Cesar Millan -- The Dog Whisperer

[kkat55]

Re: Cesar Millan -- The Dog Whisperer

Bumpity Bump Bump for you doggie lovers...

[Lady_Hawke]

Re: Cesar Millan -- The Dog Whisperer

Shadow is sooooooooooooooooooooo cute!!! I big fluffy love bug!!!!!!

[kkat55]

Re: Cesar Millan -- The Dog Whisperer

Shadow is sooooooooooooooooooooo cute!!! I big fluffy love bug!!!!!!

Thanks! He's our baby!!

[kkat55]

Re: Cesar Millan -- The Dog Whisperer

Update:

We got a new doggie in June and named her Dakota "Kota". She looks to be party Husky and German Shepherd (maybe something else mixed in there too). It has calmed Shadow down a lot. (He was very hyper.)

One problem. It seems he's getting somewhat aggressive. He's always been a dominant type and I'm not sure what we are going to do with him. In my journal I had posted that he bit my MIL in the rear when they were here at Christmas. Then when we went to the vet for his annual check-up the vet didn't want to see him because he was too ferocious. Matt muzzled him and the vet still didn't want to see him and said that he wanted to kill. (Our baby) So, finally she would try it if he was sedated. I discussed it with Matt because we have children down the road on both sides of us and if he ever got out and hurt one of them, it would be too late to do something. He stalls.

Last week Shadow was chewing on a little treat I gave him (one for Kota too). I was sitting on the sofa about two or three feet away from Kota while she ate -- every now and then saying something to her.

Matt went in by Shadow (who had went into our bedroom) and sat on the edge of the bed and petted him. (Never had a problem with this in the past.) Matt said that before he knew what had happened Shadow had hit his face. Matt came sorta dazed out in the living room and I thought he was playing around. I asked if he hit him (my first reaction) and he said, "No." He said that he was too shocked and then remembered Cesar Milan and other trainers telling you not to strike the dog. He says that he's not sure if Shadow did it in aggression or was just playing around. My first thought is aggression and that he needs to be put down. I've been watching him since he bit my MIL and now that he drew some blood on Matt's cheek (about an inch below his eye on on the bone) I am even more leary of him now. I think that it will only get worse and we can't have an aggressive dog with children in the area (or adults for that matter) because you know one time or another he will get out.

I called the vets office and they said that we could give him some pills to calm him down to bring him to their office and then when we get here they will come out to the truck and give him the shot (to be put to sleep).

I've tried to talk with Matt about it...and he wants to give him another chance. All I can think of is that next time it may not be his/mine/someone's cheek, but an eye or something worse.

(sigh)

Matt tried to call Cesar Milan's office to see if there is something we can do, but all he got was a recording to leave info. Then this week we got a form letter in the mail that he couldn't help us -- he is booked for this year.

What do you think we should do?

[loana]

Re: Cesar Millan -- The Dog Whisperer

I ahve never tried his techniques but I like his show!

[Ralynda]

Re: Cesar Millan -- The Dog Whisperer

I've never watched anything with Cesar Milan, but I've had dogs all my life. I think that once you fear a dog, even if only a little, it's gotta go. Even if the shot does work to calm Shadow down, will you ever feel totally comfortable around him again? And are you willing to pay the price for the shots for his lifetime?
A dog that bites without being provoked is dangerous. One of my dogs snapped at a friend, but he was doing it because he felt I needed protection. I have to agree with you, he needs put down.
My dogs have occasionally brought blood playing, but it's obvious they're playing and it's never on the face.
I hate to see any dog put down, but I think this might be the best choice for Shadow and you. I've always heard that dogs can sense fear, so if you're even only a little afraid, he knows it.

Please keep us updated on what you decide to do.

[Seshena36]

Re: Cesar Millan -- The Dog Whisperer

I watch the show all the time.....I have used some of his techniques with my own dog (a rottweiler) and I've used some of my own techniques....all we've ever had growing up were German Shephards....and while married I got a Pit Bull and the Rottweiler I currently have (dont have the Pit anymore because when I had my daughter he got very sad that he was no longer the baby and he started losing weight and getting unhealthy...so I found a place for him)....but anyway....

