Bravo! Applause! Ovation!

One of the biggest things that has impresessed me about "Cesar's Way" is his position repeated over and over, that ~all ways are good, as long as it does not harm the dog. More importantly I think, is his consistent and accurate risk assessments in context with the dog's environment, the time he has to work in AND the owner's skill and tools.

As with any tool, misuse can happen with conscious intent for sure, but even more frequently, in my experience, misuse happens when people are completely unconscious of their own actions and energy's effect on the dog (and how obvious it is, to those of us watching the episodes) and unwillingness to study the correct use and find someone to mentor/watch to help the new user to use the corrective tool OR technique correctly.

There is so much free information available any more to help the people who post here, that are looking for tips, even in this website with the video clips, the past blog comments and, tips and links to Cesars own site where even MORE information is available.

Of course the other side of the coin is that the owners need to be willing to take the time to do the techniques they feel comfortable in trying without expert professional assistance that are talked about as well!

Ewwww... moderator should delete those three postings 2, 4 & 5!

Moderator's Note: Sorry for the delay. The offending posts have been deleted and our webmaster notified.

I haven't seen the episode with Molly, but thank you Cesar for addressing the issue of e collars. My daughter's dog Brooklyn is a rescue.He was dog aggressive, cat aggressive, stranger aggressive, with an appointment for euthansia. Thank God I came across your program which we religiously devoured! We even added more channels so I could get the National Geographic Channel. Through your show, books, DVD's, and seminar in Davis, California, this dog is continuing to progress. We have moved on to an e collar to further help him remember how to behave. Mind you it is only on vibration, but he quickly minds his manners with a slight touch. We had an incounter with a loose dog yesterday and as we continued to walk the dog came up behind Brooklyn. Ordinarily this would be cause for a huge display of aggression, but he took one look behind and we continued on our way. It allows my daughter to walk confidently with her dog and her baby in a stroller. At this point even putting it on without using it, he seems to understand that "Yes, Mom does mean business!" I don't doubt that in the future she will be able to put the collar away for good!

Thank you Cesar, and National Geographic for bringing him to us,you saved Brooklyn's life!

Patty~

I am thrilled to see Cesar address the use of many kinds of training tools and methods, and how he is not so tied to any one method that he insists on using it regardless of its effectiveness. He truly matches the technique to the dog, and some dogs have to learn that certain actions are definitely off limits, particularly when those actions threaten the dog's own safety! If it takes an electric collar to get through to the dog initially, then that's what it takes. Once the dog has learned and the collar is no longer necessary, then it can be put away!
I'm glad Cesar is here to show how and when to use these tools, since a lot of harm can be done if they are used irresponsibly -- just like any tool!

Thank you Cesar! I've really enjoyed the variety in season 3 so far. Not all the cases are "red zone," and I particularly enjoyed seeing issues like fearful dogs (Banjo) and choosing the right dog (Spike and Belle).

I look forward to each new episode and each new lesson to be learned!

I love our morning walks - we live very near the beach but are only allowed to walk dogs on it 7 mos of the year. IMHO, nothing replaces the walk - Cesar is spot on about that. Play, exercise, dog parks are fine, but except for extremely bad weather, our morning routine is a short hop to "go", then Mom's gotta have her coffee and then it's leash up and a good, long walk. I walk two large dogs, both shelter rescues, a shep lab (female, hyper alert) and a male shep rottweiler (11 yrs old, serious hip and "back end" problems). The shep-rottie would walk next to me if I tied a piece of dental floss around his neck, but for the other one, I have always used a prong collar (with rubber tips). There is absolutely nothing else that provides the proper reinforcement - I know that I should provide the proper reinforcement, and I hope it will come to that, but we're not their yet. Still, she has improved remarkably since we got her, and one thing about dogs - they're great patience-builders.

I was impressed how the E-collar can work in the begginning to correct a problem and not needed ever again, just like my water gun I used in the car when he barked at people, I only had to use it 4 or 5 times and he got the point. I was wondering what type of e-collar did he use cause there are about 10 different kinds on the market.

