Dr. Yin's Animal Behavior and Medicine Blog
New Study Finds Popular “Alpha Dog” Training Techniques Can Cause More Harm than Good
Posted On: Monday, March 9th, 2009
By Sophia Yin, DVM, MS March 9, 2009
Photo by M. Morris
"The client, an elderly couple, had a 6-year-old male, neutered Rhodesian Ridgeback that was aggressive to dogs" describes Dr. Jennie Jamtgaard, an applied animal behavior consultant and behavior instructor at Colorado State University College of Veterinary Medicine. "They had watched Dog Whisperer with Cesar Millan and seen Millan place aggressive dogs in with his group of dogs and then hold them down on their sides or back if they were aggressive. So they brought their dog to the dog park and basically flooded him [immersed him in the aggression-inducing situation]."
Not surprisingly, they didn't get far. "The female owner was trying to make the dog lie down while she stood on the leash, while all the dogs came up to hover and sniff. Her dog growled, then another dog growled back, and her dog (who probably weighed the same as she did) started to lunge and she couldn't stop it. Then she was bitten while breaking up the fight that ensued. She could not have done an alpha roll if she had wanted to, though she did lament her obvious lack of being in the 'pack leader' role."
In this case, the bite was an accident. But it's not always so.
Jamtgaard describes another case, an Australian Cattledog mix with severe aggression (lunging, growling, barking) directed at other dogs whenever they came into view, even hundreds of feet away:
"The dog was fine with people and had never been aggressive to people before this bite. The owners were Millan-watchers, and dealt with the dog in a completely punishment-based way. They thought this was what they were supposed to do, but felt uncomfortable and frustrated. They repeatedly tried to physically subdue the dog whenever it was aggressive, a technique they had done for months. They admitted to knowing things weren't improving, but didn't have other ideas. Finally, at PetSmart, the dog growled and lunged, and when the female owner—5 months pregnant at the time—tried to force the dog down, she was bitten on the arm. The bite was tooth depth punctures. That was when they called me."
Bite Incidences Come as No Surprise
Unfortunately, these bite incidences are not surprising. According to a new veterinary study published in The Journal of Applied Animal Behavior (2009), if you're aggressive to your dog, your dog will be aggressive, too.
Says Meghan Herron, DVM, lead author of the study, "Nationwide, the number-one reason why dog owners take their dog to a veterinary behaviorist is to manage aggressive behavior. Our study demonstrated that many confrontational training methods, whether staring down dogs, striking them, or intimidating them with physical manipulation, do little to correct improper behavior and can elicit aggressive responses."
Indeed, the use of such confrontational training techniques can provoke fear in the dog and lead to defensively aggressive behavior toward the person administering the aversive action.
For the study, Herron, Frances S. Shofer and Ilana R. Reisner, veterinarians with the Department of Clinical Studies at University of Pennsylvania, School of Veterinary Medicine, produced a 30-item survey for dog owners who made behavioral service appointments at Penn Vet. In the questionnaire, dog owners were asked how they had previously treated aggressive behavior, whether there was a positive, negative or neutral effect on the dogs' behavior, and whether aggressive responses resulted from the method they used. Owners were also asked where they learned of the training technique they employed. 140 surveys were completed.
Some Techniques Triggered Aggression
The highest frequency of aggression occurred in response to aversive (or punishing) interventions, even when the intervention was indirect:
• Hitting or kicking the dog (41% of owners reported aggression)
• Growling at the dog (41%)
• Forcing the dog to release an item from its mouth (38%)
• "Alpha roll" (forcing the dog onto its back and holding it down) (31%)
• "Dominance down" (forcing the dog onto its side) (29%)
• Grabbing the jowls or scruff (26%)
• Staring the dog down (staring at the dog until it looks away) (30%)
• Spraying the dog with water pistol or spray bottle (20%)
• Yelling "no" (15%)
• Forced exposure (forcibly exposing the dog to a stimulus – such as tile floors, noise or people – that frightens the dog) (12%)
In contrast, non-aversive methods resulted in much lower frequency of aggressive responses:
• Training the dog to sit for everything it wants (only 2% of owners reported aggression)
• Rewarding the dog for eye contact (2%)
• Food exchange for an item in its mouth instead of forcing the item out (6%)
• Rewarding the dog for "watch me" (0%)
Who Uses Punishment-Based Techniques?
