This is certainly one of those topics where many of us have different views and opinions.
I myself use and have had immense success with Cesar's methods. I choose this method because it makes sense to me and has immediate results with no cruelty involved whatsoever.
What we have to remember is that our lovable pooch is instinctively an animal, an animal that retains many of its ancestors wild instincts. To attempt to treat a dog in any way like we would a human is a recipe for disaster - instinct will out if the environment dictates that it can or it should. We see this all too often with dog attacks on humans.
Our pooches instincts still tell it that we are a pack and that the pack has to have a stable pack 'leader' in order for its current members and all future ones to survive. If we cannot provide this critical environment then our cutey little pooch will appear to turn evil in an attempt to do what is necessary for the packs survival. Completely natural behaviour and pure instinct!
Many people still do not have a clue that treating a dog as a human will lead to destructive and often lethal behaviour. The dog will simply be called a 'bad dog' that doesn't obey a single command, bites anyone who touches its food and will dominate all family members in small unseen ways. Disaster strikes and the dog is blamed.
What the likes of Cesar et al provide for us is purely a theory. You cannot watch Cesar and fail to see the sense in what he says. He doesn't ill treat dogs, he doesn't hit, smack or abuse.
What he is showing us is not dog 'training', that is what you get at the many classes that are available. What he shows us is a way to get results, have a healthy balanced pack and all by treating the dog as the animal first.
Yes, there are many other trainers, including the likes of Dr Dunbar whose methods are based more along the lines of 'training' or food orientated.
I have tried this method too with previous GSD's (in fact it was once the only method I knew of) and I can honestly say that compared to methods used by Cesar et al it simply pales in comparrisson. (For me).
The results for me have been much quicker and longer lasting when treating my dogs as animals, understanding their instincts and needs and providing them with a stable pack leader.
I do struggle sometimes with the likes of 'Dog Borstal'. The so called trainers there often encourage behaviour from owners which is just completely un necessary. Shouting seems common place and treated as acceptable training methods. Why? Why would anyone even want to attempt any kind of shouting, abusive training when there are other methods that get better results? Once someone has been 'taught' that shouting or squirting water at a barking dog is normal, it is very hard to train them to shut up and try calmer methods. (I know, I was one of them)
The crux of this whole thing is that every owner needs to find a method that is acceptable to them and which gives the results that they are looking for. Hopefully that is a happy, healthy and stable dog and family life.
Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass, it's about learning to dance in the rain.
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