Yay!!!
I missed the first appearance, so I will definitely watch this one.

Hey everyone,

I can't wait to watch Oprah. My mom will love it too. She LOVES Oprah and Cesar. It'll be great!

I was very close to adopting a dog today at the Humane Society, but it didn't feel like the right dog. I loved the dog, but I have to be realistic. The dog(Mr. Peanut) was a spaniel/chi mix and 16 months old. He was pretty small, w/reddish hair. The dog really looks like a long-haired chi. A very sweet dog, but he didn't feel right for me. And my downsyndrome sister wasn't really paying attension to him so that was kind of a sign to me. Also my dad doesn't want a chi. I still have until 10am tomarrow to decide before they put him up for adoption again.

My friend was talking to me about pit bulls and boxers. She said that they can randomly have "flash backs" and can go balistic if they've had a bad experience. I wouldn't think so because of Cesar saying "dogs live in the moment". Anybody want to comment on this? I believe when people see dogs being randomly aggressive it looks like a flash back, but I think that the dog is pack leader and you did something they did not like so they try to put you back in line.

Well everyone wish me luck and give me LOTS of advice on new dogs because this will be my very first! :D

~Chantel

I am a big fan of Cesar and am very excited to see him back on Oprah! I was wondering if anyone has any advice for me.
I am an owner of a 2yr old scottish terrier an love him very much. I know the breed can be strong and stubborn, I have had 2 scotties while growing up so I felt very comfortable getting another(the others have past away over the years). Bogart,our new scottie, by far is the hardest to train! He is very sweet but VERY strong willed. He barks at everything and will not come inside when called. He does go potty outside when he feels like it but has no problem going "potty" in the house also. We have a fenced in yard but has figured out how to open the gate to go for a run{Im not kidding}.So we now have a "lock" on our gates lock to keep from getting out.
I take him for daily walks and have even icreased the walk time after watching Cesars show. While walking him he has broken out(not slipped out) of many collars just to get to another dog. We then got a collar with a regular buckle to keep closed, that has helped a bit.
We had our dog in for traing 2 times and they havent been able to help. I DO NOT belive in shock collars or striking an animal(which has been Suggested). I love him so much and will not give up on him but I really could use some help. Does anyone have any animal friendly advice?

Sincerly
~Bogarts Mom

Hi Bogart's Mom, Have you looked at the list of episodes from Ceason one or two? Infact, I just bought Season One from Amazon at a great price (available there at a discount in 4 days (who's counting - g) or right now at Cesars website link found on this NG DW home page for full price. That really is the best way if you havent already complied the episodes on VHS or DVD (I am going to be sooo glad to free up some space on the DVD because season two - a full hour will be resuming shortly !

Any way - two things which will help! On numerous episodes he addresses the barking issue but the most important common denomenator is you need to be both lightning fast and CONSISTENT with what ever response you use!

I was just discussing this insight on our email list, because I had rescued a "redzone" (high risk/agressive) rottie chow called Thunder, and lived with him from his birth (to his death 11 years later) and had not discovered Cesar until he was ten in Season 1. I had done many things right as a packleader, before understanding what Cesars way, but also many things wrong-like feeling sorry for him because of his cancer, telling my self stories about his behavior, which were excuses for him to continue with pieces of bad/inappropiate behavior.

Two months after watching Cesar's shows, one of my clients, a City maintenance shop, had a chow trapped in thier yard that was menacing 75 men to the point that they called Humane society to come and put him down! WE were told to not go out without escort for safety. I went out to see if I could do something because they said it was a pregnant female chow - so I knew I had to try because she would be put down (it was a male - snicker). What I saw -was a dog terrified out of his mind who was responding agressively to anyone who tried to get close to him.

So I followed Cesar's directions to the letter (and this was me going against the advice to not try this without a professional because there was none)! IT WORKED (snf yook me about three hours in 105 degree sun! BUT when I got him home - it was so all or nothing that I had to every single moment follow Cesars instructions to the letter!

My God! The difference between him and Thunder is so night and day! Thunder didnt live long enough for me to make all the changes for the mistakes I made. But now 18 months later with SignalBear he is the perfect loveable well behaved dog!!!

I have been around dogs all my life including show dogs growing up, then doing rescues in the last 25 years - what a difference - all the difference Cesar's way has made for these animals - mine and others!!!!

So for the barking - I used the "bite hand" (does "bite" and Not hurt a bit, only redircts their attention to me) combined with the sound (shhh). Last night I was on the phone with a friend whos new puppy was barking so I talked her through doing this - and the moment she did he stopped and laid down and looked at her - instantly - rof!!!

I too had to put a lock on the Gate cause Thunderboy learned how to flip it up, he taught Signal! So what really helped me was Cesar's approach on " claiming the space" and the best episode on the planet that taught this for me was Season Two's Hoss and Gretta - so watch for that one to rerun and tape it!!!!

Two days ago, my SO had left the kitchen trash outside so I went to get it - the door did NOT latch behind me, infact was wide open and I didnt catch it, It had to be open for at least 30 seconds before I turned around and saw it - figuring Signal had got out and run!

I took the trash back inside before going to look for him down the block and could NOT believe my eyes as signal was laying on the OPPOSITE side of the kitchen, calmly watching everything I was doing with NO intent of even wanting to go out the open door!!!!! Incredible!

Now one last word, I have been working with Cesars way with Signal every moment I'm with him for the last 18 months so this has been a process - but for the last three months I have been testing Signal who, in the beginning, would push by us to run out the door (knocking me over in the process). So I would leave the door open - while taking trash out or loading/unloading car but keep an eye on him incase he tried to run out which occurred with less and less frequncy to the most recent experience where I didnt even realize it was open! But with Foxie and Thunder - I got so I could even be in the bedroom with the front door open, and they would not go out even for people or birds! So Signal is moving toward that goal - all thanks to Cesar's Way! Hope this helps (keep working on that pottie training - g).

Woohoo!!!! Can't wait 'til Monday, esp since I missed it the 1st time Cesar was on Oprah.

Chantel,

One of our dogs is a pit mix that was rescued 3 times that I know of (long story, but this pup had an embedded collar that had to be surgically removed, chained in a back yard and fed when someone remembered to, and who knows what else she endured). She is the sweetest, most affecionate out of our "pack" of 4. When the others are happily playing with each other, she wants to be with "her people". We've had her for almost a year, and have seen no sign of flashbacks or anything similar. Good luck in searching for the right one !!!! You'll know when you find your perfect match. Sounds like you've already done your homework.

JUST RECEIVED MY SHIPMENT OF "SEASON ONE" - CAN'T WAIT TO GET IT HOME TO WATCH. NEXT PURCHASE IS CESAR'S BOOK.

I don't think I have ever been so excited about "learning something". I guess it's the fact that not only will I learn, but I will be changing the life of another being.
That's quite amazing to me.

I really enjoy reading everyone's success stories. It gives me hope.

WAHOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!

Hey Everyone. First of all I just wanna say, CESAR IS MY HERO, haha. His series and his book have helped my pack of dogs tremendously. However, we still have a few issues. I have a 14 year old German Shepherd/Lab, he's wonderful. I have a 7 month old Black Lab. She came from a home with a huge property where she roamed free all day. Now she lives with us, and because we don't have a fenced yard, and live on a busy road, she stays in a kennel. When she comes out, she's CRAZY. She jumps all over everyone, me especially. She's heavy so I'm concerned she'll hurt someone. I know that Cesar would tell us that she needs excercise. But we do walk our dogs EVERYDAY. Sometimes twice a day, even when it rains. After learning from Cesar, our dogs walk great, the correct way. I also have two 6 month old Chihuahua/Terriers. The little boy is totally submissive. His sister runs the show. The boy will play great with any dog. His sister won't interact with anyone but him. If I pet another dog, she'll growl at them. They don't like to be seperated, they will cry and cry and cry. They can't stay in the house, because the little boy is oblivious to the WEE-WEE pad. So they stay on our deck. It gets cold so I would like for them to have a house or bed or blanket or SOMETHING to keep them warm. But they have eaten every bed and blanket. They had a little house, but they thought it was their bathroom, so I took it away. If anyone has any advice our suggestions for me I would be VERY THANKFUL! Thank you!

Hey all,

I keep reading and hearing about how Cesar is some kind of barbaric, primitive dog trainer that uses outdated techniques out of vogue with the modern animal behavior establishment. Also that his techniques can get many a dog owner injured (such as when you try to break up a fight and pin the aggressor dog. A couple of thoughts come to mind:

1. I have never seen, in any DW episode, any kind of behavior modification technique that I viewed as "cruel" and I am a big softy when it comes to dogs. Sometimes he is very firm but always with the rehabilitation of the animal in mind.

2. There is a disclaimer at the start of every show and segment warning to viewer to consult a professional rather than trying to simply copy what Cesar does yourself.

That stated, I have been very successful in practicing his techniques. I need to get his DVD on people training. But I also use a lot of common sense. There are things that Cesar can do that I am not able to do. Recognizing this, I do what I feel comfortable doing with and for my dogs and they are all getting along quite well. Cesar's way is natural and based on practical experience. Should Cesar go to Tufts University for a more formal experience in theory? I don't think so. I would like to see him address and defend himself on some of these issues on Oprah.

I just love reading all the stories. I have some great ones too. today i was out with my dogs for 3 hrs. i got to tell a person how to put the collar all the way up behind the ears. I wish i could come to your weekend Cesar-a-thon. My wish is that i find someone who cares about their dogs as much as i do and we can start walking together. there are many people who walk their dogs around here, so far i've not been able to get to know them better. one lady walk her big rottie that she said she found in the road a yr ago, i don't know if it was hit or not, but that dog is way out in front & pulls her the whole way, i hope to talk to her next time...i'll let you all know.

Okay OP. I was hoping for some positive advice, but thank you for comments. Yes, one is in a kennel, but only because I DON'T WANT HER TO GET HIT BY A CAR. I do have to go to work during the day. She can't just be loose in the yard or in my house with no supervision. She has broken throgh cable ties. My dogs do get excercise EVERYDAY. They DO have RULES, BOUNDARIES & LIMITATIONS. I don't see how her living in a kennel does not provide that. I don't know what kind of kennel you are envisioning. It's not like a dog crate that you put on a plane. It's a fenced enclosure, which is similar to being in a fenced yard, just smaller. And about the puppies not being in the house. Not ALL dogs need to live indoors. I have TRIED endlessly to housetrain the male but he's just taking longer than the female to learn. We do have a covered deck. They have a boarded area where they live. It's NOT against the law, because they have shelter from sun and rain, which is what the Humane Society required when they came over to ensure we had a PROPER ENVIRONMENT. I just would like for them to have a BED. That's all.

I love all the stories too.

bootsmut,

I have seen a rod like device that you attach to the bike. It keeps the dog at a safe distance from the bike.
However I bike with two of my dogs. I use my daughter's bike, which is smaller, and I hold the leash in my hand. We have been doing it for a few weeks now with my husky mix, she does great, paying full attention to me. She never pulls, just trotts hapily next to me.
Yesterday I was too tired to walk at night, so I decided to try biking with my pit bull mix. She always is playful, likes to smell everything and stops for all the dogs and people. I thought it would be a challenge, but she did beautifuly too. No pulling, she stopped only once and then followed me all the way home. I think when I am on the bike, they know they have to pay 100% attention to me, and it's not like a pleasant walk, it's excercise. I need to try my chow mix next, but this one I know is not going to be easy, as she still thinks she is the dominant one. And she walks wherever she wants, and if she doesn't want to go, the only way for me to make her move is to unclip the leash and leave. She will follow me off the leash, but on the leash it's often her way. I don't know why she is that way.

OP,

I do understand what you're saying, and appreciate your concern. I live in Hawaii, so it's not like the mainland where it gets below zero and they would freeze. I do interact with them as much as possible. When I'm home, I'm with them until bedtime. I love them very much and would not have them living outdoors if it was a health hazard.

Daisy's mom,

Does the Humane Society make routine visits to everybody that has animals in Hawaii?

There's a disconnect here somewhere. First you said they get cold at night, which I'm sure they do, but now it's okay because you live in a warm climate. What about when it gets too warm?

Thank you for your patience with me, because I'm trying to understand the enviorment of these dogs. If you're with them til bedtime, which is great, are you then spending all your free time on the deck, then what about the puppy in the kennel, does the puppy join you on the deck?

I just don't know how you're going to have balanced pack if there is so much seperation of one another.

I hope you will re-consider finding at least the male chi/terrier mix another home, one where he can be indoors with his family and the female can move in with you and your family.

Because quite frankly, it's really not much of a life if you're liviing on the deck for the majority of your life or a kennel, presumably alone.
I've never understood the point of getting a pet, especially a dog, if you're not going to allow the dog/s to be a part of the home enviorment and live with it's pack. Please try and remember dogs are social/pack animals.

Well the one I found was called the Springer Bicycle Jogger with safety release (no commercial interest) and you could do a search engine for one close to you. Because of the postion of the lower center of gravity, it IS safer but more important to me, it holds the dog in the position Cesar recommends by the side of the body.

Amazingly enough I was caring for a firends dog, I forgt the kind but it was like a min. poodle; He had all this energy, but he was able to run with the bike as easily as the chow Signal, infact they would run together side by side. So the only difference is that he (Happydog) didnt pull the bike - I would take Signal to pull the bike for about 15 min then hook up Happy and they woudl run together!!!

Did you see that? Cesar was just sitting on the couch watching TV with one of his dogs 50 percent in his lap on the COUCH!!! rof how COOL!

I found when one holds the leash in the hand, that the dog is infront (Maybe exercise but no disapline or no creating the pack walking together which may not be a priority for you). Steve has been pulled over many times when hold the leash in his hands while biking the few times I was sick or unable to take Signal out.

Steve, my SO, really doesnt want to be "pack leader" when he comes home, Cesar comments that this happens in many homes. That to him, one needs to be leader 24/7 around dogs. this doesnt mean that Signal doesnt sleep in bed, or cuddle with mom (me but I call him and tell him where and how to be and he does it! The only rule that I insisted that Steve follow was the no jumping zero tolerance rule because in an aging society and for young kids, it is too easy to knock them down.

Wow the Story about Cosmo learning to have the Baby as pack leader was brilliant! I was thinking how great it have been to use the same approach to condition the dogs to behave the same around my elderly father when he was so frail and in the last stages of cancer! A mentally or phsically cahllenged child could benefit from the family teach teaching their dog to respond the same way Cosmo did!!!

k2,

I had to smile imagining you standin there with two empty collars. That happens to me occasionally too. Specially with my pit bull mix, who has a thick neck, so the collar slips easily.

CJ,

When I ride the bike with my dogs holding the leash in my hand, they are slightly behind me, never in front of me. Sometimes to the point that I can't see them anymore, and I have to slow down (I never ride fast, just so they can jog easily). But yes, I would not take two dogs together, that would be too much for me (maybe in a long time, when we are 100% bike trained). My husband actually wants to buy the device for biking with dogs.

Hi again, everyone!

I just wanted to give a quick reminder that (forgive the caps) NATIONAL DOG BITE PREVENTION WEEK is May 21 - 27! Spread the word and try to get local news agencies (ie- television and paper) to run stories on the safe way to approach dogs and ask their childrens' schools to send home a dog safety fact sheet with their students.

If... (poke poke hint hint hope hope) Cesar just happens to look at this... maybe (crosses fingers) he might remind people about this when he is on Oprah? (hopes that was calm-assertive enough but is willing to beg if the word gets out and one child is saved from a bite)

Good Morning All!
Roman is getting on my last NERVEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!arg!
I CANNOT get him to do 2 things:

1.) Leave me alone on the couch
2.) STOP being a spaz when people come over

I have been getting so frustrated and last night I swear I wanted to punch him right in the head!lol The couch thing is beyond rediculous....when I "do" let him up on it with me I finally have to just drag him off of it, then it's a fight (he wants to come back up there with me) because he is a giant BULL in a china closet (14 month old, 100lb. Rotty) and just turns into a wiggle worm and wants to play instead of just hang out and be petted, and having a Rott who is 100+ lbs, playing or trying to play with you on the couch is NOT fun. He has started mouthing me and paws me, and just wants to play....but I always seem to come away injured!hahahaaaaaa
I think it's time to call my trainer's and have them come out to do some training. I LOVE my trainers, but they don't agree with Cesar's way 100%, so sometimes it's hard, but I figured since I paid what I paid, I might as well get my money's worth!lol

I wonder if getting another dog (female) help his rowdy, playful all the time, want to rough-house, and him having a friend, be a good thing?????? What do you all think? If I got another Rott with lower energy than him, would that help????

Doggone/GA,
Wanna live in Tampa Florida with me?????lololol
I will give it a try....usually when I do let him (which is seldom because I KNOW what he is going to do), he see's it as "playtime", and when I am at the point where ok I've had enough, I have to pull him off the couch and he will lay on his back and "fight me", mouthing my hand, I don't want to say biting because he is not actually biting, but he is a little rough and has not figured out how to be easy yet.....man he is just becoming quite the annoying teenager!lol

I do not have many friends, so that seems to be the problem as I don't have company much if at all (by choice!!!lol), but I will see if I can get a few people I know to help me out with the visitor thing. I don't think I have figured out the calm/assertive thing as my patience is getting low in these areas.....I guess I am the type that when I say do it, I expect you to do it, so I don't get why he pushes my buttons.

Daisy's mom,

Well, now I'm stumped. If the weather is always perfect, never too hot, never too cold, what's the problem?

A dog that is tearing things up Cesar says has a "frustrated mind". You would too if you lived on a deck.

Sarah,
Noooooo....I would never hit him. I want to at times though!hahahaaaaa

But I do just walk away, or I changed up the situation and went outside and played with him instead.....chnaged the whole situation for both of us.

KathyB,
My beloved Thunder was a 105 lb rottie chow that sounds just like your Romaan. I helped that boy get born and to his last breath he NEVER understood why he couldnt fit in Moms lap anymore! 10 of his 11 years was pre-Cesar information! I had started to undo the damage I had done in his last year but it was so much slower to undu and shift then just doing it the Cesar Way -so I know I simply will no longer compromise on letting anyone persuade me to not follow Cesar's way faithfully.

I use other trainers for...training fine tuning. Cesar's technique is all about working with dog's NATURAL psychology. See with his season 1 episode about that dog the two guys who dressed the dog up and carried him everywhere, I realized that I was one of those, humanizing the dog. Gee, at 50 it was the paradigm my family taught me about how to be with dogs, even our show dogs.

