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* [http://news.bbc.co.uk/local/gloucestershire/hi/things_to_do/newsid_8383000/8383225.stm ''Cesar Millan talks about UK tour'', BBC, 27 November 2009]
* [http://news.bbc.co.uk/local/gloucestershire/hi/things_to_do/newsid_8383000/8383225.stm ''Cesar Millan talks about UK tour'', BBC, 27 November 2009]
* [http://www.esquire.com/features/ESQ1006-ESQ100_20-21.FINAL.rev_1 "The Dog Whisperer Should Just Shut Up" [[Esquire (magazine)]]]
* [http://www.esquire.com/features/ESQ1006-ESQ100_20-21.FINAL.rev_1 "The Dog Whisperer Should Just Shut Up" [[Esquire (magazine)]]]
* [http://beyondcesarmillan.weebly.com/ "Beyond Cesar Millan"]



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Revision as of 03:06, 24 July 2011

Cesar Millan
Born
César Millán Favela

(1969-08-27) August 27, 1969 (age 55)
Culiacán, Sinaloa, Mexico
NationalityNaturalized US Citizen who immigrated to the US from Mexico
OccupationDog trainer
Known forDog Whisperer (TV series)
SpouseIlusión Millan (1994-2010; filed for divorce)[1]
WebsiteCesarsWay.com

Cesar Millan, (born César Millán Favela; August 27, 1969) is a Mexican-American self-taught, professional dog trainer[2] widely known for his television series The Dog Whisperer, now in its seventh season and broadcast in more than eighty countries worldwide.[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, he founded the Cesar and Ilusión Millan Foundation — since re-named 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] what The New York Times called "a sort of über-balanced mien."[6]

Early 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 illegally crossed the border into the US 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 (then, Jada Pinkett)[10] 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] 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]

Dog Whisperer

Main article: Dog Whisperer

In 2002, after a profile in the Los Angeles Times, Millan worked with MPH Entertainment, Inc. developing a television pilot for the Dog Whisperer with Cesar Millan, 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. The show would become National Geographic's #1 show during its first season.[14] The show is also known as Dog Whisperer with Cesar Millan or The Dog Whisperer, outside the USA, and is now in its seventh season and broadcast in more than eighty countries worldwide.[3]

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.[14] 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.[15] Millan works with a broad spectrum of individuals, including celebrities Oprah Winfrey, Nicolas Cage, Will Smith and Vin Diesel.[13]

Principles

Millan's work focuses on handling a dog with what he calls "a calm-assertive energy".[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.[16] 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[17] 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.[17]

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][18]

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

  • Firstly and most importantly, 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.[19]
  • 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.[18]

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]

Millan quotes

Q: What happens after you've rehabilitated the dogs, trained the people and turned off the cameras?

A: They can't blame the dog anymore.

Cesar Millan, 2006 interview[16]

  • "It’s not about the dog. It’s always about us. It’s always about the owner. It’s up to us to create an environment and circumstances in which the dog can thrive and be itself.”[20]
  • "To be happy, (dogs) basically need a good job, and good food, and a pat on the head. Americans tend to over-do on the affection and under-do on the exercise.[21]
  • "Stay calm and assertive."[11]
  • "Never work against Mother Nature."[22]
  • "You can say as much as you want, but the (dogs are) picking up what is... inside of you."[18]
  • "Peace, relaxation, trust, respect; that is my goal."
  • "Humans are the only animals who will follow unstable pack leaders."[6]
  • "No dog is too much for me to handle. I rehabilitate dogs, I train people. I am the dog whisperer."[18]

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.[23] Daddy was known for his calm temperament, tolerance for smaller dogs and capacity for empathy.[24] Prior to Daddy's death in February 2010 at age 16,[25] 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."[26] Together they have also founded the Shelter Stars program to provide education materials to new dog adopters,[6] The foundation has since been re-named the Millan Foundation.

Millan has supported other projects, including K-9 Connection, for at-risk teens;[27] Pups on Parole, a program for inmates;[28] and the Pets911 project,[29] 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."[30] 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,[31][32] 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), 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. In the episode, Millan is hired to train Eric Cartman to behave after popular "nannies" (see Nanny 911, Super Nanny) fail to rein in his behavior.

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.

Millan played himself in The Back-Up Plan, which was released April 23, 2010 in theaters.

Millan made a guest appearance as a judge on Episode #3 of the 10th season of The Apprentice.

Millan made a guest appearance on a 2011 episode of "Jeopardy".[episode needed]

Personal life

Millan became a legal resident of the U.S. in 2000, became a U.S. citizen in 2009, and lives in Santa Clarita, CA. 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.[33] Ilusión Millan filed for divorce, seeking primary physical custody of the kids with visitation for Cesar, as well as spousal support.[34]

In 2006, Millan's original publicists, Makeda Smith and Foster Corder, sued Millan, alleging copyright infringement, breach of contract and breach of confidential relationship[35] — later settling out of court.[36] Also in 2006, Floyd Suarez sued Millan, alleging that his dog had been injured while on a treadmill at the Dog Psychology Center,[37] — later settling out of court.[38]

Criticism

Many qualified canine behaviorists, veterinarians and other professionals have spoken out against Millan's methods.[39]

In February 2006, an article in The New York Times quoted Dr. Nicholas Dodman, an animal behavior pharmacologist,[40][41] veterinary behaviorist and director of the Animal Behavior Clinic at Tufts University's Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine, who stated his opinion that the show had set dog training back considerably.[42]

Also 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.[43]

In a 2009 Huffington Post article by veterinarian and applied animal behaviorist, Dr Sophia Yin quoted a number of experts indicating a link between dog bites and owners mimicking what they watch on TV.[44]

