Protest Merial's use of Cesar Milan as a spokesperson

kwyldkwyld
edited June 2009 in General
Please take a moment to look at this petition. Merial has ignored
pleas by boarded Veterinary Behaviorists (including their own)to avoid an
association with Cesar Millan to promote his training DVD's and sell
Heartguard/Frontline. Please read the letter online and consider signing
this petition.
I signed it because I think Cesar is wack. Thought some of you guys would want to sign it as well.
http://www.petitiononline.com/mod_perl/signed.cgi?AVSABCMX


He should stick to marriage counseling...

Comments

  • tsukitsunetsukitsune
    edited November -1
    Nice! I signed it.

    I just read about it this weekend on the Dolittler blog. The pairing is as obnoxious as he is. Or worse.
  • MyloMylo
    edited November -1
    I'm going to go ahead and plead ignorance here. I haven't really watched the show in it's entirety... Is he that bad? What does he do that's so out of wack? I'm more than willing to sign a petition, but I feel like I need to be more informed first lol.
  • JessicaRabbitJessicaRabbit
    edited November -1
    Here is the letter attached to the petition. It describes it pretty well.


    To: Merial corporation

    We, the undersigned dog fanciers, stand in support of the American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior's letter to Merial,posted below. We protest the use of Cesar Millan as a celebrity spokesperson for their advertising campaign for their parasite prevention products.

    Sent: Monday, June 15, 2009

    AVSAB Letter to Merial
    Share
    Today at 9:59am
    Dear Dr. Line,

    The executive board of the American Veterinary Society of Animal
    Behavior is deeply troubled to learn that Merial, a leader in the
    veterinary healthcare industry, is using Cesar Millan in a
    promotional campaign for Heartgard and Frontline. We are even more
    disturbed to find that Merial is cross-promoting Mr. Millan's
    behavior video as part of this campaign. Merial's executives may not
    be aware of the fact that the American College of Veterinary
    Behaviorists (ACVB), the American Veterinary Society of Animal
    Behavior (AVSAB) and the Society of Veterinary Behavior Technicians
    (SVBT) have uniformly spoken out against the punishment-based
    techniques employed by Mr. Millan on his television show "The Dog
    Whisperer."

    At best, the show is entertaining but misleading to pet owners. At
    worst, Mr. Millan's techniques and misinformation have contributed to
    increased aggression and anxiety or resulted in physical injury to
    the pet and/or pet owner. As practicing veterinarians, we all
    unfortunately have seen many cases of the latter. Merial claims to
    "enhance the health, well-being, and performance of animals." The use
    of Mr. Millan as part of an advertising campaign speaks otherwise.

    In these difficult economic times, it may be understandable that
    Merial would want to use a "celebrity" to advertise its products in a
    direct-to-consumer fashion. However, had Merial taken the time to
    investigate, it would have found that Mr. Millan's philosophy runs
    counter to the standard-of- care promoted by veterinary behaviorists
    and taught at veterinary schools.

    We are deeply saddened that Merial's executives are not more
    supportive of the veterinary behavior community and its efforts to
    promote knowledgeable, scientifically- based, humane training methods.
    We remain concerned that your company's support of Mr. Millan's
    controversial training methods through the distribution of his video
    and financial support of his show will contribute to the number of
    difficult dogs and injured owners that we have to eventually console,
    counsel, and reeducate. Perhaps Merial would like to support our
    efforts to counteract the negative impact of this unfortunate
    marketing choice that may ultimately serve to alienate educated
    veterinarians, dog trainers, and owners alike.

    Sincerely,

    E. Kathryn Meyer, VMD (President)
    John Ciribassi, DVM, DACVB (Immediate Past President)
    Karen Sueda, DVM, DACVB (President Elect)
    Kari Krause, DVM
    Kelly Morgan, DVM
    Valli Parthasarathy, PhD, DVM
    Sophia Yin, PhD, DVM
    Laurie Bergman, VMD, DACVB

    Posted with permission from the AVSAB.

