Thank you, Dog Whisperer
January 8, 2007Cesar Millan, Dog Whisperer, has changed our lives.
We now start our day by walking the dogs. Before anything else – breakfast, coffee, making the bed. Our dogs are on a leash, and we walk for at least two miles. Minimum.
Yesterday, Whitey took Barkley ahead of Max and I, and we met up at Safeway (a little over a mile away) to get stuff for dinner. He waited outside with the two dogs while I went inside to get our Caeser Salad makings (in honor of Cesar Millan, Dog Whisperer!). They didn’t bark or intimidate one person while hanging out right near the entrance. GOOD DOGS! What an amazing change we’ve seen.
Today, Max (our Rottweiler) and I did three miles through neighborhoods around the NW side of Baker City. He was amazing. He sits at every curb, ignores other dogs, and walks right at my side. Even when a huge St.Bernard lunged at a fence only feet away from us, he didn’t react and just kept walking.
It was so impressive. Cesar Millan said that we should teach the dogs that the first ten minutes are ours — they must obey completely – no sniffing, no peeing, no pulling. So I waited today to allow him to pee. Sure enough, after the St.Bernard incident, we walked another block and I pointed at a large snow pile in a parking lot and said “Go on”. He peed on command. A guy walking on the other side of the street yelled “I’ve never seen that before!” and laughed.
I’m so very, very proud of my boy.
We just got back from his second walk of the day, and again, he was excellent. At one point, a neighbor let his two WILD dogs outside to pee, and they were a house length away. I had Max sit next to me, and was careful to not react. Max picked up on that, and just sat there as bored as could be. The neighbor’s dogs pointed at us, growled, and gave indication that if we walked forward they would be all over us. I didn’t move, but was Calm, Assertive, and acted as if I was completely in control. Inside, I was a bit frightened, thinking that if these dogs came at us, I’d be f’d.
Luckily, the owner came out and noticed us sitting close by and yelled at his dogs to get inside. He then watched us through his window as we continued down the sidewalk and sat at the curb to look for cars. I know he’s wondering how I can get such a big dog to obey so well.
My Max is one of the best dogs I’ve ever known, now that I understand what’s going on in his mind. Dogs are pack animals, and being his “Doggie Mom” was doing neither of us any good. Now that I am his Pack Leader, he is so affectionate, so submissive, and one of the most gentle dogs I’ve ever known.
If you have a dog, please, please do yourself a favor by investing in the book “Cesar’s Way” by Cesar Millan.
It will teach you to understand how to satisfy what your dog’s needs are in order to further your relationship with him/her, and you will be amazed at how stoked your dog is to behave for you.
More photos of Cesar:
Dear Untrained Professional w/OCD & Whitey:
Thanks to my Google Alerts, I came upon your blog.* I am one of Dog Whisperer’s Executive Producers and also Cesar’s co-author on his first (and now his second) book. I’m actually finishing his second book this week – it’s due at the publisher’s Monday, and I’m still looking for a few reader/viewer first person “success stories” that aren’t from the show.
Would you be willing to let us use your story in the book, BE THE PACK LEADER! ? Sorry, there’s no fee – but we would like a photo of you and your dog(s).
If you’re open, I can have my office (MPH/CMI) contact you tomorrow (Tues.) We are based in Burbank, CA but I am finishing the book from my home in NYC.
Thanks, and again, GREAT blog!
Melissa Jo Peltier
*Which, by the way, is very entertaining – I read several of your posts besides the Cesar one and love your sense of humor and way of expressing yourself!
You have me convinced–I am going to get that book!
Dear Kina, Okay you have us convinced. We went out and bought the book. I have just started to read it.I am very hopeful. If we can get NoNo Eddie to walk behind anyone it will truley be fantastic.If piggy will stop jumping and Babe stops bumping her head on the laundryroom door we will let you know.
Love, Mom
[...] ecstatic! They haven’t been in the truck for awhile now, as we’ve been concentrating on “Mastering the Walk”instead of just taking them to play frisbee every day. We packed a picnic lunch as well, planning on [...]
Hello-
I’m a Californian ;p and happened upon your website while google-ing Cesar’s 2nd book (at the Pet Expo it was announced to be released on October 2nd). I’m glad I did- your blogs are really entertaining to read and very candid. It’s great that one of the producers from the show msg’d you- before that I was going to ask if you had considered submitting it to his website as a success story.
We (heart) the Dog Whisperer. We have friends who need to read and follow his teachings but no their dogs are not the problems its everyone else. Way to go for taking the lead so to speak with your pups. You will all be a much happier family now that everyone knows their place. We just into all sorts of characters while out with Noah who no longer walks on a leash, but at 11 years old we just humor him!
Just wanted to chime in and say that I really enjoyed your blog about your successful puppy rehabilitation. Like yourself, I also have experienced wonderful results incorporating Cesar’s philosophy and methodology in care of our dog, Abbie. Given that dog training community is up in arms about Milan’s techniques – often characterizing them as nothing short of abusive – I think it’s important for us regular folk who have experienced remarkable transformations to get the word out. Contrary to what the so-called experts say, Abbie has not become fearful, aggressive or despondent due to Cesar’s Way nor has our emotional connection been compromised in any way. After my wife and I became the Pack Leaders, our puppy responded with less apprehension and outbreaks of nervous behavior. She has become more secure and stable because she has firm leadership and can trust in us to guide our little pack in a safe direction which leaves her free to just be the happy-go-lucky spirit she wants to be.