Paul Owens - Dog Whisperer

Dog Whisperer- An Evolution

The term "Dog Whisperer" became popular after the appearance of the book and movie called The Horse Whisperer in the early 1990s. Originally, the term Whisperer came to signify how gentle, non-force methods of training could be used with animals. Over the years, the definition came to include both positive and negative training methods.

In 1999, the now bestselling book, The Dog Whisperer: A Compassionate, Nonviolent Approach to Dog Training by Paul Owens was published by Adams Media. This was followed by two critically acclaimed DVDs, The Dog Whisperer: Beginning and Intermediate Dog Training, which appeared in early 2004, and The Dog Whisperer: Vol. 2: Solving Common Behavior Problems for Puppies and Dogs, in 2007. The book, The Puppy Whisperer: A Compassionate Nonviolent Guide to Early Care and Training, also by Owens, was published in 2007 by Adams Media.

In his books and DVDs, Owens promotes the use of step-by-step, non-force training methods and emphasizes the link between how humans interact with animals with how humans treat each other. Owens often quotes Dr. Martin Luther King’s nonviolent philosophy. When Dr. King was asked why he didn’t use physical violence with his detractors: “If peace is our goal then our means must be peaceful.”

Owens's Dog Whisperer training model factors in the many influences on behavior, in a model he refers to as the “Nine Ingredients.” Owens says, “These nine ingredients must all be brought into balance in the proper quality and quantity in order for lasting behavior modification to take hold.” Owens’ nine ingredients are: food (diet), play, socialization, quiet time, exercise, employment, rest, training, and veterinary (health) care.

Owens began training dogs in 1975 and switched from commonly-used punishment-based training methods to reward-based training in 1988. He has been certified by the Certification Council of Pet Dog Trainers and is endorsed by the National Association of Dog Obedience Instructors.

On September 13, 2004, National Geographic launched a television program called Dog Whisperer with Cesar Millan as the featured dog trainer. He is the co-author of the best-selling books, Cesar's Way, Be the Pack Leader, and several others. Millan opened the Dog Psychology Center in Los Angeles the late-1990s, prior to his appearance on the National Geographic program. The International Association of Canine Professionals awarded Cesar and his wife Ilusion with honorary membership in March 2006.

Millan's training methods are rooted in a philosophy of “exercise, discipline and affection.” Millan counsels people to use “calm-assertive leadership” and consistently give dogs “rules, boundaries and limitations” to establish themselves as “pack leaders” and help correct and control unwanted behavior. Corrections and control of unwanted behaviors are primarily done by the use of physical punishment, including jerking, pinning , hitting the dog with a cupped hand, and occasionally hanging and shocking. Millan says you use “whatever works.”

Since the 1990’s, many other trainers in cities around the world have also used the term Dog Whisperer. The more well-known include Steve Fryer (England), Graeme Sims (England), and John Richardson (Australia). Both Sims and Richardson also wrote books titled Dog Whisperer.