[Todd]

In your personal opinion, who do you think is the best dog training personality/famous trainer? Answer is past or present. Doesn't matter which. Feel free to express why if you wish here in the comment area. Thanks!

[CorkyMax]

Originally Posted by Todd

In your personal opinion, who do you think is the best dog training personality/famous trainer? Answer is past or present. Doesn't matter which. Feel free to express why if you wish here in the comment area. Thanks!

I can only compare two--Cesar and Victoria. Cesar is a little too 'cruel' so prefer Victoria but she has a way sometimes that bugs me too--more her personality, than the training tecniques though, I guess. Cesar is a little full of himself I think too! If you could combine the traits/methods of the two for the best of each--that , lol, would be the best way to go!----Just my 2 cents worth, I'm not a very good expert on training as I don't stress it enough with my own dogs!---But I have seen these 2 trainers on tv! Whether that is 'just edited too much' for tv??

[Todd]

I agree. I prefer Voctoria however I don't believe that she is 100% correct. I'm not the biggest Cesar fan in the world either but I still don't disagree with everything he stands for. As yo said, I believe in a combo of both of their strengths.

Here's some info on the methods of the provided trainers;

Victoria Stilwell

Victoria has become one of the most well-known dog trainers in the world due to the international reach of her TV show It's Me or the Dog, which is now shown in over 40 different countries. She is a passionate advocate for science-based, positive reinforcement training methods that enhance a dog’s ability to learn while increasing confidence, resulting in a healthy, well-adjusted pet. She is a vocal opponent of punitive, dominance-based training techniques which she says often result in quick fixes but ultimately cause more long-term harm than good while damaging the owner-dog relationship.

Stilwell has become the leading voice for the science-based dog training movement in the public debate regarding the question of what are the most humane and effective dog training methods. She represents the science-based positive reinforcement camp, which is intent on educating the public about the dangers and ultimate ineffectiveness of traditional, dominance-based training techniques. Instead, Stilwell promotes positive reinforcement techniques which she says enhance a dog’s ability to learn while increasing confidence, resulting in a healthy, well-adjusted pet. This positive reinforcement philosophy maintains that the healthiest relationships between dogs and humans are based on cooperation and kindness rather than a human dominance/animal submission methodology, which is central to what she and the vast majority of the behavioral scientific community consider to be outdated traditional training methods. Their position is that positive training helps to establish and maintain a connection that increases trust and therefore creates a stronger bond between dog and owner, because if your dog feels good about you, he will be a happier, more confident and better-behaved dog. Stilwell believes that positive training results in a dog who follows an owner because it wants to rather than following out of fear, while traditional training uses punitive methods to force a dog to behave, often resulting short term solutions which never truly identifies the root cause of the misbehavior while promoting insecurity and negative behavior.[1][2][3]

In 2010, Stilwell created Victoria Stilwell Positively Dog Training - a global network of positive reinforcement dog trainers dedicated to spreading the word about positive reinforcement techniques[4]

Cesar Millan

Millan's work focuses on handling a dog with a calm-assertive energy.[6] He approaches dog behavior by teaching dog owners to understand the natural needs and responses of a dog, to understand that dogs are pack animals, to assist owners in establishing their role as calm-assertive pack leaders.[3]

Millan prioritizes fulfilling and balancing a dog's primary needs:[3] exercise, discipline and affection—in that order.[18] In other words, it is the owner's responsibility to fulfill the dog's energy level through challenging exercise; to provide clearly communicated rules, boundaries and limitations[19] for the dog's behavior; and to give the dog affection at the right time. Millan encourages owners to give affection, but to give affection when the dog is in a balanced state of mind, not when the dog is fearful, anxious, avoidant or excited — when the affection itself can reinforce imbalance. According to Millan, a common pitfall for dog owners is to give a great deal of affection with very little discipline and even less exercise.[19]

Millan emphasizes the importance of walking a dog, not only for the dog's exercise, but for the owner and dog to bond—with the dog ultimately recognizing the owner as its leader. He also encourages owners to watch their dog for subtle cues in the dog's posture, movement and facial expression—to eliminate poor behavior before it arises or escalates. And he encourages owners to understand the profound effect their own attitudes, internal emotions and physical postures have on a dog's behavior, counseling owners to hold strong posture (i.e. shoulders high and chest forward) and to project energy that is calm-assertive.[13][20]

Millan also stresses that owners identify their dog in a hierarchy of three levels:

Firstly and most importantly, as a dog with canine rather than human needs.
Secondly, as a particular breed of dog — for example, a Boxer-Rottweiler mix — with a breed-specific energy level and behavioral instinct.[21]
Thirdly, as their individual dog, e.g. "Bella."
Mimicking the way dogs communicate with each other, Millan is widely known for using vocal marks, e.g., his tsch or tsst[9] sounds, while working with a dog (rather than words, especially the dog's name), and he encourages owners to create their own unique sound that works for them.[20]

Millan stresses that when meeting a new dog, not to make eye contact, not to speak, and not to touch the new dog[3] — rather letting the dog approach on its own terms.

