Cesar’s Way — A Review
Here’s the REALLY short review of Cesar’s Way — Get it! Read it! Live it! IF and this is the BIG IF, you’re a Cesar fan.
I admit going into Cesar’s Way that I am a Cesar Milan fan. But that said, I was prepared for the book to be less than interesting or even useful. I am not a great fan of semi-ghosted biographies and Cesar’s Way had that look. Having been around dogs and other animals for over thirty years I wondered what I would learn. After all, I’ve dealt with “red zone” dogs (I’ve even single-handedly been in the midst of and/or broken up a couple of fights between 80+ pound males). But I have learned a great deal watching “The Dog Whisperer” work his magic on the National Geographic Channel (NGC) so when I saw the book in the airport I grabbed it. Am I ever glad I did!
I was on my way to a convention to talk about Haint and writing and all that other stuff writers do at conventions. I knew I would have a good time but what I didn’t know was that I was going to be forced to interact with a human in the “red zone.” Fortunately I had read Cesar’s Way and was able to use some of the same techniques he advocates with this human who, if he had been a dog, might have bitten me and been sent to the humane shelter or even Cesar for rehabilitation. It all worked out because as one of the other authors said, “I practiced calm, assertive energy.”
Now why am I telling you this story in a book review? It’s because Cesar’s Way is MUCH more than just a dog-training book. It’s more than an autobiography of a man who started on a farm in Mexico and through life’s twists and turns became the face of dog psychology for many Americans, including famous Americans such as Oprah. It’s a book about how we accept and meet life and the world around us; most especially dogs. Cesar chronicles his inner growth from his childhood on a loving but dirt-poor farm in rural Mexico, through his life in Mexico City and his illegal entry into the States. From the first cleaning job in a dog bathing business on through the serendipitous events which took him to his present life as the dog whisperer.
This is an almost painfully honest walk though Cesar’s life. But he does it so we understand how and why he sees dogs as he does. The background of Cesar’s humanity makes it easier to grasp his canine connections.
And yes, Cesar does outline his methodology but you can’t use it unless you learn to monitor yourself and how your behavior affects others around you, even “red zone” humans who have no idea what you’re doing. The book has more about the hours of exercise Cesar employs in rehabilitation and the failures of the humans that cost their dogs their freedom.
So what’s the verdict? If you like the Cesar Milan you see on NGC, you’ll love the book. If you’re not wild about Cesar, you might want to skip the book because there will be no big surprizes here. Its Cesar Milan and dogs, plain and simple. And I suspect that’s exactly how he wants it.
I’ve just finished it, and I’m also a huge fan. As an animal welfare advocate, I really appreciate his rational and unrelenting argument that aggressive dogs can be rehabilitated, and that the source of their problems is a lack of human leadership. Too many of these animals are misunderstood and unneccesarily feared… or banned… or even euthanized. Let’s hope Cesar’s message changes some minds!
Great book. Love the show too. I have learnd a lot from Cesar.
I found the book fascinating. His method is both simple and complex at the same time. His years of dog observation and working within the pack makes what he does sound easy. Easy until your faced with a pit bull in the red zone. That is out and out bravery. Now as a poodle owner I sometimes feel silly saying that Cesar’s way works on them. The breed is dedicated to pleasing its owners. It is still amazing however when we take ownership of the back door and our yippy poodles dont bark at passing animals. My dream vacation would be to spend a week with Cesar at his institute and be able to meet “Daddy” ( a pit bull) that is probably the cutest dog in world sans my two poodles.
we have a pit bull that almost killed our Lab two days ago I need help I do not know where to take her or how I could ever trust her again. Please let me know of the best place to take her. We live in Utah. By the way just finished your book and loved it I am a huge dog lover. Lucy the pit bull was healing up with burned paws so she did not get enough exercise that day. But she definatley was in the Red Zone Help!
Mary
There are a number of factors its impossible for someone to identify without a home visit with your dogs. You definitely need to find someone in your area to talk with immediately.
I’m assuming that you’re keeping the two dogs separated now. How bad are the burned paws? Could your Lab done something like step on the pits’ hirt paws? Have they had bad interactions before? Has the pit been dog aggressive before? How is she acting with you and other humans? I’m sure any behavioralist you work with is going to ask these kinds of questions.
You may want to contact some of the behavior/training /pit bull groups here on Dogster for their advice. You also could see if there is someone who uses Cesar’s methods near you in Utah.
Any Dogsters with any advice for Mary?
Super Cesar Fan. I own the book, dvds and just signed up for the webinar. I can’t wait.
I´ve just finished the book. And I´m glad I did. Since I´ve started practicing Cesar´s method, my dogs, two Silken Windhounds and a Shetland Sheepdog, really sees me as their packleader. They follow every signal I give.
Before, I thought I did the right thing for my dogs, but today I know I did olmoust everything wrong.
They where going out through the door before me,
They where telling me which way to go.
They where stopping all the time to sniff and pee on every tree.
I treated them all the time, with meatballs and other things, to eat.
They where barking at other dogs and dragging me around the neighbourhood. It was all a mess.
But now after two and a half week, I am going out first, they walk behind me, they stop to sniff, pee and so on, when I´m telling them it´s ok, I don´t treat them meatballs or anything else unless they deserv it.
They don´t bark att any dogs and they don´t drag me around anymore.
For me and my pack it´s beeb a success!
I have read both of Cesar’s books and followed his instructions to the letter. I unfortunately, was not so lucky. Our youngest dog (5 yrs.) considered me an impediment and a bit of interference in his ultimate non-stop quest to assert his domination over an older dog we have. I think Cesar is a great man and wants to help everyone who owns a dog. I do however, see how at times, his philosophy did not work for me.
I worked with our youngest, being Calm-Assertive, taking them for 1 hour walks, correcting each behavior that was considered “out of bounds.” I set Boundaries, Rules and Limitations for them all. I even went as far as to Alpha Roll the youngest a few times. He would be submissive to me, but go right back and start “red zone” fights with the older male. Last week, I broke one of these attacks up and got severely dog bit. Needless to say, after consulting our Vet and Purdue University, (both places told me this would escalate even further, and how will you feel when you come home from work and find your oldest half-dead) we contacted some rescue organizations who would not take him.
He was put down yesterday and I learned a valuable lesson the hard way. Start working Cesar’s magic when they are young. If you start too late in life, you will be heartbroken and have to make decisions you won’t want to make. I am going back to the 1 dog philosophy after the next two pass on.
Dave,
I am so sorry to hear about your loss.
Sometimes even the hardest work doesn’t achieve the goal because there are too many factors. I hope your next experience is much better.