I was wondering what other people thought of these shows.
I was finally able to see them and they're deffinitly better than the Dog Whisperer.
Divine Canine was ok. I (as most know) don't agree with the collar pops, nor do I agree with removing the dog from the owners for a month and training it, but other than those two things, I think it was pretty good.
It's Me or the Dog was the one that really impressed me. I saw the episode with Pongo the Dalmation and the way the woman sorted out and fixed his problems was awesome. When I first saw the case at the beginning, my thoughts immediatly went to what I've seen watching Cesar's show and I would have put money on a bet that somebody was going to come in and blame all that dog's behavior problems on dominance. Amazingly, the trainer didn't mention dominance ONCE and started training and exercising the dog. It's about time there's a decent dog rehabilitation program on TV!
I have to agree with you. I found Divine Canine rather hard to watch (boring) and the idea that you have to give up and let someone else train your dog is not my way.
I have only caught a couple of the "It's me or the dog" (initially I thought it would be really stupid) but have been really impressed there. I really liked on the episode with the Husky when she told the husband "I sure hope you do not plan on having children." I think that woke them up fast.(Although it could be interpreted in two different ways if you know what I mean, and both applied.)
Sadly, to many dog owners make their purchase based on emotion (what a cute puppy) and fail to learn beforehand or even afterwards what the requirements (exercise, training, relationship) of the breed are .
That's kind of funny, because any time either of those shows are on, I always end up changing the channel...I just don't like shows on animal planet that are focused on either one animal or one thing...I am more into the Animal Cops, where each episode is ALWAYS different and not always the same animals and/or breeds. but does anybody reccomend for me to try to watch these shows?? because I haven't even watched a half episode of either!!
Those shows are ok i guess, but I'm just kind of tired of watching them.
Animal planet's quality has really decreased IMO. It seems like there's nothing on but one of the 10 animal cops programs, something stupid like planets funniest animals or a rerun of amazing animal videos.
If you are interested in learning more about dog behavior and training dogs, then I would deffinitly recommend watching those shows when you can. You can learn alot from them.
Oshwyn, I agree with you that Divine Canine was boring. All it was was a hyper poodle that needed obedience training and exercise.
I for one am not a fan of Animal Planet as much as I was. Usually, when I flip to that channel, nine times out of ten it's something that puts me to sleep(really!), like Planet's Funniest ANimals(I have a 15-week-3-days old puppy {amazing how I keep track!} and believe me, there's enough humor in this house after she's been here!) or, as much as I dislike to say it, since I love the animals, but not the show, Meerkat Manor. I find Divine Canine and It's Me or the Dog okay, but like sugarbird said, I'm just a little bit tired of watching those shows. I just can't focus on shows that zoom in on one dog and their problems. You can for sure learn something from them if you have that problem, but I'd just go to a trainer who can evaluate MY dogs and how to train MY rambunctious, but learning rapidly how to become better-mannered with individual training, puppy. It's still okay, but I've been turning to the station less and less often.
actually the thing that annoys me the most about Planets funniest animals is that half of these "funny" behaviors aren't really funny at all. Some are just normal animal behavior (like iguanas or birds bobbing their heads). Some are actually pretty disturbing IMO. There is nothing funny about a dog that is obsessive compulsive about chasing it's tail, spinning or pacing constantly, that's not a healthy behavior and shows obviously that the dog is being neglected in one form or another.
I can say I don't prefer either over Dog Whisperer and would much rather watch that. I do however prefer it's me or the dog over Divine canine simply because I'd rather see a show about severe behavioral issues versus some lazy people who never though to implement basic obedience
I watch barely any tv any more (an hour a week is a lot for me) so I haven't really watched either. I did watch part of an episode of Divine Canine. I was not impressed. They mainly did basic problems, and I ended up falling asleep watching it. I do remember seeing some collar pops so that basically told me it's not a show I'll be watching. Once school gets out I'm hoping I'll be able to watch It's Me or the Dog since so many people like it. I'd love to see this show with positive techniques get way more popular than the Dog Whisperer.
