November 7, 2006
By Carolyn Olson
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
Cesar Millan rehabilitates dogs and trains people. His unconventional way of dealing with dogs — and people — has elevated him to cult status to many of the human companions of the estimated 68 millions dogs in the United States.
Photo: Cesar Millan with his pack of dogs at the Dog Psychology Center in Los Angeles.
But Millan doesn’t like to be known as a dog trainer. He says he often fi nds that a dog’s problem is the human mentor, who doesn’t take time to treat a dog like a dog. Instead, the dog is more often treated as a human. He tries to understand dogs’ psychological needs by giving them exercise, discipline and affection, in that order.
Millan is best known as the star of television’s “Dog Whisperer,” the hit show on cable’s National Geographic Channel that began its third season last month. He also works with about 50 dogs at a time at his two-acre Dog Psychology Center in a warehouse in south Los Angeles.
He’s had sessions with “celebrity dogs,” including ones belonging to Oprah Winfrey, Jada Pinkett Smith and Will Smith, Nicolas Cage and Scarlett Johansson. But much of his focus is working with formerly aggressive dogs that people have forgotten, bringing them into what he calls a “calm-submission state.”
Millan is also the author of a best-seller about his work with dogs, “Cesar’s Way.” His role on the TV show has made him a sought-after speaker, too, so much so that it took 18 months for Support Dogs Inc. to bring him to St. Charles. The group provides service dogs to people with balance problems, and signal dogs to people who are hearing-impaired .
“We wanted to have an educational outreach program that appeals to all people,” explains Robyn James, executive director of Support Dogs. “And we hit a grand slam with him. Cesar has a TV show that appeals to all ‘dog’ people, not just ‘service-dog people.’
“He offers sound training advice that is simple to understand and not too technical.” And what’s the fee for an appearance by the star of a hit TV show? “Well, let’s just say the organization will benefit financially, as will Cesar,” James says.
• Find a dog that fi ts your lifestyle. More active breeds, such as hunting dog and herding dogs, require more physical challenges (like exercise) to stay physically and mentally content.
• Know that some dogs (especially older dogs) may have had experiences that will affect their reactions toward adults, children and other animals.
• Give the dog something to do before you share food, water, toys or affection.This way, the treat has been earned.
• Try to create a schedule that includes a daily 45-minute power walk in the morning.
• Walk out the door ahead of your dog to demonstrate who is boss when going outdoors.
• Be willing to set a budget for unexpected circumstances, like veterinary bills, training, etc. Insurance for dogs may help with vet bills.
NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC CHANNEL
As of press time, less than 50 seats were still available at the $85 ticket price.
Millan grew up in Culican, Mexico, working with dogs for 20 years. He came to the United States when he was 21. He started as a dog groomer in San Diego and gradually had other jobs working with dogs.
“I always wanted to be the best,” he says in a phone interview.
After a compelling story about his unique practices with dogs ran in the Los Angeles Times in 2002, Millan was fl ooded with requests to tell his story on fi lm and television. He took an offer from the National Geographic Channel.
“I’ve always wanted to bring hope to people and motivate them to help them with their dogs,” he said.
Millan takes what some call a “toughlove” approach to dog-behavior problems. He believes dogs need rules, boundaries and limitations to become what he calls balanced.
But his methods are not without critics. In September, American Humane, the oldest national organization protecting children and animals, sent a letter to the National Geographic Channel calling Millan’s methods “inhumane, outdated and improper.”
Millan says the nation’s dogs are overfed and underexercised, and he recommends a daily 30-60 minute walk. He spends four to fi ve hours a day exercising dogs at his dog center.
“This walk helps a dog become balanced and learn to accept humans as pack leaders,” he says.
Millan’s seminar is drawing participants from across the country. Among them is “Dog Whisperer” fan Paula Kelley of Traverse City, Mich., who is bringing her mother, husband David Kelley and two children.
“My wife is the biggest Cesar Millan fan,” David Kelley explains via telephone “We have a dog (half golden retriever and half collie) who goes to the library, and kids read to him. He’s a kind of therapy dog. “We’re spending a wad of money to come to St. Louis for this seminar, but we’ll also do some sightseeing along the way.”
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