Ceasar Milan is not the only star in the universe. In fact, many excellent nationally recognized dog trainers and behaviorist are quite critical of his methods. So, rather than just go to who the media has elevated an expert, why not ask another expert or two. Here are two suggestions. Talk with Jean Donaldson, author, trainer, behaviorist and head of the San Fransico ASPCA. Also, if you want a media star, talk with Victoria Stillwell, Animal Planet's dog trainer extraordinaire with a weekly show "It's Me or the Dog." Stillwell deals with cases every bit as difficult as those that CM takes on. She gets great results with VERY DIFFERENT METHODS AND PHILOSOPHY.

The arrival of the new White House canine family member has been closely watched by the thousands of animal lovers across the country. The Obama's committed to adopting a pet and had every opportunity to adopt a pet. This would have sent a message and set a wonderful example for the country. Adopting a pet would have influenced others to adopt. Instead they are taking in a puppy that came from a breeder.

With so many thousands of pets being left homeless due to families losing their homes, pets left orphaned when their owners die or become too ill to care for them and for many other sad reasons- the Obama's really blew it. And those of us who volunteer our time, our money and our lives to helping save homeless pets and working to reduce the tragic numbers of healthy, adoptable companion animals who are euthanized because there are not enough homes for them- we are angry.

Amy Shever
2nd Chance 4 Pets
Los Gatos

I have raised and trained German Shepherd dogs for 30 years and taught many obedience classes. Im thrilled for The Obama's but am a little concerned over their new dogs name. Though popular,The name "Bo" sounds very much like "No". I worry that putting a happy positive name on their new dog that rhymes with THE negative command to stop whatever it is you are doing"NO" might confuse everybody involved. Hopefully he will have a nickname like"BObo"soon so he can tell the difference.I wish them all the best with their new family member.
medusasmom

Thanks for your insight. I hadn't thought of that. MC

This is to Amy Shever and all the others who think the Obamas should have rescued a puppy and to those who have sent death threats to the breeder who raised the German Shepherd puppy the Bidens brought to Washington: THIS IS AMERICA. We all have the right to do what is best for our families. If I had a child with severe allergies and asthma which can be life-threatening, I would have chosen a purebred dog as well. The Obamas do not discuss the asthma, but it is an unpredictable and frightening condition for a child as well as the whole family who must be vigilant all the time.

My family has rescued 2 dogs in a similar manner - from families that could not take care of them. Both were purebreds but were in danger of ending up in a shelter - we just stepped in before that happened. I am just so tired of outsiders telling everyone else what they should do and needed to share these feelings.

PJ
Los Altos, CA

While I wont take any sides here on the issue of whether the Obamas should have adopted their pet, I think it is important to point out the fallacy implied in PJ's statement.

It is possible to find many types of dogs in shelters and rescues across this country. From purebreds and designer mixes to lovable "mutts" in all shapes and sizes from teacup lap dogs to Great Danes.

You do not have to choose between adopting and having a purebred dog, you can do both!

Milan is an idiot. Ever seen the episode where he basically forced a great dane through fear to go onto linoleum? The dog was afraid because it'd slipped and broken its leg as a pup. At the end, Milan is standing there proclaiming how well his methods worked while the dog is sitting there quaking and terrified.

This stuff about not letting the dog walk in front of you is just example 1. Really? Here I let my goldens walk in front all the time, because they enjoy exploring and sniffing things out. Oddly enough, they still obey whatever I tell them to do because they're well trained.

I've a friend at UFL veterinary school who told me their behaviour professor devotes a couple of lectures each year to debunking all the junk Milan spouts in his show. As a senior vet student myself, I'd never recommend him to any clients.

Brit Hume is already insulting Bo this morning on Fox News Sunday. The video's here:
http://gotchamedia.blogspot.com/2009/04/brit-hume-already-not-fan-of-bo-first.html

thank you so much fot this! Darlene Arden also weighed in here:
http://www.redroom.com/blog/darlene-arden/the-first-puppy

On the contrary, Pat and boulderdog, Milan is brilliant in his work. He doesn't fool with teaching tricks, he focuses on psychology and mostly on training people how to interact with dogs effectively. I have two purebred rescue dogs who have benefited greatly from what I learned from his "pack leader" theory.

