Homeless owners master the art of the dog walk

[jjwoodee]

I finished reading 'Cesars Way' and one of the interesting parts I took from the book made the observation of how dogs with the homeless behave - surprisingly quite well according to the book.

Page 202 of the book
Count 10 dogs and their owners and observe how many you can count obediently walk beside or behind their owners? Not Many? Now check out the homeless side of town. See any difference in the body language of both the person and the dog? Ironically the homeless seem to have the art of walking with a dof down part." They aren't being dragged behind by their dogs: their dog doesn't set the agenda of where they're going or what they're going to do. Why, number one because they travel together for so many miles a day, every day. And second, because the dogs see the homeless owners as their pack leaders. The homeless owners aren't pampering their dogs, giving them treats, or petting them all day- although the dogs can sense that their homeless owners are happy having them around. The owners are providing leadership--someone to follow, who'll eventually lead the dogs to place to rest. Their lives are simple, but structured."

Living on the west coast for seven years in Seattle where the temperature in moderate, I can attest that where the homeless were, around town or on the busses, they would often have their dogs with them. It always struck how they were extremely obedient these dogs were - and many were the pit bull type. Even on the public busses or walking down the ave in Seattle's University District you could find these dogs hanging out.. Additionally, one reason the homeless in this area often avoided public shelters because of their policies of no dogs. I thought this part in the book was interesting.

 

[houndlove]

These dogs are probably also self-selected for being dogs who naturally like to follow people around. Pit bulls are notorious people-lovers and velcro dogs. Since the dogs are free to come and go because they are strays, the strays who don't feel the need to hang out with people never pair up with a homeless person. The dogs who do like that arrangement, do. Unless you're going to go to your local shelter, release all the dogs and only adopt the one who follows you around for 20 blocks, I don't think this observation has that much applicability to your average dog owner.

 

[Groch]

Interesting topic. I am sure that allowing a dog to be outdoors nearly all of the time, and on leash most of that has a calming effect.

I live in an apartment complex where many of the poor dogs only see the outdoors for 10 minutes in the morning to pee and another 10 at night for the same. Their owners seem surprised and upset that their dogs are excited, pulling, and hyper.

I would be hyper too if I only got out of my room for 20 minutes a day, (especially if I did not know how to use a computer or change channels on a TV

I think very few dog breeds can put up with the indoor dormant lifestyle that is becoming more and more common in American homes.

 

[oc_spirit]

These dogs are probably also self-selected for being dogs who naturally like to follow people around. Pit bulls are notorious people-lovers and velcro dogs. Since the dogs are free to come and go because they are strays, the strays who don't feel the need to hang out with people never pair up with a homeless person. The dogs who do like that arrangement, do. Unless you're going to go to your local shelter, release all the dogs and only adopt the one who follows you around for 20 blocks, I don't think this observation has that much applicability to your average dog owner.

I agree with this statement!!! The homeless person didnt exactly go to a breeder and pick a pup with a "best guess" as to how it would turn out. instead the two found eachother in some way, if the dog stayed the bond could grow, if it left it would be no different than any of the other countless strays the homeless person encounters in a day. The dog often sticks around in the beginning because the homeless person is a means of an easy meal. If the dog doesnt behave the homeless person doesnt feel compelled to share his meal. There is a lot more to it than what Ceaser is saying. Just like a lot of other things he talks about...

 

[adojrts]

I agree with this statement!!! The homeless person didnt exactly go to a breeder and pick a pup with a "best guess" as to how it would turn out. instead the two found eachother in some way, if the dog stayed the bond could grow, if it left it would be no different than any of the other countless strays the homeless person encounters in a day. The dog often sticks around in the beginning because the homeless person is a means of an easy meal. If the dog doesnt behave the homeless person doesnt feel compelled to share his meal. There is a lot more to it than what Ceaser is saying. Just like a lot of other things he talks about...

Agreed!! I think Houndslove and OC nailed it.

I tried so hard to read Milians book, I can't stomach his show and I don't agree with his methods BUT I though there maybe something in the book that I could use or at least learn what not to do lol. But I couldn't get past the first few chapters, I had better books that needed my attention. One of these days I am going to have to borrow his book again and force myself to finish it.
Although I would never purchase anything by him, he has made far to much money and he isn't getting mine.

