 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
The Dog Whisperer
Common Sense Media says
Doggie therapy that's fun for the whole family.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this show sometimes features aggressive dogs who bite or attempt to attack other dogs. Also, although some of the show's methods for dealing with troubled dogs may look easy, they shouldn't be attempted by untrained people, especially kids. Warnings appear on the screen to discourage regular folks from trying some of the expert's approaches, but parents may want to reinforce that message to younger viewers.
What's the story?
Cesar Millan runs the Dog Psychology Center in Los Angeles, where he rehabilitates troubled and dangerous canines. Millan travels to dog owners' homes to find solutions to their various doggie dilemmas. After listening to the owners describe their dog's issues, Millan is able to pinpoint the problem and almost instantly make some impressive changes in the dog's behavior. His philosophy is based on the idea that a dog's behavior problem is really a problem with its owner's behavior.
Is it any good?
The Dog Whisperer is a pleasure to watch for the whole family, and dog owners especially will find helpful information in the series. Millan is charming and highly skilled with both dogs and people, which explains the media's fascination with him. Since his methods are really very simple, and dogs' problems not terribly varied, the show's content can eventually start to feel a little repetitive. But Millan tries to mix it up, and some episodes step outside the framework, as when Millan visits a women's prison and teaches the inmates how to train dogs using his methods.
Explore, discuss, enjoy
Families can talk about pets. Would any of the methods described work for their dogs? What about for other pets? What kinds of changes would your family need to make to change your dog's iffy behaviors? Why do families think Millan is so successful with animals? How can his methods for dealing with dogs translate into dealing with people?
- Show:
- All members
- Parents
- Teens & kids
Adult
December 19, 2008
AGE
wow
Ceaser is amazing! The idiots from doggie daycare should have him come in and sort them out. If every dog owner in the world had just a portion of the talent the dog whisperer does then the canine/human relationship would be a very successful one indeed! I recommend this show to absolutely everyone
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Teen, 14 years old
January 29, 2011
AGE
I have to agree with zinfandog, another use who reviewed this show.. Ceasar is constantly hurting the dogs. While it isn't noticeable at first, he does hit, kick, and use shock collars in his training methods. Like I said, you may not see it onscreen, but many people who have studied his methods say that he does indeed abuse the dogs. WAKE UP PEOPLE!!!!
What other families should know:
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Adult
April 9, 2008
AGE
The Snake Oil Salesman of Dog Training
"I've never seen Cesar hurt a dog" is a common response by his fans, however he has hit, kicked, and strung dogs by their collars. He has used shock collars he has forced dogs to endure significant fear and stress.
To the average television viewer, they are too hypnotized by the accent and dramatic music, not to mention the man explaining that what he is doing is not hurting the dog (while he hits the dog again). Rene Descartes assured his audiences that animals did not feel pain while he dissected live and conscious dogs and cats.
Wake up people. This is not training. It's not even dog "psychology". It's old-school jerk the dog methods that resulted in the euthanasia of too many dogs.
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Adult
April 9, 2008
AGE
Amazed
Well I think that this show can help people to have a better connection with their dogs, and I would watch it each chance I get.
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Kid, 10 years old
April 9, 2008
AGE
The Dog Whisperer is great!
I think Ceasar's a really neat guy...he's really good with dogs. Heck, even OPRAH called on him to train her dog(Sophie-which always reminds me of Meerkat Manor!)! There are also other celebrities like, for instance, Patti Labelle called on Ceasar to train her dog(Nassir-A large mastiff type dog), and trust me, that dog was MEAN, but he worked it out. I think this show is really good. Oh, and about CS's comment on commercialism...he has to drive SOME kind of car! C'mon! Loosen up a bit!
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Kid, 10 years old
December 28, 2009
AGE
its great
What other families should know:
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Adult
April 9, 2008
AGE
it is so helpful
its helpful 4 bad doggies
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Kid, 10 years old
September 9, 2010
AGE
perfect for kids
love it
What other families should know:
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Parent
December 7, 2011
AGE
Yes watch this show you will see what you are doing wrong not only with your pet but in your family as well!!
All the methods used will work with any dog. Cesar show us how to rehabilitate dogs all the while he is training us! I have used his methods on my Labrador and they work wonders as long as everyone in the house is 'consistent'! My dog has a few behaviors that drive us crazy but we are using Cesar's methods to change these behaviors and get us in the "habit" of doing what he needs. Think about it will anyone walk up to a person who is walking in circles acting nutty 'No'. We think that person is crazy, unbalanced has a screw loose and we walk away. But then we see a person sitting on a park bench in a calm state so we sit down and begin talking to them. Aren't we already doing what he is teaching us to be 'calm'.
What other families should know:
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Teen, 15 years old
April 26, 2011
AGE
Becareful! Sometimes it can be a little bit violent.
This show is great! Its kinda like Supernanny only he disciplines dogs, however I think you should becareful if you let your child watch it. 3 years ago I saw an episode of a dog who has mental issues and starts scratching other cats and dogs. So this show is fine for kids but sometimes it can be a little bit violent.
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| Topics: | science and nature |
| TV rating: | TV-G |
| Networks: | NatGeoWild, National Geographic Channel |
| Cast: | Cesar Millan |
| Genre: | Reality TV |
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