"This study highlights the risk of dominance-based training, which has been made popular by television programs, books, and other punishment-based training advocates," says Herron.
For instance, Dog Whisperer with Cesar Millan – the popular National Geographic Channel television series – routinely demonstrates alpha rolls, dominance downs and forced exposure, and has depicted Millan restraining dogs or performing physical corrections in order to take valued possessions away from them.
And like their previous bestselling books, Divine Canine by the Monks of New Skete focuses on correcting bad behaviors using choke chain and pinch collar corrections rather than proven non-aversive techniques.
These sources attribute undesirable or aggressive behavior in dogs to the dogs striving to gain social dominance or to a lack of dominance displayed by the owner. Advocates of this theory therefore suggest owners establish an "alpha" or pack-leader role.
But veterinary behaviorists, Ph.D. behaviorists and the American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior (AVSAB) – through its position statement on The Use of Dominance Theory in Animal Behavior Modification – attribute undesirable behaviors to inadvertent rewarding of undesirable behaviors and lack of consistent rewarding of desirable behaviors.
Herron stresses, "Studies on canine aggression in the last decade have shown that canine aggression and other behavior problems are not a result of dominant behavior or the lack of the owner's 'alpha' status, but rather a result of fear (self-defense) or underlying anxiety problems. Aversive techniques can elicit an aggressive response in dogs because they can increase the fear and arousal in the dog, especially in those that are already defensive."
Owners Often Fail to See the Connection
Herron points out that, interestingly, not all owners reporting an aggressive response to a particular aversive technique felt that the training method had a negative effect on their dog's behavior. For instance, while 43% of owners who hit or kicked their dog reported aggression directed toward them as a result, only 35% of owners felt that the technique had a negative effect.
Herron explains that one reason owners may have difficulty making the connection is that aversive techniques may temporarily inhibit reactive or undesirable behaviors – so that it appears the behavior has improved – but it's not a long-term fix. In addition, owners may not have recognized non-aggressive fearful responses to the correction and may have felt the technique was indeed helpful in the particular context. However, increasing the dog's fear can also increase defensive aggression in the same or other situations.
What Methods Can Be Used Instead?
These results highlight the importance of using positive reinforcement and other non-aversive methods when working with dogs, especially dogs with a history of aggression. Indeed, such non-aversive methods, which focus on rewarding desirable behaviors and changing the dog's emotional state, work well for aggressive dogs. (See video links below for examples of positive reinforcement.)
So what about the Australian Cattledog and Rhodesian Ridgeback we met at the beginning of this post?
Says Jamtgaard about her cases, "The Australian Cattledog improved dramatically at our consultation, being calm during situations the owners had never witnessed before, such as the neighbor dogs barking at her only a few feet away. I think seeing what just a few minutes of work could accomplish by changing approach gave them the hope that it could work.
Within 4-6 weeks they began to be able to go on normal walks with her, with dogs at normal distances. I continued following up by phone with the owners every few days at first, then weekly for the first 3 months. They felt so good that they could treat her differently (more kindly). The owner now competes with her dog in weight-pulling contests and can be in close contact with other dogs they meet during contests and on the street, whereas before, the dog was reactive from over a hundred feet."
This calm behavior has continued well beyond the first months of training. Jamtgaard states, "I saw the owner 2 years after the consult, with toddler in tow, and things were continuing to go well."
"The elderly couple with the Rhodesian Ridgeback also achieved their goals in that 6-8 week range, structured similarly to the above as far as consults," says Jamtgaard. They were able to walk their dog safely and have him remain calm when they encounter other dogs. The dog can sit while they talk to the other dog owners. They do walk him on a Gentle Leader, but that helps with the safety issue of his size relative to their weight, should a situation happen. At last communication, approximately 6 months after our initial consult, things had continued to go well."
Here is an example of training an alternate behavior in order for the dog to form a positive association around other dogs.
A unique perspective on being a leader to your dog:
Related articles in the news: http://www.upenn.edu/pennnews/current/research/030509.html
REQUEST TO READERS: If you have a firsthand story of a client or have an experience yourself in which a bite or aggression occurred due to use of aversive techniques (alpha roll, forced release of item from the mouth, etc.), please share the story and include where the technique was learned—by watching TV, reading a book, or as a recommendation from a trainer or a friend.
