This is the National Georgrahpic website and Cesar Millan is one of their most popular programs. It doesn't come as a surprise to me to read promotionals about Cesar Millan, this blog is about his show and talents and a way to promote the Dog Whisperer. As a side benefit they've kindly allowed his fans to discuss their experiences.
No need to be upset or mad, imo.

Great!!! I am in new York city, I just take the subway and I am in the bronx zoo in 25 minutes!!!!

K2, I was wondering the SAME thing:)!haha

CJ Anderson, you are RIGHT ON with your comments. Thank you, NGC, for bringing Cesar Milan to the teaming masses, and for making information available to us.

Norma, I am so jealous!!!!! You're gonna get to meet Cesar again!!!! LOL!!!

Yeah, I agree guys... I so look forward to talking with all of you every day. And I know what it's like to maintain a website, and you have to have security 24/7. And that big blog was getting to be a pain. Now some weird spammers have hit it putting bizarre postings on it. That happens to our bulletin board on my company's website too. Wonder how they target it. It stinks!

For future reference CJ, if you press CONTROL END you get to the bottom of the blog, and then you can mouse or scroll UP til you get to the part you read before.

That is an excellent suggestion Nate, but I think a forum would be a TON of work for the moderators... but then, I don't know much about moderating a blog or a forum for that matter.

KathyB,

That's a cute post! I've read it before but had forgot about it...thanks for sharing it!
I get a kick out of if they get pregnant you can sell their kids, LOL!

And best wishes on the house hunt, I'm sure God has something very special in the waiting!

KathyB, don't buy the first house you see --- I looked at FIFTY houses and found our dream home just as I was about to give up. It was literally the LAST appointment on the last day of hunting. I had HAD IT and said, "oh just forget it!" when I walked into this place and we both said "that's the one"!! On the other hand, I've gone back and bought the first thing I've seen before (but only after looking at 50 first!!). Good luck and have FUN doing it!!! (bummer that your l.l. is being so unreasonable about a roommie, but hey everything happens for a reason!)

Thank you to CJ who uses kindness and inspiration to help guide dog lovers down the path of success using Cesar's techniques, not only here but also on the Yahoo Dog Whisperer Fans group list. I enjoy this blog and the other list to see how fellow dog owners are applying what they have learned from the Dog Whisperer episodes, DVDs, book Cesar's Way, and their own experiences to help solve dog problems. I truly believe that Cesar's techniques have the potential to save thousands of dogs. Thank you National Geographic for bringing us programming that can make such a difference in people's everyday lives!

Good Morning Kate G..
I have moderated or moderate a plastic surgery board for a friend of mine who has over 25 different boards...it's VERY hard!!!!!!!lololol Some people are over the top and can be very nasty! Moderating a board...you have to have an invisble Halo and the patience of a saint!lolol None of which I have, so I have learned to get up and back away from the computer!heehee
xoxo

Good Morning Kate G!
OMGosh...Florida was a NIGHTMARE to buy a house in 5 months ago....the good one's would literally be gone the very DAY they were listed! The market has slowed down some AND I am not dealing with my ex who had certain specific things he "had to have" that made buying a house impossible!lol
My search area has gotten bigger now that I am single, so I am very excited! My criteria has changed also, so that makes things broaden for me also!
You just keep looking and if you walk in the house, love what you see, then put in an offer girl! :)
Good Luck on your house hunt!!! :)
xoox

I'm with you Nate!

A NG Dog Whisperer Forum would be a great idea! A bit of work for those involved, yes. But anything worthwhile takes some effort.

Great post CJ!

I've known a couple of people involved with National Geographic. The hardest working, most passionately involved with both nature and science group of folks, you'd ever meet!

On Topic:

I'm fascinated by African Wild Dogs. What I wouldn't give to just sit and study them for an extended period of time! ...As I would any member of the Canid group. A group which contains 35 to 37 different species, (depending on which studies you read).

One of the things which I find so interesting about African Wild Dogs, is their use of "submissive" signals in their communications with each other. Quite different from the sometimes more "serious" and "stoic" wolves.

These wild dogs, although geneticly further removed from our own domestic dogs, than wolves, show how submissive signals are a form of communication, where humans have read "fear" into these same signals when trying to read "dog".

Go National Geographic! Go Cesar!

Deb

Hey Doggone! How ya bean?

