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Cesar FAQs: Part One

Posted Sun, Jul 20, 2008, 9:35 pm PDT

For those of you new to this blog, I want to take the next two entries to answer some questions that I am asked on a regular basis. So if you are a new fan of the show, or just a dog lover unfamiliar with my methods, this should give you a better idea of who I am and what I do.

Why do they call you "The Dog Whisperer"?
I grew up in Mexico surrounded by dogs, and I got to see for myself how they interacted with each other and as a pack. For me, it's just instinctual -- I understand how they think and behave, so I can relate to them and communicate with them. 

What makes you different from a normal dog trainer?
I don't teach commands like "sit," "stay," or "come." I deal with dogs with behavioral issues that come from imbalance. If a dog is not getting his needs met as an animal, then he cannot have peace or balance in his life. I rehabilitate dogs by fulfilling the animal part of them through "exercise, discipline, and affection." In that order.

Can I become a "Dog Whisperer"?
Everyone can learn to better communicate with their dog by using their intention and energy. So, in a way, you can. But there is also a very specific set of skills that you need in order to deal with some problem behaviors - like aggression. You have to know how the animal thinks and be prepared to deal with the issues your dog has. I always recommend seeking professional help if the behavioral problems are severe.

Have you ever been bitten by a dog you are rehabilitating?
I have been bitten, but nothing very serious. It's one of the risks of dealing with unbalanced dogs. It's part of the job! 

More next time!

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29 Comments

  • 1. ilovebulldogs123 - 6:07AM on 07/21/08

    My one year old dog loves to chew socks and anything that's on the ground. What can I do to stop this behavior?!

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  • 2. MICHAEL G - 6:26AM on 07/21/08

    Don't leave things on the floor :), and teach your dog to "leave it!". Use small food rewards each time they do as you ask them. It takes consistency on your part.

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  • 3. Byrd - 7:14AM on 07/21/08

    I just found this blog a few months ago and I can't get enough of Cesar's advice. I have two 1.5 yr old yorkshire terriers and have two issues with them. One is when they wake up in the morning, they will bark occassionally. I can't do anything about that since I'm upstairs sleeping, then by the time they hear me come downstairs, they stop. But the thing that really gets me is that one dog loves to go on walks and the second dog will just sit and not move once we get past the driveway. Sometimes, he'll just go about 100 feet in either direction. On a rare occasion, he'll go out walking for about 45 minutes to an hour. I can't figure out why he'll walk (rarely) and why he won't move and prefer to just sit and explore (most of the time). I have recently bought a dog stroller for him so that we all can enjoy the walk together, one way or another. His brother loves to walk. Any suggestions?

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  • 4. Cha-Cha - 7:38AM on 07/21/08

    Byrd, I had this problem too with a Terrier and a Cha-Wiener dog. The Terrier would walk and the Cha-Wiener did not want to. A yard sale baby buggy solved that problem, the Terrier walks and the Cha-Wiener rides. Everyone's Happy

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  • 5. coopsha8 - 8:23PM on 07/21/08

    There is no doubt in my mind or heart that I never would have had the success with my new Boxer Puppy (10 months in a few days) if I had not subscribed and followed "Cesar's Way". I've had Boxers from early childhood, but never had one who had been "Cesarized" from the moment he came home from the Breeders. The difference has been amazing and absolutely what has given me a "Tool Kit" to meet most situations head on. Cesar Millan is to dogs/owners what Dr Spock was to childre only BETTER. Having a dog who is happier, healthier and balanced to me is having Cesar Millan's Way the path we follow to a "T". If you don' t know Cesar or aren't making Cesar's Way a part of your life with your dog---you can't know the joys of having a dog who is in step or a few steps behind waiting for you to lead them. Thank you Cesar for everything never before known, used or enjoying fully with my dog. Elaine and Alfie

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  • 6. enajade34 - 12:39AM on 07/22/08

    i love my dog oreo im not sure what mix he is

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  • 7. Pepper W - 9:24AM on 07/22/08

    We, an 80 year old female and 72 year old female have an Italian Greyhound, Ellie. Ellie is 1.5 yrs old. She is housetrained and really very smart, but we cannot get her to stop jumping on every one and biting us when we go out the door. She bites you in the ankle or grabs your clothing and often tears it. I spray water on her, but she keeps coming. Today she brought blood on my hand when I went out of front door to get the paper. She steals food off of people's plates or even out of their hand when she can. She is well fed and well cared for. When you tell her that she is a bad doggie, she does not show remorse like my last IG and the dog before that was IG and Chihuahua mix. I have started putting her in her crate which I know, from your book, should not be used for punishment, but I have to do that when she is real bad or we have company. Please give me some advise. Pepper Warrens

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  • 8. michaelk_sixty9 - 2:32PM on 07/22/08

    my dog (three years old) is great in every way . . . very kind, gentle, sweet, obedient, etc . . . but when he is in the car, he goes crazy .. . whining and crying and squeaking and jumping . .. really, really hysterical . . and nothing seems to calm him down? And yet we know that he is not afraid of the car, as he is quite often totally calm and silent on the way home from a trip, and often even curls up and sleeps?? So it really is just on the outbound journey, which makes me just think that it is excitement, but it is still rather distracting! Any ideas of how to break this habit??

