Copyright 2005
Secret Lake Dog
Training, LLC
    "Do you subscribe to the philosophy of Cesar Millan?"
    is a question dog trainers are often asked.
    My simple answer is "No".  For reasons why many trainers and even the
    American Humane Society are saying 'Dog Whisperer' Training Approach
    More Harmful Than Helpful, go here.  

    Millan's methods are based on outdated misinterpreted theories of
    dominance in wolves.  International wolf experts have been trying to
    dispel the myths for years, yet this style of training still persists.  Read why
    these methods are more harmful than helpful.

     Is Cesar's Way Really the Right Way?: The Dog Whisperer Cesar Millan

    Life with your dog can be pleasant if
    you teach your dog what you want
    from her.  In class I am actually instructing you.  In
    turn, you are training your dog.  You need to learn
    the techniques in order to train your dog.  YOU will
    learn how to teach your dog basic commands and
    manners through positive training.  I am not training
    your dog; I am teaching you how to train your dog.   
    You must have a desire to learn about dogs and how they
    learn.  You must also have the desire and commitment to
    work with your dog on a regular basis. One hour a week in
    class is NOT enough.

    At home and out in the world, you must practice and
    reinforce what you learned in class.  With practice,
    patience, and consistency, you will see positive changes in
    your dog.  

    Motivation and Dogs
    If your boss did not pay you, would you go to work?   If your boss constantly berated
    you for your mistakes, but never praised you for your good work, would you like her
    very much?  I doubt it.  If you are that kind of "boss" to your dog, you could be ruining
    your relationship with a beautiful, loving, intelligent friend.  

    We all need motivation whether it be praise, money, or prestige.  Dogs need to be
    motivated to work just like we do.  Food treats are used to teach and reward new
    behaviors. Dogs will work for food, attention, and other life rewards such as dinner,
    walks, petting, and games.  Gradually you will wean your dog off food as a reward
    and teach him/her to work for life rewards.  

    Principles of Positive Training

Dogs repeat behaviors that are rewarding and avoid behaviors that are
not.  Reward the good; ignore the negative.

Your dog already knows everything you are going to teach him.  No, he is
not psychic, but he does already know how to sit, lie down, and come.  You will
teach him English as a second language by teaching him English words for the
behaviors and rewarding those behaviors.

Be positive!  Think in terms of what you want your dog to do instead of
what you don't want him to do.  Such as; "I want my dog to sit to greet
people." rather than, "I want him to stop jumping all over people."

Be consistent.  Dogs can only learn one behavior for each cue or word.  If
you teach him that Down means lie on the floor, then don't expect him to
understand if you say Down when he is jumping.

    How Long Does It Take to Train a Dog?

    To be honest, it takes a lifetime.

    Training a dog isn't just a matter of taking a class and doing 15 minutes of
    homework each day.  Yes, you can teach your dog to sit, down, and stay and other
    positive behaviors in class and through doing your homework.  

    However, training continues throughout the life of the dog.  Every day your
    dog is learning.  Your job is to make sure that the dog is learning the behaviors you
    want, not the behaviors you don't want.  Make sure that you are training the dog
    instead of the dog training you.

    Every day is an opportunity to train your dog and to continue to build and
    maintain a positive relationship.

    Start working on that relationship today by enrolling in a class!
How I Instruct by Karen
updated 1/14/2010