All this despite attending dog daycare the first 3 yrs of her life, being crated when we were not home, training sessions, hiking, daily dog park trips and numerous Kongs, bones and toys. What a little monkey my Inca is. She’s still very mischievious at times. Gotta love that spirit.

Our male dog, the pit-pointer, however, has really not chewed up anything despite adopting him from the shelter at one year old. He loves to chew, big time, but only chews on what we give him. Good boy, Domino!

A friend gave me Cesar’s first set of DVDs and with all that I have learned I have to say some of his methods in the scenarios appalled me and I’m not a trainer, just very immersed in the dog world. Another example is a female husky at one of our off-leash areas that has a reputation for jumping other dogs and starting fights. Granted she should not even be at the dog park, but my point in this case is that her owner pins her to the ground as punishment, ala Cesar. I’ve seen her attack four dogs in the four times I’ve been at this particular dog park. The alpha roll does not seem to be working! After her dog took a bite out of the side of my therapy dog, I’ve not returned to the dog park, period, but some day this dog is going to meet her match and there is going to be a horrendous dog fight.

Love & Light
Angela
w/ANGELS R4 REAL PET GROOMING/PET SITTING

I would not attempt the Alpha Roll and I have no opinion as to its applicability in dog training. (I once had a “pit mix” who greeted a dog he got along with (another “pit mix”) by bumping her into lying down. Then he would stand over/on top of her. In a couple of seconds, they would start walking together peacefully. I didn’t like seeing this and thought it was bad manners on my dog’s part, but it seemed to work for them. (I do not know how to interpret this interaction. I can think of several possibilities, but it seems useless to simply speculate.) In any event, viewers of Cesar’s show are routinely advised not to apply Cesar’s techniques by themselves.

I do not use Cesar’s techniques because I’m rather selfish and enjoy giving my dog far more affection than structure or exercise – and I do provide her with a generous amount of training both indoors and outdoors. I’m working on reversing this order, but, to be honest, I’m still failing miserably.

People (including those who are dog trainers) will have to prove to me that they can achieve Cesar’s results with the types of cases he takes on while using as few aversives as he seems to employ. Keep in mind that much of what we call “corrections” can be regarded as containing “aversives” (which behaviorists define in operational terms). Even reprimands can be regarded as aversives. Context is critical! Also keep in mind that “behaviorism” encompasses a number of different schools of thought. Despite certain theoretical differences, many approaches complement each other to a certain degree in practical therapeutic applications. In the “real world” of consumer-driven therapies, policies and procedures based on behavioral principles have been adopted with liability considerations in mind. This has resulted in ongoing debates among professionals over the proper role and definition of “aversives.”

I would never place a wager on Cesar winning a debate with professional dog trainers with extensive clinical experience and strong academic credentials. I would still gladly utilize his guidance (if I could afford it!) if I had a dog with serious problem behaviors. I would also welcome the advise of dog trainers who strenuously disagree with Cesar! I have happily subscribed to The Whole Dog Journal for many years and own (and have read) quite a number of books by behaviorally-oriented dog trainers whose approaches are not totally compatible with Cesar’s. Every approach is fine with me, as long as it is, in my opinion, humane, pragmatic, and effective.

Hats off to Cesar who has done so much for dogs, their owners, and the communities in which they live! Cue wild applause for (the late, great) Daddy’s and Junior’s owner and the owner of the Dog Psychology Center. Keep doing exactly what you have been doing for the bully breeds and all the other breeds and breed mixes of the world! And, Cesar, continue to consult with other dog behaviorists and trainers to improve your skills and knowledge base.