Send your questions to The Dog Whisperer, Cesar Millan

[RachelMumsnet]

Great news for all those in The Dog House. We've been given the opportunity to send our canine questions to none other than the Dog Whisperer himself, Cesar Millan. Cesar is over in the UK to promote his forthcoming new series of the UK version of 'The Dog Whisperer' which will be aired in UK on Nat Geo Wild in early February 2011. We'll be filming some members of Mumsnet HQ (plus dogs) putting your questions to Cesar in January and we will be airing the film across the site at the end of January, to coincide with the launch of his new series. To stand a chance of getting your question to Cesar, post them to this thread before end of Tuesday 21st December 2010.

[willow]

Oh my God, I love this man. I need to get a dog, quick.

[Alouiseg]

Why do you use electric collars?

[willow]

Oh yes, I forgot about that bit... :(

[sheba1]

How can I encourage my dog not to wee in the house.

Most of the time our 18 month old spayed Deerhound is perfectly housetrained, but once every couple of months or so she does a wee in the house. She is more likely to do it when my Mother's dog is in the house.

We have wooden floors and as you can imagine a Deerhound bladder has a considerable capacity. Clearing them up is not much fun!

Why do you think she does this and how do we encourage her not to.

Thank you !

[arudolf]

oh! my DH adores your shows, when I was working abroad last year, he watched them all back to back on one of the digital channels, and is now trying to use some of your dog training techniques on our toddler. We're getting a spaniel next year which will give him a more canine experimental subject.

My question is - did you see the South Park episode in which you featured, and if so, did you enjoy it? We loved it, thought you were one of the least 'destroyed' celebs by the SP team :o

thanks!

[VallhalaLalalalalalalalaaaaaa]

I'd like to send something to him... in a poo bag.

I'd also like to ask - do you realise that you are actively contributing to the number of dogs being PTS or languishing in rescue by advocating the use of shock collars? The damn things often result in a fear aggressive/associative aggressive dog with which owners cannot cope. They then turn to already overwhelmed rescue to sort the problem out... or worse still, they have their dog PTS.

An example is Jack, a dog who has been handed into a rescue I work with. He has gone for 2 people - one who was using a TV remote and another who was using a mobile phone at the time. Jack's overall behaviour when in the presence of such hand-held items leaves us in no doubt that this is a direct result of the associative fear he learned when a previous owner used a shock collar on him.

This type of primitive, cruel practice makes Cesar Millan reviled throughout rescue - is he aware of that?

[minimu1]

Why does he use prong collar?
why does he use electric collars?
why does he not use positive reinforcement?
Why does he carry out the alpha roll?
Why does he promote negative punishment methods?
Is he away of the damage he is doing to many dogs and owners who try to follow his methods?

Actually I do not need him to answer any of those questions as I know they are doutdated and cruel training methods and should never be used.

Please Mumsneet HQ do not promote this mans training methods - all reputable training organisations in the UK and some abroad are advising of the harm his methods do.

Please do not go ahead with this.

[lisad123isasnuttyasaboxoffrogs]

how do i stop my dog barking everytime I go to feed him?

[minimu1]

outdated obviously

I am blaming the amazement that Mumsnet can even consider promoting or being involved with Cesar Milan.

[TotorosOcarnina]

I agree with mini, this man promotes brutal treatment of dogs and barbaric practices.

He uses fear and intimidation to control dogs.
Do eeposstive reenfrcement training!

[lisad123isasnuttyasaboxoffrogs]

wow, never seen a reaction like this since "she who cannot be named"
TBH I dont watch him, im more of a "its me or the dog" person. Is he that bad?
Dog Whisperer sounds nice and lovely but im guessing from your post thats not right :(

[TotorosOcarnina]

*dogs need positive reinforcement training.

[ILoveItWhenYouCallMeBoo]

I'd rather ask Val or minimu or midori tbh.

[PortlyBlackSantaUpAChimney]

Oooh i was just coming on to say something similar to above posts. But i see most of you got there before me.

Bully!

[midori1999]

I am also shocked and saddened. Can we not ask questions of s 'proper' (and qualified) canine behaviourist such as Jean Donaldson, Ian Dunbar or even Victoria Stillwell, all of whom employ positive methods?

As Cesar Millan's own show does not advocate people using his methods at home themselves, not sure what help he can give people tbh.

Plenty of animal welfare organisations in the UK and USA feel this man and his methods are cruel and outdated, that should be enough to tell people what he is really like.

Dog whisperer my eye, dog bully more like.

[stickersarecurrency]

MNHQ, I am really disappointed that you're giving this man a scrap of publicity. His methods are widely recognised as cruel, outdated and harmful and pose risk to both the dogs on the receiving end of his "rehabilitation" and to the unwitting owners who try to apply his techniques themselves. The major veterinary, rescue and dog behaviour organisations in the UK are so concerned that they united to denounce him. When I can get to the PC I will link for you.

Please don't go ahead with this. Every bit of publicity perpetuates these disproven, cruel methods and leads to dogs suffering physical and psychological harm.

[lisad123isasnuttyasaboxoffrogs]

if its the one I think of Mick runs the puppy classes near me

[lisad123isasnuttyasaboxoffrogs]

sorry we have richard

[WhatsWrongWithYou]

Gosh, sounds about as good an idea as inviting Samaritan's Purse on here!

I don't know anything about him (have probably caught snatches of his show a few times), but I'd trust the opinions of others on here who say he shouldn't be promoted.

Enough people have said so imho.

[Scuttlebutter]

Another one here who is horrified that MN is having anything to do with this man, who does not deserve the serious title of dog trainer or behaviourist. Look here to see the joint approach taken by Dogs Trust, RSPCA, and a host of other reputable and serious veterinary and welfare organisations who have serious misgivings about the aversive training methods used by Cesar Millan. Can I also add that thankfully Wales have now banned the electric shock collar which is something he uses and would hate to see this method of "training" being promoted.

[JustineMumsnet]

Hello folks,
Obviously we'd be happy to put all your questions and responses to Cesar Millan - including the reservations some have about his his training methods. His show does seem to be pretty popular however...

[ILoveItWhenYouCallMeBoo]

so it's a done deal?