Listening To the Dog Whisperer at TimesTalks

 WAITING FOR PARENTS TO RETURN

We went to see Cesar Millan (known as the Dog Whisperer) at Times Center, part of the TimesTalks, Arts and Leisure weekend http://artsandleisureweekend.com/. If you do not know Cesar, here is a link to our lecture.http://new.livestream.com/channels/387/images/78403
and a link to his website
http://www.cesarsway.com/
Liam had to stay home.  I suspected Cesar might bring his dog with him and knew if Liam knew he would be upset.

I BET THAT DOG JUNIOR IS AT THE LECTURE

We left him on the couch with the iPad-see pic above. The Times Talks are livestreamed so they can be watched. Unfortunately, Liam could not get the iPad smart cover (above lime green) open so he was left to wait for our return. 
Cesar did in fact stride across the stage with his dog, Junior, who was off leash.  

If you did not click/tap on the above links-here is a little background-Cesar spent his childhood in Mexico, very poor, and hung out on his grandparents' farm watching their dogs run in packs.  He was so attuned and focused on dog behavior that he was given the nickname "dog boy"

He crossed the U.S. border at 21 (speaking no English) and after a few months and being out of work he started grooming dogs. He had such a talent that his reputation and clientele grew to include the rich and famous as well as regular folks. 
At our session Cesar was part teacher, part entertainer, part dog, even did a cat impression.

OH NO, WHAT IS CESAR TELLING MY PARENTS?

I told Liam that we would listen to Cesar and come home with ideas for him.  And  we did. Following are some ideas I remember from the lecture and from my Cesar readings.

Americans put affection first exercise second.  We will kiss and hug a dog before we will think of taking our beloved animals out for a walk. Liam licks us in return for our hugs.

GETTING MY LICKS READY

Should be-Exercise first, affection second.

In Mexico, the dogs follow and are off leash.  In the U.S., they walk ahead of us on leash. Cesar's father asked him what kind of job he got in America. When he told him walking dogs, his dad was incredulous that people in America don't walk their dogs and they will pay you to do it.

City dogs are calmer than suburban dogs.  Why?  City dogs have to be walked.  In the suburbs they are let out in the yard. No good. Just a bigger room.

I THOUGHT THIS WAS MY JOB-COUCH POTATO

We need to give our dogs jobs.  If they rip things apart, they are bored.  Too much barking bored.  No dog is too old to learn.

I AM BORED, LET ME RIP THIS UP

So guess that expression "Can't teach an old dog new tricks"  might have some exceptions with the right methods.

So upon returning home we instituted some new rules.  I will take Liam for a walk.  That will be in addition to his walk with Daddy Paul.. No jumping and hugging upon entering the house.  Paul has violated this already.  Oh, let me be clear-the jumping and hugging is between Paul and Liam.  No hovering near our food (Liam)

Cesar was asked what he thought about sleeping with your dog. He is for it.  Caveat-dog does not invite you into bed, you invite dog.

I HAVE TO BE INVITED?

His dog, Junior, is a pit bull.  Junior was selected from a litter by his first dog Daddy.   Daddy died in 2010 and Junior became top dog.  Cesar said that pit bulls are the feared dogs of this decade.  Before that was the Rottweiler. Before that the Doberman.  Who will be next?

We just loved this lecture/interview/performance.  Thanks Cesar

We were home in time for the Giants (that would be football)  They won.   Then we watched Tim Tebow (he would be the bower, in football)   He and Liam did their "bows"

L BOWING FOR TEBOW

Woof, Woof