Victoria Stillwell had the right idea and the best intentions I guess starting out by working part time as a dog walker to supplement her income when she was still an actress. VS took inspiration from watching Jo Frost on "Supernanny" and from her contacts in show-business, was able to pitch her idea for a show with her being the dog owner equivalent and the rest - a pretty poor history but you get the idea.
She quickly went from a decent enough start, offering good basic advice to first time, novice owners then became an outspoken "expert" with the brass to criticise and rip on other trainers she deems out of touch, cruel and whose methods are aversive and abusive, Cesar Milan being the one she was almost obsessed with to a point of it getting embarrassing.
Calling out CM at every opportunity frequently citing his lack of formal training or qualifications was rich given dog training and behaviourists aren't regulated so there are no formally recognised / accredited qualifications she can claim to have. When "Me or The Dog" came on the air, VS didn't have and had never owned a dog of her own and her inspiration for the show came from watching Jo Frost (who also lacks formal training / qualifications and has no children of her own but her methods, technique and approaches are tried, tested and proven) There's nothing wrong with how and which way she got to where she is but VS took the idea, got overexcited and started to actually believe her own hype. Clearly loves what she does and has some sound knowledge and experience in a general sense but the idea she can take control of the most unruly and challenging dog in one minute is ridiculous.
It wouldn't be were the dogs in need of anything over above and beyond the most basic training which can be easily and quickly put into place.
She goes the long winded and drawn out way of doing everything, frequently fails to address issues directly and places the onus on people rather than address the dog's behaviour.
As the series progressed she became more cocksure, confident and ended up losing patience, sympathy and understanding for owners many of whom ARE clueless but will not lose the habit of a lifetime overnight. She got a little too comfortable playing into the role of "No nonsense British female dog trainer" which seems to have gone down especially amongst audiences in the US.
Interestingly, the vast majority of her work, associations and recognition and general fan base seems to be in the US. She doesn't quite cut it or pass herself off as well in the UK and has a "Marmite" sort of personality.
There's nothing wrong with the techniques, methods and training she uses as such but she has allowed herself to get so cocksure and confident it got old fast and very irritating. Ironically the episodes she received the most flak and negative criticism about I don't feel she warranted or were justified.
If you a new, novice first time owner looking for basic training information and guidance to start off on the right foot, you won't go too far wrong with watching and reading some of VS's books alongside others particularly books about your dog's breed and its specific traits, quirks and habits.
In that sense - I would recommend VS no problem.
However, she has a very basic 101 beginner approach which needs keeping in mind and for dogs that have more complex, challenging issues or show / have been aggressive and are becoming an increasing concern - for the love of God take your time to read up, research, get proper veterinary and behaviourist advice (not a trainer - a behaviourist) because in many cases, trying to apply what VS does in a scenario where that ship has long since sailed can do more harm than good.
