Behind the Behavior

Information on Dog, Cat, and Bird Behavior from Companion Animal Solutions

  • Home
  • Browse by Topic
    • Behavior and Training
      • Aggression
      • Animal Behavior Research
      • Cat Behavior & Training
      • Dog Behavior & Training
    • Pet Health
    • Reviews (Books, DVDs)
    • Tips For Dog Owners
    • In The News
    • Puppies
    • Events & Announcements
  • About Behind the Behavior
    • Our Authors
    • Resources
  • Companion Animal Solutions

AVMA Conference: The Controversy

Louisa Beal, DVMImageShack

Few of the regular attendees of the AVMA conference were aware of what was happening with Merial, a veterinary pharmaceutical company. Quite a controversy was created when a few weeks before the conference, it was brought to light that the company was using Cesar Millan in promotion of their Frontline and Heartguard products. As you may know, Mr. Millan’s show The Dog Whisperer is broadcast on the National Geographic channel. Mr Millan’s methods have come under intense scrutiny by the veterinary behavior community.

Dr. Andrew Luescher, DVM, PhD Diplomate, American College of Veterinary Behaviorists previewed videotapes submitted to him by National Geographic. The following is excerpted from his report:

“I have been involved in continuing education for dog trainers for over 10 years, first through the “How Dogs Learn” program at the University of Guelph and then through the DOGS! Course at Purdue University. I therefore know very well where dog training stands today, and I must tell you that Millan’s techniques are outdated and unacceptable not only to the veterinary community, but also to dog trainers.”

The first question regarding the above mentioned tapes I have is this: The show repeatedly cautions the viewers not to attempt these techniques at home, so what then, is the purpose of this show? Is it an infomercial for Cesar Millan? I think we have to be realistic. People will try these techniques at home, much to the detriment of their dogs.

ImageShackMillan’s techniques are almost exclusively based on two techniques: flooding and positive punishment. In flooding, an animal is exposed to a fear evoking stimulus (which sometimes results in aggression) and prevented from leaving the situation until the animal stops reacting. To take a human example, arachnophobia would be treated by locking a person in a closet, releasing hundreds of spiders into that closet, and keeping the door shut until the person stops reacting. The person might be cured by that, but also might be severely disturbed and would have gone through an excessive amount of stress. Flooding has therefore always been considered a risky and cruel method of treatment. What Mr. Millan calls “calm submission”, scientists describe as “learned helplessness”.

Positive punishment refers to applying an aversive stimulus or correction as a consequence of a behavior. There are many concerns about punishment aside from its unpleasantness. Punishment is entirely inappropriate for most types of aggression and any behavior that involves anxiety (see Dr. Jim Ha’s post titled Confrontational Behavior Modification Techniques and the Risk to Owners). Punishment can suppress most behavior but does not resolve the underlying problem; anxiety, fear, and/or aggression. Even in cases where correctly applied, punishment might be considered appropriate, many conditions have to be met that most dog owners can’t meet. The punishment has to be applied every time the behavior is displayed, within 1/2 a second of the behavior, and at the correct intensity.

ImageShackDr. Nicholas Dodman, the Director of the Animal Behavior Clinic at the Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine of Tufts University agrees and has said that Cesar Millan’s methods are based on flooding and punishment. The results, though immediate, may only be temporary and can sometimes result in unintended behavioral fallout such as increased anxiety, fear, and aggression.

The American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior released two position statements on the use of dominance theory for behavior modification of animals and guidelines for the use of punishment in dealing with behavior problems in animals. These address the problems in many of Millan’s claims about dominance pack order, and how he sets limits. You can download these position statements from the AVSAB web site.

There is a grounding of science in the field of behavior which Mr. Millan does not address in his work with dogs. His methods are based on his own experience and not on science. He calls himself a dog psychologist, but does not talk about basic principles of psychology, such as perception, conditioning, and reinforcement. If he has any knowledge of neurotransmitters and their effect on behavior, he keeps it well hidden. Just stopping an unwanted behavior is not sufficient. It is necessary to teach an acceptable alternate behavior. No amount of drama generated by television show producers or loyal followers change the scientific facts.

ImageShackFor Merial to choose Cesar Millan to represent the veterinary field is akin to choosing a Hollywood star who believes that bloodletting is the best way to treat any medical disorder to represent a pharmaceutical company. His methods are outdated and can be dangerous in the wrong hands.

I enjoyed being at the AVSAB booth at the conference very much though. Not only was I able to educate my colleagues and other attendees about this controversy, but I was also able to show a more effective, safer, and humane alternative. We had videos playing of clicker training being used not only on dogs, but also on cats, chickens, a pig, and a tropical Hornbill. I wonder how well Cesar’s Way would work on those species?

In my next post, I’ll talk about the advances in veterinary medicine that I learned about at the conference.

9 Comments

Comments

  1. Laurie Luck, CPDT says

    August 26, 2009 at 6:37 am

    Fantastic article. I’ll be linking this to my blog so my clients and other readers can see this great stuff. Thanks for writing it!

  2. Casey Lomonaco, KPA CTP says

    September 17, 2009 at 12:56 pm

    I agree with Laurie. Wonderful, well-written article, and one I look forward to sharing with my clients and friends.

  3. Leslie Fisher PMCT says

    September 22, 2009 at 7:31 pm

    A very important and timely article for the positive dog training world, will be sharing link in blog posts also.
    Thanks!

  4. Lisa Trippett, vet tech says

    September 23, 2009 at 5:13 pm

    Yes- wonderful article! I will also be sharing this with the “oh, he’s not so bad” thinkers out there!

  5. Maria Air says

    September 27, 2009 at 9:46 am

    Can I send this post to my followers? Would be really good content to give them.

  6. Jennifer Mauger CPDT says

    October 20, 2009 at 8:09 pm

    Yes, great article! It will be one I share as well. So many people are taken in by what they see on tv and then are amazed when it doesn’t work at home or things get worse..

  7. John Elliot Wright says

    November 23, 2009 at 4:39 pm

    Very good article. Fortunately I happen to know what is meant by “Clicker Training.” I suspect however that many folks might not. I will also share this article with those I know who love animals. But I will also make myself available should they have any questions concerning “Clicker Training.” I will also direct them to this organization’s web site for additional resources. This was my first time.

  8. Tonisha Notti says

    May 15, 2010 at 10:08 pm

    Wonderful way of thinking. I love it. Thanks for posting

  9. forex says

    September 30, 2010 at 9:14 pm

    Hello, I found your website @ yahoo and i have read allot of your other posts. I like what u wright! I just added you to my Google News Reader ;). Keep up the good work . Look forward to reading more from you in the future.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Get Notified of New Posts by Email!

Enter your email address:

Delivered by FeedBurner

Sign Up for Our Newsletter!

Email Newsletter icon, E-mail Newsletter icon, Email List icon, E-mail List icon Enter your email address

Get Our Newsletter

Email Newsletter icon, E-mail Newsletter icon, Email List icon, E-mail List icon
Enter your email address

Get Notified of New Posts by Email!

Enter your email address:

COMPANION ANIMAL SOLUTIONS, SCIENTIFIC SAFE AND EFFECTIVE DOG TRAINING SOLUTIONS! CALL TODAY! 206-953-0703
or EMAIL US info@companionanimalsolutions.com Serving Seattle, Tacoma, Olympia, Bellevue, Redmond and surrounding areas. Copyright 2010 Companion Animal Solutions, All Rights Reserved.