So what happened with Thunder was that I was 100% Cesar Way - 10% of the time, you know, off the hook when he was sooo cute, or porr crippled boy from the arthritus, or being top dogged by the young pup SignalBoyfullof himslef, then with the cancer - well,my overwhelming grief and guilt tipped the scales so he became the spoiled child with no rules, boundaries or limitations.

It was the unending mixed messages I was sending him that made it so hard and no trainer could help with that - only my own disapline and iron will. Like an addict, I cannot let up for one second without examining if I am falling back into old ways, especially now that Foxie is in the same way with cancer. With Signal Bear being my unending Cesar way tyrant, I am becoming more successful not slipping back. The hard thing to really understand about all this, is that there hasnt been any loss of love between us or affectionate moments, they still sleep on the bed and get cuddled good, its just different.

Oh and the other thing, while there were many great episodes about challenges like you describe. Cesar so outdid hims self with the way he explained about how "to claim the space" - couch, door everything in the Hoss and Gretta Episode!

hi my name is vanessa and im 13years old and i love ur shows and u give me tips about how to control dog

KathyB,

Like Doggone, I would suggest walking them together to make them a pack and avoid head on meetings which could result in a fight. It would be nice if your roomate and you could walk together to better associate them with eachother. Oh, and tell your roomate about Cesar. :D

~Chantel

Hi KathyB,

I second Doggone and Chantel. It is SO important to meet first on neutral ground, not on one dog's territory or the other. Also, becoming walking partners for a few weeks is a wonderful idea. My dogs never have any problem at all when we babysit for friends' dogs that have been hiking partners. They immediately welcome them and recognize all their moves as "play" rather than aggression or dominance.

Unfamiliar dogs are snappish and nervous, cannot recognize play gestures, and are very difficult to have around. It will make all the difference in the world that you guys get off with the right start here. I think you will have a great time together!

About the couch thing, I think it would be a lot easier if you make a firm rule of "no couch" for now. Cesar had a show with a woman whose huge rottie pulled her all around and playfully mauled her on the couch. As I recall, he used his "tsst" and cupped hand whenever the dog even got that look in his eye, and the dog calmed right down. He didn't wait for the dog to get back up and then start to wrestle again. I think that's just more fun for the dog!

About dogs living on the deck. I don't think dogs care so much where they live, as long as they are with us. Ask people who have doggie doors, and their dogs can choose where to be. We have doggie doors, and I would say the dogs spend about 90% of the time with us. If we are outside, they are there with us. If we are inside, they are with us. Occasionally they will go outside by themselves. The doggie doors are mostly for them when we are gone (and that's the time they sleep).
so if the dogs are on the deck, and the humans spend LOTS of time there with them it should be ok. Otherwise it's like at my neighbors house, where the dogs are let out every morning, and in every night. They spend all day in the backyard, bored to death.

Also I want to add again that i found that the disipline takes TIME, with my dogs, some things took right away, the "stuborn" things take a few months, but I do see results. about the bike rides, i don't hold the leash, i loop it around under the seat, my rottie pulls me fast the first block, then trots by my side, my shirley-dog used to pull me, but with my hubby, she trots by his side , so since he takes her out too, she started behaving with me on the bike ride too.but i'm still going to look into that "sringer bicycle jogger", that way we won't have any more bike accidents.

HELP!!!!!!!lol....VERY WEIRD!!!!!!
OK....I have started a new thing to where Roman is NOT allowed on the couch or past the edge of the coffe table near the couch, when I am sitting there....this is weird......What I do is say "go" and point towards away from me and sit firm until he backs away or goes away....tonight he is actually BARKING/growling/ at me(turning towards himself (kinda hard to explain)) when I say "go" and point, but he is however breaking eye contact with me....WHAT IS UP WITH THIS?????? I have NO IDEA what any of this means!lol I have a feeling if I was to stand up while he was doing this, I can say I actually have no idea what he would be or have done! Is he challenging me or something?????

Man Pittbulls are so much less complicated than this!lololol I am so NOT used to a dog other than a pittbull.lol

bootsmut-

You left for the same reason I stopped taking Loki (my service dog pup) to the dog park... irresponsible owners that put you and your dog in danger. Sure, they appologised, but did they do anything to prevent those actions from happening, or when they did happen, did the owners take charge?

The last few times I took Loki were nightmares, there is a woman who takes her dogs there the moment the park opens in the morning and stays there with them all day long it seems, any time I went there she was there with her 'precious boo-boo and wookie', two of the worst mannered and most confused dogs I have ever seen. Those dogs charge the fence as soon as anyone turns up with a dog, jumps all over the people, chases smaller dogs nipping and barking and if you say anything to the woman she just says "dogs will be dogs, if you don't like it then leave". Loki's socialization was coming along wonderfully and he had made a few 'park mates' there that he would hang around with (mostly other small breed dogs, but one is a doberman that my little chi pup adores) then one day this woman showed up with her two shephard mixes and since then it has been a madhouse. I am not the only one that has had to decide to stop going there, most of the people I have met there with a dog under 30 pounds has had to make the same decision.

When I contacted the Parks and Recreation Department they asked "well, did the dogs bite you?" and when I answered "no" they told me there was nothing they could do about it.

The woman actually takes her lunch with her and eats it in the dog park! (you can immagine the mayhem that brings)

So, now... Loki will not have the socialization I wanted for him, yes I can set up 'play packs' with one or two of the people, but it is not the same as his meeting and learning to get along in constantly changing dynamics that a dog park gives.

KathyB,

I'm not exactly sure what your Rottie is doing, but don't freak out! Be strong and think nothing of him doing anything to you. He can READ YOUR MIND./heehee. Keep the goal in mind and have good posture and a clear understanding of what your doing and trying to accomplish. If you don't feal comfortable, talk to a professional. (Better them than you)/JK. Make sure to be CALM AND ASSERTIVE AT ALL TIMES. Good luck. :D

~Chantel

Thanks guys for the comments. I do love my dogs very much, and honestly I do spend all of my free time with them. They are not ignored and left outside as decoration. =)

Good Morning All!!!!
I am reading through the posts and see that alot of you are not taking your dogs to the dog park because of "other peoples" dogs......Both times I took mine, I had a problem, but I stepped in and took control to make sure the experience was a good one for Roman. I didn't CARE what the owner of the other dogs thought as they were acting inappropriate and I was not going to allow that to stop my dog from enjoying himself.

Do all of you feel like you cannot step in if another dog is not behaving properly???

I didn't even think twice about it, as my stepping in insured the safety of both dogs....mine and the one causing trouble! Why would you not just take control and make the other dogs back down or go away?? You should not and your dogs should not be the ones to have to be the ones to have to stop going if thats what you want to do. This of course is JMO. :)

I am seriously thinking I may have to find a home for Roman....he is just getting strange and acting weird. Unless I can get my trainers out here to help me understand what and why he is doing what he is doing & I cannot get him under control...I may have to find a new home for him. :(

KathyB, Are you checking your energy? Are you projecting a slight fear, maybe? or anger? It sounds like you're finding Roman's behavior unpredictable all of a sudden, and that may be making you nervous or fearful of what he's going to do, and he can pick up on that. Remember you have to live in the moment and try not to think about what he's "gonna" do. It's hard! I know! But reading your posts, that's what it sounds like. Oh my God, my heart almost broke when you said you're thinking of finding another home for him. It's always sounded like you've been doing so well with Roman. It would be so sad if you had to give him away. I've read all of your posts a couple of times, and it really sounds like you may be inadvertently showing fear or uncertainty, and that could make him "get strange and act weird". It's possible he's picking up mixed signals from you, which can confuse him. He may be getting frustrated trying to figure out what you want, so he's trying to tell you something by growling and acting weird. Also, it almost sound like you're being a bit aggressive with the "GO" command and the strong eye contact. Make sure you're calm and assertive, not aggressive. He may just be giving back what he's getting LOL! Hope you take this only as constructive criticism, I don't mean to offend -- trying to help. It's hard to express our intentions in writing sometimes. BTW: what's the big deal about letting him on the couch? My dogs have free use of the couch and chair, and they always get down when told to. I particuarly enjoy it when they sit on the couch WITH me. Sorry, but I just don't "get it" LOL!!

To you guys at the dog park: How unfair! THEY behave badly and YOU have to leave? They are being dominant and you are backing down. What would happen if you insisted on your right to be there unmolested? Maybe you should write up a dog park manifesto with rules for good citizen ship.

On the other hand, I think probably the reason people are not controlling their dogs is more because they don't know how to, than that they are mean and insensitive. Still, you have a right to be there, and you should calmly insist on your rights. They certainly are not hesitating to step on YOUR toes!

K2,
I sitting here bawling at the thought of getting rid of him or of finding him a new home....but he really is just getting more and more dominant, to the point it's redidulous.
I would LOVE to have him hang out on the couch with me, but he doesn't understand "hang out", he just will NOT be still and just hang out, but is constantly pawing me, mouthing me, trying to dominate me, etc., when we are on the couch, so for now until he can relax I thought I would try the no couch approach.
I am becoming very frustrated and actually angry at the whole situation.....EVERYTHING is a friggin power struggle with him...EVERYTHING! Now it's just getting even more intense....it took me over 10 minutes to get his prong collar on him, he was bucking, biting/mouthing, jumping, laying down, everything he could do to make it difficult.
And I am not takin that thing off!.... It took forever to get it on!lololol

Maybe I need to figure out a way to hire a dog walker???? I don't know how expensive they are though. I've had 2 back surgeries and my back has been hurting so much, that he has not really had a good walk in about 2 to 3 days.

I have been working with him for 5 month's now, and we STILL have not over come the things we started working on 5 months ago. The only thing he gets or has got down is the walk.

I'm tired, my back is really hurting, and I'm just OVER IT!
He is NOTHING like any of the Pittbulls I've owned and a Rott is Soooooooooo different than a pittbull.

Hey K2,

KathyB said Roman is pawing at her and mouthing her on the couch, which is playful but not very respectful. Now he is growling at her and challenging her because she won't let him up there. Now is not the time to let him on the couch, I think. Now is the time to stand up to his challenge and let him know she is strong and in charge. (No disrespect intended, I always enjoy your posts greatly, and find them at various times warm, informative and enlightening! I just disagree strongly on this one point.)

Cesar said (in the rerun on Friday about the dog aggressive pitbull) that powerful breeds are frequently looking to be dominant and we have to be sure to be in control every moment. Of course this is not an exact quote, but it sure was something like that!

Argh! I'm probably gonna have to be working while Cesar's on Oprah tomorrow, and I don't have a DVR *cry*! Oh well, here's hoping someone will post it somewhere on the net.. gotta add it to my Cesar media collection! hehehehe

HI.
OK....I took a deep breath, some pain medication for my back, and took Roman for a nice loooooooooooonnnnnng walk! Now he is panting like crazy and I have officially started back on my daily routine of walks!

I have officially gotten a roomate that will be bringing a Male German Shepard and a female Chow into the home in a few weeks (they are both about 3 years old), so I think that will help AND my commitment to walk Roman daily no matter how much my back hurts!!!!

Thanks to all of you for your support through my momentary breakdown!!!!!

Thanks Joanna for those nice things you said! There's nothing wrong with disagreeing. I didn't realize that Roman was acting so crazy toward KathyB on the couch. Now I understand.

KathyB, I know exactly what you mean about the back pain -- I have fibromyalgia and if one or both of my dogs pulls too much on our walks I can get a flare up that can last several days. Not fun at all!! To describe the calm assertive, I'll try to give you an example that happened to me today. Someone was visiting our neighborhood with a very small white dog. My dogs go nuts whenever they see small animals. If it's a dog, they want to be with it. If it's a cat, they want to chase it. I was sitting on the couch watching TV and I saw the young boy walking the small white dog. I saw it first. In the past, I would just cringe, tense all my muscles, hold my breath and wait for the dogs to lunge at the door, barking wildly. Even if I didn't see the dog first, and they did, once they started lunging at the door and barking, I would get all wound up and excited and start yelling "No no no no no!!!" and my body would be all tense. Tense muscles, eyes bulging, blood pressure rising ha ha ha. Today, I saw the small white dog and the little boy first. I had all the doors in the house open (screen doors in place) to get some nice spring air inside. The dogs didn't see the small dog. I calmly walked over to the sliding glass door (access to the fenced in yard!) and quietly closed the door. Then, I calmly and quietly walked over to the kitchen door and closed it. I left the living room door open (screen door closed) and sat quietly down on the couch, making sure my body language was relaxed (shoulders down, head up, looking at the TV -- not at the street where the dog was about to pass again). When the boy & dog came back past the house in the reverse direction, Hobie leaped off the couch, barking, and Hector leaped off the floor, barking. They sound pretty ferocious, lemme tell you! I remained seated on the couch and said "no" ONCE in a very quiet voice. I made sure my muscles were totally relaxed, I kept my eyes on the TV -- not outside the door, and I didn't jump off the couch like I used to do, hollering at them. They tried to go to the other two doors, which were closed. When they came back to the living room, I quietly stood up, closed the inner door, and sat back down on the couch to watch TV. Within about 10 seconds, they sat down again and were totally relaxed. So, short version, it's all about not tensing your muscles, using quiet vocal commands, or none at all, and continuing to do what you as the human/pack leader want to do. Don't follow them as they're running at the door. That makes you a follower, not a leader. I used to follow them when they lunged at the door. Instead, I sometimes step in between the door and them "claiming" the door while remaining calm and walking towards them to push them back into the room. A good old-fashioned "Go lie down" in a very calm voice works great too. I really try to "train" my voice away from excited-sounding or escalating. I'll even catch myself about to shriek, and then I'll stop myself and use the same vocal command, but in a soft voice. Sometimes the dogs will stand on the back deck and if someone is out in their own yard in the neighborhood they'll start barking like it's an intruder. I used to get all upset and the dogs would pick up on my energy and the whole thing would just escalate. Now if they bark like the neighbor is an intruder (in his own yard!!LOL) I just look at the dogs and calmly say "stop it" or "go lie down" or "quiet down" in a low voice so even the neighbor can't hear (as opposed to yelling so everyone would hear!!). And if necessary I make them go indoors. Most of the time they stop when they realize how calm I am. I try to imitate Cesar (and my yoga instructor LOL!) to get the calm/assertive thing "just right"!

bootsmutt, I have a confession to make! The day 6 years ago when some people brought my Lab/Shepherd to my office as a puppy needing a home, I asked if I could take him for a walk -- he was 4 mos old. As soon as they put the leash on him, he grabbed it in his mouth the way you describe Boots doing! At that moment, I immediately and instantly fell head-over-heels IN LOVE with this dog and adopted him on-the-spot before anybody else got any ideas! LOL!! Well, 6 years later, he still takes the leash in his mouth every morning and "walks himself" for about the first two minutes of our walk. He always stays beside me or behind me, and doesn't pull. But I still laugh every day when he does it, and for that reason I don't correct him. There aren't enough laughs in this all too serious world -- so I get a real kick out of it (oh, and I fall in love all over again each time he does it! LOL!) Other people when they see him do it always say "oh my God isn't that CUTE??!" Yeah, he's spoiled rotten!

Most likely my post will not appear on this blog because I am totally against Cesar Milan and his ways of training dogs. Now having said that some things, I feel, he gets right like that dogs need exercise and discipline. But his methods of "flooding" and alpha roles are great ways to ruin relationships between dogs and humans. Now, I know I know all of you think I'm Jealous of his success and fame, blah blah blah. Its really not like that I fear for the dogs in under his control, he clearly has a thing about dominance and has not truly done his research on pack leadership and wolves. While wolves and dogs might be related they aren't the same! Hence why we have dogs and wolves. Cesar's claims about packs and leadership positions are not truly evidenced and it’s clear he hasn't fully done his research. Most real professionals are horrified by his behavioral ideas, he's setting back dog training 20 years. As quoted by a real animal specialist Dr. Nicolas Dodman, director of the Animal Behavior Clinic at Tufts University's Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine: 'My College thinks it is a travesty. We've written to National Geographic Channel and told them they have put dog training back 20 years.' I'm just amazed that he's allowed on TV practically abusing animals, for example I forget the name of the episode because I was so horrified, but it was where the dog was afraid of water and Milan practically dragged the dog to the pool and threw/pushed the poor dog in, great way to fully mess up the poor dog. And don't get me started on his book; I used it for shredding and potty training my new litter of pups! I breed mini dachshunds and also have two wonderful, well behaved, SPOILED, loved German Shepherds.... I didn't need to constantly throw my "dominant" leader position in front of them to get them to behave like perfect little (well maybe not little since they both weigh about 75lbs!!) ladies. I cannot believe National Geographic actually airs this show, sometime a dog is going to get seriously hurt and my heart will bleed for the poor animal and it will be all Cesar Milan's fault.

Well Cesar is not bothering people with "happy, naturally confident dogs" now is he? He is helping people with unhappy, tense aggressive dogs, some of whom are facing euthanasia because of their behavior problems.

I don't think it's so strange that Roman's behavior would seemingly change like that. KathyB is drawing a new line in the sand for him and he is challenging it. In Cesar's show you see this again and again. The dog will at first protest the new rule (the chocolate lab protecting the bed, the maltese who didn't want to be groomeded, etc.) They bare their teeth to see if they can get the human to back down and go back to the old familiar way.

Cesar has the confidence to ride this out, but I think it is pretty scary for most of the rest of us, especially when it'a a big dog! I'm sending you strength for the challenge Kathy!

Kate,
All I can say it....you don't have problem dogs so GOOD FOR YOU!
I guess the epitome of foolishness is to argue with a fool...You go girl!

By the way, wouldn't it have been cheaper to use newspaper to potty train your puppies?

Thanks KathyB!

Hey, KathyB, I thought of you last night! We had unexpected guests who had just come from a wedding, so they were just slightly a little bit "tipsy" shall we say? Well, they were all excited and loud when entering the house, and my boyfriend was angry that they came by unannounced and interrupted the season finale of Desperate Housewives LOL!! Thank goodness for the DVR!! So he was projecting this bad energy, and all the visitors were all excited and noisy and immediately started playing with my dogs and getting them all wound up. It took every ounce of pack-leader in me to get the dogs to stop climbing on everyone and jumping all over the place. It probably took 30-45 minutes to get them to stop. But the guests were encouraging it, and I couldn't reason with them because of their slightly inebriated state -- they just wanted to keep having a good time so the idea of "no touch, no talk, no eye contact" was out the window! Once I went into the kitchen & started making food for our guests, the dogs finally laid down at my feet and stayed pretty much calm overall. At one point, Hector kept mounting Hobie! Oh, how embarrassing! Of course, everyone was laughing and there I was trying to be calm and assertive, meanwhile with the "alpha male" (boyfriend!LOL!) being annoyed, which didn't help at all. They definitely picked up on his annoyed energy and kept pawing at him and at me. I had to sit on the floor with the dogs to get them to stop climbing on everyone, but the guests would then encourage them by calling them over and it would start up again. The intoxicated guest is not going to help you train your dogs!! LOL!

