The Pet Health Care Gazette

Are Cesar Millan’s dog training methods right for your dog?

My veterinary clients often ask me how to go about training their dogs. Many of them ask specifically about Cesar Millan’s dog training methods.

Cesar Millan and Dog Training

For those of you who are unfamiliar with Cesar Millar, he is better known as the “Dog Whisperer”. The National Geographic channel carries his popular television series, “The Dog Whisperer”. In addition, Mr. Millan has several books and DVDs about dog training that are widely available and also very popular. He is in all likelihood the most well-known dog trainer in existence today, even though he actually refers to himself as a dog rehabilitator.

Cesar Millan’s Dog Training Methods

Though Cesar Millan is extremely popular and his dog training techniques are widely accepted by the public, some of his training methods have attracted a great deal of criticism from other dog training experts and veterinary behavioral specialists.

However, there are some parts of Cesar’s training methods that, in my opinion, are beneficial to both dogs and their owners. Cesar preaches that most canine behavior problems stem not from the dog itself but from the owner. This is not true in all cases, but often inappropriate owner responses to behavioral issues contribute to the continuation or even escalation of the behavior. In other cases, behaviors may actually be normal dog behaviors that we, as dog owners, perceive as problematic because they are inconvenient for us. Cesar usually focuses as much on “training” the owners of the dog as on training the dog himself, which is often appropriate.

Another of the things that Cesar emphasizes over and over again is the important of adequate exercise for a dog. In this, he is absolutely right as well. Exercise helps burn off pent-up energies for almost all dogs. A tired, well-exercised dog is less likely to misbehave. In addition, exercise is quite helpful in maintaining a lean body condition that is healthy for any dog and aids in preventing obesity, which can be a serious threat to canine health.

Another of Cesar Millan’s training mantras to dog owners is to stay calm when dealing with dogs, particularly when the dog is misbehaving. This is always excellent advise. Becoming hysterical, angry or impatient with a dog is only likely to make the training process more difficult for all concerned. These emotions are never helpful in training a dog.

The Cesar Millan Controversy

Despite the positive aspects of Cesar Millan’s dog training aspects, there are also aspects of his methods that are more controversial. Some of Cesar’s training techniques are confrontational, which not only places him, as a dog handler, at risk for injury but also may escalate the dog’s inappropriate behavior. For example, take a look at the following video:

As you can see, Cesar actually gets bit in this video. If Cesar, as an experienced dog handler, is unable to avoid injury following this type of training protocol, the average dog owner with little to no experience handling dogs is even more likely to be injured following Cesar’s advice. In addition, this dog is not likely to be more accepting of this same process the next time he needs to be groomed. In fact, his behavior may become even worse as a result. This is an example of a confrontational training method, the dog is confronted with a dog trainer intent on dominating the dog in order to accomplish his goal. Do you believe that Cesar accomplished his goal here? Do you believe that either Cesar or the dog was safe while this training procedure was taking place? Do you think you would want to attempt this type of training procedure yourself, knowing that the likelihood of getting bitten was extremely high?

In contrast, take a look at the following approach to a similar situation, involving Dr. Sophia Yin, a veterinary behavioral expert, and a dog that objects to having his toe nails clipped.

Can you see how the outcome in this video is much different than the outcome in the previous video involving Cesar Millan? This dog seems relaxed and happy by the end of the video, neither handler was bitten or otherwise injured or in danger of serious injury during the course of the training session and the dog is quite likely to be tolerant of the procedure the next time he needs his toe nails trimmed. What you have witnessed in this video is an example of training by counter-conditioning the dog using a positive reward, in this case a treat that the dog enjoys. By using a positive reward, the dog has been taught that trimming his nails is not an unpleasant experience. In fact, it appears he barely notices his nails are being cut when he is eating the treats. So, a negative behavior, lunging and trying to bite when someone tries to cut the dog’s nails, has been replaced with a acceptable alternative, sitting calmly on the handlers lap receiving cookies while the toenails are trimmed.