I'm only speaking of a personal observation here, and the difference is slight. But, there IS a difference. IMO

I'd love to hear if you notice anything "different" when you observe these different groups, too.

Whippet good! :)

Deb

Doggone,

Speaking of different cultures and animals, I live in the Pacific Northwest where we have three pods of Orcas, known as the J, K, & L Pods. I have been fortunate enough to see them in the wild quite a few times.

There have been studies on the varience between Orca "cultures" and their hunting strategies, choice of prey, and how they teach their young to hunt.

Our three local pods feed on salmon and other fish, where as the "transient" open-ocean roaming pods also feed on marine mammals. Some specialise in hunting other whales, while some others teach their young to beach themselves to catch seals. You've probably seen some of these documentaries.

To me, this is Nature and Nurture working together, since these skills are taught, and are not just instinctive alone.

It would be interesting to see a study of any varience in "culture" and communication,(body language & signals), in the different wolf populations throughout the world, too.

Deb

Doggone,

I can't believe you're mentioning "Free Willy"! I wanted to say something about Keiko and the family structure of Orcas, but figured I was being "Cliff Clavin" enough with my last post! :)

From what I've learned about Orcas, the males are all "momma's boys". They stay with their mothers their whole lives, and only mate when local pods form and mingle annually in what's been called a "super pod".

When Keiko was with his female handlers, (even though he was in too small of an enclosure, in too warm of waters which caused a skin condition, and completely apart from his own kind), he was with his female surragate "moms".

The whole "Free Keiko" thing was quite romantic and inspirational, but was it the best thing for this whale, who is now deceased?

I would have liked to see him stay at that spacious Oregon aquarium, have his female handlers move there and continue working with him. Maybe even see him find Orca companionship with a captive born female.

I still remember when Lolita was captured, near where I grew up.

Okay, now who's being romantic?

Besides dogs, Orcas are the animals of my dreams.

Guess I kinda wandered off-topic here...

Deb

I have a 3 yr. old Palm/doxi mix Scared of everything No joke. Social anxiety I am sure. I just got a lhasapoo puppy 3 weeks ago and my palm will not get of the back of the couch. He is so scared of everting that he shakes like no tomarrow.After seeing Cesar on Oprah I ran out and got his book Cesar's Way next day the DVD. I messed up the 3 yr. old but the puppy a girl we are making headway. I need help with my male Palm. Please HELP!! any advice is better then non. I need him not to be scared of her. How do I get him to except her?? HELP PLEASE!!!!!!!!!!

TC,

I have one more suggestion -- if you go to Yahoo groups and do a seach of "DogWhispererFans" you'll find a wonderful group of people, including professional trainers who will work hard to help you. I am a member, and it's helped me so much. Hope to see you there!

TC,

I see the episode about Maddy is airing June 30th at 9pm eastern time. I know that's a bit of a wait, but in the meantime try and implement the no affection when the fearful episodes occur.

We made an offer on a great house with a HUGE backyard in a nice neighborhood with wide streets (good for riding the bike with the pups!). And the seller accepted it after some haggling! We signed the papers last night and the inspection is this Saturday. We are finally HOMEOWNERS! I can't WAIT to actually get moved in and settled. I am going to start walking the dogs in that neighborhood so they can get familiar with it before we actually do the move.

Good Mornining Danessa!
I'm what you'd call one of those "jesus Freaks", so I dount very highly I need to worry about haunted houses!lol I got Jesus on my side and that stuff runs when He comes there way!!! :)

Kate G.
CONGRATS!!!!!!!! We are still waiting to put an offer in....next week....playing the "game" so to speak!lolol I'm very excited and we went by the house at high tide and it looks like it would take a good 8' surge before the water would be in my yard, so all looked good to me! :)
I'm VERY excited for you!!!!!!!! xoxo

Hey KathyB, waterfront property huh?! Excellent! Assuming you're on the Gulf? Too bad it's not the Atlantic, then I could toss you a message in a bottle from Cape Cod!! ha ha ha

Hi K2!!!
I live pretty close to the bay in Tampa, and the house is on the other side of the brige in St. Pete and happens to be right next to the bay, so YUP...I'm pretty close to the gulf! I am SO EXCITED about the hose!lol We are going to put in the offer next week and I can't WAIT!!!!!lololol

Toss the bottle anyways, and lets see if it comes my way!heehee
xoxoxo

Doggirl,
I most definitely have heard of Akitas, but have never owned one. Why are you needing to find them new homes? Is it behavioral issues or a situation beyond your control (such as landlord requires no pets?). I would hate to see you lose your pets over behavioral issues that could be corrected. Give us some details about your situation and maybe some of us could lend some advice/encouragement!

