In the world of dog training, there is one undisputed master who is emulated and emulated by all.
Of course, we’re talking about Cesar Millan.
You may know Milan from his best-selling books, his iconic television show, his work as an animal rights activist, or his beloved line of pet care products.
But even if you’ve learned a lesson from every chapter and episode of Milan’s prolific career, we guarantee the esteemed dog whisperer still has plenty of wisdom to offer on life, love, and Labradors teach.
We sat down with the animal expert and TV icon to discuss his career, his philosophy, and the exciting new products coming out of his Halo Collar brand. Take a look:
I first want to congratulate you on the launch of Halo Collar 4.
Well, I like it simple. I teach people natural, simple, profound methods, and I always like to give a formula: 1, 2, 3. So what the collar is trying to help people achieve is consistency. Obviously you need repetition in training, but this happens fairly quickly due to an understanding of the rules, boundaries and limitations.
Most people are not very conscious when they are around dogs. Many Dog people are very emotional and very intellectual, so they forget to focus on what is right at the moment. Until you get rules through limitations; then you’re distracted.
In fact, most people live in their heads and in their hearts, so dogs need a person to be quiet and calm there and learn the rules within limits, so this is [this product] will bring.
This will enable you, the dog owner, to do three things, walk with your dog, play with your dog, and explore with your dog: follow, play, and explore. This is something you do outside the house. This is what homeless people do. They take their dogs for a walk. They play and explore with their dogs, and they do it all off-leash.
I’m from Mexico. I grew up watching this. I grew up observing the relationship between humans and off-leash dogs. Dogs know limited rules because dogs learn as they walk, play, and explore.
So what is America missing. This is why many people feel worried, nervous, and afraid that their dog will run away.
To what extent do you think your upbringing in Mexico makes you view dog behaviorism differently than most Americans?
Because in Mexico, their life is more natural. Dogs are actually citizens of the country, so Mexican dogs can go to northern Mexico or southern Mexico and be free. He doesn’t need to go to the dog park. He can go all over the country.
An American dog needs to drive from his home to the park in order to practice social behavior.
He was not allowed to survive on the streets. A dog in Mexico learns to adapt to civilization, while a dog in the United States learns the fight, flight, and avoid response.
That’s why I do shows. Attack, fear, avoidance. Fight, flight, hide. This is why American dogs become aggressive, become fearful, and become wary of humans. Mexican dogs are the opposite.
What do you think is the most common mistake Americans make when training their dogs?
Well, I don’t think training is the first priority. I think you’re making a big mistake trying to train a dog. I first need to learn to trust and gain the dog’s trust, then I need to learn to gain the dog’s respect, and then after trust and respect I need to learn to love the dog.
Once you have trust, respect, and love, now you can train them. Just like a teacher in school, you can’t train your children if they don’t trust you and respect you. We are talking to a rational species, a child human.
Dogs are irrational. Dogs just react. If you don’t gain trust and respect, the dog won’t want to be trained because training is a new thing, a human invention in your head.
Sit, sit, stay, no dog is naturally wired to do that. What dogs naturally want is trust, respect, and then learn the energy of love. Then you will earn love, trust, and respect.
You mentioned the similarities between teaching children and working with dogs. I think many teachers will say that parents are a big problem for many students with problems. How do you educate owners who may be causing behavioral problems in their dogs?
Well, I’ll tell you something: The people who come to me, they’re at their lowest. So people who are at rock bottom or in life-or-death situations, they’re going to try harder to do the right thing than someone who you say, “Hey, here’s a red flag. Here’s a red flag.”
You still have options and prevention status. Those people don’t work that hard. So, I’m lucky because the people who come to me, they’ve run out of options. They could lose their dog. They are being prosecuted. The family has said, “Get the dog away.”
So I love it because it’s like a thin line between life and death, and unfortunately, that’s where humans move the fastest.
Would your approach change if the dog’s aggressive behavior was the result of severe trauma?
A distrustful dog will take longer to heal than a disrespectful dog. A dog that doesn’t trust you will leave you. So you have to build self-esteem and then build trust.
Compared to a disrespectful dog, you just changed its direction.
It will be easier to rehabilitate a child who is somewhat aggressive, dominant, and territorial because you get him to play sports, rather than a child who is shy, distant, and feels like he doesn’t belong in the group. That child will take longer to help him and build his trust in himself.
We’ve seen you educate hundreds of dogs and hundreds of dog owners. What’s one lesson you’ve learned from your dog that has impacted your personal life?
So much, but I love that they learn about life. Life is about being grateful that you are still alive. The second point is to treat time and memory wisely.
We are put on this earth to be wise with our time so that we can manage everything we want to do and then make sure we take our memories with us because that is all we will take with us.
Last question: If you could change society’s view of dogs and their role in our lives, what would it be?
I will absolutely make sure that our leaders—those who control money, fame, and power—understand this natural, simple, and profound concept that can help all of humanity. It’s not just dog owners who need to know this; it’s our leaders so they can reinforce it.
So this is mandatory. Just like taxes are mandatory. Then natural, simple and profound methods should be mandatory. Happiness, health, love and creativity should be mandatory. That way, whether you’re low-income, middle-class, or rich, we all gain the same knowledge.
Then we need to take it to the next level. So we definitely have a pack. We act as a bag, the back of the bag, the middle of the bag, and the front of the bag. So if those on the front lines do the right thing, poverty will disappear.
Animal cruelty will disappear. Kidnapped women will disappear. All that is wrong with humanity will disappear. Not just bad behavior in dogs, but bad behavior in humans as well. That’s why the show is called “Better People, Better Dogs.”
What makes you a better person? First, let the dog person go first. But we do want the pack leader to think like us, think like us, act like us, because that’s an important position in which we trust them.
In these divisive times, it’s important to remember: We can all learn a lot from dogs.
It unites. Dogs should unite humans, not divide them. It unites into a whole. This is a big package. Just like the Harley-Davidson guys. They are united based on a brand. Dog people should unite in the spirit of the dog.
The fifth season of Cesar Millan: Better Humans Better Dogs is currently airing on National Geographic Wild. This interview has been edited for length and clarity.