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  • 9. rosemariecoates - 4:01PM on 07/22/08

    I have a 10 month old Lab who likes to bark in the house. When she is outside or on a walk she doesn't bark at people or other dogs. She will bark when she wants to comein. How do I get her to stop barking in the house?

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  • 10. mammatomax - 6:48AM on 07/23/08

    I have a Blue Heeler that is 2 years old but he doesn't have a "job". I understand that Max is a herding dog by nature, but my cats don't appreciate being herded. I live in town and don't have access to farm animals that Max could use his skills on. I was told my an acquaintance that Max's "job" could be as simple as picking up and putting away his toys daily. He's extremely intelligent, but I'm not sure how to begin teaching him this task. Do you have any suggestions?

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  • 11. ilovebulldogs123 - 8:32AM on 07/23/08

    I suggest you start with fetching and returning. Teach him to drop the toy into your hand. Then when he finally understands how to do that, bring him to the toy basket with his favorite toy, and tell him to " Pick up his toys" , or " Put away your toys". It will take a lot of patience ... and treats!!!

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  • 12. ilovebulldogs123 - 8:36AM on 07/23/08

    My puppy has finally been allowed to sleep in my room. He's at the foot of my bed in his crate. But every night he wakes me up at 4:00 am. and he's always whining really badly to the point where I have to give in and let him sleep in my bed. Because it's the only way to get him to shut up! My mom says if he keeps doing this, he cant stay in my room anymore!!!!!! What should I do?!?!?!?

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  • 13. zipdiddydo - 9:59AM on 07/23/08

    I have a 11 month old Boston Terrier who thinks the world is hers. She is very sweet but when new people come to the house she will bark and I do not truet her not to bit. She is wonderful with all kids but she does not like to meet new adults. She also now barks when my boyfriend and I HUG. We also have a beagle, lab, and german shepard. The beagle who is 5 will go after the shepard anytime he just walks to close to her. The shepard is my boyfriends dog the other 2 are mine, we just moved in together 3 weks agao. Any thoughts.

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  • 14. billd68h - 10:31AM on 07/23/08

    How successful is "clicker training". I have a 5 month old miniature poodle. Thanks for any info.

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  • 15. KRISTY W - 8:31AM on 07/26/08

    Help! I have a 4month old Pembroke Welsh Corgi that I have had for about a month. She runs from me but will come right to my 9 year old and 14 year old. I don't remember having this problem with my 15 yr old mixed breed. What should I do? I have tried everything from towering over her to sitting on the floor more to her level.

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  • 16. deayar45@sbcglobal.net - 7:42PM on 07/26/08

    I have a small 1yr old dog, he is paper trained and nutered. However he will urinate on pads but will not poop on pads. How could I teach him to do both on the pads?

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  • 17. claudiammtz75 - 1:35PM on 07/27/08

    mi perrro chihuahua hace pipie en sus pads cuando esta en casa peor cuando lo llevo de fin de semana con mi familia aunque le pongo los mismos pads hace pipi por todos lados y ya tiene 2 años. hay manera de educarlo aun?

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  • 18. claudiammtz75 - 1:35PM on 07/27/08

    My chihuahua dog has a bad experience twice with sentry pro flea & tick. Afer the day I applied the sentry pro he begins to shake a lot his legs and he cant walk. The first time I went to the vet but he told me tht was a dislocation rotula, but 45 days after I used again sentry pro montly flea & tick and he has the same allergic or symtom. I call to Benito's vet and he told me that the problem is a reaction of this prooduct. DONT BUY THIS PRODUCT!!!!

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  • 19. ilovebulldogs123 - 1:52PM on 07/27/08

    Deayar45, I also have a one year old dog, but he goes outside to do his business. So I suggest you try taking your dog outside to go do his business. When you get him out, just keep telling him to " go pee" and don't take him inside until he goes. Hope that helps!!

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  • 20. ilovebulldogs123 - 1:52PM on 07/27/08

    Deayar45, I also have a one year old dog, but he goes outside to do his business. So I suggest you try taking your dog outside to go do his business. When you get him out, just keep telling him to " go pee" and don't take him inside until he goes. Hope that helps!!