William Koehler

William Koehler, a high profile trainer, worked with dogs in Hollywood, and had a military police dog training background. In 1962, he published the “The Koehler Method of Training”. His training methods emphasized negative training and punishment, and often involved using a "choke chain", or chain training collar, and other unpleasant training techniques.

From the personal research I have done myself, I am getting the impression that Walters use a combo of positive training methods mixed with a share of punishment/correctional training as well. Sounds like she could have been a nice example of taking the "happy medium" however there was a fair amount of controversy regarding her methods because of the use of training/choke collars, which I personally do not believe in. Some claimed that some of her methods made their already aggressive dogs more aggressive.

Although I didn't include this man in the poll, I probably should have. I think it's too late for me to add him now, but if you believe in his methods the most just check the other secton and mention him here in the comments area...

Ian Dunbar

Once again from my own personal research, Dr. Dunbar believe in 100% positive training methods and believes that anything else is inhumane. He also prefers to train dogs, puppies specifically, off leash.

*Again, as I said earlier, I believe in a balance between all of these trainers to be honest utilizing their strengths. I don't believe in punishment as a training method but I'm not the type of person who believes in 110% positive training either. I believe in a nice balance utilizing the best of all methods when appropriate.

[Lara's mom]

Does anybody remember when Dr. Stanley Coren had a dog training show on TV? I liked his methods because they were gentle and based on positive reinforcement. He never wrestled dogs to the ground or yanked them around like Cesar Milan. (Can't stand that man...)

[Todd]

Here's some info on him;

Dr. Stanley Coren

Like you said, he was a trainer who liked to use positive methods of training.

Stanley Coren (born 1942) is a psychology professor and neuropsychological researcher who has become best known to the general public for a series of books regarding the intelligence, mental abilities and history of dogs. Through television shows and media coverage that has been broadcast in Canada and the United States as well as overseas, he has become popular with dog owners, while continuing research and instruction in psychology at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, British Columbia.

Later in his career, Coren shifted to the study of canine behavior and the relationship that people have with their dogs. This shift away from neuropsychological research also marked a shift in his publishing strategy, away from single study publications in research journals, to publication of his new data as part of material presented in book form. Many of his books on dogs do contain hithertofore unpublished empirical data. For example his book "The Intelligence of Dogs"[24] is based on a survey sent to all of the dog obedience judges in the United States and Canada, and resulted in the ranking of 110 dog breeds by intelligence. This ranking caused a rather large media stir[25][26]. His book "Why we love the dogs we do"[27] looks at the personality of people and how the owner's personality predicts their relationship with various dog breeds. It is based on a survey of more than 6000 people who took a personality test and reported on their experiences with the various dogs that they have owned. This book proved to be very popular and Coren's personality test is now used by some dog shelters to determine whether prosepective owners are suitable for a particular breed of dog[28]. Similarly, his book "Why does my dog act that way?"[29] uses data from approximately a thousand dogs to determine features of the personality of various dog breeds[30]. However other books that he has written on dog behavior have provided less formal data presentation and in these his creative contribution is based on the organization and interpretation of the research of others, as is the case in "How to speak dog"[31]. These books have also been well accepted and have been proven to be very popular[32]. Overall, it is probably true that for scientific audiences Coren is best known for his neuropsychological contributions while for the general public his his best known for his writing and research concerning dogs, dog behavior, and the relationship between dogs and people.

He actually also has a DVD series that you can check out at the following link which are designed for dogs to watch while home alone;

Your Dog Companion Dog DVD Website - Home Page

He's also written some books about dogs. Corky/Max, I checken the online book store you had recommended by unfortunantly they don'y carry any of his books.

[Lara's mom]

Thanks Todd. I didn't know most of that stuff about him. What a fascinating career he's had!

[CorkyMax]

Quote/Todd] He's also written some books about dogs. Corky/Max, I checken the online book store you had recommended by unfortunantly they don'y carry any of his books.

Maybe Amazon.com or Ebay?!
__________________

[Todd]

Originally Posted by Corky/Max

Quote/Todd] He's also written some books about dogs. Corky/Max, I checken the online book store you had recommended by unfortunantly they don'y carry any of his books.