Related Videos
Teaching a Dog to Sit Politely Rather than Jump
Here is a video demonstrating how to teach a dog to sit politely rather than jump up when you are sitting on the couch. This can transfer into having the dog sit politely for permission to jump into your lap, instead of just leaping on you when you least expect it.
How to Train a Dog to Play Fetch
Here is a video demonstrating how to teach a dog to play fetch. This systematic method works well for dogs who do not like to pick things up or hold things in their mouth.
Training a Dog to Clean Up His Toys
Training a dog to clean up his toys is simple, especially if the dog already knows how to fetch. Watch as Jonesy learns to put his toys into a box.
Comments
His training website: http://www.bradpattison.com/
Website for his show:http://www.slice.ca/Shows/ShowsPage.aspx?Title_ID=105200
I think it's great that more positive dog trainers have their own websites/blog/media because before people like Milan were the only one's able to reach the broader public through these important and widely available mediums. I try to leave each individual to choose how to train there dogs, but the fact that Milan/Brad Pattison's methods are constantly promulgated on television and advertised to the general public, they have a responsibility to show methods that the general public can utilize on there dogs. Whats the point of showing methods on television that only "experts" can do safely? Why does Milan publish books with his "methods" if he does not expect the public to use them as well? I am surprised there have not been more lawsuits against him. You can't blame the general public (who the show is catered too) for trying to emulate his methods. This was Brad Pattison;s response when asked whether he was concerned about the public imitating him:
Are you at all worried that ordinary people will try to imitate your tough-love methods and may end up misguidedly abusing their pets instead?
Brad: Overall, I believe that the viewing audience is mature and sensible enough to realize that when they see me in action, they're watching a professional who has spent the last fifteen years studying and working with dogs and their owners
My biggest obstacle to over come, other than my students instinctively reaching over and touching their dog while saying "it's ok" when they are stressed or fearful, is the Alpha Roll or Pack Leader theory.
I actually watched a guy in a pet store do the alpha roll on his young cocker spaniel when it lunged at another dog after a greeting that was too long and let to get out of control.
If he only knew how scared his dog was, and unfortunately probably in the cusp of a fear stage, he wouldn't do it!
Honestly, I wish people would give me time with them and their dog to try the positive side of training. Yes, the aversive techniques work, but at what cost to the dog.
I always tell my students that you can draw more flies with honey than with vinegar.
One example I use in explaining positive training is this.
If I gave you a $50, everytime you walked through the door and greeted me politely, you would bend over backwards to figure out ways to be more polite and friendly. However if after a while, say a month later, you came through the door and I only gave you a $20, first you'd ask, "what did I do wrong" then you'd probably think that at least a $20 is better than nothing and continue the behavior. But, if I gave you a $1 the next week and then nothing the rest of the time, you'd 1) think I'm cheap and 2) think you've possibly done something to make me mad and altogether stop giving me the polite behavior.
We all will work for praise, but money talks on all levels, and is a much more stimulating and motivating marker to get the behavior you want consistently. Such are treats and praise and yes the clicker. I get a lot of flack for clicker training by people who train in other disciplines.
It takes a lot to change peoples views on choke chains and prong collars to treats and clicks.
Thank you for putting this out there Dr. Yin, I use you book regularly "How to Behave So Your Dog Behaves" to show people there are other ways of thinking and training.
We need more Victoria Stillwells on TV who show that a behavior can be changed in a gentle manner and with time and patience.
The dogs were either (I am clumping them into a group here) fearful-because owner was fearful upon greeting other dogs (doing the holding the breath and tightening the leash behavior), the dog was WAY Under Socialized (yeah we walk-10 minutes a day when the weather is good-oh and by the way my dog is great with other dogs, he/she plays with my sisters dogs and our neighbor's dog just great!), or honestly and truely in a full blown fear stage and the owner-whose dog was a happy go lucky pup one minute to now barking and lunging at everything that looks at them or comes close to them.
Never once did I yank, jerk or scold the dogs. Neither did I use a choke, prong or static control collars.
I used treats, my clicker, a calm voice and positive association methods used widely by positive trainers and behaviorists.