Is anyone coming to the Bronx Zoo tomorrow saturday the 17th???? anyone from NY city????

Karen,
Is the "good scruff shaking" something you recommend? I had always thought that this illicits an aggressive response from the dog? I know this is such a small part of that wonderful, informative post, but just wanted your thoughts on this as I have never seen Cesar perform this type of correction. It seems much more aggressive than the Cesar "bite".

Kate G.,

NO!!!!! I do NOT recommend a good 'scruff' shaking. No, no, no! Whew, any dogs out there, please I am sooo very sorry. (Whimper, whine...)

It was Akita I was referring to, and even then I would say to the 'casual' dog owner ---NEVER do this!!! Kate G. is absolutely correct!

And thanks, Kate, for actually reading the whole thing and not just 'skimming' it. Believe me, I don't try to make my posts 'endless', I'm trying to make sure everyone 'gets it right', one small detail missing in explaining something that is ALREADY hard enough to explain can 'open the door' to failure, and even disaster! It takes an inordinant amount of time and thought for most of my posts. (Sometimes, time I don't really have.) BUT, I am not going to simply toss out random, general 'stuff' without even thinking or knowing what I am talking about....(except for my 'oops' moments when I have felt REALLY misunderstood, or a couple times when I knew I should have backed off because it was a 'no win' situation however I was the first to apologize and that, to me, is not an excuse but a way to 'diffuse', settle, calm, and move on....)

I want so much to help, to share my 'gift', to speak for my 'soulmates' who are so often misunderstood, and want so much for US to realize how very simple and peaceful life can be if we only took the time to 'listen' to them.....

"WE STAND TALLEST WHEN WE STOOP TO HELP OTHERS"

Re: That 'scruff' thing. It goes along the same lines as a post I did somewhere here on the 'hand bite', the 'hand around the neck with the dog on it's side', and the 'alpha roll'. I was giving a head's up then to remind that these are NOT 'everyday' corrections. They are also NOT to be done when the PL is angry, frustrated, or NOT THINKING CLEARLY---and DEFINITELY not to be done if you are NOT a true Pack Leader in the first place!! There should RARELY be times when they are needed, and only with 'high level' behavioral cases. They require a certain 'training' to do them correctly; to 'do' them to your dog and be without the 'right' energy or to miss one tiny detail can do great damage to your dog as well as YOU. Anyway, enough on this, I've already addressed it and will try to find where I posted it (probably in the 'Reference Section'-the 'Endless Blog') and move it over to the 'leaderofthepack' 'forum' that's 'free'....

If my post on the Akitas made anyone stop and think, great.
Do I love Akitas? of course. EVERY dog, mutt or purebred, has my unconditional love and a piece of my heart.
I do occasionally talk 'breed specific' because sometimes it can be kind of 'lost' when Cesar mentions the 'Dog first' thing. (Sorry, I don't know the exact quote-I haven't read his book and can't get to watch him much--my kids LOVE the show, they have always been Jr. Pack Leaders anyway, and keep me posted....). Sometimes when you are having trouble how your dog is 'responding' to you, or you are comparing him to other dogs and wondering why he can't be like all of them, or simply not understanding why he is doing something you haven't come across before---well, by 'delving' into what he is 'bred' for, by understanding the 'Breed' characteristics and 'personality', an answer may just pop up there to 'solve the puzzle'. Also, you might understand that a little 'adjustment' of energy level may be all you need to 'get on the same page' with him. It also helps in YOU being prepared. You will know what 'triggers' to look out for, You will be able to develop the 'intellectual stimulation' games that 'gel' wonderfully with what he has been Bred for.

My Akita post was meant to be more of a "Forewarned is Forearmed";-- I wanted to help Doggirl and to make the plea that she be careful AND responsible in who she gives her dogs to...It is fair to no one (especially the dogs) to simply 'give' them to anyone who decides (on a whim) that they'd love to have them. My heart breaks for her, to have to give up a family member you love is heart wrenching. But, in truly wanting the best for your dog, sometimes you have to 'ponder' about certain things you would rather avoid.........