His forcing a dog to learn a different response to a troublesome behavior doesn't make him an idiot. Catering to a dog with an unreasonable fear is a problem. My pitbull was terrified of auto lights if I walked her at night. We realized that fear was probably based upon having been hit by a car while she was a stray--she had the injuries that indicated such an event. The answer was to teach a different response to the lights. I taught "sit" next to the curb when cars pass and offered a treat, and soon she knew the drill. No more fear. It worked, it didn't take long, and now evening walks are no longer a problem.

Milan may not have received formal training, and he may have arrived after crawling under a border fence, but he's smart, he's legal, and he's a star for the right reasons. Don't hold that against him. He's good.

I so agree with the second paragraph of M.D.'s post... taking the dogs attention away from that which he/she is fearful of and onto something entirely different is the way to go.

Don't dismiss ALL Caesar Milan ideas and ways of teaching out of hand. Just because you disagree with one or two ideas doesn't make all of them wrong.

I can see similarities between the way he teaches and with the way Victoria Stilwell, The Dog Listener, The Dog Whisperer and also Secrets of Dog Trainings Daniel Stevens teach. Yes there are differences but also similarities in that, in most instances, lessons are taught with positive methods of reinforcement.

You need to learn from them ALL then develop your own training method from the best of each trainer.

The training, advice, and stories in my Lhasa Apso Potty Training Blog hopefully reflect just such a use of long acquired practical knowledge plus much reading of books from the various experts.

Millan uses dominance based training methods and a training technique called flooding to break a dogs will. Certain veterinary behaviorists organizations have made negative position statements about Millan's training methods.
The so called pack theory he teaches does not exist it was based on wolf behavior under unnatural conditions.

Pat, I saw the Great Dane episode and felt Millan freed the dog from his fears! In fact, prior to Millan and during the rehabilitating, the dog was quaking, not after he got over it. And I also agree that there are definite similarities between Cesar Millan and Victoria Stilwell. As Millan says, his training methods may not be for everyone but the exercise, discipline, affection philosophy certainly works for my happy high-energy pup. So live and let live.

James, dogs, reguardless of the breed have a common ancestory with wolves.

Although dogs have been genetically altered and they are breed for different tasks, psychologically, the wolf is hard-wired in their DNA.

I watch the Dog Whisperer every week and I have no problems with Milan's methods. One thing the says that all dog behaviorists will agree is that the behavior of the dog depends on the energy of the owner.

Every negative comment on Cesar Millans techniques and practices have so far be untrue, baseless or prejudice. I have read the articles and attacks by experts such as Jean Donaldson and Ian Dunbar and found they were misleading when concerning Millan. I'm not an idiot and I'm not fooled easily so I was surprised by their claims that Millan's techniques are a quick fix and is physically and mentally damaging. Hmm... I have tried them on my dog, my neighbors dog and with shelter dogs, all with great results (some results were immediate, other behaviors took weeks to correct). Pack behaviors are real and obvious when you observe a group of dogs together. Remember, if your dog is a natural follower and have no interest in leading, you can have your dog walk in front of you all day long and will never have a problem with your dog challenging your leadership. Most of us dog owners are not so lucky to have a dog like that. Most of us have to work at our leadership and remind our dogs we are in control. BTW, the experts that have issued the most criticism, have the most to lose with a new expert coming into the field. The new go-to-guy on dog behavior has gobbled up book sales on the best-sellers list, promotional events, TV and radio shows. My guess is - the other experts have lost "THOUSANDS" if not millions. For that reason alone, their opinion is not without predjudice.

Every person I know who is highly critical of Cesar Milan seems at base to hate him because he was an illegal immigrant. A dog trainer we had used in the past refused to even work with us once she heard I had read his books and watched the show on NGC. What a bunch of morons!

I love how people keep slamming Cesar because he doesn't have a degree. You know what he has that most of the so-called "experts" don't have? Real life experience! He grew up around dogs and has worked with them since childhood. That's better than a degree or certification any day of the week!

