First Do No Harm

By dog worshiper Richard Belzer

For countless years dogs have been bred and nurtured to trust humans. They are by far the best friend of the human race -- they have protected us, worked for us, performed miraculous feats of courage: saving lives, rescuing people and pets, from flattened buildings (after Hurricane Katrina, and other disasters) when humans gave up because of the seeming impossibility of people surviving such daunting destruction...

And yet the dogs did not give up! If any animal is capable of unconditional love it is surely the canine: they are forgiving, caring, life-affirming creatures who humble us and teach us to be more human and compassionate. Also, let us never forget: specially-trained dogs help
physically and mentally handicapped individuals have a much better lifestyle. Plus, when dogs visit hospitals they bring a healing presence to all those they come in contact with in ways humans cannot!

Dog owners and dog lovers recognize and respect the bond that has evolved over the centuries.
To take these divine animals and make them fight each other and kill them in the most heinous and torturous fashion if they are not "tough enough" is unquestionably horrific, vile and degrading behavior. People were reflexively and rightfully sickened, incredulous, heartbroken and beyond shocked. How could anyone so viciously betray this ancient trust that dogs have shown us? What does this tell us about who we are and what we can do to protect our most dear companion?: Raise consciousness about the thousands (yes thousands) of organized dog fights that go in America). Law enforcement and legislators have to be made more aware of these grotesque goings on!

Also of key importance is how to treat our pet dogs that we are so devoted to. Most owners do their best in caring for their dogs. But unfortunately there are some wildly popular training techniques that are misguided and harmful.

An alarming and important press release (that was depressingly ignored by the press and others) issued by the American Humane Association. (Founded in 1877, it is the oldest national organization dedicated to protecting both children and animals. Through a network of child and animal protection agencies and individuals the association develops policies, legislation, training curricula and training programs to protect children and from abuse, neglect and exploitation.) The release expresses dismay over the "numerous inhumane training techniques" advocated by Cesar Millan on "Dog Whisperer."

Instances of cruel and dangerous treatment -- promoted by Millan as acceptable training methods -- were documented by the American Humane Association, including one in which a dog was partially asphyxiated in an episode. In this instance the dog was pinned to the ground by its neck after first being "hung" by a collar incrementally tightened by Millan. Millan's goal -- of subduing a fractious animal -- was accomplished by partially cutting off the blood supply to its brain.

The AHA has requested that National Geographic stop airing the program immediately and issue a statement explaining that the tactics featured on the program are inhumane, and it encourages National Geographic to begin developing programming that sets a positive example by featuring proper humane animal training. In its letter, AHA said: "we believe that achieving the goal of improving the way people interact with their pets would be far more successful and beneficial for the National Geographic channel if it ceased sending the contradictory message that violent treatment of animals is acceptable."

"As a forerunner in the movement towards dog training, we find the excessively rough handling of animals on the show and inhumane training methods to be potentially harmful for the animals and the people on the show," said Bill Torgerson, DVM, MBA, who is vice president of Animal Protection Services for American Humane. "It also does a disservice to all the program's viewers by espousing an inaccurate message about what constitutes effective training and appropriate treatment of animals."

Torgerson noted that the safety of a woman and her German Shepherd were jeopardized in one episode by the use of a shock collar, which forced the tormented dog to redirect its aggression at its owner, biting her arm.

"Furthermore, the television audience was never told that Mr. Millan was attempting to modify the dog's behavior by causing pain with the shock collar."

The fact that the "Dog Whisperer" has been nominated for an Emmy should give serious pause to all those in the business who are about to vote for the awards. Dog owners and dog lovers would be disturbingly misled if Mr. Millan and his program are honored in such a high-profile way.

There are other highly effective and humane methods for training our beloved companions. Please take note and let others know.

Comments

[cinemaven]

When I first watched The Dog Whisperer, I was quite shocked at Cesar Millan's use of a high choke collar. A dog has tiny bones that can be crushed so easily and Millan appeared to position the collar right where the most damage would be done. When I mentioned that to friends, they couldn't believe I would say anything negative about their favorite guru.

The more I watched the show, the more disturbed I became until I could not watch again.

My dog is wonderfully trained without using any negative/punishing behaviour. I chose the right dog for our family and circumstances and chose to get her when I would be home for a month to be able to consistantly train her. She's 2 1/2 now and people always comment on how good she is.

Our cat is a different story. I love her but she has ME trained and she completely owns the dog.

Thank you Richard for confirming that what I felt about Cesar Millan has been noticed by others. I noticed Oprah has a new dog guru these days who is using positive reinforcement and I wondered if it was because she had become disillusioned.

[NoFactsJustTruth]

Mr. B, I think I'll start forwarding the idea that perhaps all of our relatives and friends that have died are being channeled into our pets. I base this idea on the fact that my lab understood English since a couple months old and has largely behaved and always been nice and good and friendly even to my cat and bunny rabbits in the yard. He is perhaps even telepathic and talks in pictures if I listen well enough.

Yeah, I know that last part sounds a little crazy, but it would be far better for everyone to believe something magical like that than to think these animals that give love...are nothing more than targets for physically abusive morons.

So, for everyone out there that thinks their pet is particularly intelligent, the next time your pet is just staring into your eyes, try listening in pictures. They may be saying more than you know.

