I was just watching an episode of Dogtown and IMHO their rehab techniques and pack leadership are horrible.
Petting dogs while tense or excited, "baby" talking to dogs in a high pitched voice (creating excitement), and telling someone "if she gets funky with you just turn around and walk away, she won't chase you" were some of the things that were happening on this show.
Although I think their actions are good, their approach is not sound IMO. I see they do everything "backwards", meaning using human psychology on dogs.
Just wanted to comment and see what other members thought about this show or if any of you have seen it.
Reg: 08-29-2006
Posts: 2324
Loc: Central Coast, California
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I watched my first episode of "Dogtown" last night, the one with the Vick dogs, and yes...I was fairly suprised to see some of the things that I NOW know are incorrect being used with these dogs.
What really drove it home was watching the Dog Whisperer Dueling Pitbull episode right before Dogtown. The difference in handling was glaring. Makes you wonder if the viewers "got it" and it also makes you wonder what the NGC programmers were thinking scheduling these two shows back-to-back.
I will say that, poor techniques aside, I was very moved watching these dogs adapting to and enjoying their new life and glad to see they landed in a safe place.
Sarah, you're absolutely right! I was thinking exactly the same thing. After watching Cesar and the pitbulls I thought the othershow was nothing compared to Dog Whisperer.
I'm watching the Vick dog episode of Dogtown right now (TIVO), and even the medical information they are broadcasting is wrong.
Denzel (the anemic pitbull) is diagnosed with babesia which they say is transferred from dog to dog by biting and blood to blood contact. It's a TICK BORNE DISEASE!
Maybe they think it sounds more dramatic to say he got if from fighting, but I think they insult the intelligence of their viewers by giving out bad medical and training information. Not to mention doing these dogs a great disservice.
I do think they have great intentions and have a wonderful facility but they need to get with the program here. Give these dogs leadership! And don't gloss over the medical issues to get sympathy for the dogs, we already feel bad for them. Tick borne disease sucks, maybe if they would broadcast how this dog really got the disease it may cause someone watching to catch the problem in their own dog.
OK, one more thing I caught. Near the end they introduce a shy pit named "Cherry" to another pit bull and let them play. they go to a flashback of Cherry when he first came to Dogtown and the dog they show has NO tail. The dogs playing in the closing scenes both have absolutely normal pit bull tails.
Why would they do that? Unless the person doing the editing has creative license I can't figure it out. I'm sure I am not the only person that noticed that?
The absolute dumbest move I saw was their efforts to socialize the shy Pit to find it a "companion"
Ok, you introduce it to either a very neutral or a mellow but social dog, right??
HELL NO!
They walk it right in the face of another one of the game bred Pits that winds up attacking it.
Also the dog that was people aggressive and they let the one of the morons STAND OVER the dog and try and reach out and pet it.
!!!Tree hugging idiots!!!
Maybe they are working towards a Cesar visit to straighten them out. I haven't saw the new ones but I saw last season, I give them credit for their intentions but I'm afraid they are setting some adoption dogs up to fail in the wrong situation.
Mike Arnold Webboard User Reg: 07-09-2004
Posts: 1344
Loc: CNY
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Not trying to hijack the thread... And in re Ceasar...
Just saw the Dog Whisperer episode - whole hour - about the couple with two pit bulls. Wow! Some amazing fights, and a good final outcome.
Had as much, if not more, to do with training the couple as the one 'red zone' dog. Not for the weak knees in the dog world. Kinda gave you a real idea of his approaches.
Sorry if I am guilty of a hijack.
Mike A.
"I wouldn't touch that dog, son. He don't take to pettin." Hondo, played by John Wayne
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Dogtown? Are they serious?
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