Before starting your dog on any medication or putting him down or anything like that...have you done the necessary research on the type of dog you have? A lot of the aggressive dogs on Cesar's show end up being regular normal good dogs that have become bored mentally because of what their owners do or dont do with them. If your dog is a working dog, you need to put him to work....some of the various breeds on the show have had to be given a dog back pack so that on walks the dog has a JOB to do and stays mentally focused on that...therefore zapping him of energy and anxiety....on another show the dog breed was a natural herder so they found someone local who had some goats or something like that and worked it out where they let the dog herd the animals for a bit each day.....giving the dog a sense of purpose is generally necessary with those breeds that were "designed" to do something. Lots of people think just playing with your dog in the back yard is enough exercise for the dog....but dogs, like people...need their mind exercised as well. It's true, it's not good that you "fear" your dog.....but do the research and find out if maybe you arent challenging your dog enough. Perhaps he is acting out because he has all this pent up frustration and anxiety.....that's what I would consider before putting him down....sometimes a dog "bite" isnt really a bite....its generally a case of you arent alpha enough, they dont know their own strength so to speak and they are treating you like another dog....you need to show your dog that you are the alpha and your dog must always let you come first........makes for a happier healthier dog....

Sorry if this was preachy....like I said, I watch his show....I use the "hand/mouth" bite thing with my dog...my dog does not go out of the house before me, she must sit and wait until I invite her out the door, etc....my dog is on a counting system....if she is misbehaving and I count "one, two, three" by the time I reach three she is either sitting in front of me looking up at me, laying on her back at my feet in submission, or she has stopped and dropped whereever she is standing.....my dog is a happy healthy protective Rottweiler that does her job well, that loves to love on us when its right and she is someone that I trust with my daughter completely.....okay not "someone" cuz she's not a person but you know what I mean.....

[Seshena36]

Re: Cesar Millan -- The Dog Whisperer

http://www.greatpyrenees.com/

If your dog is great pyrenees or half or part this has an excellent article on the temperments of the dog breed and talked about how a lot of litters had to be destroyed withint 3-4 yrs of having been born because of agressiveness....but that breed as well as the border collie...they are both livestock breeds.....just something to think about....

[Ralynda]

Re: Cesar Millan -- The Dog Whisperer

Another good site to check out is www.dogbreedinfo.com. It has a lot of useful information.

[kkat55]

Re: Cesar Millan -- The Dog Whisperer

Thanks for all the info!! I've copied it and put it on my DH's desktop.

We try to be alpha with Shadow, but we think he is just a strong-willed breed (like some of the ones that appear on CM's show).

We are still in a holding pattern on our decision.

My in-laws got a GP about five years ago and we loved her! We met her parents and they were very people friendly. That is why we are shocked with Shadow's behavior. (He is from one of our neighbor's litters - not the same litter as my in-laws.) However, after reading that Pyrenees website I see that they can be very aggressive. I've relayed that info to my DH and he seems a little skeptic because on most other sites it talks about how they are such good family dogs. (sigh) He doesn't bother our cat (except to sniff her) and is good with our other dog when we introduced them (whew!).

Oh, we were walking both dogs a mile (and some) per day until I hurt my back about a month ago. Then my DH started a new job (he had back surgery as a teenager), which hurt his back more than anything. So, he is in the process of getting another job. (He didn't work Monday because he could hardly move, poor thing.) This week they moved him to another position and it doesn't hurt quite as bad so we are planning to start walking them again.

Shadow is too much for me to handle (he is around 80 pounds right now and goes up to about 90+ in the winter). I can walk Kota pretty good -- she does pull when we first start and then during the course of the walk I can get her to walk by my side like CM teaches. They are both hyper dogs, but Kota is more submissive than Shadow (she weighs about 55 - 60 pounds). We live in the country and I don't walk them by myself because at times there will be loose cows, horses, skunks, bobcats, coyotes, rabbits and various dogs. I'm too chicken to be out on the road by myself and encounter one of those creatures (and be pulled to death by the dogs trying to run after them)!!! (eek!) Tuesday I saw two dogs walking around in our front yard -- one was a pitt bull and I'm just thankful we weren't outside with the dogs at that time or even walking them on the road for that matter! I'm a big chicken and could not handle any type of dog fight.

I will let you know how this all works out.