It was as much training the owners how to act around their dogs as much as giving the dogs good and positive experiences in place of anxiety and nervousness that they had been exposed to.
Did I solve all problems, 90% yes, to the 10% that I couldn't help-it was just beyond what I could do, the dog needed help from either a behaviorist or veterinarian or both!
A lot of problem cases I get, thankfully, are dogs that have just started this behavior and I can get to it and try positive things. Most of the time it works but it does take at least 8 weeks to get to a level of calm and a lifetime of reinforcing this and to keep giving the dog good experiences at the level which it can handle.
Cesar is a good example of what not to do and I can thankfully show people positive ways to get the behaviors they want. All it takes is change on their part, and I tell them that. If they do not change the way they do things then don't expect their dog to respond any differently!
Thank you for posting your blog and your videos, they are a great resource and help to us trainers. I send my students to your site as well as other well known positive training trainers and behaviorists.
Thanks for your post. It's good that you were willing to put so much work into a dog that others were not willing to help. If everyone ONLY took what you took out of the show, vague words that you should gain your dog's trust, and that you should be calm and assertive, that would be wonderful. These are words that most trainers speak. However what people bring away is to put the pet in the full force fear-situation and force him into a down so you show him he's boss and keep him calm. That's similar to taking someone who is fearful of spiders and holding them in place against their will because doing some will keep them "calm."
That can work on easy dogs, even easy dogs who have bitten people. And it can work on some people who fear spiders. But it can also make them just appear better temporarily because they are catatonic (in freeze mode) and later they become much worse. Or some can immediately become more defensive as the things that they fear approach. Additionally, people commonly don't know which dog they can handle until they get bitten. In fact Cesar Millan gets bitten a lot. And when he gets bitten, he never states what he did wrong. It's just part of what you expect when you use his techniques.
If flooding is what you did, then you are lucky that you have dog that is much easier than he appears. And that is really good for your dog.
On the other hand there may be another possibility. One interesting point is that the approach I and my colleagues have is very different from what Cesar Millan and dominance based trainers do; however, some clients can't tell the difference unless it's specifically pointed out to them as they watch the show. So, I would not be surprised if this is the case.
In any case, while I don't rule out any technique, it's not appropriate to plug a technique (flooding) that is likely to have a high rate of side effects (although some may not show up immediately) when safer, more effective methods are available.
Thank you so much for getting the wheel turning. I am a trainer and behavior consultant of 15 years and I am saddened and frustrated by our societys return to unsavory training methods by some so called professionals. Would these same people recommend the re-introduction of the strap in our schools?
Mr. Millan has had the incredible fortune of being in the right place at the right time and is nothing more than a marketing phenomenon. Like Paris Hilton, he has done nothing worthwhile but strangley, the general public loves to adore him.
There is even a veterinarian in a nearby city that tells his clients that if they are having problems with their dog to watch The Dog Whisperer! If the vet has recommended it and National Geographic aires it, it must be right!
How do we get people to pay more attention to educated and knowledgable people such as yourself, Jean Donaldson, Patricia McConnell and Ian Dunbar? Dr.Dunbar is one of the most family friendly and easy to follow trainers ever! The average dog owner is not a behavior specialist and more often than not, they don't even care about behavior..they just want a dog that behaves!It has been mentioned several times already that people do not understand the risks of Mr. Millan's techniques and the long term effects. Veterinarians should be well enough informed to advise their clients that such methods can and often do cause exactly the opposite response from a dog. More people are being injured and more dogs are being forced to defend themselves because of the permission that the public is recieving to be a bully with an animal.
Very sad.
Ginny Campbell
Thanks in advance,
Carolyn
Well, things culminated one day when my dog crept under a table and was guarding some food which was in front. My child went near the food to get something from an upper cupboard. The dog growled. Well, I then challenged the dog and he growled. What ensued was possibly the worst dog experience of my life. I tried to pull the dog from under to roll him over, you know, get him to submit. He was somehow caught in his lead and was stuck and I may have hurt him trying to pull him out when he was already on edge. I was badly bitten several times, with puncture wounds in several places on both arms. I could not seek medical advice as there is a mandatory report with Dr's for this type of incident as I completely realized that this was my fault and that basically I assaulted the dog. Where I live this would give the dog a "record" that on the next incident could lead to his being destroyed. We have had several incidences of near bites, a not puncture bite and two puncture bites since but to be honest I really think I have been the cause of this and now I have a more nervous, anxious and fearful dog and we have more work to do to try to rehabilitate a worsened situation. I should add that I am now often fearful of the dog. We have an appointment with a dog behaviorist scheduled.
