Cesar Millan

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César Millan
Born
César Millán Favela

(1969-08-27) August 27, 1969 (age 54)
Culiacán, Sinaloa, Mexico
NationalityMexican
CitizenshipUnited States
OccupationDog psychologist
Known forDog Whisperer with Cesar Millan
SpouseIlusión Millan (1994–2010; filed for divorce)[1]
WebsiteCesarsWay.com

Cesar Millan, (born César Millán Favela; August 27, 1969) is a Mexican dog trainer.[2] A self-taught expert, he is widely known for his television series Dog Whisperer with Cesar Millan, broadcast in more than eighty countries worldwide from 2004 to 2012.[3] Prior to The Dog Whisperer series, Millan focused on rehabilitating especially aggressive dogs[4] and founded the Dog Psychology Center[5] in South Los Angeles (2002–2008) — under construction in a new Los Angeles location as of late 2009.[6]

Millan's first three books, including Cesar's Way, all became New York Times best sellers, have cumulatively sold two million copies in the United States, and are available in 14 other countries.[6] In 2009, in conjunction with IMG, Millan introduced a monthly magazine also titled Cesar's Way — with The Wall Street Journal reporting at that time that half of American consumers recognized Millan.[7] With Ilusión Millan, his former wife, he founded the Cesar and Ilusión Millan Foundation – since renamed the Millan Foundation. He is working with Yale University to create a children's curriculum based on his work.[6]

Millan's most important tool in both his success with dogs and business has sometimes been attributed to a personal sense of balance.[6] The New York Times said that he "lives in the now and maintains a sort of über-balanced mien".[6]

Personal life

Born in 1969 to Felipe Millán Guillen and María Teresa Favela de Millán in Culiacán, Sinaloa, Mexico, Millan grew up working with animals on his grandfather's Sinaloa farm.[8] Because of his natural way with dogs, he was called el Perrero, "the dog boy".[8] The family later moved to Mazatlán, and there – at age 13, on their way to his judo competition and standing in front of a large statue – Millan declared to his mother he would one day be the best dog trainer in the world.[9]

Millan crossed the border into the US without a visa when he was 21 years old, spoke no English, and knew no one in the USA.[8][10][11][12] He first worked in a dog grooming store, working with the most aggressive dogs — later creating the Pacific Point Canine Academy and developing a following. Jada Pinkett Smith became one of Millan's first clients and supporters – when he was working as a limousine driver[3] — providing him with an English tutor for a year.[9][10] Subsequently, Millan created the Dog Psychology Center, a 2-acre (8,100 m2) facility in South Los Angeles—specializing in working with large breed dogs.[13]

Millan became a permanent resident of the U.S. in 2000, became a U.S. citizen in 2009, and lives in Santa Clarita, California. He married Ilusión Wilson Millan in 1994, with whom he had two sons, Andre (b. 1995) and Calvin (b. 2001).

In June 2010, Millan announced his divorce.[14] His wife, Ilusión Millan, filed for divorce, seeking primary physical custody of their children with visitation for Cesar, as well as spousal support.[15] The divorce agreement stipulates that Millan pay his ex-wife a single payment of $400,000, a monthly spousal payment of $23,000 and $10,000 for monthly child support,[16] and that the parties respect specific confidentiality terms.[16] In May 2010, after his dog Daddy died in February and his wife filed for divorce in March, Millan attempted suicide.[17]

Dog Whisperer with Cesar Millan

Main article: Dog Whisperer with Cesar Millan

In 2002, after a profile in the Los Angeles Times, Millan worked with MPH Entertainment, Inc. developing a television pilot for Dog Whisperer, a reality television series that follows Millan as he works in the field of dog rehabilitation. The series premiered on September 13, 2004 on the National Geographic Channel subsequently moving to the Nat Geo WILD channel. The show would become National Geographic's No. 1 show during its first season.[18] The show is alternately styled as Dog Whisperer with Cesar Millan or The Dog Whisperer, outside the USA, and was broadcast in more than eighty countries worldwide during its run.[3] The show broadcast its final episode in the fall of 2012, and was replaced in January 2013 by another series hosted by Millan, Cesar Millan's Leader of the Pack.

