During the course of his shows, he typically discusses how "Dogs aren't appliances" who can be fixed in the same manner.
Yet, magically, he "rehabilitates" dogs within 5 minutes on his show which runs totally counter to his comments about how dogs aren't appliances.
AND the outcome is...in many cases...people trying his "training" methods...don't get results in 5 minutes...and give up on the dog...and it ends up in a shelter.
Fact is, in this video, he's taught the dog the association "I see a cat, I get hurt" Bad idea.
Some of you know I'm SLOOOOWLY working toward getting my training certification. Some of you also know about my adopted pooch, Pepper, who I brought home from a local shelter.
When Pepper first arrived at my home..she was a damn mountain lion. Now, she's as sweet as can be? Why? Positive associations mixed with strength from me.
For instance, when I put on a pair of shoes; she doesn't react. BUT if I put on my sneakers, she goes bonkers with joy. Why? She's learned, on her own, sneakers = going for a walk; positive association.
She was dog aggressive on our walks. So, every time we saw a dog, at first at a LONG distance, I gave her a treat for being calm...then we shortened the distance...when she was calm she got a treat...etc. Now, when she passes a dog on a walk, she looks directly at me like "Where's my treat?" with a wagging tail. Dogs are now a positive association for her.
The other problem with Milan is that he doesn't give the dog any idea of replacement behavior. That's the problem with negative training. We dont' give the pooch a behavior we want it to replace the old behavior with. Negative training simply says "NO" and leaves it to the dog to figure out what to replace the behavior with. Positive training says "Hey, THIS behavior will give ya a much better experience than what you're doing now"
And...also...for the "Ya gotta be strong with a dog" crowd. Trust me, I was not "smoochy smoochy" with Pepper. I couldn't be. She was a tough adoption. I had to be VERY strong with her...and physical (which doesn't mean hitting her) It means, standing tall in front of her when I don't like what she's doing...blocking her space at times...and also let her know who the leader is...always...etc. And with that, have a balance of positive stuff.
The turn around in her life has been remarkable.
One last piece of the rant.
When I first brought her home, as I said, she was VERY aggressive toward other dogs. At the same time, a neighbor started to walk their newly adopted Boxer, who was also aggressive toward dogs. We had many encounters. The neighbor, in spite of my objections, started using a choker..and then a prong collar. I started using a clicker at the same time and my method of rewiring Pepper's brain so that when she sees a dog, she'd start to think "OOOOOH cool, look a dog, I get a treat" The neighbor's dog, instead, learned the association of "A dog! Every time I see one, I get hurt by this collar, so I better bark louder and act meaner so that dog doesn't come near me" and you can see where that cycle leads.
So now, we calmly walk past (without treats) and the Boxer goes into a rage...even worse than it did months ago...eventually, guaranteed, these people will stop walking the dog because of it. AND dogs need to be walked or some not so good behaviors can develop...you can see where this all eventually leads.
Cesar's method vs an effective method.
All of the above said, he's a fraud. This video proves it. A shock collar..and he makes no mention of it...and lemme tell ya, that dog is REACTING to that collar....it ain't a gentle tweak he's getting from it. Shame on Mr Milan.
OK..Rant is officially over.
