Dog whisperer shows Hong Kong pet lovers why he's leader of the pack
TV's Cesar Millan tells Hongkongers that owners often need more training than their pets.
As a celebrated "dog whisperer", Cesar Millan knows a thing or two about animal behaviour. But often it's the owner he needs to teach.
According to him, Hongkongers who say dogs are too much of a handful for their hectic lifestyles are only making excuses.
"[Saying] 'I'm busy or it's hectic' - it's just an excuse to not be there for someone," Millan told hundreds of dog-lovers at Stanley Plaza yesterday.
The 44-year-old dog trainer to the stars is in town to promote and film two episodes of his reality TV show. He will also perform at the AsiaWorld-Expo tonight.
Between 2010 and 2012, almost 20,000 abandoned and wild dogs were put down in Hong Kong, with many others left in kennels and shelters. But Millan denied that the city's pace and lack of space made it unsuitable for dogs.
"Someone who abandons their dog is likely to abandon their families as well. The difference is, the family can drive away, but the dog can't. It's left there." Owner responsibility is a strong theme in his reality TV shows Dog Whispererand Cesar to the Rescue.
But owners need to be more than just responsible. Balanced dogs, Millan says, require strong 'pack leadership' from owners, in the form of exercise, discipline and affection. Most people give too much affection, and not enough exercise and discipline.
"My clients went to Harvard, but they don't know how to walk a Chihuahua. They're smart, but they don't understand nature."
He pointed to a teenage girl who was clutching her terrier protectively as it was introduced to a bulldog several times its size.
"See what she did there?" he asked, as the terrier yapped. The terrier would not naturally be afraid of the larger dog, but it had become aggressive after picking up on its owner's fear, he said. "The dog acts that way because they want to protect the human, because the human is scared."
He picked up another dog which had become alarmed by the crowd. "The best thing to do is give him a massage. Don't let him hold the experience. Change the experience."
Millan's demeanour calmed the dog instantly. One fan, Jack Hoi, 58, a retired civil servant, admitted to having "some problems at home" with his mini-pinscher, Mickey.
Hoi said he watched Millan's YouTube show every night. "I love his philosophy on how to teach the owner," he said.
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Very true. Too many dogs don't have; discipline, excersize, leadership, attention. When I say most I think if we got a percentage it would be 90%. People need to start being educated if they want to own dogs, especially large breed dogs. That is why dog attacks occur because of note enough responsibility, socialization and education. Caesar millan is right the owners need more training than the dogs do.
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It is true that dog owners need training. If we are honest though when people hire dog trainers the trainers do train the owner the majority of the time and not the dog. It then becomes the owner responsibility to follow through and train their pets. -
The good new is that members of sites such as this one - actually trains and cares for their dogs. -
Caesar Milan should be put down. Rather tragic he is being given air and real time in Hong Kong where they don't know much about training or the controversy his methods have caused in countries that already know better including America.