AGGG, This has taken so long there are probably 50 posts now and the one I was responding to has been 'lost'....I pray I responded in time -- THANK YOU AGAIN, KATE G.!!!!!

evergratefulWOOF!!

Doggirl,

I have 4 akitas and as I do agree with some of wht KDW2 says I don't agreee with most of what she says. Everyone of my dogs 3 females and 1 male are accepting of all other animals and children. They are very loyal and protecting of "their" family but will except anyone invited in my home. Not one of them has ever been food aggressive nor have they tried to take over the Dominate role in my family. Akitas get a bad rap because they were originally fighting dogs or used to hunt bear and other animals. When a Akita gets into a fight normally they will pin the other dog but rarely do they rip into it. I use to breed Akitas and made sure all dogs were well socialized before going to their new home also made all new owners sign a contract stating they would continue the training either with me or with another trainer I recommended. Yes this is a strong willed dog Yes it can be stubborn Yes they are extremely intelligent dogs and do bore easily but with the right training all those Breed specific things Karen has described can be overhauled with the right calm submissive way of being. All my dogs go to the dog park and are free to roam and have never started or joined in a fight. I will say I have only ever come acrossed one dog that came out of a Breeding with my male Tron who was silver blue brindle to a white female who had all the worst "breed" traits I couldn't be responsible for him hurting anyone so I kept him and worked everyday with him to break him of his severe aggression and anger issues. He ended up passing away at the age of 5 and the necropsy showed a tumor on his brain stem so he was destined to fail. I no longer breed akitas and only did it as a stud service with Tron. Until he was 5 yrs old then he was neutered and became a state police dog until the age of 11 when he retired. He passed away this last november at the age of 16yrs old. I miss him greatly. He made the Akita "bad name" non exsistant. In my case all my Akitas are "DOG" first.

Karen,
Thank you for clarifying. I knew what your response would be but thought it was worth pointing out for other who might not be as familiar with your advice as some of us are!:)

And thank you for posting what CAN happen with certain breeds. And no, it does not mean that all dogs of that breed can be that way, but just as lilbit5 points out, a stronger pack leader is needed for certain breeds. Well said, lilbit5 and Karen! Thanks for all the info and hopefully doggirl will find this information useful in finding a new home for her akitas.

Also, might I suggest that you find an akita rescue that could possibly take in your Akita's? This is usually a better alternative than sending them to the pound or to someone unfamiliar with the breed.

Karen,

Yes you may copy my post to the other location. Could you tell me how to access that blog as I am fairly new to this whole blog thing. I have been watching Cesar's show for only about 6 months now and am very impressed. I have been in the pet industry for over 16 yrs and already use the same philosophy as Cesar and am happy to have someone to refer my current clients to if they want to "see" my techniques they need only "watch" Cesar!!

Thank you for recognizing that not ALL Akitas follow the "Breed" description of their personalities.

I now own a mobile pet grooming business and have had the business for a little over 5 yrs now. I no longer breed Akitas but currently have 4 living with me.

Doggirl I'm not sure where you are from but you could also look for a no kill shelter in your area that is well known to give the dogs to. I work for a rescue group here in Philly and they have 2 Akitas there a brother and sister and they already have several people interested!! Try that way as well.

Heather:

Just about anyone here can help you, just about everything has been discussed, and, believe me, there is no such thing here as an "extremely odd question"! We are learning new things about our dogs AND ourselves every day here!!

Soooooooooo......what's your question? We are all 'panting' to hear it....

woof

So many of us get a puppy and then by our own ill informed upbringings foster maladjusted adult dogs who charge other dogs, charge the mailman, or pee in the house. Maybe a few segments should be dedicated to the right way to bring up baby to correct this behavior before it gets started. Right now I have a 12 week old pup and I don't know who's gettng housetrained me or the pup. I know she's teething, but I can't let her bite me or this or that - I've watched her with an older female and they mouth each other without clamping down - what has that older female dog said to her that I could express so she doesn't clamp down on me with those razor sharp teeth when we play?

Thanks Katie3 - Crate it is! We have the kitchen gated but her crate is in there too. I'll try your method. Also, will try the squeeling approach. Well, I'm off to mop the kitchen floor for the umteenth time. Umteenth washing all her toys too. I'll certainly keep in touch.

Vicki,

Remember your pup can probably only 'hold' it about 2-3 hours... and that's NOT including her running around and playing. If she is a bundle of energy and 'slows' for a second (probably with tongue out panting), try a 'potty break'.