Lynn

 

[corgipower]

I tried so hard to read Milians book, I can't stomach his show and I don't agree with his methods BUT I though there maybe something in the book that I could use

I would love to learn his PR (*public relations*) skills

 

[houndlove]

I think the vocabulary word we're all looking for here is "sophistry". Man is Cesar ever good at it. Even when I agree with his conclusions (ie, dogs generally need more exercise than they normally get) , the specious logic he uses to get to the conclusion just turns me completely off.

It isn't a coincidence that all of Cesar's acknowledged idols and heroes are not dog trainers but motivational speakers. Though I've heard from a few people that in person, even his motivational speaking isn't as good as it is on TV or in print. But YMMV on that opinion. Just something I've heard through the grape vine.

 

[corgipower]

There was an interesting article on CM that I read. It made comparisons between watching him move and watching a dancer move. The suggested reason for his popularity was that he moves gracefully.

If that's what it takes, I may as well quit trying, because I am about as clumsy as it gets.

 

[houndlove]

Oh lordy me too! You should have seen me trying to learn rear crosses at our first intermediate agility class this week. My poor dog. He's got his part down pat, but I am two left feet and 10 thumbs trying to learn this stuff.

I read that article too, it was in the New Yorker a couple years ago. That was when I was still on the fence about Cesar (I started out as a huge fan--or as huge of a fan as one could be during his first season and me only having access to cable when I was at my parent's house and before he published his book), then went through a period of questioning and being on the fence. It was an interesting article and I think the observations are for the most part good ones, but I think where they missed the boat if I recall correctly is that they didn't catch that while Cesar's movements are fairly unique and graceful, and they do have an impact on both the dogs and the humans in the room, the impact on the dogs (as revealed by their body language if you turn the sound on your TV off and just watch) is not a positive one. I think the way he moves have a lot to do with whatever results he does get, but it's not like his movements make dogs love him. His movements make dogs nervous and fearful.

 

[adojrts]

Well if its grace that people want and are impressed by then we all need to take dance lessons.

And the point could very well be valid...........when watching someone running at a Masters/Excellent/Elite Level, there are some that are just such a pleasure to watch. They are fluid, soft, graceful and often silent and they make it 'look' so easy!!
Where as someone at the same level, that flails their arms around, screaming at their dog and raises the pitch of their voice....makes us cringe.

 

[Cessena]

For a second there Ceasar me feel guilty for petting my dog and giving him treats! *headdesk* He pulls on leash because he is a HUSKY. CM is dumb.

 

[IliamnasQuest]

I'm with the others on the concepts of the types of dogs that end up with homeless people tending to have the types of behaviors that make them very compliant. In addition, these dogs are probably hungry most of the time (and maybe even half-starved, depending on how much food is available). You can get a lot of compliant behaviors from a dog that is really really hungry. If we all put our dogs on a diet, you'd start seeing more and more behaviors offered once they got hungry .. *L*

Cesar has a way of taking a situation and then making up a reason that suits him and promotes his methods, instead of truly understanding the nature of the dogs and dog behavior overall. It's interesting (and enjoyable) to see how many more people are seeing past his charismatic performance and realizing how little he truly knows about dogs - and how much his methods are based on pain and force.

Maybe one day soon the TV personalities - people who also very much depend on shallow public perception in order to promote themselves - will realize how bad they look when they support someone like Milan. We can only hope.

Melanie and the gang in Alaska
... whose dogs aren't forced to walk beside or behind me .. they are nicely behaved even though they walk in front!

 

[Xerxes]

Well I look at it this way. A homeless person is probably concerned with the same things that a homeless dog is concerned with...food, shelter, and then companionship. If a homeless dog is following a person, it's probably because all three of those needs are being met.

Being a leader, IMO, has very little to do with the position of a dog when it's walking. Dogs follow leaders that know where to obtain food, water and shelter from the weather. It's much less that the dog has to worry about for himself.

 

[Gempress]

I think it's more like this:

If I worked on my dog's following/heeling/staying nearby skills for 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, I bet he'd be awesome at it, too.

 

[Dizzy]

How do you think homeless people come across these dogs? They don't just end up being followed by one and suddenly one becomes two and they are pet and owner....

Homeless people pick up puppies the same way lots of people do - friends dogs have puppies, someone giving a dog away etc etc etc.

The fact is that most homeless people's dogs are compliant, because they are conditioned to be... they're relying on someone to provide food and warmth and they certainly won't get that if they're off galavanting about... so they learn to be patient.

Plus, yes, they DO have all the time in the world to sit... and bond.. and stay and learn.

If you work - think to a time when you have had a considerable amount of time off and look at how the relationship changes with your dog.