Oh I think I heard something about this episode. This one is unbelieveably important for all of us because when we become catestrophically sick our ability to cope with our dogs energy shifts so dramatically the dogs are impelled to move into a leadersip role.

My story of becoming involved with problem rescue dogs was part of Chapter 7 in Cesar's new book. That story is symbolic of all YOUR stories, of everytime you step in to save a dog that no one else seems to be able to help. When you make changes in ourselves which results in changes in our dogs behaviors, that story true was dedicated to all you unsung heros 100,000 and more growing every day across the planet, who understand and work with the vital messages that Cesar's way teaches about how dogs mirror our true inner selves, that we have lost under our social masks.

Last Winter I came down with a life threatening pneumonia that took me months to recover from. I could NOT believe how the same behavior in me suddenly had almost no effect on the dogs, their protection reactions escalated dramatically and willingness to obey very slow and sometimes, not at all. (Thank heavens for the teachings from Cesar about using treadmill for exercise support or there would have been none for the dogs during that time, by the way!)

On my Dog Whisperer email list, I would estimate that the number one complaint is lack of family interest or support in following Cesar's way to present a unified front. This is also true in my household, as my partner considers dogs are his friends, therefore almost no leadership or disapline. My experience showed that this could be over come with a strong committment to a 24/7 consistent packleader role, which had to occur in my case if I had any hope of changing and therefore saving Signal Bear.

Becoming sick, it was not longer about choices, I simply wasnt physically or mentally able to project the energy needed to hold my position. Without another human in the home to step forward into that role, the dogs felt they had to, and it showed. Be lost ground druring that time that I still find I have to deal with the consequences of periodically, 6 months later.

This is an opportunity as well, to look at our pack leadership techniques in this all important area of becoming ill with the one place we are conditioned to give away our power to from childhood,~ the medical community. Starting from my 20's when I saw how vulnerable people were during my volunteering for Hospice support, I taught my self to become a strong, educated, aware and detailed patient advocate for those I loved, never dreaming how important this would become in the dying process with first my mom, then my dad (and now for my dogs). Having this skill actually saved my dad, when one doctor send the old tests to the specialists instead of the new, and the new doctor didnt realize until I called and talked to him about the fact the numbers were changing so dramatically and why (kidney failure starting!)

Yet when I became so desparately ill, there was no one to be a packleader (patient advocate) for ME!

Cesar's seminar is focused at getting us reconnected to listening and working with or instincts! The instincts we develop and learn to trust by working in Cesar's way with our dogs, may actually save our lives, not only when preditors are around (when we are in reality danger), but also when we are dealing with life and death issues around ourselves and our families! We get that tap that says something is not right, that our Pack Leader skills serve us to take personal authority to follow up and get answers or actions could save lives.

Aside from the fact (if what I heard was true), that this is so cool if this actually was a Make-A-Wish request, there seems like there is going to be some very heavy lessons here we ALL will benefit from understanding better!

I absolutely love Cesar...
I am trying my best to be the best pack leader possible but
my family is not wanting to follow the same rules and bounderies plus, they have no interest in my puppy outside of the house. They love her but, in their way, from the couch. I don't mind taking responsibility...I signed up for it but when they start telling me I am not doing something right, I'm like...you don't even care about her outside of this house, why are you delegating now? I feel she has two packs in the house. I need to talk to Cesar or write in for help. Please advise