[Trickster]

Hate him. His 'training methods' (if you can call them that) go against all the principles of behavioural science and the learning theory. He does not make dogs 'calm submissive' -- he shuts them down to the point where they are too fearful to react.

There is a reason that all leading animal behaviour scientists in the field discredit his methods and believe his show should be taken off air.

 

[Trickster]

What show are you watching? Doesn't sound like the Dog Whisperer

Oh, it is definitely the Dog Whisperer.


Millan's techniques are almost exclusively based on two techniques: Flooding and positive punishment. In flooding, an animal is exposed to a fear (or aggression) evoking stimulus and prevented from leaving the situation, until it stops reacting.

Positive punishment refers to applying an aversive stimulus or correction as a consequence of a behavior. There are many concerns about punishment aside from its unpleasantness. Punishment is entirely inappropriate for most types of aggression and for any behavior that involves anxiety. Punishment can suppress most behavior but does not resolve the underlying problem, i.e., the fear or anxiety. Even in cases where correctly applied punishment might be considered appropriate, many conditions have to be met that most dog owners can't meet: The punishment has to be applied every time the behavior is displayed, within ½ second of the behavior, and at the correct intensity.

From Andrew Luescher, DVM, Veterinary Behaviorist
Animal Behavior Clinic
Purdue University

There is no such thing as 'calm assertive energy'. Dogs displaying 'calm assertive energy' on Cesars show are in fact highly stressed and have shut down. Their body language is not that of a happy dog. It looks good on TV but that is about it.

 

[Trickster]

but I've never seen one look fearful.

http://www.4pawsu.com/cesarfans.htm