Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

While I'm glad that more folks are aware that they can influence and modify their dogs' behavior and this means fewer dogs getting dumped at shelters for "behavioral problems" (really training issues), Millan is far from the best, dog-friendliest, trainer out there. There are better choices by far. I wish every dog owner would read Jean Donaldson's The Culture Clash: A Revolutionary New Way to Understanding the Relationship Between Humans and Domestic Dogs. Where Millan relies on slick and careful editing to appear successful on his TV show, and unfortunately promotes a grossly oversimplified (and highly inaccurate) version of dominance theory in dealing with dogs, Donaldson *truly* understands the canine mind and (as the woman who trains some of the best dog trainers in the country, as well) also understands how best to help humans learn about dogs. TV and the big publishing houses will produce and market their fad trainer of the moment, and thankfully, most of them fade away before they do too much damage. The *real* trainers, those actually respected by their peers, even if they aren't as glitzy and television-friendly as the fad ones, endure. Please consider Jean Donaldson's Culture Clash (I've been a professional dog trainer for almost 20 years and tell people if they only plan on reading one book on dogs, dog behavior and dog training, it should be this one), Pam Dennison's books The Complete Idiot's Guide to Positive Dog Training, 2nd Edition and How to Right a Dog Gone Wrong: A Road Map for Rehabilitating Aggressive Dogs, Ian Dunbar's books and videos How to Teach a New Dog Old Tricks, Sirius Puppy Training, anything by Patricia McConnell, especially her really inexpensive booklets: How to be the Leader of the Pack...And have Your Dog Love You For It, The Cautious Canine, Suzanne Clothier , and, if you want a real step-by-step, how to train your dog, absolute gem of a little book, try The Only Dog Tricks Book You'll Ever Need: Impress Friends, Family--and Other Dogs! (despite the title, it's not just tricks, but does cover the Big Five commands of sit, down, stay, heel, come). All of these are far better, effective, honest choices for you *and* your dog than Cesar's Way.