How to Be A Dog Whisperer With My Dog

If you are a fan of Cesar Millan, television’s famous dog whisperer, did you know that you can incorporate his dog whisperer tips and strategies into your life with your dog without actually hiring him to come out to your house and train you personally in the art and science of dog whispering? Read on to learn more about tips and strategies for becoming a dog whisperer to your own dog.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• A desire to become a dog whisperer in the tradition of Cesar Millan.

1. To be a dog whisperer like Cesar Millan, you first need to learn about leadership and how dog packs operate. Essentially, when dogs live in the wild, they roam free in packs. There is always a distinct leader in any natural dog pack. In your home, you, the human being, must serve as the leader of your own dog pack. Even if you only have one dog in your home, know that your dog is looking to you for leadership and guidance. Don’t worry that your dog might find you too “bossy” or “authoritarian,” because dogs actually take enormous comfort from “knowing exactly where they stand” in any dog pack, including your own dog pack. In other words, if you “show your dog who is boss,” albeit in a kind, compassionate way, your dog will actually be grateful to you, and you can be happy in the knowledge that you are actually reducing your dog’s anxiety level substantially.

2. So, in your effort to be a dog whisperer with your own dog, how exactly do you establish your leadership role? According to expert dog whisperer Cesar Millan (and numerous other dog experts), you need to stay calm, even when your dog is “acting out” by barking or misbehaving or acting aggressively. Mr. Millan (and other dog experts) point out that when you give off energy that is calming and soothing, your dog picks up on your calm energy and ultimately follows suit.

3. Another way to become a dog whisperer like Cesar Millan is to correct your dog’s negative behavior and then to keep correcting it if necessary. Like Millan, use a stern look, as well as a sound, and finally a gentle but firm physical reminder that the dog is misbehaving, such as using the leash to bring the dog closer to you. Repeat as needed. Dogs learn through repetition and consistency. If you always respond in the exact same way whenever your dog misbehaves in a particular way, your dog will eventually learn to behave in the way that you want. This is part of establishing your pack leadership with your dog.

Tips & Warnings

• Watch Cesar Millan’s show, “The Dog Whisperer with Cesar Millan,” on The National Geographic channel whenever you can. He has an uncanny knack for calming the most aggressive and out of control dogs. Tape the show and play it back as often as necessary to pick up on his exact cues, body language, tone of voice, and so forth, and then use his strategies with your own dog. You too will be a dog whisperer before you know it! Also visit his website for more tips and tricks on becoming a dog whisperer.

[agilityman]

on 7/26/2009 The show specifically says that viewers should not try any of the techniques used by Cesar Millan.