In summary, though Cesar Millan is far from being an evil person or an inexperienced dog handler, you should be aware that Mr. Millan’s method of dog training is not the only way to train your dog. Like most things in life, Mr. Millan’s techniques are not entirely bad, but they are not entirely good either. By doing a bit of research before beginning the training process with your dog, you may find that there are alternative methods, such as the positive reward method represented in the second video with Dr. Yin, that may be safer for you and less stressful for your dog. Why not use the parts of Mr. Millan’s training methodology that make sense to you (such as exercising your dog regularly), couple them with a methodology that will keep you and your dog safer and promote a stronger bond built of trust and affection between the two of you, and throw out the confrontational, dangerous methods that are likely to injure you or your dog?

Photo Credit: libulela/Flickr.com

Proper nutrition is essential for all canine life stages.

One of the best things a dog owner can do for their pet is to provide proper nutrition. However, for many pet owners, canine nutritional needs are confusing. Protein, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals each play a part in keeping dogs of all ages healthy.

Water: An Essential but Easily Overlooked Canine Nutrient

Water plays an important role in keeping all dogs healthy. Fresh clean water should be made available to your dog at all times. Failure to allow your dog access to an adequate water supply can result in dehydration, illness and even death.

Protein: A Building Block in Canine Nutrition

Proteins are needed for all stages of the canine life cycle. Proteins are necessary for growth of young dogs, reproduction, and for maintenance and repair of body tissues in dogs of all ages. Proteins are a critical source of energy for cells, tissues and body organs and are also required for the production of enzymes, hormones and antibodies.

Proteins are made up of amino acids. Essential amino acids for dogs include arginine, methionine, histidine, phenylalanine, isoleucine, threonine, leucine, tryptophan, lysine, and valine. These amino acids must be supplied through the dog’s diet because dogs are unable to synthesize adequate amounts of these amino acids by themselves.

Protein sources may be animal- or plant-based. Animal-based sources are considered to be complete because they contain the essential amino acids required by all dogs. These sources include chicken, lamb, turkey, beef, fish and egg. Plant sources include vegetables, cereals and soy. These sources may not contain all of the essential amino acids.

Fat: A Potent Nutritional Energy Source for Dogs

Fats are required as a source of canine nutrition. For dogs, fat:

• provides a concentrated source of energy
• is an essential part of the structure of all cells
• is required for the production of some hormones
• is needed for absorption and utilization of fat-soluble vitamins
• provides the body insulation and protection for internal organs

Linoleic acid is an essential fatty acid for dogs and must be provided in the canine diet. However, a proper balance of omega-6 fatty acids and omega-3 fatty acids is also recommended to help control inflammatory responses in the skin, intestinal tract, kidneys and joints. Ideally, the omega-6 to omega-3 ratio should be 5-10:1.

Carbohydrates in the Canine Diet

Carbohydrates play an important role in the diet of all dogs. Minimal levels of glucose are necessary to maintain an adequate energy source to the brain and other essential body organs. Carbohydrates not only provide energy for body tissues, but they also play an important role in keeping the intestinal tract healthy. In addition, they are likely needed for reproduction as well.

Various types of fiber can produce a good source of carbohydrates in the canine diet. However, different types of fiber have different fermentation properties, which makes some sources of fiber more appropriate than others as a source of carbohydrates. Fiber is also responsible for maintaining the bacterial population in the intestinal tract. A proper mix of “good” bacteria in the intestines can help regulate the bowels and prevent diarrhea.

Vitamins and Their Role in Canine Nutrition

Vitamins are necessary to promote normal metabolism and power enzymatic reactions within the body. Vitamins are normally required in small amounts and must be provided in the food because the canine body is not capable of manufacturing them. However, in most cases, supplementation of vitamins is unnecessary as long as a complete and balanced diet is fed.

Minerals in the Canine Diet

Minerals are required in many metabolic reactions and are also a normal part of the structure of teeth and bones. They are also necessary to maintain a proper fluid balance within the body. Minerals must be added to the canine diet because dogs are incapable of synthesizing them alone.

