Sunday, October 30, 2016

In the Dog House

[8/7/09] This is a new show on Animal Planet. And comes with a disclaimer at the beginning of the show ala Dog Whisperer. I see no link to the show on the Animal Planet web site other than this TV Listing.

After watching the show, I would say if people are bashing Cesar's methods, they should have a field day with this guy. In addition to working with the dog or dogs, he equally (or more) works with the owners or owners who seem to be as bad cases as the dog.

He's blunt and straight forward. In other words, not very tactful as Cesar usually tries to be.

I wasn't overly enthused by the show, as it didn't seem to show much specific techniques. But, hey if it works, it works.

As Cesar's other disclaimer says, there are many methods to training your dog.

Hmmm. My suspicions seem correct. Here's some viewer reactions found on the net. In general, the reviews are from the positive-reinforcement camp (which seems pretty much to be the current thinking in dog-training world). And these positive people are mostly negative. They don't like the Dogfather either.

I see the guy's name is Brad Pattison and has a show called "At The End of My Leash" in Canada and it looks like this show might be repackaged as In The Dog House for Animal Planet (yep). He came in third in a poll to Cesar. (Second was Neither).

Here's a Q&A with Brad.

***

[6/8/12] Some of the At The End of My Leash shows are on the slice website.  But you can't view them in the U.S. (at least I haven't figured out how yet).  However I see there's a couple shows currently on vimeo.

The Canine Conundrum (Season 2, Episode 3)
My Pretty Pony (Season 3, Episode 8)
Cajun's Last Hope (Season 6, Episode 1)

Plus the guy (White Iron Inc.) also uploaded Puppy S.O.S. which is another show starring Brad Pattison.

I see his book, Brad Pattison Unleashed is on Google books with a preview of the beginning chapters.

*** [10/30/16]

Via twitter, I see that Brad Pattison has a series of short videos now on youtube.  The series is called Brad's Bark and the first episode is Dog Walking.


Tuesday, September 13, 2016

Dog Nation

[9/29/16] A first look at Dog Nation

[9/13/16] A new show with Cesar Millan and Andre Millan.

Apparently it's the end of Cesar 911.  I predict I won't enjoy the new show as much as the old one.  (Like Leader of the Pack wasn't as enjoyable as Dog Whisperer.)

What can I say?  I still enjoy watching the old episodes of Dog Whisperer (and Cesar 911).

Friday, March 18, 2016

how dogs tell you that they love you

Dogs have interacted with humans for thousands of years and in that time, people have learned that dogs have a special way of communicating with them that are unique to dogs. In recent years, there are an increasing number of studies examining the way dogs think and how they communicate and interact with humans.

These studies are revealing fascinating things. Like how dogs pick up micro-signals from humans and how they they help their friends.  They are also revealing ways that the bond between dogs and humans has created many ways in which dogs express how much they love their family.


Friday, March 11, 2016

Cesar under investigation for cruelty to pigs

Cesar Millan, the animal psychologist famously known as the "Dog Whisperer," is under investigation for an animal cruelty complaint authorities received after a recent episode of his TV show, "Cesar 911," on National Geographic, authorities confirmed to Patch.

In the show, Millan was rehabilitating an aggressive french bulldog named Simon, which had recently attacked some pet pigs, at his "Dog Psychology Center." When Millan brought new pigs to a "training session" with Simon, the dog attacked one of the pigs, biting its ear and drawing blood.

A Change.org petition claims that Simon was a "known pig killer" and had more than 9,000 signatures Friday morning.

Investigators visited Millan's center in Santa Clarita, California, on Thursday evening, but Millan was not there, so they spoke with his son instead, according to Aaron Reyes, deputy director of the County of Los Angeles Department of Animal Care and Control.

The department posted a 24-hour notice for Millan to contact authorities, and a couple hours later an investigator heard from a "key staff member" of Millan's show, Reyes told Patch. The staff member said Millan was aware of the investigation and will fully cooperate with it, Reyes said.

Investigators want to know how badly pig was harmed, why Millan chose that method of rehabilitation and anything different he could have done, Reyes said, adding that at this point, all they've seen is the video.

