Dog Whispering | Best Dog Training Methods

Dog Whispering – The New Way to Communicate With Your Dog

By Jack V. on Monday, May 17th, 2010 | No Comments

When talking about dog training, the hottest and latest thing is dog whispering. We are not talking about just “whispering” and talking softly to your dog, but taking it another step further.

Dog whispering looks deeply into your communication with your dog – understanding its actions and behavior. It is not a “proper” way of training, as it relies on intuition and different techniques, and therefore many trainers do not see it as a training method.

A very strong element which dog whispering is based upon is body language. As the dog is a social creature, it notices and follows body language. And as a trainer, you must know and learn your dog’s body language. It can help you understand your dog, and approach it the right way. Observing, understanding and absorbing are very important keys to improving communication with your dog. Respecting and understanding it will diminish any feelings of intimidation or threat.

Dog whispering can be looked at as a humanistic way to understand and reach out to your dog. It has no elements of commands or obedience. This training technique is based on trust and good relations, making it very natural for the dog to follow its trainer. Having a strong connection can do wonders in dog training, emphasizing the fact that there is no need for “harsh” behavior.

A dog trainer is something anyone of us can become. It takes a bit of effort, energy and time, but it is all worth the strong bond and relationship with your dog.

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Author: Jack V.
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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Cesar Millan, the Dog Whisperer – Pros and Cons

By Sephy Shake on Friday, May 14th, 2010 | No Comments

Cesar Millan is the host of the popular show the Dog Whisperer on the National Geographic channel. Cesar Millan is a charismatic and very entertaining host, and he has made The Dog Whisperer into a big favorite amongst dog owners. As a result, he has many fans that implement his techniques on their house pets. However, there are some who feel that Cesar Millan’s techniques are overly harsh and inappropriate for novice trainers (most pet owners). In this article, I examine Cesar Millan’s approach and discuss its pros and cons.

Pros of Cesar Millan’s Dog Training Philosophy:

Educates people on being a good pack leader. To be a good pack leader Cesar Millan talks about setting rules and boundaries for your dog and emphasizes the importance of maintaining calm and assertive energy.
Educates people to fulfill their dogs’ needs not just their own. Most dog owners are very aware of how dogs help us live happier, and fuller lives. What is often forgotten is that dogs have needs of their own. Cesar Millan talks about understanding a dog’s needs and helping him be a happy dog through exercise and discipline.
Shows people how to improve their dogs’ behavior regardless of breed and background. Some dog breeds have developed a really bad reputation, especially the Pit Bull Terrier. Cesar Millan does a really good job in showing people that all dogs can be rehabilitated regardless of breed and background.
Uses his pack of dogs to teach other dogs and improve their behavior. Cesar Millan shows people that the best teacher for a dog is another dog. While we may try and learn canine body language, we will never be as adept at using it as a canine.

Cons of Cesar Millan’s Dog Training Philosophy:

