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The Real Reason Dog Trainers Dislike Cesar Millan

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Honest Truth Why Some Dog Trainers Dislike Cesar Millan

Why Dog Trainers Dislike Cesar Millan
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With social media outcries against Cesar Millan’s latest Nat GEO TV show at an all-time high, as a dog trainer, I need to address it. This backlash was due to Cesar allowing a dog that has killed pigs in the past go off leash to attack a live pig. Please dear readers, understand this is an example of how not to train an aggressive dog ever! No press release, fan comments or justifications can make this right. Cesar made a poor choice. Now, let’s discuss why dog trainers dislike Cesar.

Why Do Dog Trainers Dislike Cesar Millan?

As a dog trainer, I’ve personally witnessed and changed numerous dogs’ behaviors without using punishment or force-based methods. I’ve also discovered that positive reinforcement methods work much quicker. Also, as much as pet lovers hope with everything they have, aggression cannot be cured. It will always linger until a trigger appears and the dog (or person) is unable to control his actions. Let’s dive into Cesar’s dog training methods.

Alpha and Pack Theory

This alpha and pack theory has been dispelled many years ago. Dogs do view us as dogs or wolves. While dogs and wolves share similar DNA, they are totally different in behavior and appearance. Plus, the original author who cited these “alpha” behavior findings with wolf packs dispelled the theory as well, which says a lot.

Do Dogs Need to Be Dominated?

Dogs do not need to be dominated to teach them polite manners. They just need to be taught polite behaviors. Dogs are not pre-programmed to understand that pulling on a leash or barking at neighbors is rude. It’s your job to train your dog to walk politely on leash and to keep his feet on the floor. Just like teaching children and zoo animals, providing your dogs choices is key to teaching polite behaviors. As an example, if a dog is jumping up on someone, remove treats or the exciting person when the dog jumps up. This way, the dog learns that good things go away when he jumps up. When all four feet are on the ground, treats and the exciting person come back.

Red Zoned Dogs

Cesar uses the term “red zoned dogs” when referring to aggressive dogs. His claim to fame is putting an end to aggression in un-savable dogs, or basically saving extremely aggressive dogs from being euthanized. What people don’t know is this is not just a Cesar thing. Dog trainers every day work with aggressive dogs and their pet owners, and have tremendous success. However, we do things much differently than Cesar. We teach dogs that scary things are good and/or safe by pairing good things with scary things to change their perspective rather than resort to punishment.

Example From a Human Perspective

Let’s look at an example from a human perspective. If you are afraid of spiders, and I pushed you toward a spider while correcting you with a leash correction or rolling you over whenever you tried to squish or run away from a spider, do you think your behavior would improve? It’s highly unlikely.

Eventually, you will push me back (equivalent to a dog growl), punch me due to frustration and fear (like a dog bite) or shut down (become helpless). And if the spider gets really close, all you’re thinking about is running away; you don’t hear a word I’m saying. Now, if I gave you a $100 bill every time you were around spiders, you would soon learn that spiders equal good things (money, if that’s what you find rewarding). Understand, rewards are not bribery; they change behavior and then fade out.

Shut Down Behavior

From a dog trainer’s perspective, the video of the pig-biting dog shows a dog completely shut down. When dogs become so confused or scared, they either fight, flee or shut down. That dog on Cesar’s show is a perfect example of a shut down dog around pigs.

What Does It Mean When a Dog Shuts Down?

Shutting down is totally different from normal behavior. Dogs will move slowly, blink excessively, lay their ears backwards, crouch away from the trigger (the object that worries them), pull corners of their mouth backwards, sniff the ground excessively and try to avoid what scares them at all costs. If they can’t get away, most will flop down (shut down) and hope they are not harmed. This is not submissiveness; this is sheer terror.

Shutting Down From a Human Perspective

Let’s look at this from a human example, using spiders again. If I tie you to me with a leash, then pull you toward spiders or encourage spiders to walk next to you, you’ll likely do a couple of things (like the last example). Once you realize you can’t get away (I’m holding you firmly next to the spiders), you’ll likely shut down and become helpless. This basically means you’re giving up, covering your eyes and hoping with everything in your body that spiders will not hurt you. No one deserves to be so scared that they shut down; it’s like a silent panic attack.

Many novice pet owners and dog trainers assume shutting down means a dog has changed his behavior around a trigger or is just stubborn, but this is not true. When a dog encounters that trigger again, he may either shut down again or become aggressive–it all depends on the dog. This is not changing behavior. Also, assuming a dog is stubborn is a rookie mistake, and can most definitely cause irreparable harm.

Changing Dog Behavior With Psychology Tools

You can most certainly change a dog’s behavior using common psychology tools. As a psychology major, I’m shocked Cesar focuses on punishment-only tools despite numerous options that are documented to be effective. Human psychologists understand that punishment causes many fallouts, meaning it has nasty side effects. That’s why dog trainers focus on positive reinforcement instead.

