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Please sign and share this petition to block the Caesar Millan exhibit at the Ft. Worth Museum of Science and History!
The Ft. Worth Museum of Science and History is in talks with Caesar Millan, according to the Caesar's Way website, to present an exhibit on dog history and behavior. The scientific behavior and modern dog training communities believe this will negatively impact the welfare of dogs in the Dallas Ft. Worth area and beyond by suggesting to the public that his forceful and sometimes abusive techniques should be used by pet owners.
A growing body of research indicates that forceful, "leadership" style training, based on old fashioned and outmoded ideas, are associated with an increase in aggression in dogs. The American Veterinary Society of Animal Behaviorists released, "A Position Statement on The Use of Dominance Theory in Behavior Modification of Animals". ( http://www.avsabonline.org/avsabonline/images/stories/Position_Statements/dominance%20statement.pdf ) It begins, "The AVSAB is concerned with the recent re-emergence of dominance theory and forcing dogs and other animals into submission as a means of preventing and correcting behavior problems."
A research study at the University of Pennsylvania determined that "if you're aggressive, your dog will be, too" . "Dog whispering" techniques use the methods described in this article, and the outcome is not desirable.
University of Pennsylvania (2009, February 18). If You're Aggressive, Your Dog Will Be Too, Says Veterinary Study. ScienceDaily. Retrieved March 14, 2011, from http://www.sciencedaily.com /releases/2009/02/090217141540.htm
What we see on The Dog Whisperer on TV is not safe dog training. Please sign this petition and share it with your friends!
Replace Dog Whisperer Exhibit with Modern Science of Animal Behavior
Greetings, Mr. Lansford,
I was delighted to see that the Ft. Worth Museum of Science and History is planning an exhibit related to dogs. Please don't allow the Dog Whisperer to be influential in the planning of the exhibit of dog behavior and history at the Ft. Worth Museum of Science and History. The scientific animal behavior community along with modern animal trainers are concerned that this will perpetuate the backward and dangerous techniques espoused by Caesar Millan. While he is famous and charismatic, his techniques don't jibe with modern training practices.
The American Veterinary Society of Animal Behaviorists has released a position statement that discourages the use of dominance theory in training animals. The University of Pennsylvania conducted research revealing that such training methods are asdsociated with an increase in aggression. A growing body of research indicates that what the Dog Whisperer does is not only less effective than modern methods, it is also more dangerous, both for the dogs and for people who spend time with them.
Please intervene to eliminate Mr. Millan's influence on the design of the exhibit. There are many modern trainers and scientists who are far better equipped to provide state of the art collaboration on such a worthwhile project.
Thank you.
Sincerely,
Kellie Snider, MS
Animal Behaviorist
[Your name]