Limits exploration of other dog training techniques. Cesar Millan has an extremely confident, charismatic, and alpha personality that makes him very successful. Unfortunately, a side-effect is that people may just follow his techniques and not explore other alternatives (in particular reward based dog training techniques) that may be more appropriate for their dogs.
Even though Cesar Millan may sometimes say that changing a dog’s behavior takes time, his Dog Whisperer program shows the opposite. The format of The Dog Whisperer show is such that Cesar has to show results quickly to make the program interesting and engaging. Often times there is a timer which shows how Cesar solves a problem in minutes (5-15 minutes) that the owners have tried for months to solve. This encourages a fix it now or give up mentality among dog owners that may lead to more dogs being surrendered or destroyed.
Very little discussion on the proper equipment to use and the proper use of that equipment. Cesar Millan does advise his clients to put a dog’s collar high up on the neck, close to the head and ears. He also sometimes uses his Illusion collar to keep the collar from sliding down the neck. Sometimes, he just goes with what the owner is already using, thereby implicitly agreeing with the owner’s choice. Given that he is the expert, it would be helpful to have more of a discussion on the pros and cons of training equipment. Also, training collars, e.g. prong collar, choke chains, should not be left on a dog for long periods of time; they should be put on for a walk or a training session and removed otherwise. Studies have shown that extended use of choke chains may be harmful to your dog.
Little or no exploration on what type of leader we should be. It is important for us humans to become leaders of our dog pack but an important corollary question is what leader we should be. Cesar seems to support something more akin to a dictatorship, where everything the leader says goes, and not following a rule, brings about some kind of punishment whether it be a leash jerk, a finger poke, or an alpha roll. Between a dictatorship and no leadership is a wide range of other possibilities. Take into account your own temperament and the temperament of your dog to determine the best type of relationship.
Downplays the dangers and effects of aversive techniques. Cesar Millan uses a variety of aversive dog training techniques, including alpha rolls, leash jerks, and finger pokes. He often tells owners that these techniques do not cause the dogs any pain or stress, it is just meant to get the dogs’ attention. There is also an implication that these techniques are appropriate and humane because wolves do that to other wolves, or dogs do that to other dogs. Both of these statements are not very accurate.

For more on Cesar Millan and dog obedience training, visit the Shiba Shake Home

Author: Sephy Shake
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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Becoming A Better Dog Owner Through A Dog Whisperer

By Scott Jackson on Wednesday, May 12th, 2010 | No Comments

A dog whisperer is someone that claims to have the ability to communicate with dogs at a level that a common person can’t. They can give you insight into your dog’s behavioral problems and help you and your dog co-exist in the same home. The recent phenomenon is the result of countless appearances on daytime television like Oprah Winfrey, late night shows like Conan O’Brien, plus celebrity whisperers on cable television like Cesar Millan from National Geographic. Cesar has been referred to as the “Dr. Phil of dogs” and is known to come into a family and mediate whatever troubling issues exist between the family and their dog. It’s his goal to get the family and dog to co-exist happily and problem free. Cesar often jokes that he rehabilitates dogs and trains people.

A dog whisperer tends to communicate with dogs just like a dog. People make an all too common mistake of trying to employ human psychology with their dog. For instance, we are taught that shouting is a way to get the attention of another person, and this is correct. Who doesn’t turn their head or pay attention whenever someone shouts? A dog doesn’t know this. They will either ignore you all together or be frightened and confused by your loud voice. The worst part is they have no understanding as to why you are yelling so you aren’t successfully modifying their behavior.

Some people think it is a joke or some kind of sensationalized overly-priced hoax. While there are a number of showbiz trainers that claim dogs communicate specific thoughts and feelings to them, one shouldn’t automatically frown upon a the whisperer. We can actually learn a lot from how a theyr approaches a situation. One being that they treat dogs like dogs and use a dog “pack” philosophy to reverse negative dog behavior. This is commonly referred to as “alpha dog training”.

They use this method of training whenever they enter a home where an undisciplined dog is running the show. The alpha dog training places the human as the leader of the pack, establishing the dog as a follower. Troubled dogs often believe that everything revolves around them and feel like they can do whatever they please around the house. They will teach the dog owner that he or she must become the Alpha of the household for their dog to fully understand who is in charge, whose commands they listen to and what is expected of them. This way your dog reverses behavior that is a nuisance or danger to others like biting, growling and barking. It also works with things that are dangerous to the dog itself like chewing on electrical chords, getting into the garbage for scraps or running out the front door. Not to mention typical issues like potty training.

So, next time you are watching them on television, remember that while some things are likely pure entertainment, there are still lessons to be learned from the dog whisperers interaction with the dog.

