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Tired of Cesar? Meet Vladae!
By Gina Spadafori
September 3, 2009
Just what the world needs: Another Hollywood dog-trainer with a good agent and a better publicist, an accent — Russian, this time — and the secret of the instant fix to all your dog’s behavior problems.
Yes, an instant fix! His rich and celebrity clients says so!
From NPR:
“Your dog needs to know you are the boss,” [Vladae Roytapel] says. “Humans, we don’t like having a boss so much, but your dog? He loves it! Dogs need to know the order of things. They need to know who’s in charge.”
Here’s the rest. Nothing new here. Nothing. What ze dog mommy says to ze baby dog? Get a copy of Carol Lea Benjamin’s “Mother Knows Best.” She did it better, 20 years ago.
But I see a TV show in his future. It is about time for the next Hollywood dog trainer to take the stage.
What a country!
And if I have to read another damn story that starts out: “… Doggie day care? Gourmet dog food? Ultrasounds? … ” my head will … oh, you know.
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omg, please no. i’m glad that cesar started a the trend of people walking their dogs more, but please…if i hear one more (un-educated, un-certified) person calling themselves an “animal behaviorist”, my head will also…oh, you know…
i actually met such a “behaviorist” at a private dog park, where someone without any education or certification was in charge of “evaluating” dogs for membership by making them give up their bellies and holding their paws. PASS, thank you.
Comment by Val — September 3, 2009 @ 6:43 pm
I’ve met Vladae. Nothing new, nothing different, nothing wrong with him. A tireless self-promoter with the Yakov Smirnov angle going for him.
I confess to a fondness for him because he loudly backed up me and Pip on the proposition that “this leash demeans us both” at a professional conference where accomplished trainers suddenly found ourselves being treated like foolish children on the subject of appropriate dog management. I.e., we were told to punitively leash our reliable trained dogs because some members of the public might release their untrained slavering hounds, or something. It was never quite clear.
Now, for the next truly talented dog trainer + eye candy + engaging accent — wait about five years, and I’ll show you a young Brazilian woman who, if she applies herself in her apprenticeship and figures out how she does what she does, will be eating Cesar Millan’s lunch and training circles around me.
It would be nice if some of us who talk like Dan Rather could get a foot in …
Comment by H. Houlahan — September 3, 2009 @ 7:28 pm
I thought you were going to give us good news.
Comment by RTL — September 3, 2009 @ 7:32 pm
Carol Lea Benjamin always does it right. My favorite book of hers is See Spot Sit. I also like her Second Hand Dog.
Heather, what is the Brazilian woman’s name?
Comment by Phyllis DeGioia — September 4, 2009 @ 4:51 am
Heather … he sounded quite capable in what I heard on the radio piece. But what really set my teeth on edge was the reporter framing what he does as magic, and backing that up with a sound bite where a customer said the dog was basically fixed after one visit from “The Russian Wizard.”
I just get tired, tired, tired of people being given the idea that there’s a magic wand solution, an instant fix to their dog problems.
And, as noted, I’m really, really, really tired of stories framed with the “gee whiz, Americans are so silly because they spend money on pets!” meme. NPR has had two such stories that I caught recently, including one where the reporter was shocked! shocked! I tell you shocked! that she spent a hundred and change to treat a cat’s ear infection.
Missy NPR Girl, when I get a pet treated for anything — a process that involves exam, Dx and usually Rx — and walk out for the low cost that shocked you, I am a happy camper.
Comment by Gina Spadafori — September 4, 2009 @ 6:02 am
I spent over $300 on a wellness annual (no vaccs) for my almost 13 year old dog. Ok, and 6 months HW preventative for her and the young one. Still - someone is shocked by that?
I’ve heard of Vladae and I think he was on Letterman once, but it’s the whole “Billy Mays” dog training shtick that really bugs me. I don’t like that kind of sell anymore than I like the Victoria Stillwell weepy act. Most truly good dog trainers don’t tend to be so theatrical. They’ll never have a show, but thank goodness spend time working with real (and not celebrity-only) people and their dogs.
Comment by Janet Boss — September 4, 2009 @ 6:24 am
Cesar Knows Dogs! There are many people out there that call themselves “animal behaviorists” however, whether or not they are really qualified is another story. Just as with any thing in life, you have to be discerning and be carful who you believe. When it comes to our animals and our children, we need to be very careful who we believe, or things can get off track quickly. What seems most logical? Cesar is logical, confident, and basic. Everyone needs to decide for themselves, but try not to be influenced by hype. Look for evidence of walking the “talk” in their lives. If you take a look at Cesar, his pack, and his family, you will see he lives what he preaches. You can find merit on some level with most trainers, but in the end you have to do what is best for you. To check out Cesar and his training, click here and scroll to the bottom to view some of his books: [deleted by moderators]
Comment by Janine — September 4, 2009 @ 10:27 am
So, do you work for him?
