The Dog Whisperer TV show premiered on the National Geographic channel in 2004. Many have used tips from the show to have better understanding of their dogs and puppies.
Who Is the Dog Whisperer?
Cesar Millan was born in Mexico in 1969. He grew up taking care of and working with animals on his grandfather's farm. It was soon clear that he had a special rapport with dogs, and he decided to become "the greatest dog trainer in the world" when he was 13 years old.
In 1990, at the age of 21, Millan crossed the border and began working to make that dream a reality. Although he knew no English and no one in America, he found a job in a dog grooming shop. He was able to work with the most aggressive dogs and soon had a reputation for handling difficult canines. He later created the Pacific Point Canine Academy, and then the Dog Psychology Center, a two acre facility that specialized in working with large breeds of dogs.
After a profile was written up in the Los Angeles Times, Millan worked to create a pilot for the Dog Whisperer and pitched it to National Geographic. The show was very popular from the first episode.
About the Dog Whisperer TV Show
The popularity of the show grew, and the episodes were expanded to one hour. Viewers get to watch Cesar Millan train dog owners to lead their dogs.
Cesar Millan believes that an emotionally healthy dog needs a strong pack leadership from the owner. He believes that a dog should have, in order of priority; exercise, discipline and affection. On the show he demonstrates to clients how they can achieve this leadership role with their dogs. As viewers watch, Millan uses a variety of behavior modification techniques to encourage the dog into a more acceptable pattern of behavior.
Uniquely, Millan goes directly into the homes of the show's guests without any information about the problems that they are having with the dog. He does not pre-prepare for the case at all. As viewers watch, Millan works with both dogs and owners to create unbelievable changes in the relationship.
Generally, Millan is called to a client's home out of desperation. He is the last resort for frustrated owners. The majority of the episodes take place at the home of the client. However, once in a while a very difficult dog may be taken to the Dog Psychology Center. At the center, the problem dog is introduced to the pack of up to 50 resident dogs that assist Cesar in training certain difficult cases.
The Format
Although the Dog Whisperer is definitely in the reality show genre, the charisma of Cesar Millan seems to be a large part of what makes the show so popular.At the beginning of the show, the viewers watch the clients and their dogs as the dogs engage in the problem behavior. Dog owners briefly tell their story to the viewers. This establishes a connection and empathy between the viewer and the client. Cameras shoot from unique angles, often from the point of view of the dog to help the viewer develop and understanding of the dog's problem and what is contributing to it.
Millan then works with the dog to overcome the issue. Afterward, Millan offers suggestions to the clients to help continue the positive growth.
Be On the Dog Whisperer Show
The producers of the show look for many types of unique, unusual and interesting dog problems. Examples of these are:
- Aggression
- Behavior issues
- Obsessions
- Unusual phobias
You will be asked to send a video of the problem behavior as well as interesting background about the dog. Who knows; perhaps you'll be featured on a future episode.
The Dog Whisperer TV show airs on the National Geographic channel Fridays at 8 PM eastern time. The New York Times estimates that an average of 11 million Americans watch the program each week.
