When someone asks what I do for a living and I tell them I am a dog trainer and behaviourist/zoopsychologist, there is usually a smile on my interlocutor’s face and the statement „aaa how about Cesar Millan?” There is no doubt that Cesar is the world’s most recognised specialist in working with problem dogs. His flagship show 'The Dog Whisperer has been screened in over 80 countries. Cesar Millan was born in Mexico in 1967 as the son of a photographer and a seamstress. His most important childhood memories come from his grandfather’s ranch, where he loved to stay and watch the animals. As a youngster, he illegally made his way to Los Angeles, where he began to earn a living walking dog. As time passed, he gained more and more fame as a Mexican man walking the streets with a herd of rottweilers without a leash. Cesar began working with problem dogs and gained many famous clients such as Oprah Winfrey, Will Smith, Nicolas Cage, and Vin Diesel. In 1998, he opened the Dog Psychology Center in Los Angeles, where an entire staff focuses on rehabilitating problem dogs.
Controversy
Cesar’s character causes a lot of controversy among behaviourists. Specialists accuse him of a lack of proper education and archaic methods of working with dogs based on domination theory. Some accuse him of animal abuse. On the other hand, Cesar has a huge number of fans and better or worse imitators, who try to copy his methods based on available films and books. And this is where the problem arises. Few people realise that Cesar’s programmes have a certain preconceived convention and that a whole lot of people work on them. The transformation from a „dog monster” to a docile pet does not happen in half an hour. It takes consistent work and time to achieve a clear change in a dog’s behaviour. The challenge for the behaviourist is often to change the behaviour of the dog owner, not just to work with the dog.
Do not attempt the techniques you are about to see without consulting a professional.This message appears before every Cesar programme for a reason.
Not such a scary wolf?
It is true that Cesar Millan has no specialist education and bases his methods on experience, observation and intuition. Everyone must answer the question of whether in work with problem dogs it is more important to practice or to have a theory supported by a mass of diplomas and certificates. Some people claim that Cesar’s methods are sometimes brash and controversial. However, no one can deny his impressive effectiveness and something perhaps even more important – the hope he gives to millions of people. Hope that their dog’s behaviour can be changed and that all is not yet lost. It is thanks to his programmes that many people have become interested in zoopsychology. Some of them have decided to expand their knowledge in this field or have even chosen this path as their career. In addition to telling people to be pack leaders, Cesar Millan also passes on a lot of valuable advice. He talks about the natural needs of dogs and the fact that they should be treated like…dogs, not like little children. He stresses how important training and discipline are in a dog’s life, and only after that showing him affection. He also talks about the introduction of clear rules and boundaries and the need for their consistent observance. He is an ambassador for breeds considered to be dangerous, such as rottweilers and pit bulls
What is your your opinion about Cesar and his methods?
