Oh the controversy!

However, Caesar is not without his critics. And his critics can be rather harsh. Recently, he's been called out for 'inhumane' training methods, for being 'unscientific', for refusing to rely on 'tried and true' methods, for 'setting dog training back into the middle ages'. I mean, he's just a glorified DOG WALKER! He doesn't have a certificate to train dogs! And he doesn't rely on SCIENCE. God help us all. There is a man on TV practicing dog training without the proper documentation. 

Okay, so it may be more serious than that. I have to give credit to people for at least attempting to think critically about the treatment of animals. However, it seems like a lot of people offering criticism fall into one of two categories: 'professional' trainers, and those who fail to do right by animals on a daily basis. There are several blogs out there representing the first, none of whom have ever actually spent any time with Caesar observing his work in first person. Obviously, these trainers have a personal stake in this - in their opinion, if he's right they're wrong and possibly out of a job. You can find them by doing a Google search, if you're so inclined. The other category includes people like veterinarians and 'animal behaviorists' who use science to explain everything, and who don't like to be questioned. 

So who is right? Caesar, a lovable man who loves dogs and wants them to be happy and healthy? Or is he just another crazed quack looking for his fifteen minuets? I honestly don't have an answer because I've never met the man, or seen him work. Here's what I do know. 

When it comes to animals, science is notoriously biased. We perform experiments on animals left, right and center without questioning the reason why or even how effective such experimentation is. What's more, science has been a tool for finding reasons to deny animals basic rights. Did you know that many scientists and animal behaviorists claim that animals lack the capability to feel emotion? These scientists include people who work exclusively with animals, even veterinarians. And yet when it comes to how we treat animals, we rely almost exclusively on 'science' to tell us what is what. We assume they have some authority, that they aren't biased, that they care enough about animals to step outside their culture and tradition and be really, truly objective. 

I don't believe they do. 

I believe that many of these people are incapable of thinking outside the box when it comes to conventional 'wisdom', regard animals as lesser and unworthy of respect, or merely as disposable property. I believe they are simply an extension of how we view animals as property - they are the fixers of property, and if it cannot be fixed, no need to keep it. Simply get rid of it through 'humane measures'. 

I applaud and credit people for trying to prevent human beings for kicking, beating and abusing dogs. I don't believe that the people attacking Caesar know enough about him to be able to make that judgement. I haven't seen any evidence that they have worked with him, met him, spoken with him. I believe those are necessary steps before attacking someone for trying to do good. 

I also applaud and credit people for trying to save dogs from being killed simply because the people they live with are incapable. These same vets and trainers may be the same ones recommending euthanasia for Caesar's "red light" cases. These caring and compassionate people may be the ones saying "Kill him, he's unsalvageable" to a dog simply because their science and common knowledge tells them this is so. Like those who advocate immediate 'euthanasia' for fighting dogs, they rely on what they have been taught rather than thinking for themselves. 

I do not know Caesar Milan. Like his critics, I have never seen him in person nor seen his methods except on television. I would not practice some of his methods on my own dogs. I think research into his methods is warranted. I do believe that he has looked at dogs not as lesser beings, not merely as property, but as unique individuals who think, feel, are troubled and happy and excited and upset and who deserve to live, no matter what humans may have done to them. 

What's really interesting is that these dog trainers, these veterinarians, probably wouldn't balk at eating a pig who had been tortured a thousand times worse than what they're attacking Caesar for, and then killed. A pig who is remarkably like a dog, except in looks. So what do they really care about?