Comment by The OTHER Pat — September 4, 2009 @ 10:38 am
Janine, please refrain from such obvious pitching for your Website store on this blog.
Comment by Gina Spadafori — September 4, 2009 @ 10:40 am
Heather, what is the Brazilian woman’s name?
Not gonna say. She’s just asked me about how to get started professionally, and is going to work with a trainer in her area who can mentor her. She’s a natural with dogs, but has no systematic education in them. If she can become conscious of what she is doing that works and learn how to teach others, she will be tremendous. If not, she’ll just be one of those naturally talented people who have “a way” with animals without thinking about it.
Comment by H. Houlahan — September 4, 2009 @ 11:08 am
I used Vlade as a trainer here in Michigan before he relocated. I was a skeptic, too, and had used other trainers with my older dog. He really does have a fantastic way with dogs. He totally socialized my german shepherd - spent hours with her walking around area pet stores, parks, cities and even took her to his private dog training sessions. He trained her extremely well. He is a total self promoter but one that actually seems to know what he’s doing.
Comment by leigh thomas — September 4, 2009 @ 1:12 pm
As one who has been “in dogs” since kneehigh to a grasshopper, I have to say that those who make fun of Ceaser don’t know as much as they think they do. In my opinion. Yep, Carol Benjamen wrote a great book and it is as simple as understanding that mom knows best. In this case the dog’s mom. Dogs ARE pack animals. And they ARE happier, safer, saner with a leader. Sadly most dogs don’t have that. But then again, the majority of parent’s don’t make their human children behave either…. As far as the russian guy, never heard of him. As for me and my pack, we are happy the way we are. Am I their pack leader? You betcha. Do I love them to pieces? You betcha. I’ll put my 2 up against anyone’s, anytime. They are happy, secure, well behaved and loved. Both my 12 yr old chihuahua and my 8 yr old Standard poodle. (who is so terribly smart it is incredible-that’s a standard for you) Just my opinion I felt like stating after running across this. (Oh, and if Ceaser happens to be lucky enough to get a TV show and make some money-good for him. Someone’s gotta pay the vet bills for his pack! Wish I had a gig like his! :)
Like anything, take what you can use, leave what you can’t. But Ceaser bashing seems to be the trend, and I am sorry-while his method is not new, it is effective. Many have written and taught in the same fashion. Perhaps different buzz words, but the same and effective. And there you have one Texan’s opinion, which won’t buy you one single thing. Keep your minds open y’all. A mind is a terrible thing to have closed….
Y’all have a great one.
The native texan
Comment by Jamie — September 4, 2009 @ 5:40 pm
oh, ps I do not work for Ceaser, know him, nor do I have a website. I’d like to meet him, but I doubt that will happen. All I have is knowledge from years(please do not ask me how many! :) of being immersed in dogs. soooooo-i am not promoting anything like products, a website, and nope-no job with Mr. Milan. Just an RN with no personal connection.
Comment by Jamie — September 4, 2009 @ 5:47 pm
Vladae trained us to train our german shephard. No magic just training that WORKS. I could walk my dog anywhere any time under any situation off leash after training with Vladae.I can’t count the number of times people came out of their house or stopped their car to ask me who trained my dog to be so well behaved.
Comment by Alan — September 6, 2009 @ 10:06 am
I know nothing more than what I learned in the NPR piece. Heather’s a respected trainer, and if she vouches for him, I’m sure he’s just fine.
What I have a problem with is the complete idiocy of our having to have a current celebrity dog trainer to moon over, no matter who it is.
Comment by Gina Spadafori — September 6, 2009 @ 4:14 pm
With all due respect, no, I do not work for Cesar. I think he is a great, logical trainer. I am not try to promote anything. I was simply giving reference to his work and providing knowledge regarding dog training.
Comment by Janine — September 7, 2009 @ 4:08 pm
And a link to your website . . . . . . .
Comment by The OTHER Pat — September 7, 2009 @ 4:33 pm
Ha! Pish tush and balderdash! My beagles will have the latest flavor of the month trainer running away sobbing in minutes! Nicholas will give him the withering glare and Anna will try to bathe him in beagle kisses.
Sometimes you just have to go with what you got (and love them).
Comment by Bill — September 9, 2009 @ 7:40 pm