It’s official. The “Dog Whisperer” TV show uses outdated, inhumane dog training methods. I’m so happy to have found out that it’s not just me, or the many, many dog trainers that I know - in Seattle and around the world - that think the Dog Whisperer show has done more harm than good. Everyone has been so afraid to say anything possibly libelous, but it’s just the truth, and we need to stop hurting these dogs.
The American Humane Association, founded in 1887, officially announced late last summer that they found the techniques on the “Dog Whisperer” inhumane, and stated that the National Geographic Channel should take Cesar Millan’s show off of the air as soon as possible.
Here’s an exerpt from the AHA’s September 2006 press release:
“The training tactics featured on Cesar Millan’s ‘Dog Whisperer’ program are inhumane, outdated and improper, according to a letter sent yesterday to the National Geographic Channel by American Humane, the oldest national organization protecting children and animals.”
Another excerpt about the “Dog Whisperer” TV show: “It also does a disservice to all the show’s viewers by espousing an inaccurate message about what constitutes effective training and appropriate treatment of animals.”
Visit the American Humane Association website for the full text of their press release about Cesar Millan’s Dog Whisperer show, including how he has asphyxiated dogs while pinning them. He’s also used shock collars on the show, without mentioning it to the viewers. In one such episode, the dog redirected and bit the owner, it was so freaked out from the pain.
I just talked with a client from my Growly Dogs class in Seattle, who said that his wife was bitten while pinning her dog, as she had seen Cesar do on the show. I’ve seen episodes where he was bitten, himself. That problem of redirection is part of what caused trainers in the last few decades to look for alternatives and evolve beyond the use of corporeal punishment. And it’s certainly part of the reason for the statement on the show, to the effect of “Don’t try this at home.”
I also have an article on Side Effects of Punishment-Centric Dog Training. Or click here for my training philosophy.
Related articles:
- Beyond the Dominance Paradigm, by Patricia McConnell, Ph.D. (”The next time someone tries to seduce you with bad science by saying that “ethology justifies using force to control your dog,” don’t hesitate to challenge them.”)
- The Dog Whisperer Controversy, by Lisa Mullinax, CPDT - lovely details.
- He Ought to Call Himself the Dog Screamer by Steve Dale
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December 20th, 2007 at 4:19 pm
Cesar has deal with some quite aggressive dogs on Dog Whisperer.
You say and others say “outdated techniques”. Show us the better way. Otherwise your just criticizing, for whatever reason.
December 20th, 2007 at 4:28 pm
Lovely question. The “better way” is what I do all the time. I specialize in dog aggression and rehabilitate dogs using counter-conditioning, desensitization, positive reinforcement training, and management. I also use an approach called Constructional Aggression Treatment, which consists of teaching dogs better responses to give in the presence of triggers. So instead of aggression, we reinforce head turns, ground sniffs, look aways, etc. The main reinforcement that the dog is looking for is for the trigger to go away. You don’t need to leash pop or yell or anything for the dog to change tactics. You do have to arrange things carefully and use the big human brain we all have. But it’s possible to retrain without pain, fear, or force. I choose that way because it works, it teaches dogs to enjoy the former trigger instead of just avoiding it, and because matches my life philosophy.
Click here for a video about the CAT technique: http://www.tawzerdogvideos.com/JesusRosalesRuiz-KellieSnider.htm
There are many, many books on using Counter-Conditioning and Desensitization for treating fear and aggression. One such book is on my site: https://ahimsadogtraining.com/store/proddetail.php?prod=MCH-0012 (Help for Your Fearful Dog). One good video is from Kathy Sdao - see the Cujo Meets Pavlov workshop video.
December 23rd, 2007 at 9:16 pm
From the Forum: “Thank you for this post, Grisha. I have had a number of intelligent, well-meaning acquaintances who love their dogs ask me about the DW and I’ve had a hard time responding.” More responses in the Ahimsa dog forum.