I use a lot of Cesar's methods and watch the show constantly for more insight on the dog's way of thinking. I think he's always passing along information that humans are the ones that need to change their way of thinking in order to live in a peaceful pack with dogs. For instance, when a human is trying to make a dog into a person and the human just doesn't understand why their dogs behave the way they do. Alot of it has to do with the way they are treating their dogs.

A few episodes ago, Cesar used Cheese as a motivation tool. I've never seen him do that before. The dog was not reacting to other methods so he found something that the dog loves–cheese. I've used the treat methods on TAlker for 4 years and he still is reactive when he sees others dogs. But he will sit and wait for the treat, but he's never in a calm state. I think that was one of the important things that I learned from Cesar is not to reward the dog when they are in a high state of anxiety/fear/or agressive state.

I think he's also informative when he explains that affection/kisses are not the only way to reward your dog. You reward with play, walks, food--but none of that until they have earned it by being in a calm state of mind.

I think the most important thing to remember is that he loves dogs and his agenda is to help rehabilitate the dogs and rescue dogs so that they are not put down or given up for adoption. He's all about showing people that you can rescue dogs that have a past or behaviorial issues. People just need to learn that dogs are not people so people have to stop trying to make their dogs behave like people.

I watch both shows (Me or the Dog) and she also uses the same methods as Cesar in regards to giving back control to the humans and not allowing the dogs to control the household. It's really shocking when you see how some people have lost totally control of their households.

I think both shows bring an important issue to the front and its that we need to work and train our dogs and its important to do so or else suffer the consequences.

Oh I forgot to add…I took Talker to see Cesar in 2005. We went to his facility. It was truly amazing to walk among 50 dogs and everyone is peaceful as can be (except Talker).

He worked with Talker for about 2 hours but the results were immediate. He did the tap thing on Talker's side and I saw it and it was not a kick. It was a tap with the side of his foot onto the side of Talker's middle section.

When Talker and I walked among the dogs, Talker was the only one who was in an excitable state. The dogs pretty much sniffed him and ignored him. Then Talker calmed down. I was able to walk Talker thru the crowd of dogs without any incident.

I think basically the lesson is that Dogs need to learn how to behave by being with other calm dogs. When Talker is around a calm dog, he brings it down. He always feels the need to push his alpha self on to the other dog. When they don't react, TAlker calms down.

I think if anything I would have loved to have Talker around Cesar's dogs just so that he can pick up their behavior and learn how to be a dog.

I always joke that Talker is really an insecure macho male that always feels the need to prove himself to others. If he was more secure with himself, he'd probably enjoy his dog life more being around other well behaved dogs.

Oh I think there more to the show. For instance, another thing I learned was about MY energy. After my session with Cesar, it really took me a long time to get the energy thing down. I'm more aware of my energy and how it affects TAlker. When I would see another dog, I would avoid (cross the street, go another way, etc.) During the last show, he discussed with the owner that your dog picks up on your anxiety. He explained that "Yes, when you see a dog/owner coming towards you and that owner has no control over the dog (ie., dog is on a long flexi and all over the place), you should move out of the way as much as possible b/c you don't want that dog to come rushing at your dog and giving the wrong message). BUT if the dog is calm and owner in control, those are the dogs your dog needs to learn from.

Yes, so many of the episodes have owners who do not walk their dogs at all. Yes, he has to go over the same stuff because I believe there is a false belief that 'my dog has a big backyard, I don't need to walk them' mentality.

He also discusses the importance of knowing your breed. If you dog is a working breed, they will feel frustrated when they do not have an outlet to release that instinctual nature–herding dogs, bloodhounds. He tries to teach people to use their imagination and be creative when finding ways to exercise your dogs. It's not all about roller blading.

He's done shows that deal with issues like submissive peeing or excitable peeing and taught people how to not react to the dog when they are in the excitable state.

I think people can take a little of something away from his show and try to incorporate it with their dogs. Not everything will work, but its worth a listen and possibly a try.

There was a recent episode on the Dog Whisperer where three small dogs were not getting along with each other. I believe they were two Chi's and one Jack Russell. They were constantly fighting with each other. Cesar took one Chi and the Jack Russell for 2 weeks to his facility. They got daily exercise and basically learned out to live with a pack of dogs. They stopped their fighting and learned to live with others.

Well when he brought the two back to their home, the one Chi who didn't go to camp, started trying to fight but the others just ignored him and stayed calm while they were all in the house. It was pretty funny to see how the rowdy Chi reacted to this change.

I can't even imagine my life without a basenji or two, or three…..

awwww those are soooo cute! The one on the left looks a little like my Talker. I love the one of them curled up sleeping.

awwww those are beautiful pictures–all of them and I especially love the last one with the yawn and the curious look on the b's face. I can't believe they don't tear up that nice furry comfty rug they are on. Love the pixs.

Hey everyone and happy new year. I just wanted to mention that I saw a Meetup posting for Basenji to meet in Laurel Canyon. It just reminded me about trying to get out there again with Savannah. Hope everyone is well and I hope to try to drag her out there–she really doesn't seem to enjoy the whole experience but I love seeing you all and your pups. I'm sure Savannah won't mind tolerating the experience for me.

She is a cutie pie….looks mostly shep to me. Would you like to do one of those DNA test to be sure?

Okay, I swear I didn't set this up but I just cracked up when I saw these two. This morning when they went on their walk, they came across the dog that barks at them thru their wooden fence. Usually nothing happens when we pass by but this morning Talker jumped on Savannah and wouldn't get off of her. When he's done this before, he'll just snap at her and I pull him away, but this time it was twice that he went after her. He got a scolding for his behavior.

Well we got home and I started making my candles. Well I took a break and walked pass Quinn's room and here they were with this pillow that somehow got propped up between them.

Those are really nice. I love their selection. Very cool looking! thanks for sharing the link.

That's wonderful! I can't wait to see the pixs. You have my email address so please send them. I'd love to see her.

BTW, So Cal 'senji owners I'm planning a June 7th play date at my house in Pasadena. It's a Saturday and it will be at 4:00 p.m. I figure the late afternoon would be nicer than the hot hot weather we had last time. Let me know if anyone is interested and somehow I'll get my address to you.

There use to be a private email messaging capability on this forum but I don't know what happened to it. Anyhoo, I'll try to get the info to you.

Laura

This photo cracks me up….two basenjis playing with a ball.

Here's some pixs in my photo bucket of our play date. I hope the link works. I always have trouble posting pixs on the board.

http://s170.photobucket.com/albums/u251/basenjibratz/lorraine%20comes%202%20visit/basenjiplaydate-5-18-08