The program demonstrates Cesar Millan's application of his philosophy that healthy, balanced dogs require strong 'pack leadership' from their owners, specifically in the form of exercise, discipline and affection (in that order),[10] with Millan demonstrating how owners can achieve and maintain a leadership role with their dogs. The program highlights Millan at work rehabilitating dogs, and is not intended as a dog training guide.[18] Each episode contains repeated warnings that viewers should not try some of the behavior modification techniques at home.[10]

Millan's book Cesar's Way debuted with the show's second season, becoming a bestseller.[19] Millan works with a broad spectrum of individuals, including celebrities Oprah Winfrey, Nicolas Cage, Will Smith, and Vin Diesel.[13]

Cesar's Way Magazine

In 2009 Cesar Millan launched Cesar’s Way magazine in the USA and Canada. The magazine combines advice from Cesar along with articles about the relationship between dogs and humans.[20] Cesar is the Editorial Director. Cesar’s Way is the number one selling dog magazine at newsstand in North America. In Spring 2012 a South African edition of the magazine was launched.[21]

Principles

Millan's work focuses on handling a dog with what he calls "calm-assertive energy", which ought to transfer from the owner to the dog.[6] He approaches dog behavior by teaching dog owners to understand the natural needs and responses of a dog, to understand that dogs are pack animals, to assist owners in establishing their role as calm-assertive pack leaders.[10]

Millan prioritizes fulfilling and balancing a dog's primary needs:[10] exercise, discipline and affection—in that order.[22] In other words, it is the owner's responsibility to fulfill the dog's energy level through challenging exercise; to provide clearly communicated rules, boundaries and limitations[23] for the dog's behavior; and to give the dog affection at the right time. Millan encourages owners to give affection, but to give affection when the dog is in a balanced state of mind, not when the dog is fearful, anxious, avoidant or excited — when the affection itself can reinforce imbalance. According to Millan, a common pitfall for dog owners is to give a great deal of affection with very little discipline and even less exercise.[23]

Millan emphasizes the importance of walking a dog, not only for the dog's exercise, but for the owner and dog to bond—with the dog ultimately recognizing the owner as its leader. He also encourages owners to watch their dog for subtle cues in the dog's posture, movement and facial expression—to eliminate poor behavior before it arises or escalates. And he encourages owners to understand the profound effect their own attitudes, internal emotions and physical postures have on a dog's behavior, counseling owners to hold strong posture (i.e. shoulders high and chest forward) and to project energy that is calm-assertive.[8][24]

Millan also stresses that owners identify their dog in a hierarchy of three levels:

  • Firstly and most important, as a dog with canine rather than human needs.
  • Secondly, as a particular breed of dog — for example, a Boxer-Rottweiler mix — with a breed-specific energy level and behavioral instinct.[25]
  • Thirdly, as their individual dog, e.g., "Bella".

Millan is widely known for using vocal marks, e.g., his tsch or tsst[9] sounds, while working with a dog (rather than words, especially the dog's name), and he encourages owners to create their own unique sound that works for them.[24]

Millan stresses that when meeting a new dog, making eye contact, speaking, and touching it are to be avoided, in favor of letting the dog approach on its own terms.[10]

Daddy

Main article: Daddy (dog)

One of Millan's many dogs, Daddy, was an American Pit Bull Terrier integral to Millan's work and his television series, Dog Whisperer.[26] Daddy was known for his calm temperament, tolerance for smaller dogs and capacity for empathy.[27] Prior to Daddy's death in February 2010 at age 16,[28] Millan selected another pit bull puppy, Junior, as Daddy's protégé — to apprentice with Daddy and learn his temperament.