    Report Abuse
  • 21. Wanda C - 5:21AM on 07/28/08

    my yorkie .uses the pads ,she is still a baby 3 months .but there are times when i do not catch her she will poo on the floor should i just fuss and fuss at her .or pick her up to be put out side after it is over

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  • 22. gmcafontana - 6:33AM on 08/06/08

    I just adopted 2 collie/husky puppies (brother and sister) they are 8 weeks old and they have had 2 occasions where they have shown aggression toward each other. The male gets aggressive with food and goes after the female if she has food left. We fixed this problem by feeding them separately. The second occasion involved no food, I do not know how the fight started by the female got the better of the two and the male was bleeding around his neck. What do I do besides keeping them separated?

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  • 23. Vic - 11:07AM on 08/06/08

    We recently adopted two terrier mix dogs about 1 year old from a rescue organization. They had been dumped and then chased and possibly abused by a man who didn't want them on his property. One dog is doing very well, but the second dog is afraid on most adults, especially men (even our son). Also, the dogs have learned how to climb chain link fence. They get into neighbors yards and gardens and now are getting out to the road. We have tried to teach them not to do this, but they wait until we are not watching and go over the fence. Please give us some advice!

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  • 24. scotnbob - 12:25PM on 08/12/08

    What's the best way to introduce the new baby to the family rottie?

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  • 25. sweetlazydaisy - 4:35PM on 08/16/08

    hi love your show we have this dog .where not sure what mixer he is my kids say he looks like scooby doo lol but iam curious to know his mixture.the we see says hes heinze 57.but iam just wondering ty

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  • 26. jsnana - 5:23AM on 08/17/08

    Hi, My daughter has a two yr. old pitt who's as adorable and better behaved than my two yr. old grandson. In fact, OJ (Oscar, Jr.) is his dog. My problem is that he's not trained at all. He's house broken and that's it. Not leash trained, cage trained and does not understand simple commands such as sit and stay. I'm such this has shown up in this blog before and I've missed it. I'm watching him now because of an injury to his leg and my daughter doesn't like to leave him by himself. He likes to break out of the house. Which he's done a couple of times by pushing out the window air conditioner and jumping out the window. It's and expensive habit we can't break and don't know how. In fact, my husband and I gated him in the kitchen yesterday and pushed a heavy recliner in front of the gates and OJ moved the recliner. He didn't do any damage except to get to some popcorn on the counter, it's just that we didn't think he could move the recliner. Any ideas? Karen PS... Love your show

    Report Abuse
  • 27. jsnana - 5:23AM on 08/17/08

    Hi, My daughter has a two yr. old pitt who's as adorable and better behaved than my two yr. old grandson. In fact, OJ (Oscar, Jr.) is his dog. My problem is that he's not trained at all. He's house broken and that's it. Not leash trained, cage trained and does not understand simple commands such as sit and stay. I'm such this has shown up in this blog before and I've missed it. I'm watching him now because of an injury to his leg and my daughter doesn't like to leave him by himself. He likes to break out of the house. Which he's done a couple of times by pushing out the window air conditioner and jumping out the window. It's and expensive habit we can't break and don't know how. In fact, my husband and I gated him in the kitchen yesterday and pushed a heavy recliner in front of the gates and OJ moved the recliner. He didn't do any damage except to get to some popcorn on the counter, it's just that we didn't think he could move the recliner. Any ideas? Karen PS... Love your show

    Report Abuse
  • 28. gorgeouslatina12 - 9:40PM on 08/24/08

    i have a 5 month old mini doberman pincher (nt sure i spelled it right) she is very hyper and i cants seem to calm her down.iv tried a couple things, but still no sucess. also having a problem with hose breaking her.. pls help!!!!

    Report Abuse
  • 29. karrena47 - 3:36PM on 08/27/08

    hi i have a 2 1/2 pointer/ grayhound and he is very stressful of things, he seams to need to be around people all the time we got him a friend and it has helped to some digree but he still finds it hard being left at home i cant leave him in doors as he destroys my funichuer i wont give up on him but is there any advice to help he with him as he is a rescue dog so is his mate (he dose get skipper into trouble some times)bailey is a loving and carm dog when we are with him it is just when we have to leave them both at home that there is a problem hope some one can help. i have changed there diat and they eat fresh meat and veg witch i make every day as i have cut out the coulorants from the store made food, he walks on the lead fine and off the lead fine and he has come a long way as he would not leave my side when i fist got him as he was sceard of everything and every one now he loves exploring in the trees and bushes (he dose come back when i call) and loves the attention from all that give it to him hope some one can help me with this problem Carol

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