If you cannot supervise her, she should be in her crate (her den). Period, Paragraph. This will ensure that your 'energy' stays calm and relaaaaxed (instead of, 'OH, not another puddle!!); AND YOU will be setting her up for success (instead of failure)....okeedokey??

Even 'giving' her the whole kitchen to 'explore' (get into trouble), is WAY too much. If you are in the kitchen, have a long lead clipped to her collar and the 'handle' part under a table leg or something similar that CANNOT be moved (nothing funnier than a table chair moving across the kitchen floor seemingly on it's own......except it's a puppy dragging it along behind her....THAT'S how determined they can be!!) Or you can have her 'tied' to a belt loop or something around your waist so she can follow you around without you stressing about what she could be getting into now...or whether you're about to step in another puddle....

Or, get a 'playpen' enclosure and let her 'be' in that. (It's portable too...).

Re: the 'puppy bite/nip'. What some forget is that WE are partly to blame here too....If we are the ones 'playing' with the puppy and get them all 'riled up' to the point of hyper-excitement, even a puppy licking the heck out of your face (with you getting a real giggle out of it; which simply 'fuels the fire' further in regards to the puppy's 'energy' level..) can get so wiggly excited you realize 'OWWWW' that's my EAR knucklehead!!!!! So, during 'teething times' try to get them to also learn to 'take a break' a minute....to wind down a bit...and then you can go back to playing. Try a 'soft' enough, and then say, 'gentle' and start massaging behind her ears or wherever she may have a 'oh that feels sooooo good!' spot. She relaxes a bit, (and will be more in tune to where her teeth are), and then the game can cycle up again.

An added benefit to this is you are subtly 'teaching' her exactly who is 'in charge' of starting AND ending the game. You are teaching her 'soothing' tone for relaxing, and 'tuning' in to you. 'Bite inhibition' can take awhile, set her up for success here too by learning by her body language when she is 'over the top', help her learn self-control, help her learn that when you say 'gentle', 'relax', it's a heads up (in a real positive way!) to her to 'cycle down'.....

This one is really hard to put into words, hope some of it makes sense. Let her take out her teeth on a 'dimple' ball or some other appropriate 'chewie', save Pack Leader's hands for gentle teaching......If she slips up and you get a really good nip---OWWWWW!!! (with a really 'hurt' expression on your face), get up and walk away--game over. I personally don't like the 'fingers down the throat' thing---plus too many things can go wrong,,,--if 'reminders' are needed simply encircle her muzzle (gently) and give a quick GENTLE 'press' of pressure, reinforce by saying "ouch" with a mad/firm expression on your face. If she yelps or whines AND you are sure it is a GENTLE holding her mouth closed, do not hesitate and do not think you are hurting her!! "He who hesitates is lost" and if you hesitate, that is 'weak' energy, so don't expect her to have 'gotten' the message.

Throw some ice cubes on the floor. This is a really inexpensive way to have them learn to entertain themselves. They can try to get that ice cube and the minute it splurts out from under their paw----the game is on and off they go!!!! Eventually one will have melted enough for them to get it in their mouths and oh Boy!!! does that feel great on those needle teeth and gums!!!! AND your pup has earned her keep by washing the floor for you!!!

keep us posted, ok?

woof

This country has needed this show for a long time. I am in agreement with Cesar's way. I think people should train a dog in Cesar's way before they decide to have children. What a show, I even watch the reruns. I have four dogs and trained them Cesar's way before I ever heard of Cesar. Is that fate or what? These are the things I have been telling people for years. Way to go Cesar. Keep up the good work. Say Hi to your family.

hi i have already writen in but we do take lizzie out about an hour after she has eaten and if she did not do anything we will put her in her crate. And when she dose poop or pee in the house we will put her crate. PLEASE HELP WE NEED ADVICE!!!!!!!!!!!

thank you

About the growling during play, this is pretty normal. As long as her body is in "play" posture, such as butt up in the air and front part of the body down low, I wouldn't worry about it being aggression. However, if this is something that scares your daughter or that you are uncomfortable with, simply tell your daughter to walk away from Lizzie when she does this. And have your daughter initiate play at a later time. She should be starting the play and stopping the play. Lizzie should not decide when she gets to play. That is the pack leader's decision.

Vicki!