OK all my experts!!! :)
Can any of you tell me what it means when Roman follows me all over the house??? Does it even mean anything?

katie3 , bootsmut, K2, Ewa (hope I didn't forget anyone!),

I would like to extend a personal thank you to all of you, for all your thoughts, ideas, and different things I can possibly do, to acheive what I need with Roman.

Unfortunatly, bike riding is completely out of the question for me, but I am thinking about getting a dog walker (IF it's affordable), and having a new room-mate who walks his dogs all the time will help a TON!

Again.....thank you so much for your kind words and thoughtfulness to take the time to write all you have on my account!

If I remember correctly Cesar has addressed what it means when your dog follows you everywhere all the time.
I don't know that it means the same for every dog, but he did say it can indicate a dog that is frustrated and or bored...words to that affect anyway.

When we adopted a dog from a shelter that had been abandoned by his two previous owners he had spent alot of time in a kennel with no exercise. When I brought him home he followed me from room to room and within a room. I think part of the reason was because he was fearful I would abandon him too? I'm not sure if dogs think that way, but I assumed it nonetheless.

As soon as I started our regular exercise time with long walks the following me around every minute of the day soon began to lessen and now he's content to stay in another room. Perhaps he's also grown confident at the same time that he's not going to be abandoned again, so I don't know how much that plays into it.

All I know is that my "shadow" seems to be more relaxed and able to stay in another room without me being there.

Well Kate G., I think it stretches the definition of respectful a little bit to apply it to Kate's post. She came on Cesar's blog to say that he is abusive to dogs and that she uses his book to clean up dog excrement. That is kinda inflammatory don't ya think? I'm not saying it would be fruitful to argue about it with her. I'm just saying let's not give credit where credit is not due. A slap in the face is not a caress.

Here is my version of a respectful argument (and it's true to boot.) I would be worried that by forcefully exposing my dog to something she is afraid of - in this case pulling or pushing her into water over her head - that she would become more fearful and even traumatized. I would prefer to do it little by little, luring her to step in farther each day with food and vocal encouragement. It might take longer, but it seems gentler and safer.

Hi Joanna!
VERY WELL SAID!!!!
The post on "CESAR'S BLOG", is nothing but a way to start a flmming post war and it was quite insulting, but I would rather ignore someone like that and stick to speaking with the open-minded, nice people here, on this blog, rather than take up valuable space having a conversation with someone who wants nothing more than a "fight"....I think we are such an awesome example of mature, respectful people on a public blog!!! People who would do Cesar no justice by even engaging in a conversation with someone who is not here to have a conversation. :)

BTW, for all of you who helped me yesterday.....my session with my trainers went AWESOME!!!!!!! I'm so glad I was smart enough to call them. And they are so awesome to have them come out on such short notice for me....I was in tears when speaking with them last night, thinking that I was getting no where with Roman and possibly giving him away. I see a light at the end of the tunnel AND IT'S NOT A TRAIN!!!!!hahahahaa

In a matter of about an hour I saw imporments right away and realized it was ME (as usual...the human who is the one who is screwing it all up!lololol), and I was missing the basic yet VERY IMPORTANT parts of the things I was doing!! I feel much better and see I CAN DO THIS! :)

Jeez, I was just trying to be nice to someone who has a differing opinion! And I was hoping to keep things positive enough where she might come back to discuss Cesar's philosophy. I realize that some things she said were a bit inflammatory, but I was trying to explain to her why some people need a more direct training/rehabing approach instead of just dismissing her altogether.

Sometimes I think people on this blog attack others too quickly who disagree. I'm not trying to start an argument, just making an observation.

Kate G.,
O MY....I in no way meant to imply that "YOU" were doing anything wrong!! I am so sorry if I came accross that way!

I was just saying that Kate's original post was way too aggressive, and I in NO WAY meant that your post was out of line at ALL! As a matter of fact, YOUR POST is a prime example of what I meant by how respectful and nice everyone is here on this blog! Please forgive me if I was mis-understood as I meant no harm towards your post whatsoever!!!

Whew....Thanks Kate G. I thought, you thought I was attacking or saying something negative about your response...man I tell ya...PMS is a real pain!lol :)

Hi there,
Thanks for the prayers for my baby, actually I'm having twin boys hence the bed rest. I'm listening to the doctors but its a pain. My big girls just got back from their run with my hubby and are flopped all over my bed. As to some people thinking I'm inflammatory, I didn't appreciate all of the responses to my posts since I was just speaking honestly that I hated his book...mainly because as one friend of mine who is an avid Cesar fan, stated his book was more a biography then a help for dealing with "common dog problems." I understand that some dogs have problems that don't respond to typical or average dog training, and I can tell everyone here loves their animals and would never abuse them. But people calling me a fool SJS, or Joanna...his book, in my opinion was horrible and people who love his show have said so. But I was respectful, even in my earlier post I did mention that some of his techniques I think are helpful. BUT some of his techniques I would consider abusive and harmful, which is my opinion. In his book he discusses a dog afraid of shiny floors, and his treatment method is too push a dog onto the shiny floors. I personally think thats harmful, and any one I know who has tried this "flooding" technique has had very harmful effects. I'm attempting to understand why people in the post have clearly had excellent experiences with his training methods, and while I'm somewhat openminded to learning new things for my training repetoire I'm not going to just "roll over" and be okay with things I think are wrong. Including "tapping" dogs in the mouth and "flooding" techniques. I just think there are other ways than this. Thank you for being understanding KateG and KathyB. Though I'm trying to work out a situation with my parents with the female pitbull. She's scheduled to be put to sleep and I'm a sucker I cannot stand that type of thing. I know people here probably won't like the idea, but my parents have a huge kennel about 1000 sq feet, and I'm wondering if my parents can take her in and have her live in the kennel till I'm back on my feet and able to start working with her. I don't know I'll have to have my husband go see how agressive she is. I don't want her put down, but I also cannot allow my family hurt. I work from home....and my (human child lol) two year old Roman goes everywhere with me...along with my pack of dogs :-) and the nanny so I'm assuming once I have the twins (haven't decided on names yet!) I should be able to start having her live partially with my family.

Kate,

"My last added thought is too OP jumping all over Daisy’s Mom about dogs living outdoors and on a deck. Get over it, dogs naturally live outside and are fine. Now I think they need food, water, love, toys, and shade (or warmth depending on the weather situation) but it seems like that is all handled."

If you think "it's all handled", then go back and re-read her first post.
She said the dogs get COLD at night because they tare up their bedding. That does not indicated "it's all handled".
She has chi's and these dogs get cold easily and will stay cold unless appropriate intervention is applied.
At least putting them in a room within a warm home when it's cold doesn't seem too much to do for these living creatures that depend on their owners for everything.
House training a dog takes effort and house training small dogs takes even more effort, it seems to me it's just easier to leave them on the deck when it's cold.
And I'll thank you to not tell me to "get over" anything.
Have a nice day.

"I have two happily adjusted German Shephards, Medea and Phaedra (I’m a Greek Classics Nut) but I guess my problem with Cesar’s methods is that I don’t see how they’d work with problem dogs."

You might not...since you aren't dealing with problem dogs to begin with.

"My big babies"

Your dogs are not your babies, they can be your pals, your support, your protectors even...but they are not your babies.

"In another blong it was discussed that Milan doesn’t really hit the dogs but just taps them on the mouth to get them to behavem that’s still hitting!"

Have you ever actually watched any of his shows? He does NOT hit them in the mouth! He does tap them pretty firmly in the neck, or side or butt with his stiffened fingers to mimic a correction bite such as is used by a mother dog or pack leader. That's no different from what dogs do to each other. Don't take others word for it...either mine or theirs...watch the show and decide for YOURSELF. But don't get hung up on just watching Cesar and being critical of him, either...watch the dogs and see the changes in them, that's what will teach you if his methods work or not.

"But methods, as I mentioned of sensory overload such as “flooding” an animal are dangerous not only to the poor dogs but also the humans doing such things."

If you've never had to work with problem dogs, how do you know? Again, watch the show, watch the difference in the dogs. It was the DOGS reactions that persuaded ME, quickly, how very RIGHT he is.

" But I’ve never seen his disclaimer before the show stating you shouldn’t try these things at home without a professional, that makes me feel slightly better till looking at his book which is supposed to help people deal with problem dogs."

It is mentioned at the beginning, and all during the show..and his book isn't JUST about problem dogs, it's about having a better relationship with your dog, period. If you HAVE a problem dog he does give you techniques to help overcome those problems.

Remember - Cesar's show states over and over that he trains PEOPLE, and REHABILITATES dogs. You are not going to get training tips from him, you will get "living with your dog" tips and ways to help overcome some issues. If you don't have dogs with issues, great! But you can still learn a lot from his book and his shows.

Kate,

I've read your posts and you're down right insulting to Cesar's philosophy..so, I guess we don't really need to characterize each other's style. You're entitled to speak your mind just as I am...so, let's dispence with the back door insults.

I give Daisy's mom credit for trying to understand Cesar's philosophy, though I don't agree with allowing dogs to remain cold.

She has come to Cesar's blog to get the advice from the viewpoint of Cesar's philosophy. So though you disagree with my assesment that her dogs may be taring up their bedding because they are frustrated I am speaking from Cesar's point of view, to which I agree and apparently so does Daisy's mom or else she wouldn't consider this man her hero.
Chihuahuas don't have "digger" problems, they weren't bred for such activities..if they are frustrated it may be coming from the terrier side that is a high energy breed.

I've owned chis for years and though they do like to burrow under the covers because they get CHILLED easily. I've never had one with any digging problems, nor does a very good friend of mine who has bred chis for over 25 years.

Doggone,

Your reply to Kate was very well said, I hope she now understands his philosophy better.
I think it's obvious she has not viewed his programs, or else she could not have possibly missed the dis-claimer that is posted thru out the entire show.

I appreciate your common sense way of explaining Cesar's philosophy, it helps me greatly. Thank you.

But methods, as I mentioned of sensory overload such as “flooding” an animal are dangerous not only to the poor dogs but also the humans doing such things.”

I am not sure if what I did was flooding, but it worked.
I have a husky mix who is afraid of everything. We bought a new microwave a few months ago, and as soon as I turned it on, she ran away, scared. What I did was lock her with me in the kitchen, and operate the microwave like nothing was happening. It took two trials for her to not be afraid anymore. I did the same thing with computer keabord. She was afraid of anyone typing. I gave her no choice, but be with me when I type, and is fine now.
If I only could do the vacuum.... She is so terrified of it, I just can't make her stay with me when I use it.

Ceasar,
I wanted to let you know that I think you are wonderful. I have used some of your techniques on my Rotweiler and he is such a better dog for it. I immediately told a friend of mine who has two little jack russell terriors about you because these two rule her life and I thought you might like to visit New Mexico and share your wisdom with her. She talks about her dogs like they are people. She told me that the one dog was in depression for 6 months when they got the 2nd one I wondered how she knew that. She even talks like she knows what they are thinking. I think they just have her number. The one dog Tipper is in my opinion the pack leader of her, her husband, the other dog jack and their son Aiden.
All my life my father always taught me that dogs and dogs and needed boundaries and leadership. Seeing you reinforces that my dad was right.
I love watching your show you are truly gifted when it comes to training dogs and helping people.
I hope you will consider helping my friend on your show. I gave her the times you on so that she can see for herself how amazing you are. She told me yesterday that she believes you'd have your work cut out for you with her dogs. I know it would be a piece of cake for you.

My family loves your show.
Sincerely,

Anita Rocha
Bernalillo New Mexico

Jen!

I was just watching the DW episode with Bandit the chi. I thought of you when Cesar first stood up and challenged him; Bandit's way of backing down was to jump down and run away, wouldn't come near him, wouldn't look at him, totally avoided him.

There are many good folks on this blog who know far more than I, but I think that Molly is well aware that you are the one human that she doesn't have wrapped around her paw and her way of dealing with that is to avoid you.

I'm almost tempted to think that she's playing a mind game with you and it's working...are dogs capable of that? Sure seems like it sometimes, but we don't want to humanize her.

I think if you want Molly to interact with you you need to give in to her demands like everyone else does; I'd rather see you stick to your guns in the hope that her owners will cooperate one day. Hope that helps somehow!

Katie3, excellent post #121! Very well said!!

Kate, Let's not forget that Cesar's book was written by a co-writer -- I would guess that since English is his 2nd language she probably did most of the actual writing, but that's just my own personal speculation. In any case, I believe the book was not intended to be a best-seller in terms of the writing style, like a novel or a good bio might be. It is meant more to be instructional. At least that is how I am using the book. I read it cover-to-cover twice, and now I refer to it as a referance manual when I'm having a specific problem. I looked to the book as something that would help me with my problem dogs (in addition to watching Cesar's show, which is the ONLY thing that has worked for me, and I have tried everything!). so I look at the book not as entertainment, but as a learning tool.

Also, I always use the finger-poke thing -- it doesn't hurt the dog. It's not "hitting". It serves to refocus the dog's attention on something other than nuisance-barking or obsession with a cat or whatnot. It's just a very light touch on the side of the neck or face. Dogs in their natural pack touch each other on the side of the face/neck all the time. My dogs do it to each other constantly to get the other dog's attention. Occasionally, I also use the foot tap that Cesar uses, and it works really, really well for me, and it absolutely does not harm the dog in any way whatsoever. It is just a very gentle touch -- and if you watch dogs at play, you will see that they sometimes bite each other's legs gently while playing to get attention. Same thing. All of Cesar's stuff is based on what dogs do in nature. I think it's really cool stuff, and it makes SO much sense to me.

KathyB, I agree with KateG -- maybe Roman's just following his pack leader! At least that's what I think when my dogs follow me everywhere (and they do).

Always the one to be funny -- how many different Kathy/Katherine/Kathryn/Kathleens are there on this blog??!!! I'm a Kathy, too.
Hence the moniker, "K2" LOL!!!

I'm sorry Kate G., I didn't mean to make you feel bad. I just thought you were being TOO nice. When someone says they use your philosophy for cleaning s**t, I say they should not be praised for being respectful.

Kate, I have enjoyed your subsequent posts because they express your thoughts without attack. I understand your concerns about flooding, as I said before, but as Cesar uses it, it really does seem to result in a calm relaxed dog. I would be afraid to use it myself for fear I would not be reading the situation well enough and it might backfire and result in more stress (as Ewa expressed about her vacuum cleaner fearing dog.)

Also, if you really watch Cesar's show you will find the "don't try this" disclaimer on every single episode, and I don't think you will ever see him hit a dog in the mouth. He will put a cupped hand on a dog's neck to break it out of a very aggressive frame of mind. It seems to work in that the dog will become calm, not cringing as it would if it were struck.

Jaemie,
Very interesting about your Chow and claiming the kitchen (I may have to try that one)!!!

Roman NEVER leaves or enters a room in front of me...as a matter of fact if he happens to be in the hallway and I am coming out of the bedroom he will wait until I am in front of him and then follow me. So I am going to have to guess that he is following his pack leader???

-Dogoone/Ga
"Your dogs are not your babies, they can be your pals, your support, your protectors even…but they are not your babies."

My dogs are my babies, I've bottle fed most of them and they are more like my children then pets. Thats just a personal problem with Cesar's philosophy, but again thats personal. But please don't think you can understand the relationship between me and my dogs, it may not be anything like the relationship between you and yours. I'm not saying that insultingly, just that you don't know me and mine. Yes I have children, well one two year old son and two more on the way. So I find myself being a mother on many fronts, of course front and fore most to Roman (I do find it amusing that a dog on here has the same name! Everytime I read a post about Roman the dog I think about my toodler!), but I'm like a mother to my animals also. I think this is really what a role of "pack leader is, as a parent...and because of this my dogs are my babies. I know my way of training and rehabilitation is very different from Cesar's because I believe in loving the animals first, then discipline. As I have not catalogued in detail in other posts though I have Medea and Phaedra who are very well trained and happy babies are only some of th dogs I own. My family has Sooters and Inkie, though Soot was much more of a problem pup, who were both horribly abused pups that we think of lab/Rot/German Shpehard mixes. I dealt with numerous agression issues, especially Sooters, who bit one of our gardners and chased a nanny. He was afraid of trucks, men, children, the hose, other dogs besides Inkie and didn't like his tail being touched since it had been broken numerous times. His agression I treated as a mom would treat a kid, yes discipline was involved but he was never struck...even these two finger taps people keep describing...he would have gone beserk. At the time I did exercise him a lot, which is something Cesar reccomends and this I highly reccomend. Soot would run with me on the back tracks on my land. We got over the fear of men by slowly (no flooding!) him with men everyday coming closer and closer to him, took months almost a year before anyone touched him. CHildren took awhile since this made me really nervous, so I did this last. The hose issue, whereas from what I've gathered of Cesar;s methods I should have forced Sooters to the hose and water. Instead we started with me bathing Inkie under the hose, so he could see it wasn't scary. THen we left a hose near his outdoor area, he could go and sniff it if he wanted too. Basically you get the idea....just takes awhile. I've never hit, tapped or corrected a problem dog with a correction bit. I've watched numerous of his episodes, usually I've taped them on DVR cause I'm typically either at Gymboree...or outside in my kennel. I guess I missed the disclaimer, but I have seen how dogs react to him...and I must be seeing reactions different from you. I've seen dogs cower on his show, and just because they behave as he'd like doesn't make them happy dogs. As stated as much as I don't agree with his methods I'm glad he's able to help save dogs that otherwise would have been put down. I'm just curious but have any of you worked personally with Cesar? And also in a recorded show I'd like to point out that its edited so the dogs entire reaction may not be given. Again, I realize I'm the negative one in the group of all his fans but I'm worried about the animals beging trained with such dominance oriented techniques. I don't feel a dog needs to be fully dominanted, as pointed out in this blog, its clear that we (the humans) are already naturally in a dominant role. We are who decide where the dogs will sleep, if they get treats, if they eat, what they can eat, if they have toys, where and when they walk. Don't you feel this is a control enough position? I don't feel like I need to enforce this on my dogs by not allowing them ever to leave a room in front of me, or giving them direction through enforcement "taps".