Maybe Amazon.com or Ebay?!
__________________

Oh good point. I'll check it out. Thanks!

[storkclub]

How about Karen Pryor..her techniques are the basis of what most dog trainers are doing...Victoria Stilwell style is very well known though, as well as Millan.Still, i believe the trainer and the dog must be a good match in order to succeed.

[skivvies]

I haven't heard of the ones besides Victoria and Cesar. I generally like Victoria Stilwell's advice. I've used some of it in training my dog. From what I've seen of him, I'm not a big fan of Cesar.

[Josh Smith]

Hello,

I've never heard of any of them except Cesar Millan. I agree with many of the man's theories, but not necessarily his techniques. I think a lot of what he does is too preconceived.

Josh

[StarryEyedTiGeR]

I'm a huge fan of Victoria Stilwell & Tamar Geller! Both use positive reinforcement techniques and come up with crative solutions for even the most difficult dogs! I'm not as crazy about Milan, however I do think his solutions work for some of the more difficult dogs out there. I can appreciate that he emphasizes hierarchy in packs and proper exercising of dogs for sure. I don't however agree with all of his techniques though.

As far as local trainers go, I've used an amazing trainer for my last 3 dogs. Allen Hart is one of the best trainers in the Memphis area for anyone who lives near here - he is big on using positive reinforcement.

[spunky dog]

I do remember Stanley Coren's show. Had be born in the technological era of today, I believe he would be right near the top in terms of being the most famous.

Ian Dunbar's techniques of positive training are very admirable, and is how I think our beloved ones should be trained.

I am not a fan of Cesar Millan either, as he is arrogant, and too rough on the dogs.

That being said, and in response to the original question, I do think that he is the most famous and well known. I do not think he is the best, however. I hope one day that one of those dogs wrestles him to the ground and inflicts some punishment on him !

[fairydogmother]

I only know of Stillwell, Milan and Koehler and I think they all have their strong points. I think Stillwell relies on the use of treats a little too much but if it gets the job done and the owners are happy then that is good too. The primary method I used is Koehler except I use a pinch collar rather than a choke collar it is more effective and is way less dangerous. I also like that Koehler and Milan use alot of physical touch in training; I think it creates a stronger bond with your dog rather than having to make sure you have hotdogs in your pocket for you dog to listen to you.

[PersistantPuppy]

Has anyone heard of Jan Fennel? She is English, and uses the "Amichien" method (which basically means friendly dog). She trains simply and gently, using body language and emulating the dogs own way of communicating.

I used to like Ceaser, but thought he was too egotistic, and always felt he was too rough, and i have never heard of Victoria.

[cigwyllt]

Victoria Stilwell used to have a show on Channel 4 - "It's me or the dog" - and she would sweep in to these disorganised chaotic dog owning households where the dogs ruled the roost and caused problems within the family and show them how to take charge.

[PersistantPuppy]

Oooh....right. I wonder if its still on, or whether I could catch it on Youtube or similar.

[cigwyllt]

If you look on YouTube the two series' are there. I hadn't realised how long ago it was on - 2005/6!

[xtopdawg386x]

The dog whisperer


I like his methods i cant stand the way he speaks something about his ascent and i think the name of his show has something to do with it also . I believe in disciplining the animal for wrong behavior much like a child . I think you have to get it threw the dogs head that you the owner is the alpha male or pack leader and i also believe that you have to show love to the animal. You may or may not agree with what i have said how ever i have 16 APBT and they listen well also with this method they do what i tell them to when i say it because from a early age they understood if they did not they got punished .Now with that said i dont mean you beat them to the ground like a cage fighter or something . Mostly when they were puppy's they got thumped on the nose or smacked with a news paper on the butt / or nose once they were a little larger around 3/4 months this did not effect them like it did when they were pup's a leather belt got used on there butt's. Note they were not abusively beat . My mother how ever took a different approach with not spanking the animals well her APBT still defecates on the floor and is uncontrollable will not listen to simple commands the dogs apox 1 year old maybe a year and 3 months . I have been working with him with my methods for about a month month and a half he has stopped defecating on the floor for the most part and will now sit and stay on command . weather my methods or correct in some people eyes or not they do work .

[PersistantPuppy]

I'm sorry??? You took a leather belt to a puppy? You actually raised your hands to a puppy?

My puppy is 9 weeks old. She sits, lies down, gives a paw, does not bite or nip, and toilets correctly without me EVER having to force her or lift a hand to her.

Dogs in a pack use other methods to organise themselves and enforce discipline. It doesn't include a leather belt or a hand.