I am a fan of Ceasar Milan watching his show and reading his books have made me a more responsible pet owner and made my dogs more happy and balanced. Some of his techniques have worked wonders for me with the Pitbull/Amstaffs that I have rescued. And it was far less expensive than the local trainers and services that I have previously paid for.(One even refused to assist in traing one of my dogs b/c he felt that the breed was only good for fighting and should have been put down, but he took the consultation fee!) While I have watched Victoria Stillwell I am not a fan as on several episodes she all but gave up and suggested that some dogs should be euthanized!! And for thoes that took the time to complain about the first family buying a dog from a breeder when they were waiting for a dog from a shelter that fit their specific needs and concerns for their childs allergies really need to find some constructive things to do with their life. Have you stopped to think that a dog that fit their needs was not available from a shelter??

To Amy: We, as in thoes of us that dedicate time, money and enegry to rescue/shelter efforts are not all hurt and angry. The fact that one family regardless of how influential they are decided not to get a get a shelter or rescue dog does not change my resolve to make a difference in my community. It dose not deter me away from prevent people from buying puppies from the mall like shoes. if you are so easily hurt and discouraged prehaps you should take up a new calling.

For those of you against C. Milan. I adopted an abused alpha from the HS. The dog snapped and growled at not only strangers but also my daughter and family. If it were not for C. Milan the dog would have been taken back to the HS and most likely put down by another person in time. This was not our 1st dog and had never had trouble before. If you don't have an alpha you may think his techniques are not needed. But, I can tell you he saved my dog. Although she needs to be reminded of her place in the pack from time to time she is the most loyal dog companion I have ever had.

I love Ceasar! I read this book, called WAGGING TAILS, by Tim Link, and then heard about the Dog Whisperer. They`re so much alike, but yet so different. Tim Link is an animal communicator (much like Ceasar) and shares all his stories about all the animals Tim has helped. Essentially the same, however in a book rather then on TV.
I recently heard about the Dog Whisperer from a family friend and she said he was amazing so now I`m just blog hopping and learning more bout him and animal communication. It`s really neat!

The book, is Wagging Tales... i misspelled thinking it was Tails...but it`s Tales... oops!

Expert this and expert that. "This guy's better because he 'debunked' the methods". Etc, etc.
As one person posted, this is America, the Obama's can get any DOG they want. If you don't like Milan's teaching methods, what's that got to do with his immigration history?!
It's all about entertainment and right now the top dog is Cesar! Maybe all these other EXPERTS are just jealous of his fame. I have three dogs myself and some of his methods have worked perfectly while others haven't. Should I run out to Home Depot and buy some material to make picket signs protesting Milan's methods!?!
Two of our dogs were from rescue shelters, one was from a place many of my friends called a puppy mill. Should I euthanize her because of it?!
I was never a dog person, I have these dogs because of my wife, but that doesn't mean before that I was attacking every dog I met. I agree with Cesar and hope that you all realize this(myself included): you're talking about a DOG!!!!

Pat, Also, the Great Dane from that episode had not broken his leg previously. He had simply slipped and fallen -- no injury. And by the end of the episode, the dog wasn't shaking at all! In fact, they showed how the owner, on her own, was able to walk on the linoleum later. Personally, if my dog was that terrified, I'd prefer putting him through few minutes of fear (but no danger!) than having him lead the rest of his life scared.

Dont listen to the people hating on Cesar. Why? because their nowhere near his level if they where they would be in his position. Not to say their isnt different methods and opinions on everything. Just that its meaningless to hate on someone who has a higher position and experience than you, it makes you look weak.

The Dog Whisperer is at it again! Check it out at http://tvmanonline.wordpress.com/2009/08/11/houston-tv-production-company-brings-in-dog-whisperer-to-help-with-troubled-employee/

It is possible to find many types of dogs in shelters and rescues across this country. From purebreds and designer mixes to lovable "mutts" in all shapes and sizes from teacup lap dogs to Great Danes.

You do not have to choose between adopting and having a purebred dog, you can do both!