On a happier note my husband went to check out the female pitbull and decided that she's really anxious and was given away cause she wouldn't stop cowering and couldn't be potty trained, along with biting when she became too nervous. We've elected as a family to adopt her, though my father will start working with her as I am in bed. Her new name is Elektra, following in the fashion of Greek plays. We've elected against keeping her in our large outdoor kennel. She has her own room connected to my parents...so she'll be sleeping near them to know she's not alone. She's getting picked up tomorrow so I'm very very happy, after that I'm having our vet come out to just check her over..as long as it doesn't scare her too much and make sure she's physically okay.

Chantel, I have had 2 boxers and can tell you that they absolutely LOVE their family! If you have ever been around one they are complete clowns. They tend to be a little stubborn so you have to really establish yourself as pack leader. If you and your sister ever spend time with a boxer...there's no other breed!!!!!

April-
thank you I think you are seeing part of the problems I see with this show (especially this specific episode) and Cesar's training methods. I find his training methods which totally focus on dominance to be very harmful to dogs who are traumatized already.

Doggone/GA-
I really don't appreciate your tone about my "issues" with my dogs. I have happy well adjusted dogs, so clearly my BABIES and I don't have issues, we have love. And they arent' substitute children, they are children of my family/pack not subsitutes I have human children. I think your missing the point that, is another contention point I have with Cesar's methods, I understand dogs don't have human emotions but there is nothing wrond with giving them the love and affection as you would treat a child. We already, as a group don't treat dogs like general adult animals, we bathe them, feed them (not making them hunt or search for food), we give them shelter, provide them with toys, medical care...this isn't natural and very much like what we do for our own human children. Until you are allowing your dogs to "fend" for themselves then you are somewhat treating them like children and humanizing them.

I posted all the stuff below earlier, but the technique I used with that dog is the flooding technique. The reason I used it was because once I started the process there was no way I was going to stop and give in to the dog. If I would have stopped in teh middle say after 15 minutes, NOTHING WOULD HAVE BEEN ACCOMPLISHED. It took 45 minutes, but it worked.

Also If you use treats when a dog is scared you are just gonna keep reinforcing that unwanted behavior, because he thinks he doing every right because he's getting a treat for the way he's acting, also baby talking a dog is GIVING OFF WEAK ENERGY. Not good.

----------------------------------------------------------
"Yesterday I had my biggest challenge so far. My client called me in because they are unable to walk their Golden Ret. on a leash. The dog use to walk on the leash until one day, they walked by the park at night and it was fireworks night in my town and the dog freaked, and ever since that day she wasn’t able to walk on the leash. The owners also showed lots of affection while the dog was scared. The dog would buck like a wild horse and would literally just lie on the ground.

Well for about 45 minutes of trying to get the dog to walk, she was finally tired out enough and gave in and started walking with me. I was able to break her and she was able to walk right next to me and I barely had to hold the leash.

Well this morning my client tried taking his dog for a walk, and holy crap, he was able to walk his dog for 1 1/2 hours. He was so happy and thankful that I was able to show him how to do it and teach him dog pyschology.

The owners use to give in to the dog, and they spoiled the dog with lots of affection. Well it’s seems in one day, there is results. I told them not to get too excited as it’s not an overnight miracle that it takes time, but damn if they were able to walk the dog already after 1 day, wow.

It’s amazing how different , thinking , energy and understanding on the owners part can change an animal.

Dogs, like cesar says, “WILL MOVE ON”, it’s usually the owner who doesn’t move on."

-----------------------------------------------------------
Also the owner is very very happy with how I dealt with the dog and already has seen results. Flooding technique is just basically saying, "lets go we are doing this, no if ands or buts." That's what a stable strong calm/assertive pack leader would do and how he'd handle the situation.

-John
What you aren't getting is that Cesar's research about the pack and dogs needing packs is only substantiated through his own works, not actual scientific research. Dogs and wolves are related, and have similarities...but they aren't the same. Dogs do not have to live in packs. And even how Cesar portrays the pack leader, since he basis much of his research on pack leaders on wolves is wrong based on other scientific studies. Dogs know that we aren't dogs, so we don't have to play the pretend game of being an alpha dog to them to get results. Dominance isn't the way to have a healthy happy relationship with an animal. he appears to base his work mainly on research done by David Mech who is one of the world's leaders in wolf research. Mech has discovered this about pack animals traveling together, "Labeling a high-ranking wolf alpha emphasizes its rank in a dominance hierarchy. However, in natural wolf packs, the alpha male and female are merely the breeding animals, the parents of the pack, and dominance contests with other wolves are rare, if they exist at all...the point here is not so much the terminology but what the terminology implies: a rigid, force-based dominance hierarchy," and also this quote ""The significance of dominance relationships within pack society has been overrated ... wolf packs are best understood as family groups ... Breeding wolves [only] provide leadership because offspring tend to follow their parents' initiative." This can all be found in the paper published by David Mech in 1999 in the Canadian Journal of Zoology entitled 'Alpha status, dominance, and division of labor in wolf packs.' I'm just trying to offer other ideas other than being agressive and dominant towards already traumatized, scared or agressive dogs.

Thanks Kate for the defense hehe. I did have my dogs in the house all day with me today. My boy did a wonderful job of not peeing in the house, so we're progressing! I'll look for the book you suggested. Thanks!

Kate,
First, I think it's so great you rescued that pitty. I am a Cesar fan and don't have a problem with his methods. However, I think each dog needs to be evaluated on their own merits and worked with accordingly. I think when training a dog that treats and praise definately have their place in getting the dog to understand what is wanted of them. I think where the problem with Cesars critics comes in is that they just can't get it into their heads that he is not "training" but working with problem dogs.

So many critics have a problem with the flooding he uses and always mention the great dane episode. I met this dog and his owner recently. I was very curious what the owner thought of the whole experience. She is a fan of Cesar and very happy with the results. I asked her if any work was done with the dog prior to the show airing and she said what you saw is how it went. He did not work with the dog beforehand. I have read posts from critics at various places how they would have done it differently with this dog by doing it gradually etc. I think everyone forgot that the owner could not even get the dog in the building and Cesar said it took him three tries to get the dog in. I think that he handled it remarkably and with immediate results.

Also, I am curious how critics would handle situations such as Bandit, the chihuaha that was biting the owners son? Obviously, treats and praise would not help in a situation like that. How would a critic of Cesar handle a case like this? I am not being sarcastic, but genuinely would like to know.

I volunteer at a shelter, so I am totally into dogs and I haven't seen an episode yet that I thought was cruel or inhumane. I see dogs abandoned every day because the owneres will not take the time to train their dogs. I feel that if Cesar saves a few dogs lives by doing a few jerks on the collar, then by all means go for it!

I have also noticed that Cesar uses some "association" techniques and doesn't totally do the dominant thing if he doesn't find it appropriate. I am referring to an episode where a dog would not allow the owners to put medicine on it. I was expecting him to dominate the dog but instead he started massaging it and allowing it to associate the medicine with a massage.

I think most critics only watch a show or two and form an opinion without understanding his theories.
And finally, if you read the book, you must have noticed that he said over and over that an owner should do what feels right to them. He also agrees that using treats "if they work" are ideal. I don't remember if it was you or someone else that made a comment about Oprah repeating the sit command and then blaming Cesar for that. Again, Cesar does not go around training dogs. No offense to Oprah, but she should definitely go to an obedience class with her three new dogs. That's the first thing they teach you is to give the command only once and then enforce it.

The only way to get over your fear is to FACE YOUR FEARS!!!

And KATE, DOMINANCE, doesn't mean AGGRESSIVE. Being Calm/Assertive doesn't mean AGGRESSIVE. If you use your energy the right way, all it takes is just a little eye contact and you can get the dog to do what you want it to do w/o saying one word. THERE'S NOTHING AGGRESSIVE ABOUT HIS STYLE.

My mom takes her dog to a training class and they are worse, they actually yell and scare the dog if it does something wrong. You don't need to do that to correct a dog.

And I didn't break no dogs spirit, the dog is the only one who was fighting and jumping around not me. Go ask the owners or any of my clients if i've been abusive. Go ask them if they were happy with how i handled their dogs. None of my clients have any complaints.

I wasn't abusive, and you are right it had no choice to but to comply, you better believe it doesn't want to be broken again, AND YOU KNOW WHAT?

IT WORKED!!!

Oh and shut up with I broke it's spirit. The dog was perfectly happy with me afterwards, If I broke it's spirit it would have hid inside the house or would have attacked me. And the owner is happy cuz now he can walk his dog WHICH ALL DOGS NEED TO DO.

Just because a dog knows we aren't a dog doesn't mean it DOESN'T SEE US AS PACK. It does and that's why you have to still act like a pack mentality.

But you can do whatever you want, don't give it exercise , DISCIPLINE and I'm sure YOU'LL HAVE A HAPPY DOG. YEAH HE'LL BE HAPPY CUZ HE'LL BE THE PACK LEADER IN YOUR HOUSE.

*I also laugh because people who are against teh "dominance" technique are always like you don't have to be the Alpha to be in control, well you know what.

Even just doing basic training by getting a dog to sit stay come, you are practicing dominance w/o EVEN KNOWING IT!!! When you give a dog a treat or food you are practicing dominance because you are the one GIVING the food.
So YOU CAN'T HIDE FROM IT, no matter what you do, you are probably somehow practicing some kind of dominance with your dog and not even knowing it. You may not be practicing it 100% of the time but you are probably practicing it.

It's okay Cesars techniques have turned my dog into a Good Citizen Dog, Therapy Dog. W/o his knowledge and techniques my dog wouldn't be the dog he is if it weren't for them.

john

you are right, I think a lot of people mix up dominance with aggression and discipline with punishment.

So you'd get a dog to trust you, okay trust is good, but there's also another thing you forgot though. That's RESPECT. By giving a dog Discipline he will respect you.

Also another thing you got wrong is in Cesars methods when he makes a dog submit he makes sure the dog isn't fearful. He's says he want's the dog to submit but w/o fear. You can get a dog to submit w/o fear by having them lay on their side. When teh dog is on their back then teh dog is giving you fear/submission because that's also when the tail is tucked between the legs. You'll see a lot of times Cesar will hold up a dog's tail to keep it from going into that fear position.

When I meant broke the dog, I meant that unwanted behavior finally stopped because I didn't give in to the dog. So for me breaking the dog just meant I out lasted it. Nothing wrong about that.
I didn't put the dog in a fear/submissive position.

Anyway you can go about your way with your dogs, if it works for you then fine, BUT DON'T BE TELLING OTHER PEOPLE HOW TO TREAT THEIR DOGS. JUST BECAUSE YOU DONT LIKE IT DOESN'T MEAN IT'S WRONG.
No one is going on your site or other peoples dog trainer sites and ripping their methods.

Just like one math teacher might teach his students in a fun manner where he doesn't demand a lot of respect and doesn't have a lot of rules and another math teacher might teach his students in an opposite manner boring manner and demands a lot of respect has lots of rules, both techniques can still work.

A lot of people have asked me what I do with agressive, biting dogs. Now I know some of you will laugh at what I do. I found it funny too when a trainer suggested it when I bought a speciality colored mini female dachshund, who was beautiful but would also bite my husband and father when they handled her. I give time outs. While I dont always believe in the pack idea with dogs, I do believe dogs to be very social animals. If I can say so my dogs love being with me, but they don't have to be with me, but they do love it. I got to know Cocco well and when she'd bite I'd put her back in her stall and ignore her. When I'd take her out ten minutes later, if she did it again I'd sternly (not yelling, hysterical or agressively) say NO, and put her back in for 15 minutes. I never "tapped" her as a warning, shoved (well thats hard to do with a 9lb doggie) or anything physical or threatening, I just removed her from an area of reward. She figured it out after the 3 time. But thats hard to do with a dog biting a child, I freely admit that. Thats also an episode I don't have on DVR, anyone know the name or number? Now with Soot, who at the time was about 50 lbs constantly was going after my gardener and our one nanny, and would growl if anyone else besides me went to his food dish we eventually determined it wasn't a plain old fashioned agression issue but he was terrified of men (ya I have a male nanny, I have to admit I was a bit sexist and almost didn't hire him cause I didn't think he was serious about the job). I described this in another post but overly the course of a year I gradually introduced men closer and closer into his personal outdoors space. I never flooded his system with an instant "face your fears" now scenario. With him he would have freaked out beyond belief. When my German Sheps were puppies Medea was always more dominant that Phaedra, when the family would get on the couch medea would growl and push phaedra away. Again I did time outs, short time outs, and it works. I don't like prong collars, choke chains, shock collars etc., though as long as a knowledgable person is using them I don't object..I've just seen too many injuries from them. As much as I object to some of Cesar's methods, I do have to agree with someone;s earlier post that Cesar uses them in a kind manner. I like that he doesn't overly use this devices, but when he does its never cruel. My father is a vet and oh the horror stories, so I still attempt everything possible not to use them. I only used the pronged collar on Sooters when training him to accept children, and that was hard for me, but now he accepts children but still doesn't actively seek them out like most of my other dogs.

Good Morning!

I am sending you ALL to The Human Psychology Center for a week!!!....You ALL are getting a time out... :) ...That's it..All of you to your rooms until you can come out and play nice! heeheeheehee..... O, man I can just crack myself up I tell ya!!! :D

I didn't read everything I missed, caused there was too much to read and it was starting to stress me out!lololol

I hope everyone has calmed down, and through the series of posts with each other have come to a happy place, as I had to stop reading for the reason I stated above!lol

I LOVE to watch Cesar, I LOVE that he is able to help animals that would otherwise have been euthanized, I LOVE his natural sense of a "dog" and how he can tell what will work for one and not work for another, I love that he see's EVERY dog as different with different needs when he first meets with them but still understands they are DOGS first, I LOVE that he is responsible and tells EVERYONE watching his show to NOT try any of this without consulting a professional, I LOVE that I can take from the show what I NEED to work for ME personally, and still use all the techniques I have been doing with my trainers who do not use Cesar's techniques. (my dog has the walk dog to an ART because of Cesar!!)

Most importantly....I AM NOT CESAR, so I would not even TRY some of the things he does, because I AM NOT CESAR and I could do more harm than good, hence his shows warning on seeking a professional. While some agree with him and others adamantly do not, you have to admit one thing for sure.....MORE PEOPLE are becoming aware of the needs their dogs may have, and are possibly seeking professional help with their dogs, rather than giving them to the pound or putting them down....if for no other reason should Cesar have gained tremendous respect for that ALONE!!!!!

Man.....I missed a lot during the night and to be honest I'm kinda glad.lol I hope everyone has calmed down or made peace or chosen to speak nicely to each other, whatever it takes to get this back to a CALM/ASSERTIVE blog.

Have a WONDERFUL Day everyone!!!!! :)

SJS,
That wasn't very nice and if you noticed the Mods post #151....if things do not calm down, this posting area will be closed if we cannot get it back on track please.

Let's just let it all go and get back to normal pleeeeeeeaaaaaseeeee???? :)

On a positive note... I have a success story with my Lucy!!! As I posted in earlier topic, Lucy (my female boxer) has been acting VERY fearful on our walks. It got to the point where I was so frustrated and the quick jerks on the leash weren't working. So I dug out an old Halti (gentle leader) that I had in the closet and slowly introduced her to it. She bucked at first, but I gave her treats whenever she had it on. Yesterday (day 3 of Halti training), she responded really well and I figured I would try to get out the door and start walking with her and my other boxer before she threw a fit. She did FABULOUS!!! No pulling, no tail between the legs, it was so awesome!! I figured out that not every technique works for every dog. I am doing mostly positive training with her b/c she needs that whereas my aggressive male needs a more stern correction. I'm just so thrilled that I can have a relaxing walk with Oscar AND Lucy for a change!!!!:)

Well said, Joanna!

Thanks Kate G!

Wow! KathyB #152, I agree completely! ha ha ha Glad I worked late last night, and started early this morning, so I couldn't participate! I was stressed out just skimming it all! A lot to read. I won't be able to read it (or watch the Oprah episode) for a few days -- trying to get all my work done so I can take the weekend off and take the boys to the beach WOO HOO! Well, what about the Oprah episode? Did anybody watch it?

Joanna - no need to apologize! Your post was not sappy! It was quite upfront and correct. I too do not mind my dog jumping up on me, it is not to my mind a dominance gesture so it doesn't bother me. If I bend down to them, they will lick my chin instead - I think they are jumping up to give me a "Hi, pack leader" lick on the face...they just can't quite reach that far!

I would consider it to be a dominance gesture if it was like a friend's Saluki. He does not jump up and down with that "joyful" attitude. He just rises up, puts his front feet on your shoulders and stares at your face, and sometimes, if you move, he'll nip you. THAT is definitely a DOMINANCE issue!

Yes, great spot on Oprah where Cesar helped Nate. It was interesting to see how the dogs' frustration turned on each other once they went into the "zone" and could not get at the other dogs. I see this a lot.

Nate and Oprah mentioned, they were both thinking of their dogs as their "children", instead of as dogs. A very common mistake which can lead to a lot of problems.

Glad to see Sophie is doing so well.

Great job, Cesar!

Hey everyone,

Looks like our "pack" here is not so "balanced" at the moment.............

I have been extremely busy whispering to dogs and have really missed our "pack blog".

Just a few random comments if I may....

Since I am the local "Dog Whisperer" here in Naperville I feel I need to hold up my hand like a stop sign here. (see my previous posts awhile ago)

Due to the increasing popularity of Cesar's show I would counsel some caution. First, I would say what I have said before, -------Please do not overthink all this. Remember to put things in a dog's perspective which is KEEP IT SIMPLE. Do not start OVERANALYZING every little detail about your dog and your dog's behavior. Stop putting too much pressure on yourself to do things EXACTLY "right".....
that only creates the wrong energy-- frustration, anxiety, pressure, worry, "second'guessing", etc. all go hand in hand in leading to defeat. Don't lose who you are as a "personality", just be able to allow yourself some "self-revelation" and allow some "tweaking" of how you deal with things.......

BE CAREFUll of how you "think" your dog is reacting to certain people, places, or things. What you may see as aggression or dominance could be fear, anxiety. OR the dog may simply be "reading" YOU and responding to the "pictures" he "sees" in your head.