We are now reading 'How to Behave so Your Dog Behaves' and using positive training methods, working in a way that clearly makes more sense now that I have been shocked,in a quite a destructive way, to my senses. I suspect my dog feels as shattered about the experience as I am.
I think that Cesar Milan's programs should actually include a foreword from a behaviorist citing the types of consequences that really may occur as a result of this aggressive dog whispering approach, actually not much whispering occurs, to my mind. I realize there is now a warning, but I think people will try what they see of the edited footage that makes the program. Well, I did.
Though the author of this article conflates Milan's "pack-leader" with an Alpha dog and with aggressive behavior, the study she cites does not make such a leap.
The study tries to show that aggressive, adversarial, and even some assertive Cesar Milan-type techniques have a greater likelihood (though still unlikely) of triggering an aggressive response than positive techniques like offering a treat have. The study doesn't say that these "aversive" techniques consistently result in higher aggression in the long term.
The study cited here really stretches to draw conclusions that aren't in evidence:
1. First, the data is from 140 surveys of Philadelphia dog owners. This kind of self-reporting by lay-people doesn't allow us to control for technique-user errors. We don't know if some owners are tackling their dogs and reporting that the dominance down isn't working. My example is extreme, but there's a finesse to getting physical with a dog while remaining calm that many dog owners fail to master.
2. Second, the study uses its own hypothesis to call its respondents' answers into question when the data they report doesn't match their expectations. The study asked if the aversive training method had a negative effect on the dog's overall behavior, but when respondents reported that sometimes even if a technique yielded an aggressive response the method improved the dog's behavior, the authors of the study discount this data, and assume that these dogs' behavior was worse than owners reported.
3. It's also not clear that there are equivalent non-aversive techniques that can be used to correct certain behaviors with the same degree of effectiveness. (If you've ever had a dog that goes nuts within 100 feet of other dogs, see how much it cares about you or a treat without some kind of physical intercession).
Having seen several dedicated Cesar Milan watchers utterly fail to administer techniques effectively, I'm inclined to agree that these techniques aren't for everyone. Some people are hopeless and get into a tug of war with their dog, trying to drag it to the ground because they've focused on downing the dog, and forgotten how to communicate with the dog.
I've yet to see an episode of his show where Cesar isn't able to quickly improve a dog's behavior. Every single time, without fail, problem behaviors dwindle and die around him. When used by Cesar, "aversive" techniques invariably result in better, less aggressive behavior.
Maybe Cesar has some magic mojo that isn't transferable, maybe some people just don't have the right temperament to be part of the pack, and maybe there's a problem with trying to teach people a whole new way of interacting with a dog on a tv program. I think the techniques work, but that there's a sort of zen mastery of your own mindstate and body language that's key to making them work.
Exchanges for resource guarders also works.
A friend has a small dog, that is a resource guarder on top of which, she has been told since the dog was a pup is aggressive and an "alpha" dog. This person has read books by Caesar Milan and has attempted to employ his methods. She has not taken the dog to puppy class nor has she employed a behaviorist.
Her daughter who adheres to the dominance theory had told this woman the dog is an "alpha" dog and aggressive.
Result: a ten year old dog that cannot be handled by a vet, that has to be muzzled for physical exams, and grooming.
I dog sat this dog a few years ago. At that time he took one of my husband's socks and exchange was attempted, when my husband reached for the sock the dog bit him (not a level one bite)
The dog cannot be around children as he is unpredictable. The woman has grandchildren.
The dog cannot be around other dogs as he is unpredictable.
You wrote: "I've yet to see an episode of his show where Cesar isn't able to quickly improve a dog's behavior. *Every single time, without fail,* problem behaviors dwindle and die around him. When used by Cesar, "aversive" techniques invariably result in better, less aggressive behavior."