The problem with Cesar using this tool is that everyone thinks this will be the solution to thier problems. Don't forget to consult with a professional before using these tools, you may make the problem worse.

I saw the segment on Molly and the e-collar. I have a three year old Yorkie that likes to wander out of our yard. We live in a semi-country area, but cars go up and down our short road several times a day. If she would stay on our side of the road it would not be so bad, but she will go to the other side. We have tried to train her to stay in our yard by walking the perimeter of our property, but this has not been completely successful. The e-collar sounds like it may be something to use to train her to stay in our yard. She is about 10-11 lbs.
I hope someone will post here where to purchase the e-collars.
Please help in securing this tool for training my dog.
Thanks.

I think the brand used in this piece was called a Dogtra, but I would not recommend anyone getting one unless you hire a dog trainer to work with you on how to use it and with your dog. For a small 10 lbs dog, I don't know what the recommendations are for small dogs.. again, Cesar made it very clear that ecollars should only be used with the help of a professional.. Patti I don't know if this would be a solution for your dog. Since it is such a small dog, why don't you build a dog run or just a normal fence? If your dog is wandering off it sounds like this is happening when you are not watching the dog and if that is the case, the dog should not be left to roam on its own if there is danger of cars and traffic.

I agree with HB and the E collar.
You should be taught how to use it properly by a professional.
It has to be used in a VERY accurate and specific way. It is not simply a replacement for another collar. You CAN cause greater problems if it is not used correctly.

I have used them but was taught how by a trainer.

Hay Cesar, my dog wont eat her dog food. Were giving her this kind of dog food and it says that for her wait, she's suposed to eat two cans, and I have a hard time giving her half of the can. What should i do?

Yea.. saw that one .. but still holding out for a Siberian Husky.
have not seen it .. im not talking about any aggression... im speaking in terms of their cleverness .. escape artist .. stubborn attitude...love to digg and run.. those are some traits
many of this breed share

FIRST read about The Milgram Experiment. Next, NEVER TRY USING AN E COLLAR ON YOUR OWN and question the heck out of any trainer who would, then before you continue, consider this. I have had to help repair several dogs who were VERY messed up because of e collars. Magic tools are seductive, but can open cans of worms you never dreamed of. There are so many "WHAT IFS" when it comes to e collars. What if Molly learns to stay within her boundaries ONLY while the collar is around her neck? This means if she escapes without it, she will do the same thing and possibly end up dead any way. What if she becomes afraid of the collar and tries to run away from it? What if she habituates to the low level setting of the collar? If it doesn't worry her any more, or she's willing to deal with the "vibration" she will leave her boundaries any way & the humans will likely want to CRANK IT UP. Why does the collar work? Is it based on fear? If so, is fear a good motivator? Can Molly make the correct association to the "vibration?" Molly does not know why she's being "vibrated" and there is no way to tell her. Molly will come up with some reason for the collar to go off and there is no way to predict what it will be. If she happens to be looking at a human (or child?) when it happens, maybe she will decide the human is causing the correction? I know 2 dogs who have made incorrect associations during the use of e collars. One thinks cars are the reason for the "vibration" and with or without his collar, he reacts violently & maniacally upon seeing any vehicle. He's 100 pounds and has a frail owner & this definitely affected being walked. The other dog I know decided the shock was caused by other dogs and she began "attacking" other dogs "out of the blue." In both cases, these were not the last thing the pet owners tried but THE FIRST THING. Once your dog develops one of these issues, your problem is much more complicated and your dog’s life is still in jeopardy. So is it the best choice when there are other options? I would not trust anyone to administer the use of an e collar to my dog. It requires vast knowledge of dogs and dog behavior and EXACT timing. There are few people ho have EXACT timing. If a trainer is THAT good, generally they will know several other solutions to a problem & never need to go to an e collar.

Hi, I have a 5 year old male Chesapeake Bay Retriever who is so lovey dovey the me, my husband, family and friends, but when it come to other dogs forget it. I just got a 9 week old female Cheasapeake puppy who which the male absolutly hates. I got her for him to be his companion and life friend but he only snaps at her. She is absolutly terrified of him. What should I do.