How is it going with your 'Little Nipper' 'Pee Where I Want' Puppy?????

There are quite a few 'Puppy Pack Leaders' here and they can be a fine 'reference' source for you, or even a "Gosh, I know, raising a puppy is sooooo time consuming, and can be sooooo frustrating,-- I am going through the same thing you are, but it will get better!!" kind of encouragement...

They have learned it is NOT 'Puppy Power' BUT 'Pack Leader Power' that can 'turn the corner'...........

(Anyway, whether a puppy or adult dog, taking 10 deep, calming breaths a few times a day really helps!!!! I AM CALM, I AM PEACEFUL, I AM PACK LEADER , I ROCK!!!!!!)

yipwoofow!yipwoof

Anne,
I think you are right in assuming that she is hiding it from you b/c she was punished for going. I would seriously consider crate-training. When introduced in a positive way, dogs LOVE their crates. I would take it slow and DO NOT feel guilty about it! Lola will only see it negatively if you do. I think a crate is a great haven for dogs and this way you are setting her up for success when it comes to working on her potty-training. Always make sure to give her a really yummy treat/bone while in her crate and always take her outside before and after being in the crate. Do not praise or get her excited when going in or coming out, just act like it's no big deal.

Sounds like you are doing a great job with your pups:) Hope you are feeling better and on your way to recovery!

Anne,

I had one thought; don't know if it will work for you, but here goes anyway:
We have 2 different crates for our golden retriever -- one is the plastic kind, like they use on planes, kind of dark inside. The other (the one she loves) is just heavy metal wire with a metal pan in it. She'll choose the wire one every time, probably because she can see what's going on while she's in it. Since it's so different, maybe Lola would be okay with it? I'd try it (petsmart and petco will give you a week to return a crate)by putting something that she really loves in it; maybe she won't realize that it's a crate too!

If she has a particular spot where she likes to poop, would it work to put her tray there and give her lots of praise and a treat when she uses it correctly, then gradually move it to where you want it?

Keep talking, we want to help!

Katie3,
Our male is the same way about crates! Hates the plastic kind of likes the metal wire cage. I think you are right in assuming that it's because they can see through the crate. Might be something worth trying for Anne. But if it's not possible, you could at least section off a portion of the kitchen/bathroom, whatever works and use that as her "den". Good luck Anne!

Carol,
Are you walking her ALOT and tiring her out with running/bicycling? A one-year old dog (and depending on her breed) is going to need ALOT of exercise to drain her energy. Especially since she's been in a shelter where I'm sure she had some pent-up energy from being in the cage. How long have you had her? What breed is she? What exactly does she do that bothers you?

It's so great that you've rescued her from the shelter! But remember, it's going to take some time for her to adjust to your home and your rules. And Cesar's methods are not an overnight cure. It takes awhile for some of us to establish ourselves as pack leaders if it's not something that you already project.

Keep working at it and give us some more specifics about your situation. This blog had a great group of pack leaders that are going through exactly what you're going through!

Hi Volunteer,

Bless you for what you do! My first thought when I read your posting was the "Pups on Parole" DW episode. He worked with a dog that was "frozen", and the main thing that I remember was he put the collar way up behind the ears, explaining that that helped the dog's brain to move up and forward; wish I could remember more.

I highly recommend that you join the yahoo group "DogWhispererFans" and pose this question there. We have lots of trainers, lots of people experienced in rescue, and lots of people who care. Hope to see you there!

Dear Cesar Milan and his fans:

I too had been a big Milan fan. Until recently. I used to watch his program whenever it came on. Even if I had already seen it several times before. I loved studying and watching his rehabilitation techniques. It was like watching true magic happen right in front of my eyes. Until the Katrina rescues...and his actions and beliefs regarding the sterilization of the rescued animals. And tonight, after I visited this website, I learned several other things which disturbed me and caused me to lose a great amount of respect for him. In fact, all respect I had for him as a person. I still believe he is a fantastic canine rehabilitater, however, I will no longer be watching his show. I will not be contributing to his assets by purchasing any training videos, dvds or books. For me, he crossed a line and I'm very doubtful that he will ever willingly step back across it. I spent several hours reading through a particular blogfest with nearly 500 entries and the emotions were running wild. I am not writing this blog with the purpose of re-animating the bashing of both Mr. Milan nor any of the people who participated in said blogfest. I am writing to inform people that I most strongly do not agree with his belief nor actions in the forced sterilization of canines.

