So I've started watching this show on the National Geographic Channel called Cesar Millan - Dog Whisperer. The basic concept is that you have an unruly dog, so you ask him for help in correcting the dog's behavior. He comes out to your home and environment and fixes the problem in literally like, 5 minutes. It's the most amazing thing I've seen.
Does this guy speak dog? It sure seems like it.
In actuality, what he's doing is training the owner. He shows owners how to establish dominance and let their dog know that their behavior is not OK. It's pretty darned neat, and I think that I may be taking a lesson or two away from these shows.
He shows owners how to change the "energy" that they project towards their dog. Just this one simple act shows the dog that they are not in charge...you are. The simple corrective act of snapping your fingers, pointing and making a "shh" sound immediately corrects every single dog's actions. They back down, move back and sit.
There is very little "physical" discipline. Tonight he showed one owner that reaching out and tapping her dog in an authoritative manner would stop the dog from jumping on her. Moving your foot out to deflect the dog's jump is OK. Immediately, this energetic collie-spaniel mix caught on and stopped. All over a change in energy, a verbal sound and a touch.
Think you can't teach an old dog new tricks. Nuh-uh. He's working this magic on dogs that are 9 years old. It's incredible.
Seeing this show has shown me that we've done quite a few things right with Fred. But there are some areas that require additional attention on our part. Because I value our dog and treasure our relationship with him, and want to be able to share his company with others, I have promised myself that I will learn from this show and direct some of this Dog Whisperer's techniques towards our own pup.
Seriously...this guy is amazing.
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