Thank you
Carla Hanf

Dear Cesar, I am a 45 year old married mother of two teenagers and a chronic pain sufferer. 4 years ago I got a mini dachshund and Snoodles and I have been together ever since. He has brought great lightness and humor to my life. My problem is that he is so protective over me that he growls at my husband and the kids. Am I stopping him from being the protective dog that I wanted him to be? He would never hurt them, but it makes us all uneasy that he is so intent on protecting me that he could hurt someone. Is it NORMAL for a dog to be so protective that he could hurt the ones he loves? Thanks, Annette Bartosik

Have two rescue dogs - lived together but are very jealous of each other, both 10 years old. Anny, cocker mix eats anything and everything, Jayk, lab/chow mix, is very fussy - it is a challenge trying to get him to eat. At their previous home, food was put out and Anny ate the bulk of it. I feed them separate, they do not see the other eating, but most of the time, Jayk won't eat unless I put some people food in with his food and then sometimes he won't eat that. Suggestions?

I just saw the Molly episode and was quite surprised to see the e-collar used. I have successfully used one with an extremely determined and dominant springer spaniel. And, I only used the e-collar after many, many months of obedience training. That being said, what concerned me about this episode was that Cesar not only clearly "advertised" for Dogtra but he made it appear that it was a quick fix for the dog. The collars are effective but the owner must be trained to use it properly. The idea of simply setting the control at 40 (as he said) and hit the button is overly simplistic. Before purchasing an e-collar owners should ask a competent professional (not a salesperson) if it's warranted, if it's suitable for their dog, and get a solid recommendation for it. Further, there should be some basic training on its use. What concerns me about this episode is that people will run willy-nilly out to get the collar and start zapping their dogs. No, it's not painful at the lower settings, but it can be painful when set too high or the button is hit too many times. In my opnion, the e-collar should be used with discretion and only after other methods of behavior control are tried.

I got my Akita pup at 6 weeks old , he is now almost 7 month old , I also have a standard poodle pup 3 month old .
they are best friends , my Akita is a great dog , super clean and very loving we went to a beginners class and he did OK , but we have a real hard time with the walk and I have fallen 3-4 times , he wants to chase everything cars , kids, people, bird ,fly' all that moves .
I'm thinking of buying an e-collar , I could use some help
Maggie

I have to say that E-Collars are the most useful tool in training. Remember it is a tool it is NEVER used to TEACH. Your dog MUST know all its commands before using the ecollar. I will say if you want to use an ecollar to reinforce commands your dog already knows its not as simple as it sounds. There is a process to this type of training. You have to collar condition your dog first. I think people are getting the wrong idea about the ecollar as a simple solution to a problem. There is a lot of research and studying you have to do BEFORE you ever put the ecollar on. Does your dog even have the right attitude? If not do not bother using one. And to the people who are against it will never change their minds. Everyone has their own opinion and style of training. Its just when the ecollar haters take it to the next level and start fights (physical!) because you are using one. Usually I find it is ignorance on why these people hate them. They do not have an open mind. Remember, ecollar training is negative reinforcement. You must train in a POSITIVE environment. I could go on and on and on but I will not. If you choose this type of tool please seek out a trainer familar with ecollars and buy ecollar training DVDs. Remember ecollars are humane, safe, and very effective tools. They are not the ecollars of yesteryears. I feel ecollars are safer than using a prong or choke collar on your dog. Even though you will be using them in collar conditioning. Good luck.

Helllo Cesar i really enjoy your shows and i have used some of your training methods on my dog his a Staffordshire Bull Terrier, my dog is quite aggresive to some male dogs this is one of the reasons that when i take him out i dont take him of the leash, as i am scared that when he sees other dogs he might run towards them, and he might start a fight, but thats not the only problem he also dosent come back to me if he also sees a dog or even a person. i hope that you could get back to me as soon as possible thanks.