I'm on the fence about Cesar's methods, and watch his show with little or no risk of using them (I don't have a dog). But even I have to acknowledge the power of editing. Cesar and his producers *choose* how to put the shows together. *They choose* which dog's stories get told and which get left out. Obviously we don't see every single dog that Cesar works with on the Dog Whisperer. So what's left on the cutting room floor, or, simply unfilmed in the first place?
"Every single time, without fail" makes pretty good TV, at that. But it's simply not the whole picture, and we shouldn't be naive enough to think it is. Cesar gets bitten even on his show--so why in the world would we believe that his methods are utterly foolproof? Like you, I think some of Cesar's success has to do with his own "mojo," for lack of a better word. But if it's really not consistently transferrable to others, then the bites are going to continue to happen as hapless viewers continue to try and ape his style, and that's unfortunate for them and their dogs too.
We should all take better heed to that legal warning on the show--if Cesar has to tell you not to try his seemingly awesome techniques at home, he does in fact know that what he's doing is the dog training equivalent of a high-wire act or "Jackass."
Its purely down to a lack of knowledge in my honest opinion.
The disclaimer that is so frequently shown throughout the show "Do not try this at home" type thing, begs the question, why show it a t all then? There are many research studies available on the net that show aversive techniques in training or behaviour modification do make matters worse (Try Google Scholar).
Having watched most of the shows and owning his two DVD's of seminars he conducted you have to admit he is very charismatic and my personal opinion is that two good things have come from his show, 1. Most dogs need more exercise than they actually get, 2. There is QUALIFIED help available to owners of problem dogs. Unfortunately the advice given on the show is far from qualified.
One of the things I find troubling about the show is that, you never see a follow up show on past cases to see how the dogs are progressing other than maybe a few words at the end of an episode. Like Dr Yin and all of the professionals I know that work with clients and their dogs, we offer back up and do follow ups for as long as the owners and dogs need us.
It's also interesting to note that prior to 2007 there had only been two research projects done on "Dominance" in domestic dogs, neither were published because they both contridicted each other. In 2009 Bristol University Veterinary section published their paper: "Dominance in Dogs: Useful Construct or Bad Habit" which has showed..... Wait for it.... Dominance Hierarchies do not exist in domestic dogs!
My advice to anyone looking to spend money on DVD's is; Look to the work of Dr Yin, Sarah Kalnajs, Turid Rugaas, Brenda Aloff all are pioneers in the field of training and behaviour and without the use of punishments or corrections and aversive techniques. If you truely want to understand your dog and communicate with them on a level they understand then the above people are the way forward.
Mike Jones MIACE, MCABTSG
There's no state certification for dog trainers that I'm aware of. If this was comparable to getting an MD, or DVM, Mr. Milan's techniques are the equivalent of using a chain saw to do surgery.
What Mr. Milan is NOT is that he is NOT a behaviorist.
Mr. Milan, and National Geographic, are doing much more harm than good with his program. I don't care how many disclaimers you put up. The program is televised because it gives people who are naive the impression that Mr. Milan has a magic wand that will take "bad" dogs and turn them into "good" dogs QUICKLY. Anyone who has ever dealt with any sort of animal behavior problem knows that it takes time to solve these problems.
There's a long time instructor in this area who uses these methods. I have seen quite a few dogs that have had to be put down because dogs that were decent dogs to begin with turned into disasters.
One incident in particular sticks in my mine.
A bunch of competitive exhibitors getting ready for a show in Canada. Two Rotts growled at each other. This "trainer" had the one owner roll the dog on his back and then start slapping the dog. Needless to say, the dog bit him a couple of times. This dog was in fear of his life!
I knew this dog from the day he was born. This dog was TRAINED to be fearful and aggressive.
Thank you for the research in animal behavior you are involved in. It is great to know that your practices are evidence-based. I just finished watching the video on how to respond to a dog who is displaying aggression to another dog during a walk. Currently what my boyfriend sometimes has to do is physically bring down our dog into the "submissive" pose if blocking the view of the dog doesn't help. We have tried using food and other reward to distract him in these situations (meat/cheese/favorite toys) but his physiological response is so strong that he won't take these rewards. And this is his physiological response ON ANTI-ANXIETY medication prescribed by our vet. Do you have any suggestions for calming him enough to take treats or have any other alternative suggestions?