Scott Jackson has been in the Pet Industry for over ten years. He has managed large Pet Specialty Retail stores and has worked as a distributor rep in the pet industry. He is a pet owner and lover who has extensive knowledge in pet nutrition and care. He runs a website http://www.coloradopetresources.com and http://www.dogandcatarticles.com where he gives information on pet care, location of Colorado independent pet retailers, vets, breeders and a general meeting place for pet lovers.

Visit http://www.coloradopetresources.com and find the information you need.

Author: Scott Jackson
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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Dog Whispering: Origins of a Phrase and a Philosophy

By Martin Olliver on Saturday, May 8th, 2010 | No Comments

What Is Dog Whispering?

Dog whispering is more than a matter of talking nicely to your dog.
It’s about understanding your dog by reading and interpreting its body language. In turn, you communicate your response to your dog through your body language and actions. From an outside perspective, the calm yet firm way of the whisperer gives the impression that he or she has a bond with the animal that is more natural, or even mystical.

That Movie

The phrase itself is a borrowing from “horse whisperer,” which became popular after Nicholas Evans’ 1995 novel of the same name was made into a Hollywood movie starring Robert Redford in 1998. The story centers on a real life horse trainer, Irishman Daniel Sullivan. In the early 1800s, Sullivan gained notoriety all over England with his uncanny ability to train and rehabilitate problem horses. He kept his techniques mostly secret and passed them down to his prodigy Willis J. Powell, who took the knowledge overseas to the Americas. There it was passed down again and again in the same way until this secretive method was ultimately revealed more openly.
The idea of “whispering” as a form of training and especially rehabilitating problem horses began to be applied in a wider sense, not only to cattle and livestock, but also to domesticated pets, especially dogs. Dog whispering, like horse whispering, places a heavy investment in understanding the dog by studying their behavior, and responding to them with calm and firm guidance in turn.

That Guy

The best known dog whisperer today is Cesar Millan, who gained fame with his television series, The Dog Whisperer, on the National Geographic Channel. Originally from Mexico, Millan came to the United States in the 1990s. Knowing he had a proven ability to communicate with dogs in a healthy, productive, and humane way, he set out to help dog owners do the same.
Millan’s techniques emphasize the importance of establishing yourself as a confident and dependable leader, and his philosophy revolves around the principles of “exercise, discipline and affection.”

Nothing Too New

Even though Millan popularized the “Dog Whisperer” tag, and “dog whispering” has become a very hot topic in dog obedience training, the method and techniques it refers to are not necessarily new, nor are they unique to Cesar Millan. Though it should be said that Millan is a genuinely intuitive and caring dog trainer (or “rehabilitator,” as he calls himself), and he offers a great deal to troubled dogs – and troubled trainers.

Dog whispering as a dog training philosophy has been around for as long as there have been owners and trainers who deeply understand and respect these animals on their terms and “in their language.” It simply occurred under different names.

Either way, those who embrace this philosophy all have one thing in common: they treat dogs neither as humans on four legs or as personal servants at our command, but as dogs.

Martin Olliver has over 12 years experience in dog training and is a proud member of the Kingdom of Pets team (http://www.kingdomofpets.com). For more great articles on dog training, including Dog Whispering: 2 Common Misconceptions, visit http://www.kingdomofpets.com/dogobediencetraining/articles/dog_whispering.php

Author: Martin Olliver
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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Dog Training – How To Become A Dog Whisperer

By Eric Letendre on Thursday, May 6th, 2010 | 1 Comment

From the movie directed by Robert Redford, “The Horse Whisperer:” A horse whisperer is a horse trainer who adopts a sympathetic view of the motives, needs and desires of the horse, based on modern equine psychology.

The term goes back to the early 19th century when an Irish horseman, Daniel Sullivan, made a name for himself in England by rehabilitating horses that had become vicious and intractable due to abuse or accidental trauma.

Since the movie “The Horse Whisperer,” the term Dog Whisperer has been developed and used by some dog trainers. The most popular trainer that calls himself the Dog Whisperer is Cesar Milan, but he is not the only trainer who uses that term. Paul Owen, who wrote the book “The Dog Whisperer,” calls himself the Original Dog Whisperer and uses a much different approach to dog training than Cesar Milan.

