I am the pack leader. My dachshunds respect me. I am the pack leader. My dachshunds are dogs - they are not my children. I am the pack leader. I will not be owned by my dachshunds. I am the pack leader.
Calm and assertive.
This is my mantra. I learned it from the great one - my Oprah - Cesar Millan, the dog whisperer.
If you haven't seen his show, go watch his podcasts immediately. He is amazing. Even though I tend to question what I see on TV, Cesar's work HAS to be all real. Otherwise my entire belief system will be crushed. Especially since it works.
When the one who pees (Theo) joined our family, Calvin started to challenge me. He took on the role of protector of the family, all of a sudden showing signs of aggression that we had never seen before. He sensed that I was unsure - and I was - so he warded off other dogs, squirrels, people, birds, leaves, twigs, shadows, echos, and anything else that he determined needed a bark. He embarrassed me on walks by lunging at other dogs and worst of all, he was slowly teaching Theo to do the same.
Luckily, I knew who I could turn to.
-note: they are NOT the boss of me-If Cesar can take a 200lb monster that just tried to rip his heart through his chest while making sure that 429 other pitbulls all stand on each other's shoulders in perfect pyramid formation, surely I can control my combined 20lbs of dachshund.
So we walked. I put my iPod in and really hoofed it. The boys were too busy trying to keep up to notice what was going on around them. I never looked back, I never paused to let them sniff, we just walked. Keep up or good luck finding a bed of leaves as comfortable as my bed, losers...
It took practice to not tense up when other dogs came into view. If I tensed, they tensed - as a pack, we were connected. And that was that.
-boss of all things nature-Four walks and my dogs learned who's boss. Without punishing them, without yelling or struggling or pulling my hair out or donating them to the circus, they learned that I can take care of them. That I make the rules. That I determine when we need to worry or fend off strangers.
Three days ago, we walked past a huskie, a dalmation, a rottweiler, a beagle, two yorkies, two shih-tzus, a golden retriever, and a boxer - all of which barked at my boys. Each time, they looked up at me, the hairs on their spines went down, and we kept on walkin'.
Calm and assertive...
Except when I'm celebrating my triumph over to small dachshunds. Then it's totally fair to boogie down with gusto! Sorry Cesar...
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20 comments:
Cesar is a god, and I just don't understand it (like most religion.) I am constantly trying that "tsh" noise he makes and the dog snaps into proper behavior and I never get even a flicker of recognition from the pooch in question.
I have totally tried the dog whisperer's tactics and my dog is still batshit crazy. I even tried to project a good aura around myself. No dice.
people often see let off certain energies that they aren't aware of and that's the great thing about Cesar. He is so perceptive that he can show you HOW you're being "weak" (well what's considred weak to a dog). The other great thing is that he doesn't necessarily try the same tactics with every dog, with the exception of being calm and assertive.
I can honestly say that because of Cesar, Bogey and I have a great relationship now. We still have things to work on, which is why I watch his show obsessivly (ok, so he's easy on the eyes, too...)
Cesar Milan has definitely worked his magic in my relationship with Tofu. Projecting confidence and positive energy really just makes sense for life in general anyway. I continue to watch his show (and will now check out the podcasts) because I think there's always something to work on or at least maintain in the relationship.
Sweet Lord, I love that Cesar Milan. As first time dog owners, we watched his show obsessively. There are a couple of beagles in our building (their nickname? "Crazy Beagles") who could really benefit from some hot Cesar action.
I am the MASTER of the "Shtch" move. When I got Moxie my hands were in a permanent nip position, shooting out like lightening to discipline my pup.
The thought of you being in charge of an army of dachshunds makes my ankles scared.
Dutchess: I get a better response with an "ah!" noise but I use the same principle. Totally works with practice and time.
Maxie: You can't think about it too much. You just have to rock it. Walk your dog like you're on a catwalk with your entourage struggling to keep up. It'll happen!