Philanthropy

In 2007, Cesar and Ilusión Millan created the Cesar and Ilusión Millan Foundation: "a national, non-profit foundation designed to aid and support the rescue, rehabilitation and placement of abused and abandoned dogs."[29] Together they have also founded the Shelter Stars program to provide education materials to new dog adopters,[6] The foundation has since been renamed the Millan Foundation.

Millan has supported other projects, including K-9 Connection, for at-risk teens;[30] Pups on Parole, a program for inmates;[31] the Pets911 project,[32] which works to "effect social change in this country by providing a free public service that will one day ensure an environment where all animals are valued companions and have lifetime, loving homes";[33] and the It Gets Better project supporting at-risk LGBT youth.[34] His 2006 seminar tour donated a portion of the proceeds to the hosting rescue groups.

Media and guest appearances

Millan has been featured twice on The Oprah Winfrey Show,[35][36] as well as on ABC World News Tonight (2002), CBS-TV (2001), Channel 7 News (May 2005), CNN (April 2006), Creative Arts Emmys 2006 (August 2006), Entertainment Insider (December 2004), Good Day Live (February 2005), Good Morning America With Diane Sawyer (September 2004), KTLA-TV (2002), Last Call with Carson Daly (November 2006), Martha Stewart Show (April 2006), Megan Mullally Show (November 2006), Nightline (July 2006), NBC-TV (2001), Today Show (April 2006), The Tonight Show with Jay Leno (February 2005), The View (July 2006), WUSA-TV 9 News (April 2006), season 4 of the Emmy Award winning reality show Kathy Griffin: My Life on the D-List.

Millan guest-starred as himself in Ghost Whisperer in Season 2, Episode 18, "Children of Ghost". In the episode, Melinda (Jennifer Love Hewitt) seeks out Millan for advice on how to help "Homer", Ghost Whisperer's Ghost Dog (from Season 1), cross over into the light.

Millan was portrayed in a tenth-season episode of the Comedy Central animated series South Park (entitled "Tsst") that aired on May 3, 2006.

Millan played himself in "The Finger in the Nest", the September 17, 2008, episode of Bones, helping the lead characters to determine if a location was used for dogfighting. Millan played himself in Beethoven's Big Break which premiered in cinemas on December 30, 2008, and the The Back-Up Plan, which was released April 23, 2010 in theaters.[citation needed]

Millan made a guest appearance as a judge on Episode No. 3 of the 10th season of The Apprentice[citation needed] and the April 27, 2011 episode of Jeopardy![37]

Legal issues

In 2006, Millan's original publicists, Makeda Smith and Foster Corder, sued Millan, alleging copyright infringement, breach of contract and breach of confidential relationship,[38] later settling out of court.[dead link][39] Also in 2006, Floyd Suarez sued Millan, alleging that his dog had been injured while on a treadmill at the Dog Psychology Center,[40] and eventually settled out of court.[dead link][41]

Criticism

In 2006, Jean Donaldson, the San Francisco SPCA director of The Academy for Dog Trainers, criticized Millan for physically confronting aggressive dogs and using choke chains for fearful dogs. This criticism was published by the American Humane Association, which asked National Geographic to stop airing Dog Whisperer.[42]

In November 2009, Millan invited the American Humane Association to the set of Dog Whisperer, at which time, according to Millan, "they changed their state of mind about what is cruel".[43] The association announced in February 2010 that despite "sharp differences of view in the past" and some lingering areas of disagreement, they shared many areas of interest with Millan.[44] They also invited him that month to participate in a symposium on humane dog training "to discuss issues of concern".[45]

Bibliographies and DVDs

Books:

  • Cesar's Way: The Natural, Everyday Guide to Understanding and Correcting Common Dog Problems. New York: Three Rivers Press. March 2007. ISBN 978-0-307-33797-9. {{cite book}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  • Be the Pack Leader: Use Cesar's Way to Transform Your Dog . . . and Your Life. New York: Three Rivers Press. March 2007. ISBN 978-0-307-38167-5. {{cite book}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  • A Member of the Family: Cesar Millan's Guide to a Lifetime of Fulfillment with Your Dog. New York: Three Rivers Press. March 2008. ISBN 978-0-307-40891-4. {{cite book}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  • How to Raise the Perfect Dog: Through Puppyhood and Beyond. New York: Three Rivers Press. 2009. ISBN 978-0-307-46129-2. {{cite book}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  • Cesar's Rules: Your Way to Train a Well-Behaved Dog. New York: Crown Archetype. 2010. ISBN 978-0-307-71686-6. {{cite book}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  • Cesar Millan's Short Guide to a Happy Dog: 98 Essential Tips and Techniques. Washington, D.C.: National Geography Society. 2013. ISBN 978-1-4262-1190-4.

DVDs: Template:Multicol

  • People Training for Dogs
  • Becoming a Pack Leader
  • Your New Dog: First Day and Beyond
  • Sit and Stay the Cesar Way
  • Common Canine Misbehaviors
  • Raising the Perfect Puppy

Template:Multicol-break

  • Dog Whisperer with Cesar Millan – The Complete First Season, 2006
  • Dog Whisperer with Cesar Millan – The Complete Second Season, 2007
  • Dog Whisperer with Cesar Millan – The Complete Third Season, 2008
  • Dog Whisperer with Cesar Millan – The Complete Fourth Season, Volume 1, 2010
  • Dog Whisperer with Cesar Millan – The Complete Fourth Season, Volume 2, 2010
  • Dog Whisperer with Cesar Millan – The Complete Fifth Season, 2011