In this article I am going to discuss becoming a dog whisperer by using the explanation described above: A horse whisperer is a horse trainer who adopts a sympathetic view of the motives, needs, and desires of the horse, based on modern equine psychology. A dog whisperer is a dog trainer who adopts a sympathetic view of the motives, needs and desires of the dog, based on modern canine psychology.

Adopt a sympathetic view of your dog’s motives. Your dog’s motives, needs and desires are simple. Every dog has social needs, the desire to interact and play. Your dog needs to have food and water and your dog needs a sleeping area.

With a clear understanding of your dog’s needs and desires, you are able to use them to communicate to your dog and also set up boundaries to help your dog overcome any behavior problems and to live in a domestic situation.

Dogs are extremely social animals. We want to control the social interactions between us and our dogs. Depending on your dog’s behavior problems we can use your dog’s social needs to deal with any behavior problems.

For instance, some dogs are very demanding and slap their paws at the owner. The owner in turn pays attention and pets their dog. The dog learns that by pawing at the owner, the dog gets the owner’s attention. To control social contact we can have the dog perform a quick obedience command. This puts the owner in control.

Playing is also very important to dogs. When you play you need to control the game. Many dogs love to play by their rules. I have seen a large number of dogs that love to steal socks or underwear or any object that they can get.

The dog walks into the room, sees the laundry basket and grabs the socks. The family members see the dog stealing the socks and take off after the dog. The dog loves this and runs around the couch, under the table and behind the chairs. If you look at it from the dog’s point of view, the dog is training everyone to play by his rules. The dog is leading, the humans are following. We always want to be the leaders, not the followers.

Have your dog do sit stay for meals. Controlling your dog’s food is a great way to communicate to your dog. Controlling the feeding times and by having your dog perform a command like “stay” for her meals is a great way to let your dog know who the leader is.

The stronger you are as the leader, the easier it is for the dog to live with us. Food is a great way to train and motivate your dog. By controlling your dog’s food, you can control your dog’s behavior. Your dog should always have access to water. Never use water to train your dog.

Your dog needs to understand that you are in charge of sleeping areas. Your dog should understand that you are in charge of the furniture and beds. It is okay to allow your dog up on the furniture–as long as they understand that it is your space and not theirs. Many dogs become very defensive of their sleeping areas.

If you allow your dog on the furniture make sure he understands that it is your. When your dog is young, keep a leash on your dog in the house. When your dog jumps up on the couch, walk over to him and say “Good dog, off.” Then pick up the leash and gently pull your dog off the couch. In time your dog will learn the command and get off when you say so.

Those are the basic steps to becoming a dog whisperer. Learning about dog behavior is a lifelong study. After 18 years of training dogs I still attend seminars, workshops, read, view DVDs and work with other trainers.

If you are really serious about becoming a dog trainer a great place to start is the Association of Pet Dog Trainers. It is a great resource for dog trainers and anyone interested in becoming a dog trainer.

Eric Letendre the author of The Amazing Dog Training Man invites you to visit http://www.amazingdogtrainingman.com for leading edge dog training tips, instructional video clips and articles that will help you train and understand your dog. You can also get free dog training updates with a free Smart Dog Newsletter subscription, available at http://www.amazingdogtrainingman.com

Author: Eric Letendre
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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How To Be a Dog Whisperer

By Aidan Bindoff on Tuesday, May 4th, 2010 | No Comments

What is a “Dog Whisperer”?

Plenty of people call themselves a dog whisperer, usually for commercial gain. Since the success of Monty Roberts, the Horse Whisperer, it seems to be a title almost anyone can brand themselves with – so long as they are not Horse Whisperers (that one is owned and trademarked by Monty Roberts).

