Cesar's Way: The Natural, Everyday Guide to Understanding and Correcting Common Dog Problems

Book review by Jane
Dogs can be a real challenge. I’ve got two, and before this book, I couldn’t take them out for walks or keep them from barking at everyone who came to visit. I am still working on those issues. At least, now I have a plan of attack and they are already behaving better. I know that a lot of the discipline I want to give my dogs, I should give myself first. The book gently reminds us of this point, and goes on to teach us how to think like a dog—not a human. At least, our dogs are not little humans, dressed up in little clothes. Cesar says that dogs are happier when they are treated like dogs. I’ve become more aware of their needs now. For dogs to have better behavior, the exercise is first, then discipline, then affection. Cesar explains discipline, or giving the dog a correction. These corrections have worked wonders already with my dogs. But the important thing is to keep a calm-assertive leadership around your dogs from all the humans in the household. He also explained what should never be tolerated in your household from your dogs, such as any aggression or feeding them at the table, or anything that would allow them to take over the role of the pack leader.

This book is packed full of valuable information on how to raise dogs. The author is not a dog trainer, but instead teaches humans the psychology of dogs. If you’ve seen “The Dog Whisperer” on National Geographic cable program, then you’ve seen Cesar Millan in action. But the point of why it’s important to read this book, is that it puts order to the lessons he teaches and allows them to be engrained in a way that is very useful, as I’ve found out. I find that I just have a better, more complete understanding of dogs. I’m not looking at them like they are cute little children anymore, but enjoying them for what they are. The book is serious business, but it is written in an entertaining way, mentioning some stars that have had Cesar’s help. Cesar also writes with a style that includes humor. I also found it entertaining that I am a cat person, according to the quiz in the book. Too late now; I have dogs, and I’m going to do my best by them. Thank goodness for this book!

Jane.