Without attempting to analyze, just take the time to simply look at him/her at different times during the day (**WITHOUT your dog "seeing" you watching him*****)> You can learn a great deal about your dog when he is simply being a dog----how is he when he is sleeping? Does every little sound have him up and alert? When you leave the room does he lift his head, then put it down and go back to slumberland OR does he immediately jump up to follow you? These things are very "telling" and many "claim" they know what it all means BUT only if you realize on a gut level instinctively WITHOUT even knowing HOW you know instantly what is going on are you a true dog whisperer...this is a gift and meant to be shared--AND is very difficult to put into words. I guess it is just that I feel dogs recognize me on a primal level and instantly trust me, FOLLOW me without even having met me and feel peace in my presence (sorry, that sounds so "godlike", I'm embarassed.....it's not quite coming out the way I want it to....)/ It's just that we humans get SO complicated about everything and my concerns have been growing seeing dogs being put on their sides with an owner's hand practically strangling them......especially when what the dog did was NOT a behavior that warranted the "correction". This particular "correction", if not done by someone who can "read" the dog every step of the way and knows the correct way to do it can do major damage to a dog's state of mind and well as do damage to an owner's body parts.

This also seems to be happening with the "hand bite". IN MOST CASES YOUR "ENERGY"----YOUR BODY LANGUAGE, FACIAL EXPRESSION, TONE OF VOICE,--IS ENOUGH FOR YOUR DOG TO KNOW WHAT YOU WANT OF HIM. You are a "quick" read for the dog, he does understand, but where a lot goes wrong is because you spend too much time on it..it gets complicated for the dog when you feel you have to stand there throwing a barrage of words at him to make your point (usually because you are mad at something he has done and feel righteous about making sure you "drive the point home"....). The "moment" has already passed for the dog, the DOG has moved on, WHY haven't you? This is when your dog gets "confused". A good pack leader stare with a finger point and maybe a "ach" thrown in works wonders with most "sassing", etc. Make sure you HOLD your body still briefly until you see in his eyes he "gets" the message, then turn away and go about your business. You have then "talked" to your dog in a language he understands---notice that most of it is NONVERBAL---and please do NOT read this as an AGGRESSIVE stance; if done right your dog "reads" it right........Don't even say "good boy!!"; all this does is confuse things further. You were Pack Leader in tone and body language and now you blow it all by becoming "Wiggle-butt Puppy Person"...........That does NOT earn trust and respect, all that gets is "I'm going to keep on doing it" and I guess from your high-pitched tone and excited energy level (good boy!!!!!!), you now want to play? ..........It also is why CONSISTENCY is so important..

RE: Consult a professional. CAUTION here too---If anything "niggles", or bothers you on a "gut" level when you are working with a trainer, "behaviorist", or "professional" or even in a training class-----TRUST YOURSELF. If it doesn't "feel" right to you and continues to bother you do not ignore that "whisper".... you have every right to voice your concerns, NO ONE has the right to dictate to you that, (for example) you HAVE to use the words sit, come, or down--use whatever words come naturally to you and are comfortable for you. If you have hired a "trainer", in my mind if that "trainer" has no dogs of their own I would move on...If your "trainer's" energy seems to make you uncomfortable, move on. Ask yourself if you REALLY need a "trainer". What are your reasons--if they are simply because you do not have the time or want someone else to do it---then go get a goldfish.............

THE KEY; Establish FIRST NOT the "training"---establish first the PACK ORDER---When YOU become Pack Leader your dog will pick up everything in record time and will do it for YOU, not for treats, you will then have the realization (and the confidence) that you CAN teach your dog commands (better words would be you CAN teach your dog rules), and why the heck did I think I needed to pay someone $$$$hundreds of dollars for something I really should (and can) do myself especially since I'm the one living with my dog 24/7? If you feel totally overwhelmed by your dog or feel your dog has gone beyond simply being a brat or find his goofball behavior is not so "cute" anymore, then by all means seek advice. DO NOT put yourself, your family members or anyone who may veer into your dog's hemisphere in danger by thinking you can handle EXTREME inappropriate behavior. KEEP IN MIND that what you see on a T.V. program has to be edited to fit a certain time frame. My first visit usually is 3-5 hours and I am sure Cesar does not spend 20 minutes the first time he goes to help a dog either. This is NOT something that can be "on the clock"; it can't be "Well your hour is up, see you next week." I do NOT walk in and say each hour I stay here to work with you will cost $$$$ per hour.
What I DO say is to make sure you can block out a big chunk of time and if 4 hours have passed and you have to be somewhere, please tell me to shut up. I NEVER wear a watch when going to help a dog and his family. The person who comes to help you should spend time with your dog AS WELL AS you and your family. Every dog will have it's unique personality as well as will his owners. The "game plan" for the family will not be the same all the time. At the heart of it is: I am not there to become the family's best friend (although they usually ask me if I can stay the week), I am there to advocate for the dog, I am there to try and keep the dog in his home with his "pack", I am there to try and prevent so many dogs being 'given up on and thrown into shelters, pounds, or the street due to a simple case of having to live in a "throw-away" society with human beings who feel that due to being top of the food chain it is up to the lowly ones to understand US and we have all the answers and know it all so because we are "top of the heap" we needn't bother to attempt to understand you lowly ones---you do what we want, we expect you to just "know" what to do when we bring you in "our den" and there is NO way WE would even acknowledge that your behavior is OUR fault and not
yours.....(oops, sorry, I better get off my "soap box")
**Please, do NOT think I am saying to all of you that you are this way.......I tend to go off on tirades sometimes when owners give up their dogs in a heartbeat because they are too inflexible (the owners NOT the dog@!) or cannot believe that the "fixes" can truly be accomplished in a short span of time and if they would only take the time to attempt to understand WHY their dog is doing something instead of being selfish and saying i've had it with you, i am tired of this, you are stressing me out too much so I
quit...you are OUT of here!

Being a responsible dog owner means so much more than simply being current on vaccinations and obeying the dog ordinances of your area................

WHEW!!!!!!!!!! Sorry for the rambling, I have been dealing with some owners lately who have been extremely frustrating, I have had 2 dogs put down who did not deserve it (their owners should be fined and never allowed to own ANY animal again!!!!GRRRRRRRR...) These were not my dogs, but once I start working with a dog they kind of become "mine"........I feel I let them down, guys and now I'm in tears and doing MY pack a disservice by falling apart in front of them..........Thanks for letting me "spew", I look forward to our FUN and enlightening conversations of quite a few blogs ago..........I think this Pack Leader needs a special treat..so-o-o guess I'm off to see if those chocolate chip cookies are still in the fridge hidden behind the broccoli........

Hi everyone,
I only read the posts till #135 today, as i'm running late. Personally, my dogs have always been like my children, even though i do have 4 human children, but i have always disiplined them, as i did my children, I couldn't have an 80lb dog pull me down the street, but i accept what Cesar says about animal,dog,breed,personality,it has actually brought me closer to them, as I understand them more.Today I let the 2 boys hold each of my dogs on the way to school(I walk with them each a.m.) they did GREAT! ALSO...yesterday my hubby said he almost got another dog! A guy was walking his pit bull & needed a new home for him, since he moved into an appartment. This is a man, who is always against me getting another dog, but brought home our last 2 without asking.Our kids say it's only a matter of time before we get another one LOL. we only have our 2 now, but we've had 5. We'll see what happens.He does know how to pick them tho, I told him he should go into business as a "dog picker" LOL

Kate,

I respect your way of working with dogs. I respect the clicker training method and other positive reinforcement methods that other trainers use. It all works.

My only again is that,that's just "training" a dog.

With the Pack method you are not training a dog but yet basically have the mentally of living in a pack and raising a dog. The pack method is more of an emotional bond with the dog where a lot of communication is through body energy and getting a dog to understand what he did wrong through corrections of how he would be corrected in the wild. All the pack method is doing is treating a dog like a dog and how that dog would be treated if he were in a pack in the wild.

Anyone could "train" a dog to listen to commands, but at that critical moment when you need it most, that training will fail because the dog didn't give the respect to the owner because it didn't see it as it's leader 100% of the time. With the pack method you have to be 100% the leader. Just by teaching a dog a few tricks, sit stay come etc..doesn't mean you'll have full control over that dog.

*Anyway I'm not ripping on you Kate, I respect you and your love for dogs and hope you keep having success. Nothing personal.

*Another thing I have a 13 year old beagle and for 12 years he was so dominant over me, I couldn't do anything with him w/o him trying to attack me. Like try to take something away from him or anything like that. Well after I learned Cesar's methods I started working with him and saw results immediately. My beagle didn't hate me for taking over the leadership role. Now i'm able to do whatever I want with the dog and if he tries attacking me I hold him down and he might "protest" a little, meaning growling and biting my hand, but not breaking the skin. But he eventually calms down and gives me total submission. Using Cesar's methods have definetally giving 100% control over that dog and so that's also too why I'm a big believer in Cesar cuz I've seen his methods work close up. Where as just having my dog trained didn't solve anything.

Karen Dog Whisp.2,
:D Some of the things you say just makes me laugh out loud!lololol :)

"Also, “BAM” that’s all he cares about. "
YES.....I have seen him wag his tail a little at me, but his little nub tail goes CRAZY when she walks through the door.lol He just basically spazes out and I AM THE ONE to get him to calm down. He does not listen to her, and I have to get involved to get him to back off or calm down.

"What does Roman do when he sees your “diva” daughter (I have one too) that you interpret as he “prefers” her?"
His tails wags a mile a minute, he is all excited and happy, and just gets all "riled up" as soon as she walks through the door....for example...last night I had to take my daughter somewhere, we both walked in at the same time and he went right to HER...totally bypasses me!lol

"I also need help with defining your divas “negative” energy."
Stressed, frustrated, angry, sad, (sometimes spaztic lolol), no self control emotionally, totally emotional, but to me it's negative as it's usually angry, frustrated, loud, annoyed, etc.

She will usually push Roman away and tell him to leave him alone 99% of the time (negative energy), there is the 1% (happy, WIRED energy) when she "feels like it", that she will be "nice" to him.....pet him or play with him for about 2 minutes.

Wow, so many posts since I wrote(about an hr ago), Although my dogs aren't "red zone" & we don't have too severe problems with them. there are things that have changed since we've discovered Cesar.1) my boxer mix Shirley doesn't go ballistic when seeing other dogs.2)my dominant rottie(not agressive) dog-boots doesn't jump all over the funiture when he see's his leash taken out.3)I can walk them together at the same time.4)I take them out everyday for about 1hr and 5) MOST IMPORTANT!!The change in ME. I actually enjoy walking.I didn't know i enjoyed it because i was so full of the fear of loose dogs/dog fights that i had a short walk "safe zone" and walked them out of duty.It's hard to describe what freedom I have walking without fear-if i'm tired i have a little fear, but i remember what Cesar says about thinking how u want your walk to be. I love our neighborhood and the beautiful trees,grass etc I didn't notice BC(before Cesar)I've also met several regular dog walkers who i used to "hide" from.I believe God has used Cesar in my life to help me overcome(still overcoming) a fear that has crippled me for the past 14yrs. I would never "hold down" my dog,I would need help with that, but I can project a pack leader image, control my dogs and enjoy my life more.an added bonus:i've lost 10 lbs, but haven't been going to the gym due to the walking/time factor. just wanted to share that, i'm also very glad i can share with you all-your all like me...you love your dogs.

I just want to let you know that today May 23rd,I had the wonderful experience to meet Cesar Millan in person, right here in New York city, at Borders bookstore,,, it was a delight to see him in person, I got my audio book autographed and took a picture with him,,, wohooooooooooooooooo!!! I am happy, I wish I could share the pic with you, fans of The Dog Whisperer!!! He was answering some question from the audience, it was fun!

Marielle, One of my dogs will only poop if I'm present. He will hold it in all day until I come home, even if my boyfriend brings him out for a walk. In other words, he will not poop in front of other people -- just me! He will do it alone if he's outside in the yard or running loose in the woods. But he won't do it in front of any other human except me. I have no idea how, but I suspect I inadvertently "trained" my dog to do this from puppyhood. Probably because I would walk him immediately when I awoke in the a.m., and immediately after arriving home from work, and we were always one-on-one. My previous dog would not EAT unless I was present. This was a big problem because at the time I traveled a lot, and she would simply not eat for days on end until I returned home. Every time I would be away, if I called to check on her whomever was dogsitting would say "She's fine, but she won't eat." Same with my dog now, if I'm away, "He's fine, but he won't poop." Ugh!

Norma,

I am sooooooooooooooooooooooooo jealous!!!/hehe. I want to meet Cesar so bad! That must have been way fun. I wonder what I'd say if I did meet him..............

Chantel,

That's great, congratulations!! My Gram had a pom, and they are the best dogs! Sounds like he's tiny, wish we could see pictures.

I vote that you name him "Cesar"!

Hi Chantel, your new puppy sounds adorable. How exciting. I like your names too. Is 5 weeks a little young to be taken away from his mother though? I always heard 7 or 8.

Jack,

I don't think you should own any dog and period. For someone who would hit a dog it shows that you are not a dog lover. They are six months old puppies, just look at their cute face. How could you hit they? You are lucky that you are not being arrested for animal abuse.

HELLO EVERYONE!!!!
Well I am lost. My scottish Terrier "Bogart" isnt going to make things easy. He is soooo stubborn. He wont stop barking in our backyard at all.Our nieghbors are all dog owners so they are trying to be nice,but it is really hard since I know its annoying them. Bogart will not come in our house when called. My neighbor behind us enjoys the "show" from me and my husband outside chasing the dog. Sometimes we just let it go and call him in again a few mins. later,but there are many times that we have to leave and must to get the dogs in. I even put Bogart on a leash in our backyard,we did that for a few weeks and he wasnt a happy pup. It was a long lead and he had some room to walk around the yard but if he didnt come in when called him we could get him in without having to chase him around for 20mins.:) But it has not helped. I waited until he came in on his own(without having to tug on the lead)before letting him run without the lead,but he is still stubborn.
I still take him for walks and he goes crazy when we walk past other dogs!! I am using the choke collar like suggested by you guys but he is so strong,it really doesnt help. He is all muscle,especially his neck and it doesnt seem to bother him.
In our house he still keeps barking,especially when he sees my cat!!! Help!!!!
Also,when I go upstairs to put the kids to bed,Bogart leaves a large puddle for me every time,and we let him out for a potty break BEFORE we go upstairs! So now I have to put him in his crate anytime I go upstairs,I hate having to do that. I dont even like to use a crate. Before Bogart,I never had a crate for my dog,I dont know what else to do.
As I said before,I love Bogart and Im only telling you the problems. Please understand,we have many good moments with him too,lots of laughs.
What am I doing wrong? I need help!

~BOGARTS MOM

I have a suggestion that might solve one aspect of your problem Karen. You can let Bogart free to run around in the backyard with a line dragging from his collar. That will make him very easy to catch. He can dodge and dance all he wants, while you just stand there and pick up the line. Get a firm hold, call him, then reel him in and praise him and give him a treat to reinforce the "come" command to boot. You can do this lots of times when you are NOT going to put him inside as well, so that he gets a strong positive association with "come." Don't ever use the "c" word when you don't have hold of that line.

I did this with a very shy dog I adopted. I could never get her inside when I had to go. It was a circus out there every time. You can't use a leash for this line by the way. The loop end will constantly get hung up on things and be an endless frustration. Go to the hardware store and buy 10 or 12 feet (I don't know how big your yard is or how close Bogart lets you get) of that slippery yellow lightweight nylon cord they call boat line. Put a clip on one end to attach to his collar. That will work pretty well, as long as you protect your hands against rope burn.

karen andreson,
Try switching to a prong collar! Roman would lung at dogs IF after I first got them to back off or if he wanted to "meet" a new person....He ain't doin that now!lololol
Make sure you read up on the collars as they are AWESOME if used properly but aren't if you do not! The best place I found on the net is called "Leerburg Dog Training - How to fit a Prong Collar for Dog Training", google it and it will tell you EXACTLY how to place it, size it, etc.!!!
It took me a long time to get the courage to use one because I did not have the KNOWLEDGE on how to use it properly, so I did not want to hurt Roman and was afraid I would until I learned about it, now it's GREAT!

I would not feel bad about crating Bogart.....it may actually make him feel better! Crates become a dogs "safe place" as I have seen with my pittbulls....they would just go there whenever they wanted to nap or it was bedtime. It does not "hurt Bogart's feelings" to be crated at night, and you don't have any morning puddles!lol I hope that helps some! :)

I was just scanning a lot of the posts and compelled me to comment about the "dominance" issue. As I read in Cesar's book, the word dominance sometimes has negative connotations but he does not mean it in a negative way. The dogs simply must allow us to be their pack leaders and we are "dominant" in that sense. They have to rely on us for food, shelter, clothing (haha) because they are living in our world (people world) and they cannot hunt for food as they would in their dog world, naturally.

I use as much of Cesar's Way as I can. My blue heeler Yogi has a dominant personality, but he's learning to let me be his pack leader more and more each day. He's 8 months old, a teenager. He doesn't fear me even though I am showing him I'm the boss and he is not. And if I could read his mind, I think he would say he enjoys not having to be the pack leader. So does my mother's dog. My mom recently moved in with me and her spoiled little rat terrier mix still sleeps with her at night but follows me around the house all day (waiting for me to take them for a walk, I guess. They love going for the walk - they live for the walk LOL

Not every single dog needs every single method taught by Cesar. But they all need exercise, discipline, and affection. My mother's dog used to get 97% affection and 2 percent discipline and about 1% exercise. She was not the saddest little dog I ever met, but she sure is happy now that we exercise daily (me, Yogi, and Chayo).

So, just as with anything else, people can take one little piece of information, remove it from the complete program, and then try to tear it apart. But the "dominance" thing has to be viewed in the entirety of Cesar's Way and not seen as a negative thing. The dogs truly are relieved and happy not to have to be our pack leaders. :-)

KathyB,
I recall you saying that Roman was HER dog first? Could it be that she was very lovey-dovey, hyper/excited when she used to be around him? Maybe it is his conditioned response to her scent? Although, this is just one idea, I'm sure others can offer better explanations.
It's kinda funny that you brought this up b/c I recall my husband taking a video awhile back (before I had ever heard of Cesar Millan) when I came home from a trip. The dogs went NUTS! And we thought it was the cutest thing. Now, I get a few butt wiggles when I walk in the door, but it doesn't take me 20 minutes to calm them down like it used to. It makes things much more CALM in the house and I can tell the dogs are happier b/c they don't have to get all excited when my husband or myself walks through the door. So you are the GOOD one, daughter bad;)haha!