A proper mix of proteins, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals together with a constant fresh source of water are the building blocks for a successful nutritional program that will keep your dog healthy throughout his lifetime. However, the mix of these nutrients will change over time as your dog grows, matures and ages.

Learn how to care for your new kitten.

Like all pets, kittens need proper care to keep them healthy. Caring for a new kitten requires home care as well as veterinary care.

Providing the Right Diet is Essential in Caring for a New Kitten

Feeding your kitten properly will ensure that your kitten gets all the right nutrients to grow and mature normally. The food ideally should be a diet that is formulated for a growing kitten.

Kittens, just like people, have likes and dislikes and it is important to choose a food that your kitten will eat readily. While there are advantages to feeding both dry and canned foods, it may be advantageous to feed a combination of both so that your cat will be more likely to accept a specialized diet in the event that a dietary change becomes necessary in the future.

Feeding home cooked meals to kittens is not generally advisable because it can be difficult to achieve the proper balance of nutrients and a lack of nutrients in the diet can lead to dietary deficiencies and severe illness.

Once weaned and eating solid foods, your kitten no longer needs to drink milk. However, fresh water should be available at all times.

A Physical Examination Should be Performed for Your New Kitten

A physical examination, performed by your veterinarian, will check your kitten for adequate body condition, external parasites (such as ear mites, fleas and ticks), congenital defects, evidence of infectious diseases and general overall health.

All Kittens Need Vaccinations to Ensure Health

Your new kitten should be vaccinated as early as 6-8 weeks of age. Vaccinations against feline panleukopenia (sometimes called feline distemper), feline calicivirus, feline rhinotracheitis (or feline herpesvirus), and rabies are recommended for almost all kittens. Rabies vaccination is mandated by law in most communities. There may be other vaccinations, such as feline leukemia, that may be recommended by your veterinarian as well.

Fecal Examinations and Deworming for Kitten Health

A fecal examination will check your kitten for evidence of intestinal parasites such as roundworms, hookworms, tapeworms, coccidia and Giardia. Roundworms and hookworms are common in kittens and many kittens are born with them. Because these parasites also have some potential for spread to people, particularly children, it is usually recommended that kittens be routinely dewormed for these parasites at an early age.

Care for Your Kitten by Testing for Feline Leukemia and Feline AIDS

Both feline leukemia and feline AIDS are viral diseases that can be passed from one cat to another. Both viruses can be passed from the mother cat to her kittens before birth. It is recommended that all kittens be tested for these viruses so that their status for the viruses is known. While a positive test, particularly for feline AIDS, in a young kitten can indicate that antibodies from the mother are present rather than being a true infection, a negative test is generally considered reliable, even in a young kitten. Many of the current tests available test for both viruses at the same time and at least one test also checks for heartworms, although a heartworm test is unlikely to be positive in a young kitten.

Protect Your Kitten Against Parasites

Your new kitten needs to be protected against parasites such as fleas and heartworms. There are numerous options available to accomplish this. Discuss with your veterinarian which product is safest and most effective for your pet. The choice will depend on your kitten’s anticipated lifestyle and what parasites your kitten is likely to encounter.

Spay or Neuter Your Kitten to Promote Health and Well-Being

Spaying or neutering is advisable for all cats. Discuss with your veterinarian what age is preferable for performing the surgery. In some settings, kittens are spayed or neutered at a very young age, as early as 6-8 weeks. At our hospital, we prefer to wait until 4 months of age. Female cats benefit from being spayed prior to the first heat cycle, which may occur any time after 6 months of age.

Provide Environmental Enrichment for Your Kitten

Providing environmental enrichment in the form of perches, hiding places, toys and scratching posts can help your kitten adjust to his new home and help avoid behavioral problems. In addition, proper management of litter boxes as well as feeding and watering stations is critical for your new kitten.

Following these simple procedures can help keep your new kitten healthy and happy and ensure that he grows into a well-adjusted adult cat free of feline diseases and parasites.