Cooper is also a very fearful dog and we think this has a lot to do with his aggression - he sometimes REFUSES to move past our front door to get let out to use the restroom (after 9 or 10 hours inside). He will sit in protest, will not take treats, and is often trembling with fear with his tail between his legs. In these situations my boyfriend lifts him by his front two paws and "walks him" on his hind legs past some strange imaginary threshold where he feels somewhat safe and willing to walk (but ONLY to the area where he knows he pees and poops). How can we encourage him to be more exploratory with us without forcing him? He won't take food or toy reward in these situations either. We would really like our dog to be able to enjoy life outdoors, but right now we can barely get him past the front door. I am unable to to help with any of the daily walks for fear I will lose control of him! He is a big dog and capable of doing some real damage to another dog or another human being.
she actually thanked me for talking to her and seemed very pleased to have found something different to try with her dog. It broke my heart to think that this little dog had still been suffering from abuse at the hands of the person who rescued him.
Once we got to the stage where Milo would automatically sit at heel at the approach of another dog, we started to collapse the threshold, from a hundred feet to fifty, then 10. This was all left up to Milo's best judgement, and if he didn't feel comfortable, we would move away again. Milo can now meet other dogs without flying off the handle, and we recently attended an agility fun match where he was able to walk down a whole row of crated dogs without a reaction, and he ran a pretty good jumpers course and maintained focus on me all the way through. My only complaint is that he would be a much better agility athlete if he had a better handler!
As far as people aggression goes, Milo has figured out that he isn't going to be hit or kicked if he makes a mistake, and he's really good meeting other people. He still has times where he needs his space, but now he will growl instead of biting (I have never corrected him for growling), and we respect his wishes. If it's really important, he can always be coaxed into a good game of tug, or other fun games.
I am continually amazed at the degree of perceptiveness and intelligence this dog has, and his ability to figure things out, if given the chance. I have come to believe that much of out skill as a trainer comes from the ability to put the dog in a position to succeed, and then allow him the freedom to make the correct choices.
I believe, as you do, that aggressive behavior is mainly a reaction to fear, or pain. Treating fear by adding more fear, or pain, is akin to asking a person suffering from Arachnophobia to sit in a room full of spiders to cure his ills. To treat a damaged dog this way will either elicit an aggressive reaction, or a semi-catatonic emotional shutdown, neither one of which is a desirable outcome.
I have taken a dog with severe people problems, and using non-confrontational and non-violent training methods, have helped him learn to get along in a normal household, all the while allowing him the joy of being his normal meathead self. As for myself, this dog has changed my outlook on myself, every other living thing, and on life in general, forever. That's something Cesar Milan will never experience.
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My dog is one of the sweetest dogs I know. However, he is very high energy and was tighly wound by the time we got him home. All he wanted to do was run around, jump, and play. It was as if he had been in jail for months and just got out into an open field. Because of my lack of experience, this boisterous behavior scared me quite a bit, so I always treated him with some distance. One day, after successfully having him sit on command for the first time, I was so excited that I started laughing and clapping, which of course made the dog very excited. As he jumped on me suddenly (I was sitting on the floor with him), I defaulted to a "millan" attitude. I figured the dog was trying to hold me down or attack me because we were at the same level and I had shown weakness. I got up and started trying to perform an alpha roll on him. I got him down and held him by the neck, but instead of seeing the dog just quiet down and give up as I saw on TV, he actually turned on me. The dog was scared to death, and he became aggressive trying to defend himself. Thankfully, did not bite, but the situation got so bad that HE backed me up to a corner. Were it not for my husband's cool head, I think I might have been bitten and the poor dog returned to the shelter.
Since then I have returned to my normal self, someone who has actually been trained to research things before believing them. I have been reading everything I can my hands on about canine behavior, and evaluating the theories based on actual evidence. I am happy to report my dog is now a happy well-ballanced dog, who has learned most basic commands and can actually be trusted off-leash in open fields or in the woods. We still have problems, including walking on a leash without pulling and his cat chasing obsession. But our relationship is great, and we love him very much. We can also see in his behavior that he has become very attached to us, and the past training mistakes are forgotten.
I am extremely happy to have found this website. Most people I talk to, be it online or in person seem to think Millan is a god and all he says is true. It pains me that so many people are hurting their pets and ruining their lives based on ignorance. Thank you for having a forum where intelligent discussion is possible.