    For the source of this article: See:

    Sincerely,

    The Undersigned
  • KenshiKenshi
    edited November -1
    I don't think he's that bad. I don't see him using cruel techniques that often. Overall, I think his efforts to stop puppy mills are positive.

    My biggest complaint is that his show is meant as entertainment and doesn't actually explain how to train dogs in any useful fashion - so it's basically an infomercial for his books and DVDs. I think his overall theory seems pretty positive - mostly what he does on his show is talk about how humans need to learn how to properly communicate with their dogs, and how many breakdowns in the relationship are caused by humans unknowingly communicating certain things to their dogs, and being ignorant as to how the dog communicates to them. All that "I projeck the calm, a-ssertive energy of a pack leeder until he gets into a calm, submeesive state of mind."
  • JessicaRabbitJessicaRabbit
    edited November -1
    I find his program to be reckless and irresponsible. I think any harsh techniques are too many.

    I concur that he has done some good things on getting the word out about puppy mills. I also appreciate that he has done a lot to improve the reputation of pit bulls. However I have a REAL problem with the fact that nearly every episode I have seen has had him suggest people give up their dogs for one of his dogs. What is that teaching the public? "My dog is too much work, better get a different one!"

    When we have quality programs like "It's Me or The Dog" I see no room for his garbage.
  • tsukitsunetsukitsune
    edited November -1
    Its the lack of process shown on his show and lack of attention paid to the actual dog enduring his 'training method' that makes him obnoxious, reckless and irresponsible. You can't possibly teach others to communicate effectively with their dogs when you can't tell the difference between broken and submission, fear and compliance, etc.

    His overuse of outdated 'scienctific facts' about wolves and his LACK of certification also really, really gets me.

    I think my position on all things Cesar was solidified when I was watching an episode of "It's Me or the Dog" with a friend who has a real problem lab, and this episode was about a boxer that desperately needed more exercise - just what she needed to see.
    Her response - I'll never forget it - was "why didn't these people just call Cesar? He gets stuff done in like a single day, this lady has them working for weeks for one single thing".
    Yeah.
    Dog Whispering, you're doin' it wrong.
  • CaliaCalia
    edited November -1
    I'm signature 960.

    I really don't care for Cesar as not only do I not agree with his techniques, but he's too 'Hollywood' and has all these products with his name on it. The only time I liked him was in the South Park episode about him getting Cartman to be more submeesive.

    Personally, I think they would have a better campaign if they sneak the product into some pet-related movie and made commercials of their product in association with that movie (like how a dogfood commercial is associated with 'Marley and Me').
  • WrylyBrindleWrylyBrindle
    edited November -1
    At the seminar, Suzanne told us we would learn a lot about fear and body language by watching Cesar and turning off the sound- just watch the dogs. Her thing- which I owe you guys a write up on- is all about willing cooperation, volitional behavior on the dogs part and us making it so worthwhile.

    What's that quote? that just because you have silenced someone does not mean you have changed their mind?
  • lindsaytlindsayt
    edited November -1
    There are a lot of big names in animal husbandry on the petition against using Cesaer for promo reasons or in combination with animal behavior. That's a big sign right there. Merial is, after all, a company, but that is disappointing.
  • obukobuk
    edited November -1
    I used to like Cesar but he has become way too Hollywood-like. I don't agree with everything he "teaches" but don't disagree with every single thing either. I'll leave it at that.
  • IppusIppus
    edited November -1
    What does Merial sell, anyway. Besides Cesar Millan DVDs.
  • KFontaine04KFontaine04
    edited November -1
    http://us.merial.com/

    Their common products are Heartguard and Frontline.
  • JessicaRabbitJessicaRabbit
    edited November -1
    Regardless of opinion, take a look at what the behavioral community is writing on the petition. It is very telling.
  • tobyshibatobyshiba
    edited November -1
    What I don't like is that Cesar Millan bases his training on outdated pack methods. Of the episodes I watched, he explained almost everything with dominance or aggression and thinks that quick fixes are best. So I think that his training is a bunch of bologna. I also don't like that he uses his fame as a way to pull in more profit.
  • cmmookiecmmookie
    edited November -1
    Signed.