Yeah, I wasn't able to focus on Divine Canine. I saw the problem dog at the beginning and watched enough to see him using a combination of collar pops and sharp turns to teach heel and I got distracted by something else until the end. It's a heck of alot better than the dog whisperer though. At least the guy didn't label the dog's behavior problems as dominance and actually taught the dog how to behave rather than discipline it for everything.
I watched another episode of, It's Me Or The Dog tonight and thought it's pretty good. Even though we don't actually see everthing that really goes into the retraining.
The majority of Victoria's methods are just plain old common sense. She doesn't waste a whole lot of time on bribing the dogs with treats but gets right to the practical side of the problem. So far her show gets a good solid 3 thumbs up from me.
Divine canine doesn't hold my attention very long as it's basic outdated 1970's dog training.
Its not 70's training- for God sake- who gets a golden as a pup, and by two years old, the dog doesnt do or understand a single command? Collar pops do not hurt a dog- but does put the focus back on the person if allowed to ignore for so long. Their pups are not trained this way- there is not reason too- the pup learns at a early age focusing on the person gets praise. In all the dogs I have seen on this show- you have to wonder when they came in- they think they are " running the show..".. Like the cavalier that thinks going for a walk includes a stroller??? What a crack up!
Collar pops aren't supposed to hurt the dog, no. But the majority of people who use them don't use them correctly and really do intend for them to cause pain and/or discomfort. What I found stupid was that he was doing a sharp turn AND collar popping the dog. There's no need for both, pick one or the other. Besides collar pops are old school methods anyway. There's other ways to train heel just as effectively.
It's just most people don't know how to raise a dog properly.
I find "It's Me or the Dog" to be entertaining. It has some good tips in it, and is easy and fun to watch.
"Divine Canine" is a little boring to me. Not to bad, but not a well made or well written show. I'm sure their techniques or whatever are great, but if the show is a yawn fest, then it doesn't matter how great of dog trainers they are, the network will cancel the show.
There IS a reason for both actually sugarbird the collar pop brings the dogs attention back and when they turn back around they see human in front as leader instead of human waiting behind for the dog decide to come back the combination is a much better technique then either on it's own in establishing dominance.
When a dog pulls, it's because it obviously wants to get somewhere. If it pulls and the human follows it, the human is rewarding the dog by allowing it to go where it wants to go. Thus reinforcing the pulling and causing it to happen more often and with more intensity in the future. A dog that is taught leash manners knows the boundaries of the leash and respects them. A dog that isn't taught leash manners doesn't know this and tries to go where it pleases and explore like the dog would normally do in the house or back yard leash free. You can't snap a leash on the dog and instantly it's supposed to know to stay beside you, if pulling were a dominance behavior, you would be able to do so with a submissive dog.
My dogs were first taught the command heel offleash by calling them to my side and rewarding it. Then a cue was applied and I snapped on the leash. On the walk, if the leash gets pulled taught, I stop. I don't reinforce the pulling. If the dog pulls, we stop walking. Once the dog is back in heel, we start again and the dog is praised for keeping pace. I've taught many dogs to heel using that method, no collar pops or sharp turns involved. Just ignoring the undesired behavior and praising the good behavior.
I also allow my dogs to walk in front of me. I don't care where they walk as long as the leash is slack and they know that is the rule. And if I say heel, the dog will immediatly get into the proper heel position at my side.
I have recently started watching "It's Me or the Dog" and I have to give a giant hug to that trainer! I have 2 dogs, a Beagle, and a Bichon, and they have been driving us crazy with their bad habits that I didnt know how to break. After watching just a few episodes, and using the techniques I saw, I can say that my dogs are much better behaved, and more pleasant to be with than I had ever thought possible! Thank you Animal Planet for airing this show.
I like It's me or the dog, I give full-on respect to the trainer. I like her training methods. I have been watching the episodes for the past 3 weeks now and this will help me become a more better trainer on down the road when the time comes for me.
We obviously have different views then. I never allow my dogs to walk in front of me on leash, ever. The only time they are allowed to not be heeled at my left side is if they are off leash.
