Do you consider the tactics used by the "Dog Whisperer" to be a bit unethical??

Question

My friend who is a peta loving vegan was offended that Caesar "domineers" the animals and actually used choke chains.

Although I would not personally do that, I cannot deny that his animals are all well behaved and appear to be very happy.

Am I not seeing something??

Answer 1

I have mixed feelings; I guess it depends on how and when it is used.

I do find choke chains disturbing.

I don't see how you can compare it to the way a mother dog grabs her puppies by the loose skin at the "nape" of the neck. They aren't restricting the larynx when they do that, but a choke chain can restrict the larynx (windpipe).

However, so many dogs are put to death largely because their owners are irresponsible. Anything that works to solve this issue is a good thing.

I watch the "Dog Whisperer" sometimes. He does seem to get impressive results in a short time. I don't always agree that everything he does is necessary, though, and I'm not so sure I want my dog to be totally obedient and subservient.

Answer 2

PETA opposes all human-animal relationships, including pet/pet ownership. Now things being as they are, humans domesticate various animals and not vice versa, and by definition they do so successfully only when the animal species, originally wild, evolves into a subordinate position. (We don't for instance, domesticate zebras because, unlike the related horses and asses, they don't aquire the necessary attitude no matter what the trainer tries.)

Now, I have had dogs pretty much all my life, specializing in Newfoundlands since 1967. I use choke chains and the dogs have never objected. For safety, I never, never leave a choke chain on a dog when he is not on leash, as dogs can and have hung up their choke chains on various objects with very bad results. (That's standard practice, not something I invented.)

Like the Dog Whisperer's dogs, my dogs have always been very happy and loving, and I love them, too. We enjoy each other's company greatly. If PETA objects to the wonderful relationship between humans and dogs, which may go back 100,000 years, bad cess to them.

Answer 3

chocke chains are evil! I can't believe Tiffany's makes them for humans and sells them for $300.

JUST KIDDING. nahh it's not cruel.

Answer 4

If you want to see real cruel treatment of dogs, see them in their natural state.

PETA opposes all animal contact so it would not be surprising if they would milk this one for publicity. However,any person knowledgable about dog training knows the best traning regimen is those that  mimic how dogs behave in the wild.

My dogs are very well trained and have strong "pack" mentalities. They know their place n the "pack" and behave accordingly.

Answer 5

Choke chains (the pincher style) are not cruel.  They're made to mimic a mother's correction (how they nip their pups in the back of the neck to tell them they're doing something wrong).  As long as they're fitted properly and are used only when training (not left on all the time), they can greatly improve your dog's behavior and make them a happier pet.  If it's just a chain that gets tighter as you pull it, I do believe it can injure the dog's throat and wouldn't recommend using one.

Answer 6

No, I don't see him as unethical. He has saved many dogs that may have been otherwise put down by rehabilitaing them. He knows their needs and greatly cares about dogs and their well being.

And as far as Ceaser using choke chains... I am thinking the choke chain is already on the dog when he does a house visit.

Answer 7

Yes I do think some of the tactics are unethical while some others are appropriate. He does domineer a bit to much over the animal, which to me should not be done it brings a sort of slavery-abuse type relationship. And I am of course against choke collars, I have no idea who invented that.

That is also another thing most dogs even if have been abused or treated poorly seem happy from some extent and forgive easy.

Answer 8

Your PETA friend needs a choke chain because he/she has a dog brain.  The ethical treatment of animals has nothing to do with treating them like people.  The theory that animals want to and deserve to be treated like humans is warped at the core.  Animals have a special place in Gods world.  Their existence should be respected.  Their habitats should be protected when it doesn't interfere with human life.  They should only be eaten when necessary.

Answer 9

Not at all !!!!

A dogs own mother does much worse !

Answer 10

No way are the dog whisperer's methods unethical.

All he does is understand how dogs think, and he deals with their issues in the way they understand,

it works doesn't it.

Anyway, he only really shows the owners where they have gone wrong, it's not the dogs with the issues, just people who think their dogs are people.

Answer 11

Do you really think that they are going to include his failures in the TV show?

It's television, the only reason that it's aired is to make money from advertising.

The cases in which he makes the dog worse than it was before are not going to make it on the show. That would cause less people to respect him and lower viewership/ratings.

Answer 12

Cruel, whether you use it unto others, or to yourself.