The Anti-Cesar Millan - part 1

[Dillydoodle]

Debbie,
This has been my challenge for the past two months now, i have been weaning him off the cookies but it has been hard. We are still in class, i have been taking a 3 week break but will be starting back up with this class in another week or so. The issue is he is a corgi, stubborn as they come, he wants to please me, but only so much! LOL! He will do these things with no cookie at home well, but not as perfectly and excitedly as he does with a cookie. At class it is a totally different story...there are way too many interesting things, people, dogs, treats etc - for him a "good boy" and a loving pat only go so far, i end up having to do constant leash corrections..if i am not using cookies...i have started to try to get him to work for a very special tug toy ( a real sheepskin tug) and he likes it but is still not quite as excited and focused as he is with treats- any suggestions?
Emilie

[Dillydoodle]

Thanks for the info on the book, i will pick that up. The other book you suggested "don't shoot the dog" will be another one i will pick up too. THanks
Emilie

[glencorgi]

Emilie, you are far beyond anything I've ever done as formalized training. But from what I've learned via, reading, listening, talking with others; you sound like you are on the right track and it is going to take some time. I suspect, from listening to other tales of training woes - his age could be a factor as he's going through another developmental stage. When he gets his brain back you may see progress come more rapidly.

Debbie

PS: As another thought on the rest of the thread, finding what works for the individual from a trainer is most important - one size does not fit all. Plus what works with one dog, may not work with another dog. So it helps to have a lot of tools at one's disposal.

[milles2]

Thanks for the article. I suspect there are a lot of people who will cheer the author.

I have stopped watching Cesar Milan. He is very entertaining and I actually learned a few things that have helped me remain pack leader with my two Corgis. But he is not my style. I know I am over symplifying things but it seems to me he thinks the answer for every dog is to go for a walk.

So I take liberties with Tucker's Dogster Diary and poke fun at Mr. Milan.

It would be nice to see another "rock star" of the dog training world make it big on TV to see the other point of view.

[Cardiguy]

There is an old saying "horses for courses" and some of the odd behaviours that are shown on dog whisperer show call for harsher methods. Other behaviorial issues may not require such harsh methods and the praise/reward method may be the best. Everyone can use the praise/reward method but only a trained person in many cases can use Cesar's harsh methods. It all depaends on the problem that needs to be addressed.