Cesar Millan Controversies

Cesar Millan uses dominance theory for much of his training. According todominance theorya dog's owner should show power to become the alpha leader, based on old wolf pack leadership ideas.

However, many behavior experts and dog trainers dispute this theory.they dispute this theorythey claim it rests on science that has been proven wrong.

On Cesar Millan's blog, Cesar's Way, a post titled "Science catches up to Cesar" by Jon BastianMillan highlighted a study.European researchers used GPS to track six vizslas over 14 long walks.

"Dogs that led more often had higher dominance ranks in everyday situations, assessed by a dominance questionnaire," the study found. Still, researchers admit "there is still much debate as to whether groups of domestic dogs have a social hierarchy."

Cesar Millan's training style has facedcriticism. Nicholas Dodman, a dog behaviorist and professor at the Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine, saysMillan is abusive.. Others point out Millan lacks medical or behavioral psychology credentials to back his theories.

In 2008, theAmerican Veterinary Society of Animal Behavioradvocated against using punishment when training dogs—like Millan's methods of pulling collars, forcing dogs onto their backs, or poking them in the stomach—except in certain cases.

Cesar Millan trains dogs by poking them in the stomach or pinning them down and grabbing their necks on his show, claiming he asserts dominance. But many behavior experts and trainers state the fear Millan sometimes causes dogs isactually harmful.

A 2009 paper in theJournal of Veterinary Behavior: Clinical Applications and Researchshows that efforts to establish dominance can actually make a dog more aggressive.

Dominance theory comes from studies on wolves in captivityconducted in the 1940s. Researchers found those wolves competed for dominance. However, Dave Mech, founder of the International Wolf Center in Minnesota, says more recent research contradicts this theory; wild wolves live in nuclear families that do not compete for dominance; the parents act as pack leaders.

“In the wild it works just like it does in the human family,” Mech toldLive Science. “They don’t have to fight to get to the top. When they mature and find a mate they are at the top.”

Manytrainers and behaviorists now push for building trustwith dogs as opposed to fostering an aggressive, fearful environment. "Discipline doesn't come in the form of screaming at your dog, hitting your dog or putting it into an alpha roll," trainer andIt's Me or the Doghost Victoria Stilwell said, according toTime.

"When you do that, instinct tells the dog to shut down, which looks like calming, but really you are making the dog more insecure."

Nicholas Dodman of the Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine says dogs need positive reinforcement training.Live ScienceYou build a dog's trust by ensuring it understands good things come only from you.

A 2004 paper inAnimal WelfareResearch found dogs became more obedient with reward-based training; punishment increased bad behavior. A 2008 study in theJournal of Veterinary Behaviorfound similar findings.

In one episode of Cesar Millan's show,Cesar 911Millan planned to train a dog attacking its family's pigs. During the training, the dog attacked a pig and blood was shed.the dog attacked a pigand blood was shed. An animal expert investigated the dog for cruelty.

The dog training techniques onCesar Millan's showMillan's show techniques contrast with positive reinforcement methods because they take time. Millan gets fast results for TV, but critics claim his methods have bad long-term effects.

Positive reinforcement takes time to work; it often takes too long for TV. Dogs need repeated training for results; there is no sudden event.

After Cesar Millan's show gained popularity,the American Humane Societyoffered harsh criticism, asking producers to cancel. They called Millan's work "cruel and dangerous," upset by his pinning animals and shock collars.

After viewer complaints, the National Geographic network beganissued an on-screen disclaimerin each episode: “Do not attempt these techniques yourself without consulting a professional.”

Ligia Morris consulted Cesar Millan for her three dogs. She was shocked by his methods to calm them.According to MorrisMillan told her she was not the right fit for her Brazilian mastiff because of the breed; only an alpha could control it, which she lacked.

The training brought quick positive effects. Morris then took her Brazilian mastiff to Millan's Dog Psychology Center abroad. Upon returning, she saw the dog had injured its eyelid. The center told her the dog was a "fighter," a trait not visible before Millan's training.

Soon after that stay, Morris saw her pet acting strange, getting upset when she left. She wrote, "My [dog] was damaged by those methods and developed an anxiety disorder. He got noise/storm phobia related to separation anxiety, which he never showed before those 10 days he was 'whispered to.'"