Bogarts mom,

When you call your dog to come try running the other direction to get the dog to chase you and once the dog is chasing you run in to the house. I was having some frustration when playing ball with my shepherd with her running after the ball and then running around crazy to everything but me. I wait until she has the ball in her mouth and say "Mia, come here" and then I take off running. She just can't help herself and I get some exercise too.

Dear Jack,

I can honestly feel how sorry you are about how you treated your Beagle puppies. Many times we all do things we regret later. The problem is, we don't know how to let go of those fellings of regret. For your sake and your puppies - LET IT GO!!!!!!!!!!!

You now have the opportunity to start fresh. The longer you hang on to these feelings, the worse it will get. You need to snap out of it. As Cesar says, "You cannot gain "pack leadership" status as long as you remain in a weak state of mind". I own a Beagle myself and she ran the show (and still does to some extent) for a long time. How can you not want to just cuddle them all the time - those eyes - those "Velvet" ears - that white tipped tail swaying back and forth saying, come on Mom lets play. You have many wonderful years ahead of you with your puppies so do your best to become the "pack leader" you know they need. You will be rewarded everyday with their loyalty and love.

Good luck with your little ones.

Chantel,

I am hoping you would wait until the pup is at least 8 weeks. That is about the time that the mother instills the bite inhibition. If that is present, it would take a lot less training and be less difficult to socialize.

I am sorry to bring back the old subject but I wanted to thank The Dog Whisperer Blog Moderators to warn against the back and forth debate (arguments?). I was afraid the blog may go back to the uncivilized state of mind again. People can disagree but arguments get old after a while.

Chantel,

I really agree with Nightwalker before me. I think 6 weeks is awfully early to wean a pup from a mother. I thought it was illegal to sell puppies younger than 8 weeks old in the U.S. Maybe only in certain states? I am sure you mean the best for the puppy but would it be possible to wait until it becomes eight week old?

Hi Penny!
I am glad you are home safe, and you are okay.

My suggestion.....I would write a "nice" letter to the headquarters of that chain of stores you were in and explain the lawsuit that could (and can still be done) for the mental distress caused by the people that worked there. You have to remember that big stores have nice little camera's EVERYWHERE and I'm sure this "nice" store you went to would not like to put out the ENORMOUS amount of money it WILL have to should you decide to proceed legally!
I had a friend years ago who had a great dane for a seeing eye dog and the owner of a restuarant told him he couldn't bring the dog in, in which I of course (lol) stuck my nose right up in that and explained the repercussions legally if he does NOT comply with the LAW!

Again....Glad you are home and I'm proud of Loki!!! :)

Thanks, KathyB... already sent off an e-mail to the HQ of that chain, to the human resources as well as the legal department and public relations department filling them in on the Americans with Disability act and everything that happened today and informed them that I will not be making a legal matter of what happened today as long as it does not happen again... I am not out for money and that would defeat the purpose in my mind. Though I did mention that the US Department of Justice might not be as kind when it comes to fines.

Hi Jeremy!
A TON of people come here with a TON of different situations, problems, successes, losses, and are here to share them with each other. I think it's more important (to me at least) that I have a sounding board to talk to people who love their dogs as much as I do with whatever is going on in my life, then to "stay on topic of the title". Thats my 2 cents anyways!lol :)

to KathyB

Lost you somewhere yet I think we were somewhere in post 168 or 173.......anyway----CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!YOU ARE ROMAN'S PACK LEADER!!!!!!!!!!!! (our 'darling diva daughters' are a whole 'nother matter tho...)

Who is the one who needs to calm him down? YOU (pack leader)

Who does he approach with appropriate 'submissive' energy?
YOU (pack leader)

Who does he NOT listen to? HER (follower)

C'mon girlfriend, ya getting the point?

When he gets "spazzed" out, hyper-excited; yes it's annoying----yes, that is also NEGATIVE behavior/energy----however, don't you see the true picture here? YOU view your daughter's energy as negative most of the time HOWEVER to Roman all it is is a TORNADO OF 'WILD' EXCITED (to us emotional) ENERGY he can probably scent a mile away and he is reacting to it!! Bet when she pushes him away he keeps coming back for more.... They are both 'wiggle-butts'---a bundle of 'hyper-zone' puppies; surely this is NOT how you want Roman to greet you? Have you not worked diligently to ensure he 'knows' YOU are Pack Leader? Are you not proud of your 'Rockin Rott? Do you not feel proud of the control you have over him outside, what a wonderful picture you two must be----Wow, look how that woman has such control over that 'gigantic beast'?!!!!!!!!!!

He does NOT prefer her over you, he does NOT love her more than you! "Love" is too abstract a concept for a dog, we are the ones who call a dog jumping all over us--he loves me. ******NO*******IT IS NOT LOVE, IT IS NOT HAPPY, IT IS SIMPLY EXCITED.

Let's think of it this way:

Trust + Respect = Pack Leader = (for the dog,) LOVE!!!

You are getting 'love' from Roman all the time! He has given you the greatest thing a dog can give--the trust and respect of Pack Leader!!!!!!

Hope you feel better now.......you rock!!!!!!

To John R.:

Re. post 189'

Couple questions-Who in your pack "brings it on", are you SURE when your beagle growls at your bullmastiff he is not responding to some 'energy' or look from him? I work a lot with multiple dog families and usually the one causing the problems is NOT the one they think,

Also, ALL SHOULD REMEMBER: DO NOT bring another dog into your pack until your other dog(s) and you are a well-balanced pack!!! Especially with rescue dogs---they are the ones who usually get blamed for things the OTHER guys are doing....

You have had your bullmastiff about a year, yes? Perhaps there is some more 'tweaking' of your pack needed. There should be NO FIGHTING if you have a well-balanced pack!!
If your dogs look upon you as a Pack Leader they 'recognize', you should be able to say 'Hey'! or 'Quit'!! if they are truly fighting and not playing...

Also, have you ever stood back a moment to see if the two can resolve the 'issue' themselves? Sometimes interrupting and 'breaking up' a disagreement among dogs only leads to them doing it over and over again because there is never resolution for them..They were having a rather heated 'discussion' and before they could finish and move on, you stepped in and stopped it. BOTH your dogs should be corrected, if you truly feel this is a 'tear your throat out' fight.

Guess I need more info re: your bullmastiff and how HE is in everyday life.

Lastly, yes I do live in Naperville, IL. Are you from the area also? Moderator, I dont feel this is all that personal so hope I have not made a misstep////

OOPS, one more thing, What are the names of your dogs? I would like to not have to keep typing bullmastiff and am unable to use initials, they would be a bit 'smutty'......

Let me know........Thanks

Oh Penny, how TRIUMPHANT to have your 19 week old pup perform under such pressure and distraction! Big soup bone for Loki tonight!! And MAJOR satisfaction for you to have your ability as a trainer so publicly vindicated.

What an unpleasant bunch of folks in that store. They should feel SOME hurt over putting you through this. Gee whiz, a gift card at least! (That's what my brother was given when the cashier forgot to remove an electronic tag, and he was tackled by a burly security guard as he sprinted to catch the el.)

I take my Loki everywhere, bank, Walmart, elementary school, thrift shop etc. and NEVER get thrown out. She is a Belgian shepherd and not a service dog. I also don't experience what you mentioned elsewhere about kids lunging at the dog. Parents are always instructing their kids to "ask first" and "let him smell your hand" etc. Whereabouts do you live, or does that have nothing to do with it?

It is so inspiring that you are training your own service dog.

Hey Joanna. Just curious to where you're from.. since Loki isn't a common doggie name. Sounds kinda familiar to where I'm from. =)

Chantel,
I haven't had a chance to say WOHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO YOUR GETTING YOUR PUPPY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :)
I'm VERY excited for you!!!! Your going to have such a blast! I have noticed that a lot of very knowledgable people have been commenting on the very young age in which you will be getting him/her & I don't know enough to give advice, other than that the people that ARE giving you advice, about how old they should be when they are taken away from mom, are VERY knowledgable!

Everybody else......Roman Update: He is doing AWESOME since the trainers came Monday!!!!! I see a 100% change in HIM & ME! Just thought I'd share! :)

I also must say that it's definetaly not as bad as it was a year ago. There definetaly has been improvement. Like Sam doesn't growl as much anymore, still have those moments but they've definetaly become fewer and fewer. Maybe I was just expecting too much right away, but I see improvement from a year ago, and Briggs has calmed down a little more too. Usually now when Briggs wants to play like late at night, I'll just take him for another walk to drain the energy.

"I read one case study of a litter whose mother died when they were 3 weeks old; all of them were dog agressive all their lives."

I found this to be true with the dog we got when she was three weeks old. She not only didn't have the benefits of having her mom but she had no siblings either. This also turned out to be her un-doing as her agressivness caused her to approach a coyote and she was killed. It was devesating and still is to this day.
Sadly, this was pre-Cesar so I didn't know how to rehab her and didn't even know she could be.

I hope it will work out for Chantel to wait for a few weeks before she gets her puppy.

KathyB.

Thanks! (post 217)...Glad I could help........Guess what? I even have a suggestion for your 'drama queen'.. Try this, (works even better since you are such a rockin' Pack Leader), if you have completely HAD IT with the academy award performance and (to her) the 'whole world is coming to an end' simply look at her CALMLY (maybe a sigh thrown in or a head shake) and say--" _____, I really don't want to play." And then go about your business... Simple, direct, and to the point and then you move on...(remind you of anything???) Ach, it's late..

\And it is also POURING RAIN outside--these are the times that try Pack Leaders souls!!!!!!!! Must pretend I LOVE getting soaked so my pack won't balk at getting their pretty little feet wet....Off for MY walk---wonder if I can train them to hold an umbrella for me??????

Hi Karen DW 2,

Since you seem to have worked with lots of dogs I am posing this question to you,and of course to ANYONE else who has some insight on this problem! I apologize to those of you who have seen this post before. I am still looking for answers so I'll give it another go.

I just got back from a beautiful hike in the hills where for the 3rd time this week my 2 dogs took off on me for over 10 minutes.

They are so respectful in all other ways. THey walk beautifully on lead, don’t jump on people, go thru doors and gates after me, drop bones on command, hold nice stays even with lots of distractions… I feel like I’m doing everything right, but this is just not working!

The friends I hike with have lovely but UNTRAINED dogs. They jump on people, pull on their leashes, etc, BUT on the trail they just galumph along and never run away!

My 2 dogs always ranged more widely, (I thought Hey they’re in good shape!) but now they are going farther and farther. They come when called…until they just bolt.

I can leash walk them, or even tell them to “Heel” off lead and have them walk behind me, but it just isn’t the same fun or exercise, especially when the other dogs are free to explore and zip around.

Is there ANY way I can have my cake and eat it too? According to Cesar, if I am “Pack Leader” they should follow me. But while they are totally deferential to me in all other ways, they are getting bolder and bolder in their excursions. What do all my laidback non-training friends have that I don’t?? (Dogs that don’t run off obviously!)

PS I admit that Doggone's previous suggestion of long line training is probably the best answer in theory. It just doesn't work in the reality of the woods. There are too many things for the line to get hung up on, and there is the very real danger of losing the end of the line and having the dog get lost AND hung up. I know someone whose dog died that way. I wish there were more of a psychological solution!

Someone here already has the Season 1 DVD? It's FOUR DVDs?? I figured it would all fit on one. Hmmm.... I pre-ordered it 6 weeks ago on Amazon, and they sent me an email saying it had been shipped, and I still don't have it! Must have sent it by slow freight! ha ha ha What's the point of pre-ordering like some VIP? I coulda gotten it sooner at the store! Hope it will come today so I can bring it with me this weekend.

Oh gee I just realized I didn't even answer your simple question. I do call them back, and mostly they come running immediately (praise and treats!) and sometimes after a brief delay. When they don't come at all I give up calling and they find me later on down the trail. It is impossible to know which way they have gone in the 100's of acres of woods, so there is no chance of me trying to find them. THey will often reappear from a completely unexpected direction.

Joanna,

I may get tons of 'flak' for this, however here goes...

Sometimes praise and treats backfire. That's more of what I call 'robot dog' syndrome--the dog may do what he has been 'conditioned' to do, HOWEVER YOU WANT HIM TO DO IT FOR YOU....Leader has asked this of me, and I (as follower) must do it (whether I agree with it or not) because I am 'hard-wired' to desire harmony in my pack and certainly do not want to get kicked out....

In other words, (think I have said similar stuff in other posts), we HUMANS sometimes inadvertantly 'blow' it by giving a command to a dog in a 'calm assertive'manner and then, when they do what we ask, we turn into 'Puppy Person'--i.e., Goooood Girl, Here's your cookie!!! Our body language, tone of voice, and energy goes into (to a dog) 'excitement wiggle-butt' mode, which is fun BUT certainly nothing to respect. You have 'flipped' from one 'energy' to the next and it is confusing to a dog---remember the word consistency?

Try this: When they come back from 'the hunt', be more MATTER OF FACT. You EXPECTED them to come back, they did, so you guys knock it off and stay close. BREAK EYE CONTACT, continue with the journey.....BUT, if you recognize their body language signals of "I'm about to BOLT!"--find the best Pack Leader voice you can muster and say something like "ACH, Leave IT!" HOLD THAT ENERGY and picture in your mind nothing but those 2 'alerting' to you and 'understanding' now is NOT the time to 'hunt'....

BEFORE that 'switch' gets turned on all the way, INTERRUPT it.

Also, (if you can handle the frustration),before you try anything, simply observe if there are certain 'triggers' in the area where you go, observe which of your dogs 'starts it', observe EVERY body nuance sequence they exhibit when they react to anything at all during your hike. I know the other dogs are 'hanging around' and don't take off but REALIZE even THEY could be playing a part in this whole senario (which I am probably only confusing further; at times it is SO difficult to put things into words I have always just felt/known?) GOSH, I just wish I could watch them and go with you guys and it would be sooooooooooooo much easier!!!

Maybe someday all of us who are scattered around the country could organize our own 'Meet and Greet' Week (or day or whatever), and come together to meet the faces and wet noses behind all our stories!! Would that be AWESOME or what??????

Oops, I'm rambling again.....sorry...now where was I?

I have more to offer, however, by the time I finish it may be Xmas!!!!!!!!

So, FIRST: Be in the 'state of mind' where (for example) you are SAYING (not asking) to your dog----SIT. When they do, don't hold them there with eye contact OR TREATS. BE MATTER OF FACT ABOUT IT--it is what you expect them to do at the moment and NOTHING MORE....They respond to this way better because they UNDERSTAND the language you are 'speaking'---A Pack Leader EXPECTS them to FOLLOW what is asked them, and once they have done it, the pack moves on....Wolves would certainly not sit there and say, "WOW, you sat really good there, that was really great, let's all go chase our tails and celebrate!!!!!!!"

Go on the hike with NO EXPECTATIONS (for awhile)... I AM going to go hike in the hills and it is such an awesome day I thing I will invite my dogs to come with me on MY hike. Deep breath of fresh air (depending on where you live, haha), keep focus on the calm of NATURE, all is well and I am going to be "KISSing" (Keeping It Simple & Sunny)>

Back with the rest of the game plan later.......

Hi everyone, I am curious about the first DVD or CEsar I think it is the instruccional, not the episodes from Dog Whisperer,,,, I want to know what is the DVD all about? Agression? or just dogs in general??? I want to know so I have an idea to buy it,,, thank you!!!!!!!!!

Hi Joanna,

Oh okay I thought maybe Hawaii or something cuz Loki sounds like a Hawaiian name hehe. =)

Hi again, Everyone...

I got a response to my e-mail to that 'chain' store from the CEO of Public Relations, he sais that he would look into the situation and would be on the phone with the manager personally today then went on to tell me how they do not condone such actions... then informed me that if this was a false claim in hopes of getting a monitary reward it could be punnishable by fines, jail time and a civil suit!!! To top it all off he said that could have a $25 gift card as an appology!!!!
I fired an e-mail right back with the original attached and told him to take note of the part where I said that I would not sue as long as this is an isolated incident and I had no further problems... sighs...

Loki and I went to a different store today and we had no troubles at all, though I am tempted to go back to that 'chain' store with him to see what happens this time, only if I go back it will be with someone following me who has a palm sized camcorder, after all, Loki has $25 worth of dog toys to get.

Anyway, that is the update.

KATHYB>!!!!

Oops, hit the key so hard to make my point I hit 'Submit Comment' by mistake!!!!!! Hope you find this continuation of my post 241.......

Again, TO YOU the energy is 'negative', TO ROMAN it is neither positive nor negative, it is kind of 'excited' energy, it is certainly weak energy, it is certainly NOT an energy he needs to RESPECT, so ---Roman is mirroring what is going on inside your daughter--HOW CAN HE BE CALM AND CENTERED WHEN SHE ISN'T????? IN THE MOMENT, here is a 'scent' that makes me (Roman)go nervous /excited/SPAZZ 'cuz I (Roman) cannot read exactly WHAT this human is in such turmoil about-------now where's that human with that CONSISTENT CALM, MELLOW Energy that puts me in a calm, submissive state of mind that I DO UNDERSTAND?????

It's kind of like you are relaxing, watching t.v. or whatever,(you are having your first peaceful moment of the day), and one of your kids comes in, throws themselves on the couch with you and proceeds to start bouncing up and down or is really hyped up from knocking over his sister's legoland and now has decided to make you nuts too......At the drop of a hat YOU can go from really chilled out to a 'tornado' of heart-pumping excited negative/positive emotion/energy AND find yourself right there on the 'Tilt-a-Whirl' with your kid!!........ It can sometimes escalate to needing another Pack Leader in the house to come and 'turn off the switch'.......

You might also realize Roman IS there and certainly will be able to read YOUR energy/mind pictures YOu have when thinking or interacting with your diva....If you are Pack Leader does he not look to see (and can sense from you b/4 she even walks thru the door) how YOU deal with this pack member? All this guy knows is that, with her, your 'scent' changes;----------YOU see her as 'follower', so he does too........oh, heck! I am making NO sense anymore......sorry......

