"The Kriegers have not been able to successfully implement Cesar's technique."
There it is in black and white for all to see, on page 299 of the Dog Whisperer's "Ultimate Episode Guide." The sad truth. Our episode (titled "Raw Cotton") first aired more than two years ago. To this day, whenever I see a rerun, I cringe at the closing scene: me, boasting about Cesar Millan's method being "idiot simple."
For The Record
Los Angeles Times Tuesday, July 28, 2009 Home Edition Main News Part A Page 4 National Desk 1 inches; 30 words Type of Material: Correction
Dog disarming: In Saturday's Home section, an article about dogs that bite said Dr. Gail Golab led the American Veterinary Medical Assn. She is director of its animal welfare division.
For The Record
Los Angeles Times Saturday, August 01, 2009 Home Edition Home Part E Page 4 Features Desk 1 inches; 43 words Type of Material: Correction
Dog disarming: Dr. Gail Golab was incorrectly identified as the head of the American Veterinary Medical Assn. in an article in last Saturday's Home section about the technique of disarming dogs that bite. She is the director of the association's animal welfare division.
Apparently, not simple enough for this idiot.
Cotton -- our beloved, 6-year-old American Eskimo -- is still a biter. I suppose he will always be a biter. And, as my lawyer husband keeps reminding me, "a lawsuit waiting to happen." Not that his bites are so powerful: I once had a cat who left comparable fang marks. But the cat didn't lunge at visitors.
How had the 35-pound, bouncing ball of fluff that is our family pet become a public menace? It sure wasn't through apathy on my part. I had tried everything. Puppy classes and basic-training at the neighborhood PetSmart. A library of self-help books and videos. Even a pricey dog-aggression expert whose Israeli accent made me want to stand at attention. He ordered counter-conditioning and desensitization drills, supplemented by a low-protein diet and a doggie herbal remedy akin to St. John's Wort.
Nothing worked.
I tried clicker training, high-pitched electronic tones, pepper spray, throwing soda cans filled with rocks. I considered an electric shock collar but worried that in the hands of an amateur (that would be me, the aforementioned idiot) it might do more harm than good.
Finally, I appealed to the fabled Dog Whisperer.
Cesar's efforts were a brilliant success -- until he left our house. For one day, Cotton was the dog I'd always dreamed he could be. Calm and submissive, deferring to the pack leader. Unfortunately, the pack leader was Cesar.
Reluctantly, I looked into shipping Cotton to a dog rescue -- but didn't find one that would take a dog with a history of biting. No chance of ever placing him with a new owner, they explained. Unacceptable liability. Months later, I had a follow-up visit with Cesar at his Dog Psychology Center in South L.A. Surrounded by his spectacularly submissive pack, he accepted my lack of leadership skill and suggested I try a full-time muzzle. I had already tried that and concluded the restraint has yet to be invented that Cotton couldn't wriggle out of.