In February 2010 the American Humane Association announced that, despite "sharp differences of view in the past", they had invited him to participate in a symposium on humane dog training "to discuss issues of concern".[45]

After a Canadian tour, Global Television's 16:9 question whether Cesar's approach is whispering or "might do more harm than good."[46]

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 978-0307337979. {{cite book}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)CS1 maint: year (link)
  • Be the Pack Leader: Use Cesar's Way to Transform Your Dog . . . and Your Life. New York: Three Rivers Press. March 2007. ISBN 978-0307381675. {{cite book}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)CS1 maint: year (link)
  • 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 978-0307408914. {{cite book}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)CS1 maint: year (link)
  • How to Raise the Perfect Dog: Through Puppyhood and Beyond. New York: Three Rivers Press. 2009. ISBN 978-0307461292. {{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 978-0307716866. {{cite book}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)

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, 2010

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 h "Whispering to Rottweilers, and to C.E.O.'s". The New York Times, Amy Wallace, Oct 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 (16 May 2009). "All heel for Cesar". The Age. Australia.
  11. ^ a b "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 b "The snarls don't faze trainer". USAtoday, Sharon L. Peters, 31 May 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).
  15. ^ New York Times Bestsellers List dated August 6, 2006
  16. ^ a b Johnson, Morieka V. (2006-04-04). "Dog's best friend". AZ Central. Retrieved 2010-01-08.
  17. ^ a b "The Dog Whisperer's Magic Touch". ABC, NHancy Weiner, July 31, 2006.
  18. ^ a b c d Gilbert, Matthew (July 26, 2006). "The `Dog Whisperer' has a gift with canines -- and humans". The Boston Globe, October 5, 2007.
  19. ^ Millan, Cesar (October 5, 2007). "Ask the Dog Whisperer". The Washington Post, October 5, 2007. Retrieved April 28, 2010.
  20. ^ "Jada Pinkett Smith Takes the Lead". Cesarsway.com, Larry Sutton.
  21. ^ Woolhouse, Megan (May 21, 2006). "'Whisperer': We love our dogs too much". The Boston Globe, Matthew Gilbert, ,July 26, 2006.
  22. ^ "Cesar Millan's dog Daddy dead at 16". United Press International, Feb. 22, 2010.
  23. ^ Lee, Jasen (2008-04-27). "Top dawgs: Smart shopping for a trainer can lead to well-behaved pets". Deseret News. Retrieved 2010-01-08.
  24. ^ "Daddy". Ceser's Way. Retrieved 2010-01-08.
  25. ^ "In Memoriam: Daddy the Pit Bull". Retrieved 21 February 2010.
  26. ^ Millan Foundation
  27. ^ "Cesar's way" approved as public school textbook. cesarmillaninc.com, Features. See also K9 Connection. Last retrieved March 6, 2009.
  28. ^ Millan, Cesar (2006-04-24). "Rehab Behind Bars: Pups on Parole". National Geographic. Retrieved 26 November 2009.
  29. ^ Pets911.com Q&A with Cesar!. Cesar Millan, Inc. Newsletter, January 2006 Issue, January 1, 2006. Last retrieved March 6, 2009.
  30. ^ About www.pets911.com
  31. ^ "The Dog Whisperer Rescues Nate"
  32. ^ "The Dog Whisperer Helps Oprah and Stedman"
  33. ^ "A Personal Message from Cesar and Ilusion Millan". Cesarsway.com, June 4, 2010.
  34. ^ Dog Whisperer Star Cesar Millan and Wife Split - Breakups, Dog Whisperer : People.com
  35. ^ Lawsuit against Millan
  36. ^ WKTV website (Defunct prior to 1/10)
  37. ^ "'Dog Whisperer' sued by his TV producer", Associated Press, May 9, 2006. Last retrieved March 6, 2009.
  38. ^ CBS2.com website (Page Not Found: 1/10)
  39. ^ http://www.4pawsu.com/dogpsychology.htm
  40. ^ "PROZAC FOR PETS". Thepetexraordinarium.co.uk. Acura Pharma is now to undergo tests on the two former treatments, one a Prozac-style anti-depressant and the other an OCD treatment, with a view to dispensing them via prescription in the UK. Vet and behavioural pharmacologist Dr Nicholas Dodman developed the drugs. He said: "Pets are facing more mental health problems for the same reasons we do, as we live increasingly constrained, easy, pedestrian lifestyles."
  41. ^ "US craze for happy pills for dogs on its way to Britain". London: The Daily Telegraph, Tom Leonard, 31 Dec 2008. December 31, 2008. Both have been developed by Dr Nicholas Dodman, a British-born but US-based vet and behavioural pharmacologist who has been at the forefront of the pet drug movement. Dr Dodman said that bad behaviour was the main reason why American pets were put down each year – behaviour, he said, that might be corrected by psychoactive drugs.
  42. ^ "C'mon, Pooch, Get With the Program". The New York Times, Anna Bahney, February 23, 2006. February 23, 2006. Retrieved April 28, 2010. Dr. Dodman said: My college thinks it is a travesty. We've written to National Geographic Channel and told them they have put dog training back 20 years.
  43. ^ 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)
  44. ^ Yin, Sophia. "Experts Say Dominance-Based Dog Training Techniques Made Popular by Television Shows Can Contribute to Dog Bites", The Huffington Post, May 18, 2009
  45. ^ "American Humane Association Convenes Humane Dog Training Symposium". American Humane Association. 2010-02-12. Retrieved 2010-06-27.
  46. ^ Garofalo, Mary. "Leader of the Pack", 16:9, Global BC, November 29, 2010
  47. ^ [1]
  48. ^ "The 14th Annual Treasures of Los Angeles". Tadashi Collection.
  49. ^ 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


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