You can't wait till she's outta there (I fully understand, believe me)---this is anticipation, this is something your heart races a little faster when you think about it, this is tension (negative), at the same time this is excitement (positive- she will soon be out of here), etc. etc. Roman is 'reading' all of it, and, being DOG FIRST is simply reacting to the 'change of energy' in the air..........She is 'play-time' for him and if he is not being 'tanked out' every day with exercise and the right mind-engaging activities--she has become a thing he can turn his excess energy to most likely without getting into trouble for it.......

Aw, heck---if you find yourself getting a bit 'UN-mellow", give yourself a correction (redirect) and recenter by thinking of something to bring you back to mellow(sitting on the beach just 'being' and enjoying the sunset) or to a 'feel-good', 'feel-happy' state (Chocolate Chip Cookies on top of Mint Chocolate Chip ice cream-------PURE HEAVEN!!!!) XOXO

When are the new episodes going to start? I have looked through July 14th (and you can't go further on the schedule on National Geographic Channel website.)

KathyB.!!!!!!!!!!!!

What was going to talk about next was that what also might happen is that Roman may view her also (in addition to a littermate) as 'his' female....How funny is that!!!!!

**************Good to see you instituting RULES for her too.....I didn't know how to begin to 'talk' about that due to not wanting for it to come off as a critism.......

KathyB/

WAIT-----------there is still that Hershey w/Almonds bar behind the AllBran cereal in the pantry!!!!! All is NOT lost!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Karen Dog Whisp.2 says,
Post #250.....YOUR KILLIN ME!!!!!hahahahaaaa
I don't usually eat any of that kinda stuff unless it's pms week, and it is in fact pms week, so STOP IT!hahahahaaa

PS: YOU NAILED IT!!!!!.....THAT'S the energy I put off when Roman and I are confronted or charged by another dog....the KNOCK IT OFF vibe.....I am SO gunna try that vibe with miss "diva" next time and see what happens.....I couldn't explain what it was I was putting off when encountering another dog...but I think thats it!

Hi Daisy's Mama,
Yup there are 2 Loki dogs on this blog. I thought I was being SO creative. Yeah Norse trickster god of mischief, but it does sound kinda Hawaiian too, like Kai or Kali. I only wish I lived in Hawaii. It seems like a magical place to me.

Hey Karen DW2,
I think you make a valid point about the treats and praise. I actually had been wondering myself if I am being too much of a patsy in the woods, ladling out praise and food for following, like I'm begging instead of being a leader. Maybe that's too weak.

I have been taught to be very effusive with praise to reward an off-leash "come." In the dog-to-dog world obviously that doesn't really compute. But I feel like I have to be pretty darn attractive to vie for attention with a running squirrel, or the scent trail of a deer. Perhaps more confidence and less praise is in order. It's just frustrating that the only consequence they can get for running off is a whole lotta fun! That's one thing I can't seem to get around.

It does help to look for the triggers and interrupt in the first stage of excitement. But I don't want to stop them every time they start to run either. After all that is part of what the walk is about (them getting to run around that is.) OOh it's so hard!

I thank you for your insights and all the time you've taken to write them.

I got the DVDs (ssssss) in the mail today, finally!!! I didn't realize there were so many episodes on Season 1. I thought I had seen all of them, but some don't sound familiar at all! Can't wait to start watching them. The 4th DVD has outtakes and other stuff on it.

K2,
Let me know how you like the DVD's....If there are any shows on there that may not have been shown or I may have missed!
I LOVE his show and would so buy the 1st season....let me know how you like it!!! :)

Hey guys. Have you heard anything about Cesar's "Illusion Collar"? Any idea when it will be available to order??

I don't see where to order it, I just see in the products "coming soon". :-(

I'm sorry guys. I'm confused. Which site do I go to? The dog psychology center one?

HELP!!! with my 7 month puppy pug Molly,,, she masters the walk, she is submissive to me, she knows I am the pack leader,,, it is my other 2 kids, who one is in college and work and doesnt spend time in the house, and the other is a high schooler, who spend her time in the bedroom with computer, homework, tv, cell and rock and living her teeneage life, so Molly spend all the time with me,,, once my kids need something from the kitchen or the living room, Molly gets freasky, starts to move the tale and leak their feet and walk around them cirlcle them, I commander to leaving them alone with a Sh and a pointing finger or I just claim my kids, by claiming space, and my puppy gets it, but if I am not around my kids call me: MOM!!!!!!!!! I tell them to be the leaders by claiming space but they wont cooperate, they find the sh!! and being dominant tedious,,,, and I am thinking: is molly acting of playfullness and being a puppy??? or is there something else I can do, I will aprecciate your coments, THANKS!!!

I need some advice too. I have been walking my two fighting dogs (who have been separated for over a year now) together for two months now. they are doing very well on walks. Like best friends which they used to be. I really feel that they are ready to be together in the house too. I am afraid of that, and I am sure they will pick on my negative energy, which makes me not get them together inside yet. But I want to try really soon. The problem is that I'll be gone for almost three weeks very soon, and one of the dogs will go to a friend's house for that time. Should I try to bring them together before I leave? Or wait and start when I am back, and can continue.
I haven't seen any signs of agression between them since we started walking, I believe we are ready to be one pack again.

Karen Dog Whisp.2!!!!
lololol....I'm more of a slit eye, or look you in the eye kinda girl, but the body language is ALL "you feelin froggy, go ahead and jump on this lilly pad"!!!hahahhaa

You CRack me UP!...I just love you! :) xo

Norma,
Karen Dog Whisp.2 is da BOMB ain't she!lololol :)
xoxoox

good evening all, i loved reading your posts today, especially about the mama pack leader-KathyB, you go girl, what an inspiration. Penny, sorry u had to go thru all that , but both of you came out victorious! My son's friend & girfriend got a tiny chi puppy- named her Loki! my son puppy sat for a few hours at his appartment- & he said he had to go out to his car & held that little dog in his arms, hoping no one would see , the way he was carrying it.He was sooo funny when he told me.He's thinking about getting one. today i was off, so me & my
hubby took our 2 to the dog park. He always tells me he's not interested in Cesar or the DW show, but he always watches it with me, also, today HE told me to park a few blocks away, so they wouldn't get there excited! lolo. Then he was telling the dogs what a good snack they're going to get for dinner today (steak bones)he wasn't a dog person when we got married, but he is today. Then he shared his ice cream with them.

When are the new episodes going to start? I have looked through July 14th (and you can’t go further on the schedule on National Geographic Channel website.)

Karen Dog Whisp.2,

Post 277....OMGOSH....hahahahhaha....ROFLMBO....and YES Roman DID give me that head cocked look!!!!!

Help Ewa, Karen!!!! :)
POST #268: EWA has been having the most interesting situation for the longest time Karen and I have wanted to say "go for it girl", that the perfect time to put them together would be when they have had a very long good walk...but she is not me, and I am not a proffessional, so there is NO WAY I am or would tell her that!....Can you help her????? She has been working with her two dogs for what seems like months (probably to you to Ewa!!!) and I would LOVE to read that she finally got up the courage, knowledge, P.L Here I am, knew she was in CHARGE, and put those to rascals together!
And I would LOVE to hear your advice on this!!!! I am getting ready to have a room-mate that has two dogs (3 year old male Shepard, 3 year old spayed female Chow) and from the little we talked about....his chow is the Alpha....only one Alpha allowed in my house!hahahaha

ANYWAY.......It will be VERY interesting how Ewa can get her two dogs together and NOT be afraid to do so, or be empowered by you, to know she can do it!!!!

btw....You crack me UP!!!!!!! :D XOXOXO

Hi there again Karen,

Well, hmm. When I said the walk, I didn't really mean "The Walk" in the formal sense. I meant the outing. When I walk my dogs on the leash they don't get that much excercise because they are , well, walking y'know. When I take them on a hike in the woods they can race up and down the trails for an hour (while I plod along in that slower 2-legged way I have) and come home fully tired out. On the ideal "outing" this occurs without them ever running off and having their own separate adventure and meeting me later!

I won't get into the other dogs behavior because my dogs do their little independent thing with or without canine companionship. The reason I mentioned it is because this loose "outing" idea seems to work so well for them, so it should not be out of reach for me.

My Belgian shep is not the fearsome beast one might imagine while reading about the Abu Graib dog abuse trials. She is a pretty little long-haired Tervuren, merry but sweet and gentle, generally looking to me for my direction and reaction. Also very quick to learn.

I guess I AM indecisive in the woods because my vision of the behavior I want is not absolutely clear to the dogs. Do I want them under command at my side? Not exactly. Do I want them to run free? Well partly. Just never lose sight of me! This must seem pretty weak and confusing. Yet I meet people hikeing with their dogs all the time who do it!

When I know what I wan,t my dogs respond. For example if I want them to sit in the back of the car and not to jump in the middle seat, they stay there no questions asked, even if I leave them in the car to do an errand. (When I babysit other people's dogs they jump all over the car and people in it, muddying everything.)

I can see from your posts that I need to communicate my intentions for the dogs more clearly in this case. I am just not sure still how I can communicate: feel free to romp because the formal walk is over, but don't romp out of sight.

HEY all,

Seems all the dogs in Naperville have decided to go 'hinkey' today (even better--they are 'spazzing' out all over the place!!!!!!!)

So-------don't have a lot of time today, need to go stand outside a lot of houses with a megaphone and say, "SHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!"

I think all the rain and overcast skies here in Illinois have done a number on everyone! (Barometric pressure can make dogs "loopy" and/or cranky too, did ya know that?)

Am going to spend the day putting some PEOPLE down on THEIR sides, while telling THEM to 'knock it off' and 'settle down'!!!!!!!!!!! What a great picture---can you imagine the look on their dog's faces if I were to actually do this???????? Perhaps KathyB. and I could try it on our "Darling Divas"...........

Will try to get back to you guys tonite......

Oh, real quick---

Joanna; "When I know what I want, my dogs respond" Let's take your energy you exhude in THOSE situations and begin applying it to the romps in the woods. Also, have some other suggestions that jumped into my brain around 3 a.m. ...hang in there until I can get back to you.....

KathyB.: You are gonna need a SOLID game plan here re: the new roomie w/2 dogs. Don't like to get breed specific here, however I would ABSOULUTELY read up on the Chow Breed. I have no idea what kind of owner this new roommate is BUT here is your new equation: Chow + Sheperd + Rottie = OMG!!!!!!!!!!!!!! PLUS

Wouldn't it be great if there was an actual message board somewhere where we could all sign up and post post post anything we wanted....and wouldn't take up space on the NGC blog? I think that would be cool! I am worried that all the debate and back and forth action on this blog will lead the blog to a slow and painful death.

Jaemie,

I don't think you have anything to worry about. The moderator steps in
when things get out of hand and as long as there aren't any flame wars
or posting of links and personal info the moderators seems content to
allow the blogs to go on as is.

hi everyone,
thands KathyB, this a.m. I woke up sleepy plus i need to leave for a meeting before work early
by 11:30, instead of 2:30), so i realy can't take the dogs out, my hubby said"you should take them
out at least on your bike, it wouldn't take too long & they'd have a good run",so yes,
he follows the "take them out everyday thing too.I feel very bad about it, but i was on the phone
too long with my daughter, so now I can't.My hubby loves the dogs, talks to them all the time,plays
with them,he just has this "macho" thing, where he doesn't want anyone to notice that he
likes Cesar lol.tomarro, there is the annual street sale on our block,crowds of people,so it will be
a chalange for the dog walks, but maby it will be good for shirley to be around all those
people, i'll let u know, oh...my husbands obcessed with making the prototype for our
"dog jogger", so he's been working on that too.

Thanks KathyB. I'll give "follow the leader" a try. Sounds fun.

Hi Yogi, I second what Kathy said! Change of direction is absolutely key. I'm the one who is always talking about backing up. It is extremely helpful to constantly change direction without warning so that your dog MUST pay attention to you. Do it EVERY time he pulls (and even when he doesn't.) Do figure 8's and weaves. Let the leash play out a little bit as you back up so he can find himself way out in the "wrong" spot, then give it a good snap. As he turns in surprise to walk towards you, just praise him for following. Even if you have to do it 10 times in a row to get 10 feet, it will be worth it. Yr pup will start watching you and you will be having pleasant walks and he will be breathing easier.

Hey out there Karen and all,

I've got some good stories today. I was thinking about what Karen said about being clear and firm in my intentions instead of relying so much on treats and praise. I took Loki (the belgian, not the chi) and Keela out on a trail with Keela on a leash, since she ranges more widely. Also they feed off each other's energy when they run off. I told Loki to follow me and gave a little vocal correction and pointing finger whenever she started to forge out in front. Well she stayed right by my side for the ENTIRE walk, about an hour.

It's not my ideal, because it doesn't seem like the same amount of fun and excercise as the dogs bounding freely scenario, but I was VERY impressed with how attentive my dog was to me in the woods with extremely high distraction levels. Maybe after practicing this for a while I will be able to loosen the reins a bit more. Karen's point about clarity and focus of energy was very well said. I'd certainly like to hear the "some other suggestions" you referred to in your last post #282.)

Thanks a ton!

lol, hi there Joanna...

Maybe we should distinguish the Lokis (I wonder what the proper plural for Loki is other than confusion... lol) as Loki B and Loki c, or we could just let the confusion reign (that is always fun, too)

I am looking forward to the next and new DW on NGC, I have been watching my DVD's and reading the book, but fresh new ideas and situations are a welcome change of pace and I have a feeling that if I watch long enough Cesar will cover every little quirk and troublespot I come across.

Update to the situation the other day with Loki c aka little Loki aka not Joanna's Loki (ect) I recieved an actual phone call from the 'chain' store manager appologising and promising that there would be no further troubles, and he said something that I was trying so hard not to laugh at on the phone.
"It was a stressful situation and I should not have called the police or raised my voice to you, but I must say that you remained calm through it all and were assertive but not offensive."
I guess that just goes to show that calm assertive works on store managers as well... lol

Hi Everyone!

I have not been on for a while. I'm very busy. Many of you have said 5 weeks is too young to take a dog from it's mother. It seemed young to me also. The people I am getting my pup from said they called their veterinarian and he said 5 weeks was enough time with the mother. I better take it safe though. I'll have to talk to the owner about everything. I will try to prolong his time with the mother to make sure nothing goes wrong.

When I went and visited my puppy last,(yesterday) the mother was disciplining very well so that's good. My friends who were with me tried to stop the mom because they didn't realize what she was doing. I said "no, no, no. The mom is disciplining her pups. This is GOOD."

I will keep everyone informed about my puppy. :D

~Chantel

OKAY, CAMPERS---ITS BACK TO BOOT CAMP!

You all seem to be forgetting some basic tenets of this 'religion' we all discuss. (Trust me, Cesar is not the first to do this---there are a few out there that have been quietly 'whispering' to dogs all their lives
!! Like ME, for example..I was stupid enough to think EVERYONE understood dogs the way I did. I knew I had 'something special", some "connection", BUT it was always just THERE and I never thought twice about it. I now realize what an awesome 'gift' I have been given and want to share it with others. I have ALWAYS advocated for dogs, dogs who need to find 'peace' seem always to find me.........I never advertise, those who need me always seem to find me. 'Word of mouth' is the best recommendation one could have......Our family is going through extreme financial difficulties and we have to sell our home where 2 of my 3 children were born--anybody got room for us? Just kidding, the reason I can cope with all I have to cope with is--guess what?--my work with dogs as well as my current dog pack. Now if Cesar could take me on as his Midwest Representative I wouldn't have to give all this up!!! Hey,MODERATOR, how come National Geographic doesn't do any Dog Whisperer shows on THOSE WHO HAVE GOT IT RIGHT? Would it not help out a ton of people to see OTHERS who have the same "connection" with dogs as he does? How about seeing a FEMALE walking 10 -15 dogs one-handed with ALL the dogs walking peacefully behind her???????? Add on a few walking WITHOUT leashes too.....I do it all the time and really get a kick out of car tires screeching to a stop in the street and people gaping--everyone enjoys a free show I guess. Where I REALLY want to send out encouragement that you CAN do it is because most of the dogs walking peacefully together as a pack AND following the LEADER are real 'dumbnuts' at their homes--they consist of spoiled brats, out-of-control spazzes, fearful 'hide under the table' dogs, aggressive dogs, dogs that have forgotten they are DOGS dogs, --everything you could think of. THE BEST PART --A Pack walk is the FASTEST way for dogs to 'get over' whatever issues they might have!!!!!! I am Pack Leader and I never hesitate or worry that a bloodbath is going to occur. They want to walk with me,well we just GO..There might be some minor 'stuff' going on behind me but I DO NO STOP; I keep on moving forward at a brisk pace and what happens is MAGIC --it is as if some 'switch' is turned on and they ALL become, in a heartbeat--PACK. It is AWESOME!!!! That is why if a little dog has issues with big dogs I make sure they are right next to each other, if a shy, nervous dog gets overwhelmed by lots of other dogs I make sure he is smack dab in the middle of the pack totally surrounded---I dont give him time to panic,Pack Leader is going to WALK and that's all there is....I don't make it complicated, and I DO NOT even SPEAK AT ALL! WE JUST GO......

Whew, sorry, sometimes I need a correction to just "HUSH!" Where Was I????
Oh, the "Back to Basics" thing.\PLEASE---DON'T put the 'Cart before the Horse'.....

1. A Dog should EARN everything. (He is 'hardwired' for it)
2. If a Dog has NOT yet mastered "THE WALK", he has not EARNED being OFF the leash.
3. THE BEST EXERCISE FOR YOUR DOG IS FOR HIM TO ACHIEVE THE 'ZONE' ON THE WALK---He will only achieve this if he is the FOLLOWER on the WALK. O.K., kids, here is your first quiz; ?What happens to your dog when You are Pack Leader on the walk and HE/SHE is FOLLOWER?????? Yes, that is the correct answer for those of you who are still with me...He/She 'goes into' a calm, submissive state of mind which is the BEST place for a dog to be....You are achieving 'exercise' for the MIND as well as the BODY and EVERY single dog I have EVER invited on a walk with me has, upon returning to our Pack Den, 'tanked out' exhausted and slept the sleep of PEACE...........
4. Keep it STEADY and SIMPLE---DO NOT confuse/complicate things by starting out at the first step and then impatiently jumping up to the 7th step to try it out. You are taking away any chance of communicating with your beloved family member...Dogs Do Not Understand Inconsistency.
5. If he is yanking your arm out of it's socket, simply STOP. Put him in a sit at your side and when you feel he is calm, try again. Try ALL of it WITHOUT saying a word. (Yes, not even 'sit'--You push his butt down firmly, just do it. )
6. If you only get 1/2 a block and spend most of the walk simply standing there (with him in a sit) AT LEAST HE HAS LEARNED PACK LEADER WILL NOT ALLOW ANY MEMBER OF THE PACK FORGING AHEAD WHEN IT IS TIME TO TRAVEL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Everybody with me? Great!!! Say hallelujah and let's all have a great week-end!!!!!