When I saw the Katrina rescues he accepted, I thought, "How fantastic!" Until he sterlizied the animals in his care. The dogs were in his care because he accepted the responsibility of locating their owners. They had gotten separated from their pack because of a natural disaster of massive proportions. I do not believe he had the right to alter any of those dogs. He did not own them. They were not his to do with as he pleased. Certainly, he felt he was doing good. And I would certainly be grateful to find my pack member alive. Although disfigured, against my wishes. The dogs were not altered when the owners lost them. Therefore, the owners did not wish them to be altered. What gave him the right to do so? These were not necessarily "shelter" dogs and it was not necessarily a lack of responsibility on the part of the owner to get separated from their pack member. Although I will say that I will not now nor ever leave any of my pack members behind. Either you are pack or you are not. However, I don't know the circumstances as to why they were separated in the first place so I am reserving judgement.

I believe that he is a very good animal rehabilitator, but no longer believe him to be the best. The best would not feel it necessary to alter an animal. They would be able to control the animal. It may take extra work. But they could do it. Speaking from experience with aggressive, unaltered then altered dogs (a very protective pit bull for his "girl" who is my neice), it does not have as much affect as he believes. In the wild, wolves have pack leaders. Only pack leaders are allowed to breed and produce young. The rest of the pack assists in caring for the pups along with the Alpha pair at the top. Pack leaders in the wolf world generally do not allow subordinates to breed and reproduce, the consequences can be harsh...from expulsion from the pack to death. So he does not have the control that he thinks he does if he believes castration and hysterectomy to be the solution to problem dogs.
I do however understand the need to sterilize in some circumstances and his facilities are definitely a prime example. He has a great many dogs, though I myself will not own more dogs than I can supervise if they are unaltered. (Remember pack leaders control the breeding and any who disobey and breed can get booted.)

While reading that blogfest, (which took several hours), I have to admit that I skimmed it (there was an amazing amount of bashing each other and Cesar) as well as giving it the comprehensive reading it deserved because of some things I learned. I didn't want to be misinformed because of careless reading. I myself have an unaltered male dog who I have no intention of ever castrating. Not unless it is medically necessary to his survival. It is not his natural state. Nature says the male species has testes. However, I have complete control of my dog and have had so since I purchased him from the breeder. I do this for love. And because by accepting this animal, I am accepting responsibility for his welfare. Even routine minor surgeries can go wrong and cause more harm than good. The skin is the body's barrier against the world and all the things that would feed on it if given a chance. Microscopic organisms, etc., you get the picture.

I have this control because of my first experience in dog ownership. A lab mix puppy was given to my four year old son (he's 19 now). I had no idea what I was doing but I was utimately responsible for the animal and I blame myself for what was to follow. At 1 1/2 years old, she was sweet but uncontrollable. She lived in the back yard and we would occassionally play with her. But with no manners, a rambunctious dog and small children do not mix well. So we would also play in the front yard. One day, she couldn't stand it anymore. She broke through a chain-link gate, the back door and then through the front screen door to come and play. Boy was she excited. Running in circles around us, knocking down my children and just having a blast. She then darted into the road. The Ford Bronco was driving much slower than the posted speed limit, but it was still too fast to stop. He hit our dog as we watched in horror and heard her brief yelp of pain. He stopped and carried her back to our yard because I would not have been strong enough. He had been driving slowly because he was looking for his lost dog. He cried as hard as the rest of us as she bloodily gurgled her last breathes of life. I learned something that day that made me the dog owner I am today. Neither I nor the man looking for his lost pooch had any control of their animals. If your dog is lost, you aren't in control of it. My lack of control was obvious.

