Award-winning host and best-selling author Cesar Millan is in Manila for a one-night show.
More popularly known as the Dog Whisperer, Cesar’s show will be held at the Eastwood Central Plaza, on April 29, Tuesday, 7:30 P.M.
The show will feature live demonstrations and dog trainings, where pet owners can learn more about the different ways of handling common dog behavior problems.
The 44-year-old Mexican-American dog behavior expert will also share valuable lessons on understanding dogs’ body language, preventing and resolving common dog misbehaviors, and recognizing the value of instincts in improving both the dog and human behaviors.
Filipino fans of Cesar and dog owners can also get helpful tips on giving out directions to their dogs and how to effectively communicate with their companions.
“What is hard for me to teach on TV—‘cause TV is all about keeping you entertained, it’s very fast-paced—it’s not really you learning why the dog became aggressive. And this is why a lot of people believe that they have a problem with their dog.
“In reality, the dog has a problem with the human. That’s why I train people and rehabilitate dogs.
“So, my goal in the live event is to show people what is possible.
"We bring dogs onstage, from the Philippines, and you see the transformation. That I teach you how this transformation is done,” Millan said on what to expect from his live show.
The National Geographic show host talked to different media members at the press conference held at the Eastwood Richmonde Hotel on Monday, April 28.
HOW IMBALANCE IS CREATED. Millan says that when humans try to humanize dogs, an imbalance happens.
“We create imbalance in their natural state. The imbalance leads to behavioral issues.”
Most dog owners, he said, only practice affection, when what should be given to dogs are exercise, discipline, and affection.
When too much affection is given and none of the first two, dogs do not see their humans as pack leaders, but as friends.
“Most people are very excited when they see a dog, ‘Aaawww..!’ They get excited.
"So, when you represent excitement in the dog world, they don’t see you as pack leader, they see you as friend. That’s why people can’t control aggression.
“Most of the people want to be the dog parent, or the dog friend, not the dog pack leader."
Millan said it is important for a human to establish his or her position as a pack leader.
“So for you to control instincts, you need to be the authority figure. So that’s how you tell the dog not to do what you don’t like.”
Millan said the dog’s world is one of instinct, perceived through nose, eyes, and ears in that order, while the human world is one of intellect, emotion, and spirit.
“It can be difficult for these two worlds to communicate with each other.”
BACKGROUND ON CESAR. Millan was born in Culiacan, Sinaloa, Mexico, and grew up working with animals in his grandfather’s farm.
His natural way with dogs earned him the nickname “El Perrero” or “the dog boy.”
He moved to the U.S. when he was 21 years old and spoke no English.
It was Hollywood actress Jada Pinkett-Smith who provided him with an English tutor for a year, back when he was working as a limousine driver.
His career with dogs began at a grooming store in California. He later created the Pacific Point Canine Academy.
Pinkett-Smith was one of his earlier clients and supporters. He subsequently founded the Dog Psychology Center—specializing on large breed dogs—in South Los Angeles.
In 2002, Millan worked with MPH Entertainment and developed the reality show The Dog Whisperer.
The show follows Cesar as he rehabilitates dogs and trains owners how to take care of their dogs.
The show premiered on the National Geographic Channel on September 2004, and became the channel’s number one show on its first season. The show had its final season in 2012.
Aside from his show, Cesar also authored six books from 2007 to 2008, and launched a monthly magazine in 2009.
In 2013, Nat Geo Wild premiered Cesar’s documentary series, Leader of the Pack, and on April of this year began his new series Cesar To the Rescue.
Tickets for Cesar Millan Live in Manila are available at SM Tickets, Ticketnet Online, and Ticket World.
Ticket prices are as follows: Gold (with meet and greet) at P8,000; Silver at P7,000; and Bronze at P6,000.
Pets are not allowed inside the event area as the event is primarily intended to educate dog owners.
Cesar Millan Live in Manila is presented by Megaworld Lifestyle Malls, MMI, and Ovation Productions.