WOOF!!!!!!!!

KAREN!!!
Don't forget about me!!!!!hahahahahaaaa
You have me all freaked out because I read about Chows!!!!!hahahahhahahahahahha
POST 285!!!!.....I need a game plan!!!!lolol :)

(KathyB kinda slumps her shoulders and thinks about getting into a fetal position, after reading about Chows and how they are kinda like CATS!)

cats don't like me!!!!!lol

KathyB. BE careful or I'm gonna put you in an alpha roll right in front of Roman!!!!!!

Did NOT mean to alarm you, however Chows can be really 'dicey' dogs. HE is a real stupido if he as let HER be ALPHA--perhaps YOU could show him how it's done if you decide to get up from whimpering in the corner,
stand tall, throw your shoulders back and say, "IF EWA CAN DO IT SO CAN I!!!!!!!!!!

There, you have had your correction, let's move on....(you KNOW I love ya, girl; PLEASE don't go get 'stuck' in the land of Hand Wringing again...WE couldn't bear it!

Just thought (since you've got the P.L. part down pretty well) it wouldn't hurt to do a bit of research on who you intend to give permission to enter your Pack....

YOU WILL BE FINE
ROMAN WILL BE FINE
THE OTHER TWO KNUCKLEHEADS WILL BE FINE
THE ROOMMATE WILL BE FINE
ALL WILL BE FINE

THAT will be YOUR 'Mantra' for awhile and keep you centered so all of us can help you put together a SIMPLE 'Game Plan' to ensure a smooth transition for YOUR new Pack Members. O.K.? Good.

Now go WOOF!, not EEK!
xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Chantel, I know of two people who work with me, both of whom adopted a
puppy too young (one was 4 weeks, one was even younger because mama dog
got killed by a car). One of the dogs is still a puppy, just about 6 weeks
now, and my friend is having all sorts of major challenges. The other
dog is about 5 years old and is a terror -- totally out of control!
I agree, don't take the dog away from its original pack too early.
My friend who gave me my Lab/Coonhound tried to give him to me at
5 weeks. I said "uh uh!!" No way!!! I took him at 7 weeks. He
was just about ready. There's a good book called "How to Help Your
Puppy Grow Up to Be a Wonderful Dog" -- I can't remember the author.
But it details in chapters all the ages from birth to death (old
age).

Karen DW 2, I had "the gift" only I lost it!! When I had my
black Lab, people used to say that she was so incredibly well
behaved she was like a human. I never did a THING with her. I
just acted naturally. When she died and I got these two boy
dogs, I started over-analyzing EVERYTHING. What a mess!! I now
try to go back into that "mode" of when I had my Lab and try to
dredge up the gift that I once had. I used to take her for walks
every morning, 5 miles and by the end of our walk, I had 10 other dogs
following us! The neighbors used to call me the pied piper. All
loose, including my girl! I had forgotten all about it, until I read
your post #300 or whichever one it was. Wow! I can't believe I had
forgotten! Cats too. I need to re-tap that "gift" and find it again.
Wow, those were the days. Thanks for helping me remember!!!!

To K2,

oops,sorry I missed you there...

Now THAT, (post 308), gave me another 'jump for joy'.......(With me, it's been mainly dogs and horses...)

YOU have now also had YOUR moment...WOW

Chantel,
In your earlier posts it seemed that you were looking at adopting from a local shelter. Did you have a change of heart? Don't let the overexcitment of getting a pup, make you overlook the "red flags" that whoever you are getting this dog from is clearly showing. I don't know any reputable breeder that would want to let their dogs go before 8 weeks, they can't even be given their first vaccinations before 6 weeks. I run a rescue and I would never concider letting any of our pups go home before 8 weeks. Please do some research! Keep in mind there are still lots of good dogs waiting to be adopted from local shelters and rescues, you would be the perfect canidate to take in a dog that needs a second chance.

Karen Dog Whisp.2!
I just found out I got it wrong....my new room-mates female is a Husky, not a chow and he just sent me a picture of her...OMGOSH she is BEAUTIFUL!!!!!!
I am SO EXCITED and can't WAIT for my new pack members to get here now!lol

I wish there was a way we could share pictures on here of our dogs....wouldn't that be SO COOL (somebody else mentioned that)!?!
xoxoxo

HEY NG MODERATOR'S....QUESTION!!!!!....Is there a way to possibly think about doing that?????

Chantel,

I am glad you are trying to be a responsible pet owner---however, there seem to be a thread through here of everyone trying to tell you to slow down, and step back a minute.

TRUST ME---5 weeks IS too young. 8 or (even better) 9 weeks is ok. Also, remember these people are trying to simply 'make a sale'--I DO NOT believe THEY called their vet to ask if 5 weeks is too young. IF this is so important to YOU why did YOU not make a call to a vet yourself? (Sorry, it's 'tough love' time...)

If you want to give your puppy the BEST start in life you can, then stand firm and tell them you will get her when she is at least 8 weeks old. (BTW, some 'puppy peddlers' try to get the puppies sold ASAP cuz of the cost of the round of puppy shots she will need.) I do NOT want to dampen your enthusiasm but to be a resposible dog owner also means being aware of the $$$$$$$$$cost$$$$$$$ involved in raising a dog from puppyhood. While you are waiting, you might start now with a list of what your puppy will need for a least the 1st 12 months......vet checks, vaccinations, food, crates, Frontline, spay/neutering, on and on and on! Add it all up, when you put it on paper it can be staggering.....

HOWEVER----Adopting a dog from a shelter or such can be wonderfully COST EFFECTIVE. Some organizations take care of the spay/neutering for you as well as vaccinations, or offer special coupons for it. They also sometimes offer a discount on training classes. They also usually have WONDERFUL people there whose hearts are absolutely in the right place. They can be a wealth of information even AFTER you bring an adopted dog home. Yes, you can adopt puppies. Much better are dogs of all different ages---they are far easier to train, their particular 'personalities' are far easier to read, and a grateful dog makes one of the BEST dogs.

ALL MY DOGS HAVE BEEN 'THROW - AWAY' DOGS--Their stories of how they found ME would be a "T.J." moment (tear jerker) for anyone.

Keep in mind, a lot of these dogs are not there for the ANTIQUATED reasons people think. More and more AWESOME family dogs are being given up simply due to a family's financial situation, the family simply cannot afford to keep their dog(s) anymore. Or, (AND THIS ONE REALLY BURNS ME) they are at a shelter due to a divorce for pete's sake!!!!!!
Or, they are there cuz they were sooooooooooooooo cute when they were puppies and now they are NOT so cute anymore....

Fantastic dogs there and then we have, on the other hand, so called "breeders" who are now making $$$$$hundreds upon hundreds of dollars$$$$$$ touting their litter of "Designer Dogs" (cockapoo, peekapoo, doodle-de-do, poopdedoo, shysters-de-doo!!!!!!). Back in my time we would simply call these dogs-OOPS! litters--(Rover got to Lady when someone wasn't looking.............)

Anyway, there are really caring people here too, and we are with you no matter what choice you make and will always have our fingers and keyboards at the ready if you need help....

Yes, YOU ROCK TOO, CHANTEL!!!!!!!!!

(BTW: HEY, YOGI'S BOSS; YOU ALSO ARE AWESOME........Haven't caught YOUR 'story' yet, but if ya need some help we gotcha covered!!!!!!!!!!)

WOOF! BIG YAWN! woof... biiiiig yaaaawwwwwwn......wuf

Good Morning Yogi's boss!
Your welcome! Joanna & I did it different, so pick whichever you feel will work for you!
Also let me know how it goes!!!!!! :)
xo

I have to say this....
I have enjoyed this particular blog SO MUCH in the last week!!!! It has been AWESOME to share so much with all my female P.L's!!!!! All the success's ALL of us have had, and all the "female" bonding has been an awesome experience for me! I love you guys!!!! :)

KathyB, Joanna, DW2, and K2 -- Yogi and I just returned from the best walk we've ever had! The first time I did the about-face, I could tell Yogi was confused. He walked behind me for several seconds, then brought himself right into the zone next to me! I was so happy! It was like magic. I had to do it several more times on the walk, but it's actually kind of fun walking like a drunk (in circles, zig-zagging, figure 8's, and about faces :-)

Yogi's had five months of walking, but whatever I was doing for five months was not working. The "follow the leader" thing worked on day 1. We did run across a couple of familiar "pals" - two Dobes, I think - who became more aggressive than Yogi for a change! Their owner and I even had a chance to exchange a few words before she said, "See you later, gotta go!"

K2, good luck on the article. I only had one negative comment. An older woman said more dog walking could cause a poop problem. But we do not have one of those manicured neighborhoods. We have open ditches, large lots, huge trees, kind of a country setting in the city. Guess I should be ashamed to say I do not pick up after our dogs (I will in the future if someone makes it an issue.) My mom refuses to stop feeding her dog that nasty dogfood in a pouch and Chayo (her rat terrier mix) has frequent loose BMs on every single walk. Poor little thing. But I can't convince my 74-y/o mom that she's doing Chayo a disservice. Mom thinks she's spoiling her. sad.

I too have had some loose dogs follow us a few times. It scared me because I thought a fight would break out so I turned around and told them "go home" ... with my new confidence in walking Yogi, I'll let them follow next time just to see what happens.

Thanks again, y'all. I'm looking forward to walking now :-)

Hey, Everyone!!!!!!!!!!

Thank you , Thank you, Thank you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (Ya'll never knew it but this blog's REDIRECT/CORRECTION began around Post154 w/KathyB., gained momentum w/Joanna and KateG. and was "duly noted" with my first line in Post 168!) What happened is WE DID WHAT DOGS MANAGE TO DO SOOOOOO WELL---WE BEGAN SIMPLY TO LIVE IN THE MOMENT, DROPPED THE INFIGHTING AMONG OUR 'BLOG PACK', AND MOVED ON!!!!!!!

BECAUSE we did this, and went back to CONSISTENCY AND POSITIVITY, just look at the UNBELIEVABLE ABSOLUTELY INSPIRING MINI-MIRACLES THAT RESULTED!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Tinkerbell waved her magic wand and all became---CALM, ASSERTIVE!!!(With a little wiggle-butt dancing which is ok 'cuz that wonderful positive energy which began as a trickle, became such a magnificent 'Sea of Sucess'.............)

Now everybody raise their right arm in the air, bring it over to your left shoulder, drop your right hand so it touches your left shoulder, then move that hand down a little to your shoulderblade and give yourself a bunch of pats on your back for a job WELL DONE!!!!!!!!

Yogi's boss,
Actually he is tired for no other reason than "follow the leader"...don't over think it.....it's a LOT of work for a dog to concentrate and my 100lb. Rott, who is supposed to be able to walk, walk, walk, is exhausted in only a half hour! NOPE....doesn't miss his buddy, isn't depressed, just tired cause he had to pay attention!lol
xoxooxox

Yogi's boss,
I know...it's hard for us "human's" to comprehend that mental work is more tiring than the pulling your arm outta the socket, but that's the gist of it!lolol
Imagine if you were a CPA or a person who held a desk job doing computer programming.....that work is actually EXHAUSTING because of all the mental energy we have to put in.....same with dogs!
As a bookkeeper, when I get a new client with a lot of clean-up work involved, it wears me out because of all the mental work it takes to find the "mess"! Now the no thinking bookkeeping I do, once the client's books are clean, I can do with my eye's closed and do it all day long, because it involves no "thinking".
Dog's use a TON of energy to think, so that actually helps me a TON because of my back, so I can work Roman on a half hour walk, and when I'm done making him "think" it's like he has been walking for HOURS!lol

Again....I am SO HAPPY that the walk went great, and your going to see a completely different dog on your walks in no time! YOU GO GIRL!!!!!! :)
xooxox

To Karen Dog whisp2
Karen you have a long nick name hahahaha...
I was wondering if you can answer me this question, I wanted to ask this to Cesar Millan last Tuesday, he was on Borders bookstore right here in Manhattan, and everyone was asking something, because he said: questions???? but he only answered 3 from the people,,, any ways... my female 7 month pug, does this: lets say I am in the kitchen doing dishes, or cooking, or just having a coffee,,, she is sitting down behind me looking up to me then change spots, she goes right and sits ,,, left and sits, right and sits,,,, sometimes she waggles the tale sometimes not, but she is definitelly looking at me,,,I cant understand what she wants, but I am afraid to give in and pick her up to hold her,,, I need help to understand this body language, I know there is a lot of communication from her to me, but I am bad at not understanding, can you help me?

Years ago my ex (husband at the time) would debate whether his physically demanding job caused him to be more tired than my mental exhaustion. (He never could understand, guess he wasn't mentally equipped to get it HAHA) ... I'm a court reporter and getting every single word leaves me brain dead after a long day. I did not associate that Yogi's having to pay attention to me is a mental exercise. I forgot he's a DOG! Walking calmly next to a person comes naturally to me as a human. Very interesting!

Hi Yogi's boss,
It's awesome that the "follow the leader game" (as KathyB puts it so well) worked for you - and so quickly too! I experienced about a year of leash tug-of-war with my dog before I learned this technique. I was so happy to have this tool. Ten quick direction changes are worth more than 10 thousand tugs! Like you said, it reaches the dog's brain instead of his brawn. This is something I would love to see on Cesar's show, since with him "the walk" is almost always the key.

KathyB
boy! sure you were tough hahahahaha,,, I wish I could have what you had, I am the softest woman ever I think,, that is why my Diva acts up... the funny thing is you became a christian and left the old life behind,,, Me in ther other hand, was a christian and came to this world, don't ask me it is a long story, nothing to do with this website, hahahaha...but I am still curious, what does it mean when young people on concerts float on top of people to the stage, what all that craziness means?????

Does anyone have any DW Estrogen power for me?

You can read our story in the Desert Bulldogs blog, #122. We have an ongoing problem with Moe the great pyr service and dog and square wheel Ana that we MUST deal with.

Last night I went to Walmart and they had the knotted rope chew toys on sale so I bought 3 of them, all the same. I brought them home, and after a LONG walk I made everyone sit and we distributed them. Everyone laid down and happily chewed. Ana the golden (she does this a lot) all of a sudden decided that Moe's looked nicer than hers and crawled very slowly toward him till she was in reach and put her teeth on the end of his rope. He, resource guarder that he is, jumped up with a huge ROAR, and air snapped. No aggression allowed, we corrected her for trying to take his, reprimanded him for the aggression, put the toys away.

I KNOW we handled this incorrectly, but aren't sure what to do -- no toys for anyone isn't okay. Do we need to have everyone in different rooms, inaccessable to each other. We want everyone to relax and just enjoy their toys, pig ears, whatever.

Any suggestions? Please?

Katie3, I'm no expert, by any means, but it sounds to me like you did right. When I give my guys rawhide white bones, they spend the first 5-10 minutes taking turns "claiming" each other's bone, until they each settle down with the one they want. Many times, Hobie the Lab/Shep will take BOTH bones and hold them between his paws, so Hector doesn't get one for about 20 minutes. Hector always waits patiently and when a piece breaks off of the one Hobie is chewing on, Hector will start crawling on his belly and "paw" at the piece until he gets it. Hobie can sometimes get a little snooty, but he never growls, he just gets up and picks up the piece again and "claims" everything. After about 20 minutes or so, they swap and chew each others' bones. Today when we arrived at the beach house there was a part of a rawhide bone from our last visit, and they each chewed on it for a little while, taking turns with it. Nobody got nasty though. They rarely ever do, and I can ALWAYS take the bones away no matter what. If Hobie gets a little too snooty, I just say "hey" very calmly and quietly and he will stop. So, back to you!! I think what you did is correct. But it would be interesting to hear what someone like KDW2 or Doggone might have to say.

Joanna, that's a great idea for Cesar to do a segment on how to make them stop pulling. (Moderator, make a note on a sticky-notepad to give to Cesar) :-) The Petsmart trainer told me about that technique early on, but I was too hard-headed to try it. It seemed like "too much trouble" - or seemed like it would be embarrassing to be seen doing that out in public. Oh yes, I much preferred to fight with Yogi for five long months rather than go to all that trouble to walk backwards LOL ... I'd rather be seen doing follow-the-leader instead of constantly giving his collar a jerk.

I used to think I must be the only person with that problem. And when I'd watch DW, I never saw a dog act exactly like Yogi.

Seems like he's been a different dog today, sort of like I've been bumped up a notch in my pack leader status :-) We're both happy campers.

Karen Dog Whisp.2,
POST 333.....WELLLLLLLLLLLLLL....where did ya go?????lol
I don't know about Norma, but I've been waiting on needles all day to hear!lololol

ALL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

WOOFWOOOF WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOF!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

S.O.S--This is Kristie, Sadie, Max, Clyde, Lucy, Bailey, Molly, Maggie, Star, Comet, Maggie2, Quinn, Taffi, Lilly, and Kipper woofing for help for Pack Leader!!!!!!

We are all here for 'rehab' (except for Kristie and Sadie) 'cuz our owners can't stand us at the moment..We have really been doing great all mushed together in her house with her family BUT SHE IS SPAZZING TO THE MAX!!!!!!!

She's crying, she;s yelling, shes tearing her hair out, she's saying I QUIT!!!! She;s been hit withreally bad s___ right and left since this a.m. and shes relly lOST IT>>>>> ALL IS LOST.........

what do we do for gok;s sakes

KDW2 -- Live in the moment!!!

Norma,
"but I am still waiting for my answer "....ROFLMBO!!!!!!!!!!!! Now THAT made me laugh very loudly out loud!!!! :D

Jeez, you numnuts, I'm in the middle of wallowing in my own misery and feeling sorry for myself, my kids, my dogs, my current 'stepdogs', even the dead worms all over my front stoop from all this ***### RAIN!!!!!! AND you guys DARE to make me LAUGH?!! I'm busy "crying me a river"---no, 10 oceans--and you DARE to try to give me a 'taste of my own medicine????!!!!!

Well, ALL I HAVE TO SAY TO YOU GUYS IS...............