"You’re looking at the key piece of evidence we’re looking at," Reyes said.

National Geographic did not immediately return requests from Patch for comment but in a statement to multiple media outlets, National Geographic said the clip only showed Simon, "chasing a pig and nipping its ear, causing the ear to bleed."

The statement continued: "It is important to clarify that Cesar took precautions, such as putting Simon on a long leash to assess his behavior, before making initial corrections and removing the leash. The pig that was nipped by Simon was tended to immediately afterward, healed quickly and showed no lasting signs of distress."

Following the controversy surrounding the dog-bites-pig incident, National Geographic released an extended clip to media, showing the troubled dog coming full circle.

In the clip, Simon is brought back into a pen with more pigs, and Millan works his magic on the dog. Eventually, Millan ties a leash from one of the pigs to Simon, and has the pig take Simon for "a walk" around the pen.

The two animals appear to be thick as thieves by the time it's all said and done.

"As the additional clip reveals, Cesar and his animal pack effectively helped Simon to overcome his aggressive behavior toward other animals," the National Geographic statement said. "As a result, Simon did not have to be separated from his owner or euthanized."

***

no comments to this story, but some on the Psychology Today article.

and more mainstream comments here.

Jill Breitner the originator of the petition has a youtube channel and has an app called Dog Decoder.  She currently has 101 subscribers.  Maybe it'll jump up after this.

***

Pro-Cesar comments on facebook

A statement from Simon's owner

Cesar speaks with people.com about the incident.

The episode is online (and on the Nat Geo app), but only available to cable subscribers to Nat Geo Wild.  Non-subscribers can purchase Cesar 911 episodes on Amazon.com, iTunes, vudu, MGo.

Season 3 episodes will supposedly be made available on Hulu 30 days after the original air date.  Season 2 episodes are currently available on Hulu.  Season 1 episodes are available on Netflx.

*** [4/11/16]

We have been informed by Los Angeles County Animal Control that their investigation into the farm pig incident is over and they have found that we did nothing wrong and no charges will be brought against me or my team. I am pleased but not surprised by this news. My team and I are 100% dedicated to the proper care of all animals and our animal handling procedures are safe and humane. We will continue to  rescue and rehabilitate even the most difficult problem dogs. Our work  has saved the lives of thousands of animals that otherwise would have been euthanized.

Sunday, February 21, 2016

A Dog's Plea

Dear Annie: I totally feel for "Confused and Torn," who didn't want to put down her 15-year-old Pomeranian, "Clover," who was in constant pain. I had to make a decision regarding my dog two months after losing my husband. I was devastated, as the anguish was unbearable and seemed unending. It was truly a bad year.

A while ago, I cam across a poem you printed called "A Dog's Plea." To this day, it still brings tears to my eyes. I hope "Confused" will see it and that it will help her a little bit. -- Judy from Canada

Dear Judy: We last printed this piece two years ago. Thank you for suggesting it as a way to comfort "Confused." The poem is one of our readers' favorites and we are happy to print it again.

"A Dog's Plea" by Beth Norman Harris

Treat me kindly, my beloved friend, for no heart in all the world is more grateful for kindness than the loving heart of me.

Do not break my spirit with a stick, for though I might lick your hand between blows, your patience and understanding will more quickly teach me the things you would have me learn.

Speak to me often, for your voice is the world's sweetest music, as you must know by the fierce wagging of my tail when the sound of your footstep falls upon my waiting ear.

Please take me inside when it is cold and wet, for I am a domesticated animal, no longer accustomed to bitter elements. I ask no greater glory than the privilege of sitting at your feet beside the hearth.

Keep my pan filled with fresh water, for I cannot tell you when I suffer thirst.

Feed me clean food that I might stay well, to romp and play and do your bidding, to walk by your side and stand ready, willing and able to protect you with my life, should your life be in danger.

And, my friend, when I am very old, and I no longer enjoy good health, hearing and sight, do not make heroic efforts to keep me going. I am not having any fun.

Please see that my trusting life is taken gently. I shall leave this Earth knowing with the last breath I draw that my fate was always safest in your hands.

- Star Advertiser, February 20, 2016