[sadie147]

Re: Cesar Millan -- The Dog Whisperer

Wow what a terrible decision to have to make with Shadow, i can't even imagine that. I guess you just have to go with your gut feeling on it

[kkat55]

Re: Cesar Millan -- The Dog Whisperer

Wow what a terrible decision to have to make with Shadow, i can't even imagine that. I guess you just have to go with your gut feeling on it

Yes. He is our "first baby" together. (We don't have any children so our doggies are our kiddies.)

[sadie147]

Re: Cesar Millan -- The Dog Whisperer

I just found this article:

http://www.pets.ca/pettips/tips-70.htm

Tip 70 - Dog nips or bites owner - dog nips or bites kids, family members or guests
Although most domesticated adult dogs don't bite family members, all dogs have the potential to bite. A dog's teeth are one of its tools and it uses them to accomplish its goals. Whether it is trying to get something it wants through aggressive behaviour, or it is defending itself or your family, some dogs may nip or bite. Dogs know full well how to behave with each other, but they don't automatically know our human rules. Given that we choose to bring them into our lives, it is our responsibility to teach them how to behave properly and to correct their bad behaviour when necessary. That said, if you ever feel that you cannot correct a dog's aggressive behaviour, you must immediately call your veterinarian or a dog trainer for advice. Almost all biting and nipping behaviour can be solved fairly easily.

Dogs can nip or bite humans for various reasons, and the most common reason is because it thinks it's the boss or at least an important vice president. In the wild, dogs are pack animals and they follow their leader. Every dog in the pack knows its place and they all know who the leader is. You can bet your last nickel that a low ranking dog will NEVER bite the leader. It just doesn't happen. When dogs bite or nip family members it is usually because the dog thinks it is of a higher rank. The most usual targets are children or adults that show fear. The scenario goes like this: The dog threatens a family member by nipping or biting, the family member backs down, gives the dog what it wants (reward) and the dog's higher status is confirmed by this submissive behaviour.

The most gentle and humane way to control this situation is by teaching the dog that all humans are higher ranking than dogs. This is easily accomplished by controlling the dog's food resources, toy resources, and by making the dog work for what it wants. In the wild the top dog controls the food resources, and it eats first. Therefore the human family should eat all meals first and dog food should not be left out all day. Let your dog know that YOU are the boss of the food. Let your dog see you put the food in the bowl and give the dog 5-10 minutes to eat it and then take it way until supper time even if it is not finished. It will quickly learn that it eats according to your schedule.

Don't let the dog nip at your fingers when you're trying to give it a treat. Fold your arms while NOT looking at the dog and wait until it calms down. Then look at the dog, tell the dog to sit, THEN give the treat. Don't just give or drop a dog toy because the dog threatens to nip at you. Instead, teach the dog to sit and then reward it by giving the dog the toy. These techniques gently lower or demote the dog to an important but lower ranking member of the pack (your family). Dogs that have been demoted don't bite their 'superiors' and are generally calmer and less stressed because they don't have to worry about being top dog. A good article on the alpha or top dog and lowering its status is located here.

If it is a puppy that is biting or nipping it is probably doing this as a matter of play or it may never have learned bite inhibition (controlling the strength of the bite). In either case the puppy needs to learn its boundaries. Click here for a past tip dedicated to this subject.

As noted before, dog aggression and biting can be very serious issues. If you can't control the situation yourself, ask your vet for advice or for a dog trainer referral. It goes without saying that children need adult supervision while interacting with dogs at all times.

[kkat55]

Re: Cesar Millan -- The Dog Whisperer

Thank you for the article!!! I'm putting it on my DH's desktop and may print it out to make sure he reads it. (I may do that to the other ones as well.)

I appreciate it!!

[sadie147]

Re: Cesar Millan -- The Dog Whisperer

You're welcome! it's actually a pretty good site, i bookmarked it too.


they also have breed descriptions on there. I thought they were interesting:

GP:It is a calm and intelligent and has a natural instinct for guarding. Must receive consistent obedience training while young and small. It does not reach maturity until two years of age.

Border Collie:
Extensive exercise and mental stimulation is needed. An idle Border Collie will become badly behaved and maybe aggressive.


I own a purebred border collie and I know that when we have a day where he doesn't get played with he will become very demading and obnoxious..he will pick up toys and 'throw' them at you and bark and bark. We have to make sure we play fetch with him at least an hour a day (on top of a 2 mile run). He'd play ball 24 hours a day if we let him.