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Victoria Stillwell or Cesar Millan? Almost a question for the ages.

Both have their own ways of working with dogs and owners. However, there is one major difference between them. Cesar rehabilitates dogs and trains the owners. Victoria trains the dog and rehabilitates the owners. Cesar is more about the dog than Victoria is, and his methods work so well that my 7 year old Goddaughter can use them to control a 120-pound Rottweiler, and several 60- to 85-pound Pitbulls. Watching Cesar's methods being used perfectly by a 50-pound child on dogs that are much larger and heavier than she has proved to me that they work and work well. Doing so has protected many children from suspicious characters that like to take advantage of a child playing in the front yard.

I, personally, have used Cesar's methods to train dozens of dogs and help dozens of people. Once explained, Cesar's methods are easily understandable and just as easily executed on a daily basis. I now use his methods for my landlady's dog, who is extremely high energy and driven. While I am working with the dog, I'm also working with the owners in order to ensure that the training is continuing after I leave. As was pointed out in the previous paragraph, Cesar's methods are so easy that even children can use them successfully, and my landlady's 4-year-old son is doing just that.

Using Victoria's methods proved more difficult and seems to concentrate mostly on the dog without the change to the owner, which I'm not at all comfortable with. If an animal as social as a dog is going to change, its owners would need to make the necessary adjustments as well. I don't believe that Ms. Stillwell's methods cover that in quite as much depth as Cesar's, nor do they seem as clear and concise, either. Where Victoria concentrates on one side of the equation, Cesar appears to promote balance within the owner-pet relationship and tries to save it whenever possible.

However, much like raising children, training a dog is purely subjective and based on the whims, needs, and desires of the animal's owner, whichever method is used to do so. If you want to learn how to train your dog, but are not willing to change yourself, then Victoria Stilwell is perfect for you. If you want to learn to change yourself as well as your dog, then feel free to follow Cesar Millan's methods and teachings to the best of your ability. If, for any reason, neither method works, or you feel as though you need help, then please, seek out a professional trainer in order to assist you on your journey toward obedience from your canine companion.

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