Being a peer-reviewed question and answer site sounds really good on paper (and works fantastic on Stack Overflow, where I am a major contributor). Unlike SO, where answers can be verified in a timely fashion (does it compile? does it look the way you expect? etc.), many questions require a significant amount of time before they can be verified (behavior or training related). Answers containing misinformation can be backed up by incorrect sources just as easily as correct answers can be backed up by good sources.
Related: http://meta.pets.stackexchange.com/questions/564/why-should-i-back-up-my-answer-with-referencesWhy should I back up my answer with references?
My primary concern is over questions related to dog behavior. Everyone and their mom knows Cesar Millan. His show, The Dog Whisperer, is all about helping dogs with behavioral problems. As a celebrity dog psychologist (note: not a dog trainer or behaviorist), he has more credibility than he deserves. He has a cult following and any professional (trainer, behaviorist, veterinarian, etc.) who speaks out against him is accused of being jealous or wrong or whatever.
- ASPCA debunking dominance, something Cesar attributes to every undesirable behavior in dogs
- Association of Professional Dog Trainers on dominance myths
- Article describing a study on dog behavior, specifically dominance
- The Whole Dog Journal debunking the Alpha Dog myth
- Dr. Sophia Yin on the dominance myth
- The American Humane Association labels Cesar's techniques as "inhumane, outdated and improper"
- A collection of quotes/comments from professionals speaking out against Cesar's techniques
None of these sources are as sexy as Cesar Millan, despite having science to back them up.
