responsibility wise.

It's actually really sad.

[Raised By Wolves]

Very true MG.

I'm off to work, but would love to discuss Cesar's book with anyone who has read it.

I'll check back later.

[britishbandit]

I'm actually on my way out to pick up "Cesar's Way".
I figure with my upcoming surgery and having some time off, it's the perfect time to sit back and relax reading a good book.

[Raised By Wolves]

Three weeks on the New York Times best seller list. But, I'm not surprised. A book like this, was long overdue.

Every dog I've ever observed, trained, interacted with, or rehabilitated has taught me Cesar's philosophies are right on the mark.

Looks like he has another appearance scheduled on Oprah, which will air this month. He is also going to be "roasted" on Southpark tonight. Should be pretty good!

I like how he stresses fulfilling the needs of the dog first, instead of doing only what "feels" best to us, even if it's at the dog's expense.

This is the bottom line for me. It "feels" good to give our dogs goodies. It "feels" good to see our dogs all riled up and excited, which we often mistake for "happy". It "feels" good to think of our dogs as equal partners, rather than provide leadership. People "like" us when we act all gushy with the "happy voice", when we first meet their dog.

But, this is not the best thing for the dog, IMO.

[mrsgrubby]

Do training is by no means easy, and dog psych. doesn't come natural for me at all.

RBW you are right, we try to do what "feels right" to us. I spend hundreds of dollars on my dogs each month for food, toys, treats, chews. I am sure there are happier dogs in this world who's owners only spend the bare minimum on their dogs.

The whole greeting issue boggles my mind. Per the book it says you should ignore the dog, no look, no touch, no talk. Let it come up to you and smell. My limited experience says that a strange dog in class or the petstore will care to meet you if you are ignoring them, they ignore you too, or a quick sniff and walk away.

Last night in puppy K we played a game called "pass the puppy". We all sat in a circle and passed our dogs around the circle, so each person held each dog for 2 minutes. Some of the dogs were really nervous, I kept trying to think of the best way to handle all of these strange dogs. I avoided looking them in the eye, I didn't hover/lean over them, but I did talk to them and slowly stroke their chests.

The only dog who seemed to love the game was my little Violet.LOL ..What a social butterfly.

[britishbandit]

I just started the book last night. And it has already *pulled me in*...LOL. I havn't really got much into the actual theory part behind his way, but you I can tell already he knows what he's talking about, and has a true passion for dogs. My favourite line so far, "I rehabilitate dogs, I train people". What a great phrase. I love it.
I also like how he made the comparisson of "if he were a tree". "If I were a tree, all the wonderful people in my life would be the ones who influenced my growth, but dogs would still be my roots. They keep me grounded."
I can't wait to read more. And I would ablolutely LOVE to go to one of his seminars. He doesn't have any scheduled to Canada, but there is one coming fairly close to Columbus, Ohio.
Maybe I'll be more usefull in the discussion as I progress through the book...HAHA.

[Mom2Many]

Read the whole book the first day I got it....I really enjoyed it. Cannot wait to discuss it with you guys when you are done. On a side note the next day I read "The Other End of the Leash" putting the two together looks like a perfect balance of training to me!

[Raised By Wolves]

Originally Posted by mrsgrubby

Dog training is by no means easy, and dog psych. doesn't come natural for me at all.

Actually, I've found a background in "training" methods can actually be a stumbling block to understanding what Cesar is doing. I view training as very two dimentional. Much of the basic concept of training is centered around "conditioning" a dog to "do" something. It's all plus and minus, reward and punishment, using "drives" to shape behaviors, with a little bit of NILIF thrown in to "simulate" leadership.

I view "intimidating through punishment", as "simulated leadership", too. All it says to a dog, is unstable leader or "alpha wanna be", IMO

What I see Cesar doing is "communicating" who he is, and what he wants as the Pack Leader, without "manipulating" the dog, to get what he wants. There is never any doubt as to who the leader is, and no insecurity on the dog's part regarding their place within their group. This nips a lot of potential behavior problems in the bud, right there.

Originally Posted by mrsgrubby

RBW you are right, we try to do what "feels right" to us. I spend hundreds of dollars on my dogs each month for food, toys, treats, chews. I am sure there are happier dogs in this world who's owners only spend the bare minimum on their dogs.

I like how he mentions the dogs of homeless people, are some of the most "well adjusted" dogs. Those dogs don't sleep in cushy warm beds, get pampered at salons, or constantly fed cookies and treats.

What I found interesting, is he also mentions not seeing the dogs he grew up with, experiencing nightmares when they slept, like the dogs in the US do.

