Let’s be real. Cesar Millan has the magic touch. It almost seems wrong to call him just a “dog behaviorist” or “pet trainer” because the guy is seriously on another level — and his reputation as the Dog Whisperer is well-earned. Suffice it to say, if Millan is giving you tips on how to whip your dog’s bad habits into shape, you’d better take his advice to heart.
We chatted with Cesar Millan to ask him some of our most pressing dog-training questions, and his answers delivered some solid advice.
Dog owners make training mistakes
SheKnows: What is the biggest mistake that pet owners make with their dogs?
Cesar Millan: The most common mistake I see is not following what I call the fulfillment formula — that is, exercise, discipline then affection. We tend to give affection, affection, affection and this creates unstable dogs and bad behavior because then you have trouble earning your dog’s trust, respect and loyalty.
Dog training formula: Exercise, discipline and affection
SK: How can owners instill discipline in their dogs, other than the usual “sit” and “stay” commands?
CM: This is about leadership and energy. Most training seeks to teach dogs how to obey commands, while my philosophy is more about rehabilitation through exercise, discipline and affection. A dog may be very well-trained and still be unbalanced, just as a balanced dog may not be trained. We need to start with the principles before we can get to the techniques (training methods) and that is how we achieve a positive outcome (good behavior).
Lead your dogs by example
SK: What if a dog receives one or two walks a day and still misbehaves?
CM: The walk is exercise and that’s great — but that’s only part of the formula. Dogs need discipline too — this is where rules, boundaries and limitations come in. Leadership is about showing the dogs — through your actions and energy — what you expect of them. Remember that you have to be consistent. If you break the rules, they will too!
More: How to Care for Your Dog’s Teeth at Any Age
Be a strong pack leader
SK: And what if a dog is constantly destroying the house?
CM: The dog is trying to tell you something! Either he’s not getting enough exercise to drain his energy, he’s bored and understimulated, or you are not being as calm and assertive a pack leader as you need to be. The reality is that most people have to go to work and leave their dogs alone for several hours a day. So you need to get the dog, right from puppyhood, used to that reality so the dog gets used to being alone without exerting frustration.
Walk dogs into calm
SK: What can dog owners do to reduce the likelihood their dogs will misbehave when the dogs are left alone in the house?
CM: It helps to start the day with a good, fast walk. And that’s not a walk where the dog is peeing on every tree and barking at every other dog on the street… which will just put him in an excited state. Then when you lock him up inside the house with that kind of energy, he’s more likely to be destructive. You want him in a calm, submissive state and a brisk walk, run or bike ride is the best way to achieve that.
Also, find activities that stimulate his mind and challenge him, like search-and-rescue activities. Try a treat ball or a Kong toy, have him wear a backpack on the walk, go for a pack walk with your neighbors and their dogs, or play a game with him, even for 10 minutes before you leave the house, that challenges him to use his nose.
It’s very important to analyze your own emotions and feelings. Are you trying to get away from something? How do you feel about your relationships? Remember that dogs are a reflection of us, so when we work with them, we are also working on ourselves.
Next Up: Dogs are mean — or are they?
Originally published November 2010. Updated May 2017.
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