I’ve yet to see anyone “whisper” to a dog (or a horse) and have the animal magically do anything that it wasn’t trained to do.

I remember one occassion where some people had bought a horse and were collecting it from the property where we kept our horse. This horse was terrified of being floated (trailered), made all the worse for the desperate new owner’s heavy-handed techniques for attempting to force the horse into the trailer.

In a few minutes I taught the horse to touch my hand, then had it follow my hand into the trailer. Problem solved.

What do you think they called me? A “Horse Whisperer”! I thought it was funny – I was simply using Operant Conditioning, positive reinforcement for the behavior of horse touching my hand with nose in exchange for carrot.

There are also many times I have been faced with a nervous, fearful or aggressive dog. In true “dog whisperer style”, I have been able to approach the cautious canine and befriend it where others have not been able to.

I do not attribute this to any magical powers of animal communication, I simply understand a little (just a little) dog body language and I am able to communicate some of that back to the dog.

Once you understand a little about dog behavior, and can read the outward signs of inward emotional states in canines, you can do much more than someone who does not understand dog behavior and cannot read a dog.

Dog Whispering really comes down to three things:

1. Experience

2. Education

3. Empathy

Experience is nothing without Education, coupled with some clear and critical thinking. The flip-side is that Education is nothing without Experience. A bit of both will greatly enhance your “dog whispering” abilities!

Empathy is necessary. A dog whisperer is not heavy-handed, abusive, or even authoritarian. A dog whisperer is understanding of why the dog is behaving as he is, and seeks to balance the dog’s needs with the owner’s needs in a complementary fashion.

Leadership is the name of the game here, but we’ve moved on a bit from the old “alpha-roll, show ‘em who’s boss” domination style and tended towards a more empathic and co-operative approach. This does not confuse the dog as to who is the leader, in fact, a more predictable and compassionate owner is usually one that is easier and more fun for the dog to follow!

So get out there and learn how to be a dog whisperer. Read books. Watch your own dogs. Go down to the dog park and watch other people’s dogs. Attend seminars. Read articles. Join email lists. Try to understand your dogs. Combine education with experience and empathy and you will be well on your way to becoming a bona-fide dog whisperer!

Aidan Bindoff is Editor of http://www.PositivePetzine.com, a free ezine for people training their own dogs. Each edition has easy to use training advice based on positive reinforcement methods. Subscribers have access to a large archive of back-issues they can consult for just about any behavior or behavior problem.

Author: Aidan Bindoff
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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“Dog Whisper” You Say? But What is Dog Whispering Really?

By Rena Murray on Sunday, May 2nd, 2010 | No Comments

Dog Whispering, Dog Whisper Secrets, whatever you choose to call it . . . “Dog Whisper” is very common in America today. Just about everybody has heard about National Geographic’s “Dog Whisperer” and Cesar Millan. But what is it really?

Although the term “Dog Whispering” is widely used by many and is a hot topic of discussion, it is seldom understood and is often misused in many ways. There are variations even among those who apply this approach, lending greater confusion to the public at large.

Dog whispering is a method that has been around since the 1700′s. (Probably before, but that is the earliest time I know of.) It is communication without words with your dog. Dog body language is the way he speaks and says: “Yes, No, I want, please . . .” and so on.

Dog whispering is essentially communicating with your dog on his level and working with him from his point of view, as a dog pack leader would do. It’s a familiar communication system your dog understands instinctively and to which he will respond appropriately if you are a consistent, trustworthy leader.

Rather than shout at my dog, or use a tool such as a clicker, choke chain, or electronic collar, I give him a physical touch with my hand. This imitates a Pack Leader’s bite to show my displeasure of an action. If I use “No,” it is with a low, authoritative voice much like a growl to him.

Let’s say that I am working with a possessive dog. He is snarling at me to leave his toy or food alone. I maintain eye contact with him until he releases the toy. Then I claim it, and return it to him only when he is calm.