MissBurb: His concepts work wonders...just understanding what your dog needs and how you're stunting his healthy development as an animal is mind-blowing.
Kimberly: The podcasts could be better. Right now they're just sort of teasers for his episodes.
Roro: I totally have a crush but I think it's more on his dog abilities than it is on him. I want to force a lot of dog owners to sit in on marathons to make my life easier when I'm around their wacko dogs.
Rachel: FEAR ME! Unless you have even a mild distraction...that'd be enough to foil my plans of world domination.
nice job with the pack! I love Cesar. I haven't completely cured LeRoy of his need to pull on the leash but we work on it every time. There's a lot of shhh shhhshing and strange leg kicks.
I don't watch the show, but the book has been so helpful. We did really well with the first dog, but then Radish came around, and I just felt so sorry for her for being sick and scrawny that I kind of failed to follow the principles. Now she remains apprehensive and nervous about a lot of things, so we should probably get cracking on that one.
I didn't like watching the show myself. :) But I might have to listen to that podcast and make my own opinions on his advice...
I love the show, I record it all the time and my fiance and I watch it after dinner a lot.
I cut one of Ash's nails too short last week and now he won't let anyone touch his paws, we're surfing for the episodes of the dogs that are hard to groom.
Our walks are amazing though, it's totally changed our home dynamic.
Hey, cool post you fierce beast! I love it! Your Doxies are so cute. I have seen Caesar on Oprah but never saw his show. Do you know what channel? I can tell you this, I would watch for hours. I watch "It's me or the dog" like crazy and have learned SOOOOOOOoooooo much about training my Cozmo!
-note: they are NOT the boss of me-
Muah-ha-ha-ha! I'm not sure if I believe that 100%... they are awfully cute ya know!
LoveMaegan: The pulling was the worst! I don't know how people can enjoy walking their dogs that way, especially once there are two of them and they can't decide on a direction!
SpottedOttoman: I never made it to the books just cause I couldn't find the one I wanted. We've done pretty well just off the show though. I think it's great that it shows what you can do just by harnessing your own confidence and energy.
Mel: That's fair. It's not for everyone, that's for sure. Ike isn't as much a hellion as some of the dogs whose owners I tried to get on the Cesar train.
Kyla: Ooh! There's one with this nasty maltese who needs his hair cut. The thing is to be calm but not back down. Everytime you back down, you're saying that by squirming, the dog can get out of grooming. It's reinforcing the negative. Nail-clipping scares me though. I'd hate to accidentally nip too close.
Javaqueen: He's on The National Geographic channel I think and they probably air it on outdoor networks or something along those lines. And yes, maybe sometimes the boys get the best of me...but ONLY ON MY TERMS. I wish...
Woo Hoo! You are awesome, congrats on your triumph!
I could not stop smiling at the way this was written, especially the part about the 200 lb monster and 429 pitbulls.
I am amazed. We have watched Cesar's show but we still have no control over our dogs. The other day Macho almost bit a Shih Tzu's face off.
Can I just hire YOU instead?
sending you a plane ticket to Seattle, as we speak... =)
That's so awesome. I've never really watched Cesar, except when he made an appearance on Kathy Griffin's show.
I've learned a bit about taking care of cats via a good friend of mine here in LA. She's Hungarian, so I've picked up on all her Hungarian teachings. And I'll be darned, but those cats sure respond.
You walk them both? At the same time? Alone? You are a brave, brave man and I bow down to you.
Lyla: I can outstubborn anyone or anything. Bring it on.
Shawna: I am always literal haha.
Tiffany: DEAL. In reality, I think it takes time and consistency to get there. That and regular exercise. That's key. Just making your dogs challenge themselves makes a big difference.
Phil: His show is insane. The things he can do are amazing. He's a dog magician, really.
Sleepyjane: Haha it's easy actually. The first few times weren't and we have our off days, but they're getting really good. If I don't try, they can't get better, right?
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