This review delves into Cesar Millan’s book, “How to Raise the Perfect Dog,” approaching it with an intent to understand his methods while critically evaluating their efficacy and ethical implications. While acknowledging some universally accepted principles of dog ownership, this analysis will highlight areas where Millan’s advice is based on outdated or flawed theories, particularly his reliance on the concept of dominance and the “pack leader” dynamic.
The Merits of Millan’s Approach
Millan rightly emphasizes several fundamental aspects of responsible dog ownership. His consistent advocacy for exercise is a significant positive. Many owners underestimate the crucial role physical activity plays in a dog’s well-being, leading to behavioral issues. Millan’s insistence that dogs need daily walks and opportunities to explore the outdoors is a vital message, even if his specific recommendations on how to conduct these walks are debatable.
Furthermore, Millan’s assertion that dogs are not human beings is accurate and important. He correctly identifies the problem of anthropomorphism, where owners treat their dogs like human babies, which can indeed lead to unbalanced behavior. His critique of excessive coddling, citing examples of celebrity dog owners, serves to illustrate how this can result in dogs exhibiting fear-based aggression and a lack of proper boundaries.
The book also touches upon the necessity of rules and boundaries for dogs. A structured environment, when implemented correctly, can provide dogs with security and predictability. Millan’s advice to choose a dog that matches one’s lifestyle and energy level is practical, and his suggestion to acclimate dogs to veterinary visits and grooming experiences is commendable, as it can significantly reduce stress for both the pet and the professional. Additionally, his opposition to dog fighting and breed-specific legislation aligns with ethical animal welfare standards.
Questionable Foundations: Dominance Theory and Wolf Studies
A significant portion of Millan’s philosophy is built upon the idea of dominance and the “pack leader” theory. He posits that if the human is not the pack leader, the dog will assume that role, leading to an unbalanced dog. This theory, however, is largely derived from a flawed 20-year-old study of captive wolves. Subsequent research has revealed that wolf pack structures are more fluid and kinship-based than the rigid alpha-dominated hierarchy initially described. Millan’s unwavering adherence to this outdated model colors many of his recommendations.
This flawed premise leads to misinterpretations of common dog behaviors. Millan often labels behaviors such as a dog’s enthusiastic greeting, placing a paw on an owner, or waking an owner for a bathroom break as attempts at dominance. In reality, these actions can stem from simple excitement, a desire for affection, or a learned need to relieve themselves, rather than a calculated effort to usurp leadership. This overemphasis on dominance can create unnecessary tension and a punitive training environment.
“Mastering the Walk” and Mental Stimulation
Millan’s concept of “mastering the walk” involves maintaining a brisk pace with the dog beside or behind the owner, with limited opportunities for sniffing. While physical exercise is paramount, Millan notably downplays the importance of mental stimulation, only addressing it late in the book and with little depth. The restriction on sniffing deprives dogs of a primary way they explore and understand their environment, hindering crucial mental engagement. Furthermore, his insistence that a dog must never be in front, even if not pulling, reinforces the flawed dominance narrative, rather than considering the practicalities of a dog needing to see its surroundings or potential hazards.
Exercise, Discipline, and Affection: The Wrong Order?
Millan proposes a ratio of 50% exercise, 25% discipline, and 25% affection, and crucially, advises delivering these in that specific order. He even suggests withholding affection for the first two weeks a dog is adopted. This approach is highly questionable. While all three components are important, affection is a fundamental aspect of building a trusting bond with a dog, and its delayed introduction can be detrimental. A balanced approach, where these elements are integrated harmoniously, is far more conducive to a healthy human-animal relationship.
Dangerous Techniques: Alpha Rolls and Flooding
The most concerning aspects of Millan’s methods lie in what he advocates as “The Ugly.” His endorsement of techniques like the alpha roll and flooding is particularly troubling.
The alpha roll involves forcefully rolling a dog onto its side or back to elicit submission. This method, again based on the misinterpreted wolf study, is not only ethically unsound but also dangerous. It can escalate fear and aggression in dogs, leading to serious injury for both the animal and the handler. Submission in the natural world is typically granted, not coerced. Millan’s claim that this technique should only be used by professionals, while simultaneously teaching owners to perform it, is contradictory and irresponsible.
Flooding, another technique Millan promotes, involves exposing a fearful dog to its phobia in an overwhelming manner in an attempt to desensitize it. For instance, forcing a dog scared of shiny floors to traverse one. This method is psychologically damaging and often results in the dog “shutting down” out of extreme fear, rather than overcoming its phobia. Counter-conditioning, a far more humane and effective approach, is largely ignored in favor of this harsh method.
Millan’s advice regarding treadmill exercise also raises safety concerns. His method of tethering a dog to a treadmill with a leash and, alarmingly, leaving them unattended, poses a significant risk of strangulation or injury.
Internal Contradictions and Lack of Nuance
The book is rife with internal contradictions, making it difficult to ascertain a consistent and reliable philosophy. For example, Millan vacillates between stating that breed does not dictate behavior and then attributing specific traits to breeds, such as “pit bull genes” or the roaming needs of a Siberian Husky. His stance on a dog walking in front during a walk also shifts, contradicting his own “pack leader” rules. He also presents conflicting views on submissive dogs, labeling them as both desirable for balance and as having low self-esteem. These inconsistencies undermine the credibility of his advice.
Furthermore, Millan’s interpretation of dog body language is often inaccurate, particularly when he labels clear signs of fear as “calm submission.” His reliance on “energy” as the primary means of communication, rather than focusing on observable body language and movement, leans into a New Age, unscientific approach.
Conclusion
While “How to Raise the Perfect Dog” by Cesar Millan contains some universally beneficial advice regarding exercise and the importance of not anthropomorphizing dogs, its core philosophy is built on shaky foundations. The overreliance on outdated dominance theory, misinterpretations of wolf behavior, and the promotion of potentially dangerous training techniques like the alpha roll and flooding make this book a questionable resource for dog owners. Many of the positive points can be found in numerous other, more modern and scientifically-backed training resources. For a more positive and effective approach to understanding and training dogs, resources like Patricia McConnell’s “The Other End of the Leash” are highly recommended.