Now, I insist on control. At all times. I insist on complete obedience. At all times. This starts from day one. I use a leash briefly until they figure out who is boss. Me. Always. After Tina, the lab mix was killed, I knew that things had to change if I wanted to own a dog. Within a year, I had Roscoe Peco Train (aka Rocco), a Queensland Heeler/Jack Russell Terrier mix. I previewed and purchased as many training books as I could afford. I'm not rich so it wasn't as many as I wanted. Too bad Cesar wasn't around then. Perhaps I would have made a few less mistakes. To figure out what makes a dog's thought processes click, I turned to a documentary in both video and book form, Never Cry Wolf, about a man who actually lived with a pack of wild wolves and who eventually accepted him as a pup in their pack and who fed him in the manner of a pup. (gross...but I'd do it if I had to...I think) Rocco lived to be 13 years old. All who knew him could not believe the level of training and obedience he had. It took a lot of hard work and consistency but I knew I had to do it. The first 6 months were the hardest. I kept it short and sweet. A few minutes at a time, many times a day. June 2, 2005, at 13, I held him in my arms while the vet put him to sleep. A skeletal shell of what he had been, as a cancer had eaten his life force and took my baby from me. My husband and I drove him, wrapped in his burial shroud, on the quad to an area he enjoyed in the mountains to bury him. We found a place that spoke to us with the beauty filling our eyes. Looking around, we spied a cairn of rocks and decided we could use those to help keep predators away. The rocks were a headstone for Tigo, beloved hunting companion who died in July of 1987. That gave me such chills as you could not believe. I have no idea who the owner had been, but we knew then that we had found the right spot. Rocco was buried next to Tigo.

Reyna, a 20 month female German Shepherd, came home with us 8 months before Rocco died. Hers was a planned pregnancy. In fact, I had to wait for nearly two years before she could be born as my sister-in-law had to first acquire her mother, Tanya, then wait until she was of breedable age. Needless to say, I was anxious but patient. I knew my baby would be special. It was 6am when Tanya first started birthing. I wouldn't be off my graveyard shift for awhile and figured it would be over before I could get to my sister-in-law's house. But she wasn't done, in fact had barely begun! Pup number 8 had just been born when I got there. I carefully climbed in with momma and thoroughly inspected each pup. None were mine yet, but I just knew that there would be one for me. Then we left the room to give momma some space to relax for a bit. We checked on her occassionally and discovered # 9 but still none for me. Then another check and a new pup. There she was. Mine. A gift from heart to heart. I almost called her Ren Ten Ten :)

And now, I own an eight month old Parsons Russell Terrier, Elmo. AKC registered as El Moroccos Joker. He was acquired with haste on a road trip. I finally wore my husband down and he said I could have another dog. A small one. I got him when he was 11 weeks old. He did occassionally get away from me when I first got him by darting out the door. I stopped that by making him sit and wait at the door until I was out and only if I gave him permission to come out. Before I put him on the leash, if he got away, he was quickly caught. How? Reyna, we would send her to knock him down as we were running after them. If it hadn't been for her, he would have been leashed much earlier. Needless to say, he eventually learned he couldn't leave us in the dirt. And the one time he got out and away from me when Reyna wasn't around? He thought it was a great game, keep away from mom! Only I didn't like the game. I picked up a shoe intending to throw it close to him to let him know I didn't appreciate it. Except...I'm not a very good aim and I hit him with it. SMACK! Yip Yip Yip and he came running straight to me. I felt horrid and checked him carefully but no permanent damage. I haven't done it since and won't. I could have killed him on accident. My dogs obey, are rarely leashed, do not act aggressively towards others and even in a panic, will obey me. Two mean and aggressive Saint Bernards proved that as they chased Reyna while I called to her to COME! She had to run in a big circle but she came. And there I stood as those dogs came, all 5'2" of mean little Native American woman. Thankfully, there were some other people around too who helped scat them away. (and with a few of my foot prints on them) Reyna got away with a raw mark on her inside leg where the fur was gone from being bitten but no blood and major damage.

Those are my credentials as a dog owner. Many of you complain that the Cesar bashers don't know what they are talking about. And really, I'm not bashing his techniques on dog behavior. He can spay or neuter any of his own dogs as he wishes. I draw the line at being forced to do it by people who push a law through the legal system because of the irresponsible behaviors of others. Don't penalize those of us who do the responsible thing and keep their dogs under control. Who don't breed indiscriminately. But what deeply offended me the most? He freely admits that he broke our laws by crossing our borders and yet he wants to pass a law requiring me to go to jail if I don't sterilize my pet. And I'm not a border crosser hater either, remember the Native American thing? Well, the Mexican people were also a part of this continent long before there was a United States of America.

I'm impressed with your site, very nice graphics!

Volunteer worker, Have you used food to bait them along to walk by your side? When I was working with a rescue group I had a very large dog do that, so I did this when I knew he was hungry and it helped. You could also use a ball or something the dog wants. I love to watch Cesar and learn alot from him but for me to work with the largs breeds I have to use other ways to get them going.