If you want see something absolutely amazing, read this post and then read the comments.
Full disclosure: I don’t sing from Mr. Millan’s song book.
However, I know people who read this blog think he’s wonderful. I understand your points.
I can’t train a dog the way he does. I just can’t. They can always tell I’m acting. I also think this “energy” thing he talks about is metaphysics, and as someone who thinks most metaphysics is crapola, my eyes just glaze over when I hear him talk about energy.
I can get results with food and my voice.
Granted, you know what kind of dogs I have had.
But I simply cannot train a dog using a slip-chain collar. It’s much easier for me to use lure and treat. I simply lack the acting skills to be an asshole to a dog.
But what’s interesting is that much of this discussion is really a culture war. Now, it parallels but is not directly equal to our discussion of social issues. There are plenty of liberal people who train dogs using the traditional methods, and I’m sure there are conservatives who click and treat.
However, it is so amazing how similar the debates are to culture wars. And, just like those debates it’s usually not a case of everyone being right or wrong. Some people are able to use these methods well.
But usually what you get in these debates are something like: “You don’t know how to train a dog. I do.” The reality is that some people can train certain dogs a certain way, and others simply cannot. This is a gray area. For anyone to claim that they have all the answers is a bit foolish.
That said:
Cesar Millan reminds me of Pat Robertson, which, for me, isn’t a good thing. (I once saw Cesar on TBN, which I thought was excellent place for him.)
