OK so this is the opinion of a vet behaviourist...

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

I reviewed the four preview-videotapes kindly submitted to me by National Geographic. I very much appreciate having gotten the opportunity to see these tapes before the program goes on the air. I will be happy to review any programs that deal with domestic animal behavior and training. I believe this is a responsibility of our profession.I have been involved in continuing education for dog trainers for over 10 years... I must tell you that Millan’s techniques are outdated and unacceptable not only to the veterinary community, but also to dog trainers.
The show repeatedly cautions the viewers not to attempt these techniques at home. What then is the purpose of this show? I think we have to be realistic: people will try these techniques at home, much to the detriment of their pets.

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. Flooding has therefore always been considered a risky and cruel method of treatment.

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.

Most of the theoretical explanations that Millan gives regarding causes of the behavior problems are wrong. Not one of these dogs had any issue with dominance. Not one of these dogs wanted to control their owners. What he was right about was that calmness and consistency are extremely important, but they don’t make the presented methods appropriate or justifiable.

The last episode (compulsive disorder) is particularly unsettling because compulsive disorder is related to an imbalance in neurotransmitter levels or receptors, and is therefore unequivocally a medical condition. Would it be appropriate to treat obsessive compulsive disorder in people with punishment? Or have a layperson go around treating such patients?

My colleagues and I and innumerable leaders in the dog training community have worked now for decades to eliminate such cruel, ineffective (in terms of true cure) and inappropriate techniques.

Are you now suggesting that I am violent towards my dogs?

as I have said before, Im not totaly against him, he has his place,

the diff between you and gnasher though is.............

you are not so single minded, you dont see his way as the only way, you will look at all methods and see they have a place.

To be fair though, if people say they are a fan of CM or use his methods, or his methods have worked for them {Im not saying you have said this CC} I have skipped in and out of this thread a bit,

but if you had, people will question which method you used, if you know what I mean?

some of his methods would be leathal to a little Chi ...just playing devils advocate,

I think in threads like this, its better if people say exactly what they find useful about his methods, how they implemented them and the results they got with them,

or much could be left to interpratation, with is leathal on the net.

That's true Shona - I have an integrated and eclectic approach

What I learned from CM is to be calm around dogs. That's the most important thing I learned from him and I think it's the only part of his method I use. I first watched the dog whisperer programme before I started reading other stuff about dog behaviour and different methods.

So yeah, while I don't like some of the methods he uses and the 'diagnoses' he makes, I do like some of his approach towards dogs.

Can anyone tell me the result of the poll? I haven't voted so can't see

I have said before Shona that I have used the "finger jab" with my Chis, when talking to them has not worked. This is not something that is done to "hurt" or be "violent" to the dog, it is to gain their attention.

My dogs have been trained with CM's ideas in mind from the day they came into my home and the fact that they are all great little dogs must say something. I would never hurt, harm, frighten or intimidate any dog and the inference by Promethean that I do says alot about Promethean!!!!!!

I've had a few things said on this site about me that were untrue (as in I'm apparently an unethical breeder and other such poop........... ) but to infer that I am violent towards my beloved dogs, is a step too far

That's true Shona - I have an integrated and eclectic approach

What I learned from CM is to be calm around dogs. That's the most important thing I learned from him and I think it's the only part of his method I use. I first watched the dog whisperer programme before I started reading other stuff about dog behaviour and different methods.

So yeah, while I don't like some of the methods he uses and the 'diagnoses' he makes, I do like some of his approach towards dogs.

Can anyone tell me the result of the poll? I haven't voted so can't see

thank you for your honesty, sorry to ask questions you have already answered as said before, I tend to dive in and out of these threads, so I do miss things.

its good you cleared that up, but it could have been read that you string up the poor wee chi's if you had not cleared it up......its always good to say exactly what you believe in when it comes to this sort of topic.

I get your point Shona but tbh I tend to think that as I've been participating on Dogsey for about 7/8 months now, I assumed that people don't see me as some kind of dog beater! Regardless of what Promethean is trying to say here