Experienced dog trainers (and trained psychologists) focus on changing behavior with proven behavior modification techniques, such as counter conditioning and desensitization. By teaching a dog that triggers cannot hurt them, they also learn to walk away or ignore triggers instead of attacking them. Choices are a huge reinforcer for dogs–sometimes more reinforcing than yummy treats.

Be Your Dog’s Voice

So that’s the honest truth on why some dog trainers strongly dislike Cesar Millan. I know changing everyone’s opinion about Cesar is difficult, but I hope you know that Cesar’s “way” is not the only way and we need to be the voice for our dogs. There are much kinder and effective dog training methods out there. I invite you to research more before jumping back on Cesar’s bandwagon.

Open Letter to Cesar Millan’s Fans From Dog Trainers

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Cesar Millan’s Dog Training Methods are Wrong

Cesar Millan Dog Training
Michael Warren/iStock

My goal is not to offend or accuse anyone. I want to have an honest conversation about the latest controversy pertaining to Cesar Millan’s latest TV episode, featuring a known pig-killing dog attacking a pig. I know many Cesar Millan’s fans feel he did nothing wrong and that he saved the dog’s life and the pig recovered, but there’s a bit more to it than that.

As a professional dog trainer, I would like to discuss this topic from what I actually see in the video, which will verify that all is actually not right. Before you become frustrated with my observations, I ask Cesar fans to at least read and understand why so many dog trainers are upset with Cesar Millan.

Be Wary of Edited Footage

TV programs are heavily edited to create a perception for a targeted audience, so small segments are pieced together to only show successful events. Be careful to assume when watching TV footage. Dog trainers notice there are editing gaps in the subject dog’s behavior, but viewers only see a tiny fraction of what is really happening in the dog’s training. Basically, dog trainers know what is happening behind the scenes, which provides a false sense of Cesar’s success at the dog’s expense. That’s why so many of us dog trainers are upset.

All Dog Trainers Save Dog Lives

As dog trainers, our goal is to keep all dogs in their forever homes by teaching them polite manners. About 50% of dog trainers teach reactive (aggressive and fearful) dogs how to navigate through society positively and how to respond differently around triggers. We are just as successful at changing behavior in all aspects as Cesar, but we choose to use positive dog training methods that don’t involve force, pack leadership, alpha status or punishment.

Dog Trainers Are Not Jealous of Cesar

We are most certainly not envious of Cesar’s fame on TV. This is furthest from the truth. Any way to educate the public about the importance of dog training is a huge win! Most dog trainers have an issue with Cesar’s punishment-based dog training methods and not his show. With his TV show’s huge range, Ceasr Millan is teaching pet owners outdated dog training techniques.

The Real Problem

Cesar Millan’s Dog Training Methodology

Our world is full of opinions lately, and everyone has his opinion about what works better than others. Hopefully, I can explain why so many dog trainers are furious with Cesar’s dog training methods. Here it goes!

Many dog trainers feel Cesar’s dog training methods have pushed science-based training methods back into the dark ages. Punishment and force are Cesar’s primary training methods, but they’re no longer necessary since positive reinforcement works quicker and maintains a positive bond between dog and pet owner. Do understand, positive reinforcement training is much more than throwing cookies around. These methods have successfully trained thousands of zoo animals to voluntarily allow blood draws, vet exams, injections, dental exams, nail trims and so much more.

Mistakes Do Happen, But We Must Learn From Them

Oh, mistakes happen. We all make them, but we learn from them and should never allow them to happen again. Many fans claim Cesar had made a mistake, and everyone is fine now. That’s a major misunderstanding, as most dog trainers would never allow that to happen. Our job is to keep everyone safe at all costs. Instead of letting go of the leash, which is basically a safety line for the dog and pig, you can train the dog using barriers or muzzles with better success.

Safety is Vital

Using force or allowing a dog to harm another animal for the sake of dog training is wrong. As dog trainers, we never want to cause harm to any living creature and stand strongly behind this principle.

Back to the Pig

Cesar Millan and his network are claiming the pig recovered well and isn’t suffering from any lasting side effects from the trauma. I would disagree. We all know bullying, either verbally or physically, stays with you for a lifetime. While many people say, “It’s only a pig,” I would say all animals should be treated with respect and should never be subjected to unneeded pain or torture.

Thanks for Listening

So dear fans, I ask you to do more research before assuming one person’s dog training methods work for all dogs. There are newer concepts out there that work quickly and humanely, and promoted by thousands of professionals. Understand, I’m not asking you to choose a side. My goal is to explain my side and the reason successful dog trainers are upset with Cesar’s dog training methods.

Thanks for listening!

Dog Training Nation is a dog training blog for pet owners and dog lovers. We cover a range of topics from puppy socialization tips to dog aggression to dog health. It is our hope you share our content to make the world a better place for dogs.

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