    I hope that the people at Merial will reconsider their decision.
  • HeatherHeather
    edited November -1
    Signed-- I absolutely detest Cesar Millan.
  • lindsaytlindsayt
    edited November -1
    Merial makes Rabies vaccines.
  • ShikokuSpiritShikokuSpirit
    edited November -1
    I've probably only seen 2 episodes in actuality but I've read 1 of his books. I'm not too fond of him but I don't hate the guy, just indifferent. On a more positive note, I do agree with his learning of "dog psychology" and "giving off energies".

    My translation of this: It's important to understand how a dog works and how to "manipulate" or "condition" certain behaviors. Dogs are very intune to us, not only do they "read" us but the can "feel" any "energy" that we give off...though I call it "vibes" or "vibe".

    You can learn valuable things from every trainer and you should...whether it's something you should repeat with a dog or something you should absolutely avoid. Unfortunely, people are impatience and like to see quick results. What's good for the humans, isn't always good for the dog.

    Example:
    You can teach a dog to sit in one day...but if you really want a solid sit...it'll take weeks for a dog to truely understand the meaning of "sit".
    The latter is definitely better because the dog will understand s/he needs to remain in a sit and you being 100 feet away or out of sight isn't gonna change this. Whereas the dog that learned to sit in one day understands nothing...even if s/he sat "on command" for a few seconds. That dog might break the sit almost instantly and for certain will break as soon as you stand just a few feet away or leave the room.


    I'll sign the petition.
  • LisaWLisaW
    edited June 2009
    I first saw Cesars tv show with Katja in Canada. Katja really liked it and so we watched almost a whole season. My first reaction to his methods was negative. He is just repressing any doglike behavior with choking. He isnt interessted in the reason of aggression etc. Its like a doctor who only medicates the symptoms and doesnt concern about the illness itself. And Im definitly sure that after Cesar is gone most of the dogowner will have the same troubles again!!

    But the most shocking thing was, that after some episodes I began to try some of his methods including the choking, myself for establishing a more calm walking atmosphere with the overenergized and hyperactive Shikokus and Shibas. I wanted them to snap out of their hyperhypermode. (On leash they pulled in every possible direction and my methods needed time, which I hadnt). Needless to say that it didnt worked out. Even with this really submissive dogbreed. They were much to excited to react on pysical things, also Im too much against violence and instinctivly my body didnt work how i wanted it to. I just couldnt really choke a dog.

    But many people are able to be violent against animals, and if somebody like me tries out his methods, other people will just think: Ok lets take a rope and choke our dog to solve all problems. Even if they tell you not to try these methods without a professional, we all know people will do, as a consequence people and dogs will be hurt or in case some dogs perhaps put to sleep if everything goes wrong.

    The only positive thing to say about him is that his puplicity is able to put into the minds of people that:

    Everydogs needs exercise together with his human(a garden is not enough, nor so is a treadmill which Cesar promotes as an alternative but its better than no exercise)
    Dogs are not humans, dogs are dogs

    And with these two principles I will end my post and sign the petition :)
    Yours Lisa
  • ljowen123ljowen123
    edited November -1
    #1316
  • tsukitsunetsukitsune
    edited November -1
    An article by Dr. Patricia McConnell (author, The Other End of the Leash)
    http://www.theotherendoftheleash.com/cesar-millan-and-merial/
  • CrimsonO2CrimsonO2
    edited November -1
    Now this is interesting. I value her opinion and she doesn't fail me in stating her "deep disagreement" with his methods. She acknowledges his commanding presence (which Heidi probably also has) and identifies a crucial component in his methodology which could make or break the success of his training methods. Even she has acknowledged that he has modified his training methods and approaches over time.

    Did she actually sign the petition as well?

    I think a conversation between her and Cesar would be well worth a watch.

    Jesse
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