[neejerk]

i should add... a dog is always capable of biting, or worse. in spite of my generally friendly relations with them, i am always careful about letting children approach, or letting them get into situations with strangers that could result in a bite.

with some dogs this is never an issue. but it would be irresponsible not to keep it in mind.

[neejerk]

i wish people would be a little less sure of themselves.

those people who don't understand affection for dogs might have my sympathy for their defect, but chances are they do other things that would make it hard for me to want to be in the same neighborhood with them.

i told my boss once that if i had a choice of saving him from a burning house or a dog i wouldn't hesitate to save the dog. you can put that down to whatever kind of insane perversity you care to. but i'd suggest you try to imagine what sorts of experience people have that shape their behavior...oops there i am implying some sort of mechanical skinnerianism.

maybe it's not that simple. i have had a number of dogs and with some of them it seemed to me i needed to remind them who was boss...but i think what is more likely is that i needed to remind me who was boss and to be sure they knew what i wanted. they would turn themselves inside out to please me...but they can't read a mind that's asleep.

my daughter has brought a strong willed agressive dog back to a relaxed puppyish affability. and did it without any macho tricks.

i have seen idiots try to "dominate" a dog by being cruel and arbitrary, not to say stupid.

i would not say a dog never needs to be disciplined, but i have found that constant company, a soft voice, and gentle reminders have worked without any big deal discipline lessons.

so maybe the dog whisperer is doing something right. but don't assume that it's always necessary, or that some idiot can't tell himself he's doing what the dog whisperer is doing, while causing great harm.

[Chalkeater]

Finally some sanity. There's cave paintings of dogs with men, which shows you how old the friendship is. They're not "just animals".

[Sidewhispers]

Beautiful, beautiful blog, Richard, about a beautiful animal. I have been profoundly saddened at the recent focus on the tip of the iceberg of cruelty to animals in our world.

Milan Kundera can better put into words how I feel: "Mankind's true moral test, its fundamental test consists of its attitude to those who are at its mercy: Animals. And in this respect mankind has suffered a fundamental debacle, so fundamental that all others stem from it."

[flatus]

Thank you, Richard. I hope this essay is widely distributed.

[SweetJudith]

My husband and I have never trained any of
our pups but they have done a fantastic job of training us.

Your Fan
Judith

[esquire07]

Great Article - I love my Cocker Spaniel !!!

Was Dick Cheney at any of the Dog fights ? I would not doubt the insane madman would enjoy them.

[Sidewhispers]

Dick is more into shooting caged birds, while his fatness is driven around in a little groaning cart.

[sagebrush5]

Hmmmm, let me see now, Rupert Murdoch owns National Geographic Channel...shouldn't surprise anyone to see Dog Whisperer (i.e. a sort of reality show) on that channel...More FOX news-style taking over a once respectable source. Wake up America!

[Nolafugee]

Thank You So Much, Mr. Belzer.
Isn't it always the funniest people who speak to the face behind the masque of such unspeakable horror.

[nainam97]

As much as I want to believe that we are all created equal, I think a look at the dog kingdom tells us otherwise.

I am a dog lover who has owned many breeds. And I don't believe in violent discipline for dogs or humans.

Also, I'm not talking about the awful dog fighting scene when I say that just like us, some dogs are easier than others.

I have owned 3 black retrievers who were so innately sweet and protective toward even the smallest child. They quietly removed themselves when the children were obnoxious---and if a stranger came into the room,they quietly placed their (very large) bodies between the child and the stranger. No snarls, no growls, just the immense dignity and calm that a retriever seems to be born with.

And then I had a yappy, hyper little fox terrier about the size of a small chicken. But he never bit anyone and the worst punishment he ever got was a swat with a folded newspaper. Soon enough, he calmed down and waw the delight of many children.

By far the sweetest dog of all was a Doberman, who loved everybody and everything. The sad thing was that strangers were afraid of her, when all she wanted was to love and be loved.

But I do think that there are breeds of dogs who are kind of scary even though many of them are wonderful. Pit bulls and St. Bernards who have been known to bit the faces off of kids come to mind.

I guess it's all in the training--or mistraining--I feel like I am rembling a bit but I guess my point is that not every dog is Man's Best Friend automatically.

By the way and again by the point, was not that movie "Eight Below Zero" fabulous? Yet I once lived next door to a Siberian Husky who killed every cat he ever saw, including two of mine. Yet he was otherwise a great dog, very friendly and wonderful with children.

[jennifer Vizzo]

Isn't it interesting that some people, when confronted by the cruelty and inhumanity of dog fighting (Michael Vick's specifically) play the race card and say that this is acceptable behavior in the African-American community in order to obtain street cred. What a pile of crapola. Good for you, Richard. Liked you as an actor and a comedian, but I love you as an activist.

[rmdogs]

Paul Gaskin wrote "..he inflicted pain and fear on the dog to condition her against aggression towards children. What's the alternative ? " Too many people resort to brute force instead of educating themselves on a myriad of positive, alternative ways to train and change dog behavior. There are many books and dvds explaining operant conditioning and desenitization methods by such trainers as Bob Bailey, Jean Donaldson, Patriia McConnell, Turid Rugus and many more. And, "It's Me or the Dog" on Animal Planet offers much better and effective ways to deal with problem dogs and families.

[GhostofBillHicks]

"The Belz",good to see you here at HuffPo.
I could not agree more,my dogs are more like family than pets,plus they are my friends.
Hope to see you on "Real Time" again,I loved it when you let Ann "the man" Coulter have it!