How do you “claim” something? Hold your posture with an air of authority as though you were in the military, and hold steady eye contact with your dog until he releases the object. (Never take something from a dog until he has released it.)

When the dog has released the object, place your feet between the dog and the object, so that the object is immediately behind you. (Use another object to block the dog if you are the least bit nervous – Your nervousness will cause you to be bitten.) Your feet should be about half-way between a military “At ease” and “Atten-hut!”

Hold the eye contact, your feet, and your posture until the dog has calmly walked away or laid down and turned his head and eyes away. This shows that the dog has surrendered the space or object. Never move before the dog has given in. The results can be painful!

As you see, “Dog Whispering” is much more about leadership, focus, and taking your time than anything else. It’s far more humane and effective than most other methods. You need to do it right, though – so with difficult or threatening situations, no one short of a professional should try. Get help from a dog whisper trainer!

Learn more Dog Whispering on Squidoo at Dog Whisper With Rena. GET HELP from Rena Murray at the Dog Obedience Training | Dog Whisper website. Proven Dog Behavior Modification Expert – Dog Obedience Trainer – Platinum Expert Author, Rena Murray debunks Dog Training Myths in hands-on Articles, free “Best Ezines” newsletter – PAW PERSUASION POINTERS, and blatant Blog to help you better understand, communicate with, control and enjoy your dogs. Whatever your Dog Behavior Problem – puppy house training, destructive dog behavior, obsessive dog behavior, dog instinctive behavior, or cool dog tricks – Rena boldly addresses all your Dog Training and Dog Rehabilitation needs. Get your FREE Newsletter Subscription at http://www.PawPersuasion.com, and check out the Dog Products, Dog Lover Gifts, and all things dog-related. Need more help? Contact Rena for Coaching.

Author: Rena Murray
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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What’s All This Fuss About Dog Whispering?

By Chris S on Friday, April 30th, 2010 | No Comments

The latest buzz word in the dog training industry is definitely dog whispering, with self proclaimed “Dog Whisperers” popping up all over the place.

But what does it mean to be a dog whisperer?

Is it just a sneaky marketing ploy by unscrupulous dog trainers?

Firstly, it is most certainly a legitimate skill. A proficient dog whisperer has the ability to build a very close bond with the canine species. This comes about by making a direct connection to the dogs mind and natural instincts. This enables the human and dog to enjoy a two way form of communication which many dog owners struggle to reach.

Where Did Dog Whispering Come From?

Even though dog whispering has been practiced for many years the term “Dog Whisperer” didn’t surface until around 1998. It was most probably pinched from the equine world where people who utilize similar methods with horses are called “Horse Whisperers”.

How Does A Dog Whisperer Train Dogs?

Firstly they treat dogs as dogs, a completely different species to us humans. Dog whispering in a training context is motivational, non violent and based on repetition and positive reinforcement. Dog whisperer’s learn to identify and understand the way our dogs communicate with us. They pick up and interpret the dogs energy, body language, facial expression, the movement of ears and tail, overall posture and voice (barking, growling). They then shape the dogs behavior through the use of their own energy, body language and soft voice – in a consistent and always reliable manner.

Can Anyone Be A Dog Whisperer?

Yes, of course. There are plenty of good books by such dog whispering experts such as Cesar Millan, Paul Owens and John Richardson which will give you all the knowledge you need to become a dog whisperer. The best ways to learn dog whispering is to spend heaps of time closely studying your own dog, watching how dogs interact with each other at the dog park or maybe by viewing a few lessons from a good dog trainer. Take a step back, keep quiet and observe, your dog will be much happier for it.

Chris Smith is a dedicated dog owner and creator of Dog Obedience Training Review.

Discover how to train your puppy or older dog yourself, at home. Try these cutting edge dog training techniques, including Dog Whispering.

Author: Chris S
Article Source: EzineArticles.com

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