Quote: connie sutherland

Two out of 40-60.

Generous, IMO.

I know I have days where I feel like the people w/the two Malti-poos who won't stop peeing behind the couch so they take them to the doggie psych (ie, totally inept), and I bet other people that are considered "decent" have days like this, too. I hope.

All this CM talk makes me almost wish I had TV.

 Quote: Jenni Williams

 Quote: Connie Sutherland

Two out of 40-60.

Generous, IMO.

??

Generous, in that out of 20 people I see at say, a dog park or forest preserve, MAYBE one will have proper equipment (ie, NOT a flexi and choke, or harness on a 120lb AB for example), let alone CM style control over their dogs. I guess it depends on who you mostly come in contact with where you live. I see uppity pet owners, primarily, whose dogs simply get dropped off at the shelter when they become unpleasant. But a prong is "mean."

 Quote: jenni williams

WHEW! Semantics is a game I rather enjoy, but alas, it seems to get in the way of what I am saying and the way it's perceived by the vast majority. I'm afraid I don't know how to "speak" any differently, nor do I wish to, so I'd sooner quit posting all togther than change my style. You know, I have to be extreme in all things, LOL. I simply cannot help it; I am incorrigible.

Never in a million years would I want you to change a thing!

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I disagree that HUMANS are the only reason dogs fight. Granted, they can be a cause, however, I see dogfights all the time around here with absolutely no humans around. They fight over food in the middle of the road, a female in heat, picking who is top dog and just because they frickin feel like it.

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In all seriousness, what continues to absolutely shock me, however, is the fact that there's a perception of disagreement here.

Thus the reason for my thinking there were disagreements but I can see now, as you have explained things in such great detail that really there are very few differences. I too am guilty of thinking that you were implying NO interaction between "friends" as opposed to EXTREME MONITORING BY YOU whilst said friends were around each other in varying degrees.

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Forgive me for being long-winded

Contrary to what you might think, when you are long winded my tiny little brain seems to comprehend your "symantic speaking" much easier

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Now, would you like to lay down on my couch? Let's talk about your mother and your insatiable desire to be psychotic controlling bitch.

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Oh! This one's easy! But it has little to do w/my Mother. And you forgot the part about how I "demand idolization!" LOL.

DANG! This would have made such good dialogue! Besides, it doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out that being an EXTREMIST has it's advantages, i.e. being the center of attention, a.k.a. demanding idolization!
Heaven help us!! The Virgo Mother ship has landed!! ROFLMBO! Did someone say, Twinsies?? Cut from the same mold??Parallel universe?

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So, Robbin, and anyone else who thinks he's superhuman and you don't measure up b/c your dog has "issues", don't be too hard on yourselves; he has a lot of help, and the parts he screws up are edited out!

To this I agree wholeheartedly and actually, Sandy and I were having a very interesting discussion on CM this A.M., she having recently gotten her hands on his book. I never knew that he exercised the dogs 4-6 hours a day! To say that there are variables out there that aren't divulged to the public would be an understatement AND if I had someone here to help me 24/7 w/my dogs, I'm sure life would be much easier to deal with!

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I will admit I have a bad taste in my mouth concerning some of his diehard followers trying to give me advice on handling my dogs saying "Cesar says..." . Usually, they don't even have a dog.

You are not the only one, I have talked CM to other folks b4 and have had several state what Ed stated earlier and that is most people that attempt the techniques that he shows on the t.v. can and will eventually get hurt due to their having no REAL skills. Beside the fact that just because you watch his show doesnt make you any kind of an expert on dogs/behavior, ESPECIALLY IF YOU DON'T OWN A DOG!

All and all, this has been an extremely informative thread! I have learned many things from this one alone! Even had the rare privelege to see Ed come in and have a few words. At this point my opinion on the OP would stand as follows..

1. Dogs are dogs and can/will behave in a number of ways regardless of neuter/spaying.
2. Age is not a factor in #1.
3. It is entirely possible for male/females to interact together regardless of hormone/sterilization/age factors.
4. Pack structure is a primary factor although not the ONLY factor to be considered in having a multiple dog household.
5. Interaction is not neccessarily required but respectful behavior around each other IS.
6. Let me not forget the fact that cats can be sterilized w/o looking like it

Great thread! I'm done.

 Quote: RobbinMann

6. Let me not forget the fact that cats can be sterilized w/o looking like it

i always manage to contribute the useful stuff. (angela, i actually used to run a TNR program....but i have no experience in fixing a pet cat)

but i've enjoyed reading all the dialogue in this thread immensely!

His pack's superabundance of exercise is no secret.

Even at his old facility he had treadmills, a rattier pool, and those long dawn-to-midmorning walks in the hills.

Now he just has a nicer facility, but the exercise thing remains paramount.

I wanted to say that a noobie with a dominant-aggressive dog could indeed be endangered by following CM's methods.

But an owner with a pet dog who has an obsession, or has one of the zillions of behavior issues that spring mainly from no pack leader and no exercise..... that owner would do well to absorb some of CM's example of calm authority, and, as he puts it, "rules, boundaries, and limitations."

I first met him pre-National Geographic and pre-fame. He used to own a grooming place in SoCal and he did behavior work on the side, and he was so good that I even heard of him where I live, which, even though it''s in the same state, is hundreds of miles away. When he started doing seminars, there were maybe ten humans in attendance and we were allowed to bring our dogs!

Now, of course, those days are gone, and he in such demand that all he does is TV and mega-seminars. He deserves his fame and fortune, in my book, but the depersonalization and lack of access to him is too bad.

He also has very little good advice about such things as neutering and feeding, but that's not what I read and watch him for. It'd be nice if he got into fresh food and health issues, but if it cut into his pack-structure work, I think it would be kind of a loss.

As Ed says, he does address pack structure and leadership, and that's something that was not really put out there to the public (on TV) before CM.

Also, as Ed says. "He also occasionally passes out questionable or incomplete information."

His TV show is indeed entertainment. I have not been to one of his seminars in years, so I could be wrong..... but based on the seminars I attended back in the 20th century , I'd say that if you had a chance to go, it would be worth it.

JMO!

The one thing that I really like about the show, is that I see LOTS of people incorporating the 45 minute walk into their lives.

If anything, that is a GREAT thing, for both the owners AND the dog. And although they may not be able to do some of the other stuff, at least they are making an attempt and furthering that by asking questions in order to have a better relationship with their dog.

It is entertainment, no doubt, but he has made people get out there and try.

 Quote: jenni williams

I see uppity pet owners, primarily, whose dogs simply get dropped off at the shelter when they become unpleasant. But a prong is "mean."

I really like your style Jenni. That is sooo true!

enrique

I agree with Connie on CM.

I think it is easy to find flaws in some of the things he does, but we have to give the man credit. He probably saves more dogs than most of us put together.

Like Connie says it's just entertainment and obviously some things will be edited or deleted and that's just how tv is. But that shouldn't have an impact on the real type of work he's doing.

Also they always recommend people work with a professional instead of attempting the techniques themselves.

Overall I like him and his concepts are easy to digest.

enrique