Template:Multicol-end

Awards

References

  1. ^ http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20391564,00.html
  2. ^ Asthana, Anushka (March 19, 2006). "This week we want to know all about Cesar Millan". The Guardian. London.
  3. ^ a b c "Pack is back: A week of 'Whisperer'". USA Today, Ann Oldenburg, 8/1/2006. August 1, 2006. Retrieved April 28, 2010. Cite error: The named reference "packisback" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
  4. ^ "Cesar Millan". The Charlie Rose Show.
  5. ^ Cesar Millan – Dog Psychology Center
  6. ^ a b c d e f g "Whispering to Rottweilers, and to C.E.O.'s". The New York Times, Amy Wallace, October 10, 2009. October 11, 2009. Retrieved April 28, 2010.
  7. ^ "'Dog Whisperer' Hopes to Lead Pack at Newsstand". The Wall Street Journal, September 10, 2009, Suzanne Vranica. September 10, 2009. Almost half of USA's consumers already know who he is, and consumers' awareness of Mr. Millan has grown 12% since May 2008, according to Davie-Brown, an Omnicom Group company that tracks the appeal of celebrities.[dead link]
  8. ^ a b c d "What the Dog Saw". The New Yorker, Malcom Gladwell, May 22, 2006.
  9. ^ a b c "Cesar Millan". Modern Dog Magazine, Mary-Jo Dionne,.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: extra punctuation (link)
  10. ^ a b c d e f g Patterson, John (May 16, 2009). "All heel for Cesar". The Age. Australia.
  11. ^ "Cesar Millan Q&A". San Antonio.com, The Creature Beat, Brian Chasnoff, July 7, 2009.
  12. ^ "Immigrant of the Day: Cesar Millan (Mexico)". Immigration Prof Blog.
  13. ^ a b "DVD: The Dog Whisperer with Cesar Millan". The Chortler.com, May 5, 2006.
  14. ^ "A Personal Message from Cesar and Ilusion Millan". Cesarsway.com, June 4, 2010.
  15. ^ Dog Whisperer Star Cesar Millan and Wife Split – Breakups, Dog Whisperer : People.com
  16. ^ a b "'Dog Whisperer' host finalizes divorce, must pay ex-wife $23,000 a month". Yahoo News, Wendy Carpenter, April 20, 2012.
  17. ^ New York Post
  18. ^ a b "The snarls don't faze trainer". USAtoday, Sharon L. Peters, May 31, 2007. May 31, 2007. Retrieved April 28, 2010. Cite error: The named reference "usatoday" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
  19. ^ New York Times Bestsellers List dated August 6, 2006
  20. ^ "Cesar's Way Magazine". Facebook. Retrieved July 2, 2012.
  21. ^ "Cesar's Way Magazine launched in South Africa". Cape Province Dog Club. Retrieved July 2, 2012.
  22. ^ Johnson, Morieka V. (April 4, 2006). "Dog's best friend". AZ Central. Retrieved January 8, 2010.
  23. ^ a b "The Dog Whisperer's Magic Touch". ABC, NHancy Weiner, July 31, 2006.
  24. ^ a b Gilbert, Matthew (July 26, 2006). "The `Dog Whisperer' has a gift with canines – and humans". The Boston Globe, October 5, 2007.
  25. ^ Millan, Cesar (October 5, 2007). "Ask the Dog Whisperer". The Washington Post, October 5, 2007. Retrieved April 28, 2010.
  26. ^ Lee, Jasen (April 27, 2008). "Top dawgs: Smart shopping for a trainer can lead to well-behaved pets". Deseret News. Retrieved January 8, 2010.
  27. ^ "Daddy". Ceser's Way. Retrieved January 8, 2010.
  28. ^ "In Memoriam: Daddy the Pit Bull". Retrieved February 21, 2010.
  29. ^ Millan Foundation
  30. ^ "Cesar's way" approved as public school textbook. cesarmillaninc.com, Features. See also K9 Connection. Last retrieved March 6, 2009.
  31. ^ Millan, Cesar (April 24, 2006). "Rehab Behind Bars: Pups on Parole". National Geographic. Retrieved November 26, 2009.
  32. ^ Pets911.com Q&A with Cesar!. Cesar Millan, Inc. Newsletter, January 2006 Issue, January 1, 2006. Last retrieved March 6, 2009.
  33. ^ About www.pets911.com
  34. ^ http://www.cesarsway.com/newsandevents/cesarsblog/Cesar-Millan-It-Gets-Better
  35. ^ "The Dog Whisperer Rescues Nate"
  36. ^ "The Dog Whisperer Helps Oprah and Stedman"
  37. ^ "Jeopardy, Show #6138 – Wednesday, April 27, 2011". Jeopardy.com. Retrieved August 13, 2011.
  38. ^ "Dog Whisperer Cesar Millan Sued". ClickPress. April 29, 2006
  39. ^ WKTV website (Defunct prior to 1/10)[dead link]
  40. ^ "'Dog Whisperer' sued by his TV producer". MSNBC/Associated Press. May 9, 2006. Last retrieved March 6, 2009.
  41. ^ CBS2.com website (Page Not Found: 1/10)[dead link]
  42. ^ Blauvelt, R (2006). "Dog Whisperer Training Approach More Harmful Than Helpful" (pdf). 23 (3): 1–2. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help); Text "SpokAnimal C.A.R.E." ignored (help)
  43. ^ "Cesar Millan talks about UK tour". BBC, November 27, 2009. November 27, 2009.
  44. ^ American Humane Association (February 12, 2010). "American Humane Association Convenes Humane Dog Training Symposium". Retrieved October 11, 2011.
  45. ^ "American Humane Association Convenes Humane Dog Training Symposium". American Humane Association. February 12, 2010. Retrieved June 27, 2010.
  46. ^ [1]
  47. ^ "The 14th Annual Treasures of Los Angeles". Tadashi Collection.
  48. ^ Full List of People's Choice Awards 2010 Winners – The Hollywood Gossip
  • Biography Today, Vol. 15 (3): pp. 73–83
  • Millan, Cesar and Peltier, Melissa Jo (2006), Cesar's Way: The Natural, Everyday Guide to Understanding and Correcting Common Dog Problems, Harmony Books, New York, ISBN 0-307-33733-2.
  • Millan, Cesar and Peltier, Melissa Jo (2007), Be the Pack Leader, Harmony Books, New York, ISBN

External links

Template:Persondata

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