Culturebox: Good Dog, Bad Dog

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culturebox Good Dog, Bad Dog Dog training philosophies go in cycles. Is today's lenient phase coming to an end? By Martin Kihn Posted Wednesday, Dec. 22, 2010, at 7:01 AM ET A lot of professional dog trainers hate Cesar Millan, and not just because he's rich. Millan--star of the television show Dog Whisperer, best-selling author, and friend of Oprah--believes that dogs need a leader, that leader is you, and that they must be given this information by any means necessary. His emphasis on human domination leads him to recommend, in some cases, rather dramatic techniques such as growling at the dog and rolling her onto her back while staring angrily into her eyes. Millan himself says, "I don't train dogs." What he means is that he corrects behavior problems that are, at times, quite serious. But in the hands of amateurs, his tough-love techniques can seem harsh. Not long ago, the American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior issued a strongly worded manifesto against Millan's so-called "dominance theory." A 2006 New York Times op-ed headlined "Pack of Lies" referred to him as "a charming one-man wrecking ball." To continue reading, click here. Martin Kihn's Bad Dog: A Love Story will be published by Pantheon in April 2011. Join the Fray: our reader discussion forum What did you think of this article? POST A MESSAGE | READ MESSAGES Also In Slate What Happens to the Money in Your Flex Spending Account If You Don't Spend It? The Worst Thing About the Controversial NY Times Vows Couple Is Grass-Fed Beef Really Better for the Environment?	Advertisement
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