Originally Posted by mrsgrubby

The whole greeting issue boggles my mind. Per the book it says you should ignore the dog, no look, no touch, no talk. Let it come up to you and smell.

IMO, this has to do with how quickly a dog can see us as a leader or a follower, if we mess it up. Cesar says it only takes about ten seconds for a dog to decide our status. I agree with him on this.

It also helps put a dog at ease if they are of a more insecure and/or fearful nature, if we just act calm, leave them alone, and let them sniff us. This puts less pressure on the dog.

Once again, this comes under the heading of doing what's in the best interest of the dog, as they "read" the situation. I always tell people before I work with their dog, that I'm not trying to be "mean" or hurt the dog's "feelings", but I don't initially interact with the dog at all, unless they are acting pushy and dominant, or aggressive.

If I walk in, walk up to the dog, squat down, and initiate a greeting with the "happy voice", the owner will think I'm a wonderful dog-loving person. But what I did, was not at all in the dog's best interest, and it clearly puts me in the follower position.

Originally Posted by mrsgrubby

Last night in puppy K we played a game called "pass the puppy". We all sat in a circle and passed our dogs around the circle, so each person held each dog for 2 minutes. Some of the dogs were really nervous, I kept trying to think of the best way to handle all of these strange dogs. I avoided looking them in the eye, I didn't hover/lean over them, but I did talk to them and slowly stroke their chests.

"Pass the Puppy?!"

[mrsgrubby]

Ok RBW.....LOL....am I understanding that you dont' agree with the "pass the puppy game?"

Several trainers do this in our area. They say dogs should be comfortable being handeled by all sorts of people, vets, groomers, dog walkers, ect, and it is important while your puppy is young that it get used to being handeled and touched.

Like I said, Violet loved the game, she is so used to people that she thought it was great!!! But there were many less enthused puppies there and our trainer gave the owners the "riot" act and said they'd better get these puppies socialized before the "window" closes or they are going to be sorry!

[Raised By Wolves]

Originally Posted by mrsgrubby

Ok RBW.....LOL....am I understanding that you dont' agree with the "pass the puppy game?"...

...But there were many less enthused puppies there and our trainer gave the owners the "riot" act

LOL! Since we are discussing Cesar's book and principles, I guess it all depends on how the owners were acting towards the "uncomfortable" pups.

If they were sitting calmly, with the pups in their laps, holding them firmly but gently, having conversations with the other owners, that's one thing.

If the owners were not comfortable, acting nervous, comforting the pups in high pitched voices, while patting and petting the puppies...that's a whole different situation.

Do you understand what I'm getting at?

[mrsgrubby]

Originally Posted by Raised By Wolves

LOL! Since we are discussing Cesar's book and principles, I guess it all depends on how the owners were acting towards the "uncomfortable" pups.

If they were sitting calmly, with the pups in their laps, holding them firmly but gently, having conversations with the other owners, that's one thing.

If the owners were not comfortable, acting nervous, comforting the pups in high pitched voices, while patting and petting the puppies...that's a whole different situation.

Do you understand what I'm getting at?

I totally understand what you are saying, and to answer this, I think Sam did the right thing.

We all sat in a circle and all the puppies were passed to the left at the same time, so each person had a strange puppy all the time, then they were passed left again and again. So each owner was so busy with the strange puppy on it's lap that they couldn't pay any attention to their own dog.

I do have a question about Ceasar's tequniques. I saw an episode the other night where Ceasar was in a prison and the women prisoners were rehabilitating dogs. One dog was afraid to get her nails cut and in the process of laying her down, ceasar got bit 3 times. Then he held her down by the neck, admiting he was putting pressure on her neck pretty hard with 1 finger, while the prisoner cut her nails.

When i got Violet she was afraid of getting her nails cut, but within a few weeks using chicken and cheese I can cut her nails with no problem now. NO problem at all. do you think Ceasar really solved the problem with this dog by holding it down while the girl cut her nails?

I too found the book interesting where he talked about the well adjusted dogs belonging to homeless people. I sure hope my dogs are happy.

Well...off to read more..LOL

[Ritz459]

I saw Ceaser's book in the book store today and I almost bought it, but I only had ten bucks and I didn't know how expensive it was and we had to leave. But I think I'm going to have to buy it now! I'm hopefully going to take a trip into Barnes and Nobles really soon to buy a new series I'm interested in (by: Laurell K. Hamilton - Anita Blake Vampire Hunter Series. It sounds really neat and I like her style of writing! My parents may not like her so much though....lol ) and I'll have to see if I can find his book again too and check it out. With school almost out I'm going to need a LOT of new reading material. But I g2g now, LOST is almost on!!!! *runs to the T.V.*