[aldelgreco]

One thing I've learned from watching the dog whisperer is that there is a lot to be said for how you portray yourself as a "master" or he calls "pack leader". In my opinion, it has MUCH MUCH more to do with body language, the "calm, assertive energy" and the ability to provide the animal with everything it needs both physically and mentally.

To me, dominating a dog is not calm and assertive, even if you act calm and assertive while doing it. in fact, in the dog world, it is quite the opposite. calm redirection does not give you the primal satisfaction that you may seek as a red-blooded human who is not used to praising somebody/something when they have just done something bad. What it does give you is a basis for trust between you and your dog and the feeling that you are working as a healthy, functional team.

Your position as the master should eventually be self-evident given your positive energy and your fair and respectful allocation of resources, time and energy on their behalf. They are smart. They understand that.

I think that Cesar Milan is brilliant, but what you get out of 3 15-minute segments that are edited to show the most interesting scenes, etc. is not a basis for training.
I would be interested to hear his take on domination of HIS OWN dogs as opposed to those of guests on his show. I don't think it would be the same at all.