Ceasar Millans "training"...

[Alysser]

Is the Westie intact or neutered? And . . . does the Westie mark, in his own home?

These are the 2 obvious things I thought of with what you described. Especially that the Westie's mom wasn't furious another dog peed in her house???? Huge clue that maybe the Westie marks in the house.

I don't like Cesar Millan's techniques either. There was a recent article that Cesar gets positive reinforcement - he is making tons of money selling his books, vids etc. lol. But the article went on that the dogs are getting punishment training. It's been well known for some time that his methods are not positive reinforcement training.

My Willy marks, even here in his own home. So, he wears a belly band in the house at all times. I don't know of any way to train out humping or marking. Sorry, can't help on that point.

Ya know, Sandie, that is a brilliant question and point. He is neutered but I didn't see him marking. Maybe he smelled something that was there before?? I really don't know. The westie is very well-behaved from what I could see.

[Taz_Zoee]

I am not sticking up for either professional trainer in my post. However, my brother uses Cesar's techniques and they work for him. I was amazed one day when I saw my brother walking over to my moms house (they live in the country so it's a nice walk through the trees) and all five dogs were walking nice and slow right behind him. He told me he hadn't even told them to. He said if they had run ahead he wouldn't have corrected them. But they know him and that's what they do. When I walk with them they are all over the place. Running ahead and then coming back to me. My brother is not mean to the dogs. He is firm with them and they know when he says something they listen. I like watching Cesar. I agree with his calm-assertiveness that he teaches the people. I actually want to learn how to do that. That is my problem with Zoee and I can't figure out how to do it.
I also like Victoria and her techniques. So I tend to use both trainers ideas with my dogs. Like you said...it's what ever works with YOUR dog. I also respect people's opinions that do not like Cesar, because I know LOTS of people that do not like him.

I recently went to my sisters house and her youngest dog (a Boston Terrier) is out of control. And I am actually surprised since my sister has done dog training before. But the reason he is the way he is is because my sisters husband allows it. I walked down the hall and Quinn growled at me. Les said no to him then leaned over and kissed him on the head. He was reinforcing the behavior. My sister even knows it but said there's nothing she can do about it.

Anyway, I have no advice about the marking. Taggart marks at my moms house and if he stays there for long periods of time he has to wear the belly band. He doesn't do this anywhere else. So I will watch this thread to see if others have advice on that.
The mounting is another thing I don't know how to deal with. Zoee does this to Taggart ALL the time. And the other day at the dog park Taggart started doing it to another dog. I was so embarrassed. Then another dog started doing it to the same female dog. I would just tell Taggart no when he did it and he stopped. I also just tell Zoee to stop when she does it. I sometimes just wish Taggart would turn around and tell her to stop himself.

[snakemama]

I train Jasper with a Sit Means Sit shock collar. It works well for us. Jasper has almost completely stopped humping now that I can stop him in an instant before he gets "into the groove".

Like you said, everyone needs to find what works for them. Have you read Cesar's books? A lot of his materal does make sense - dogs are dogs, not people...they need a lot more exercise than the average person gives them...having a calm, relaxed attitude while working with your dog will achieve results that you won't see if you are stressed out and strung out while working with your dog. I don't like all of the techniques he uses, but a lot of what he says rings quite true to me, especially about under-exercised American dogs. I see them all the time in my store.

[Sowa]

I really don't have a problem with CM. I watched a lot of his shows before I got Clover. I really feel like he gets the job done and helps a lot of dogs. I think if the dog is aggressive and nothing else works and he can help then I'm all for it.

I personally don't use all his methods with Clover. I don't believe if I let her on my bed with me that she's going to become dominant. I also won't do that "kick" thing he does while walking dogs. I don't like to use any sort of contact like that. It's not for me or Clover. It's not necessary for her. She is well behaved for the most part.

I do ask her to sit while dogs pass but that's just my own preference. She knows sit/stay better then come, so instead of strangling her self to get to the dog, she will sit calmly beside me.

I do agree with some things he says and not others. I really do think he knows what he's talking about though but it works better with some dogs more so then others.