Cesar's New Book

Cesar Millan's new book, Cesar's Way is out and it's already a New York Time's Bestseller. It seems there have been a slew of best-selling dog books lately (one of my favorites is Marley and Me.)

Two topics really hit home for me. The first was the importance of exercising your dog to keep him happy and healthy. Millan says that walking (biking, running, rollerblading) your dog is critical. The walk is part of the migration instinct of a dog. Dogs or wolves in the wild followed their leader on a long trek to find food. So, if you walk with your dog before feeding them, you set yourself up firmly as the pack leader. Cesar says this walk must be at least an hour a day! Whew! I am going to be in shape!

So, I decided to give this a try. Typically, I only like to walk one of my dogs at a time. Vino is a crazy walker and for some reason he needs to poop about every 1/8 of a mile. This time, though, I decided to take the pack.

I made sure I was the first out the door (Vino tried, but failed to dart past me) put myself in the front of the pack, and kept the leashes short. As Cesar recommended, I stood tall, and kept my cool and set off at a fast pace. We walked for about 50 minutes and it was a great walk. I'm committed to this walk at least 5 out of 7 days. We'll see if Vino continues to try and boss me around.

Cesar's thoughts on dog packs and the positive effects that stable packs have on unstable dogs hit home with me as well. I've seen it in my work as a volunteer at Assistance Dogs of America and in my own home. Put a crazy dog into a crazy pack and you're going to get an even crazier dog. Put a crazy dog into a stable pack with great leadership and you have a much better chance of rehabilitating the dog.

What I disliked about Ceasar's Way is the focus on rehabilitating dogs, and lack of information on basic training. I also think his ideas are not practical for the average family. Who has time to walk a dog for 60 minutes EVERY day? On the other hand, I agree that there are far too many dog owners who think that 30 minutes of attention at the end of a busy day makes for a happy dog.

Also, check out Cesar's blog.

Comments

[Sam]

Hmm. I bet this is making a lot of cat lovers happy. After all, how much time do you have to spend walking a cat. =)

My question is: is there a more effective and realistic way than a walk to meet the dog's needs? (Ideally accepting the responsibility to meet the dog's needs through a walk or some other method would be part of the process of choosing a dog, but in the real world?)

[Dave]

I was having a small amount of trouble with a couple of male dogs I have that were doing the "dominance" thing. The youngest (biggest) of the two-5 yrs. old began snarling and trying to heel the oldest one. I went out and bought ALL of Cesar Millan's books and dvd's. I began changing my behavior first, walking the dogs an hour a day, 2 hours on the weekends. I set Boundaries, Rules and Limitations for them. Practiced Exercise, Discipline and Affection and remained "Calm Assertive" at all times. My youngest dog began to consider me an "interference" and things got worse. I even "alpha rolled" hima few times. Things escalated to the point last week that I broke up a fight to the death between the two and was severely bitten on the arm.

If you are going to do it "Cesar's Way" start when they are YOUNG and not when they are older. After speaking with some dog behavior experts and a few universities it was decided to put the youngest down. I am heart-broken.

[garriet]

Judging from the movie ( http://file.sh/marley+and+me+torrent.html ) walking a dog can turn into a real catastrophe )))) I know much about cats and almost nothing about dogs. When I learn at least the most essential things, I'd like to have one.