DOG WHISPERER: INSIDE PUPPY MILLS
Premieres May 8 at 9pm ET/PT
DOG WHISPERER CESAR MILLAN TEAMS UP WITH ANIMAL WELFARE GROUP ‘LAST CHANCE FOR ANIMALS’ TO RESCUE AND REHABILITATE DOGS FROM FACTORY-STYLE KENNELS
Cesar Gets Firsthand Look Inside Puppy Mills in Special Episode
Dog Whisperer: Inside Puppy Mills Premieres Friday, May 8, 2009 at 9 p.m. ET/PT
Every year, more than one million purebred and “designer” dogs are born and bred into puppy mills ― often packed in tiny wire cages, neglected, dehydrated, dirty and chronically sick, with little or no human interaction or affection ― and then sold legally to pet stores throughout the country. Now, in a powerful new Dog Whisperer episode, Cesar Millan goes undercover to witness the horrors of puppy mills firsthand and works to rehabilitate dogs who have never known a world outside their overcrowded cages, or learned how to interact with humans.
Premiering Friday, May 8, at 9:00 p.m. ET/PT on the National Geographic Channel, Dog Whisperer: Inside Puppy Mills exposes inhumane conditions at these factory-like breeding operations, as Cesar joins an undercover mission with the animal welfare organization Last Chance for Animals (LCA). With hidden cameras, LCA operatives spot-check several Los Angeles County kennels ― essentially dog-breeding facilities that may be exceeding legal capacity limits. After negotiating with the owners of one of these kennels, the team, including Cesar, is able to rescue 11 dogs considered worthless by breeders ― a small start in their hope to save as many dogs as possible from these conditions. The team members then learn from Cesar as he teaches them how to rehabilitate the traumatized dogs from the moment they are taken out of their cages. “We are from two different points of rescuing,” Cesar says of LCA. “They do the physical rescue, I do the psychological rescue. So together it’s a team, it’s a good pack.” Entertainer Sharon Osbourne even adopts one of the rescued pups!
Dogs bred at puppy mills can typically exhibit hyper or nervous behavior, acting fearful, obsessive or aggressive. Cesar has seen this behavior frequently during his career, but he has never seen the factory-style breeding grounds and caged conditions that cause it. For the first time, he’ll find out what it’s like inside the kennel facilities, how these dogs are living and who’s running the operations.
“It takes of a lot of concentration not to judge [puppy mill owners] when you know they’re doing something wrong. But in order for me to help and influence them, I have to see what they’re doing,” he says. “I saw a dog that was blind. I saw many dogs in one kennel. I felt a lot of frustration; I felt a lot of confusion … definitely aggression … a lot of anxiety.”
LCA has done amazing work investigating and uncovering overcrowding and deplorable conditions at local breeding kennels. Earlier in the year, after one of LCA’s investigations, World Kennels in Lancaster, Calif., was ordered to release 75 dogs and puppies to local shelters. The following day, World Kennels agreed to discreetly release another 40 dogs to LCA. Among these dogs were Sophie, a 5-year-old Pekingese, and Lovey, a 6-year-old Yorkshire terrier. LCA volunteer Kim Sill offered to foster the two dogs but was unprepared for the problems they displayed. Kim believed she was the first human outside the kennels to have contact with Sophie. From day one, Sophie has been aggressive to every person she comes in contact with, except for Kim, to whom she is very attached. Lovey, on the other hand, has no problems with people, except that she obsessively licks them.
Cesar quickly identifies Sophie’s aggression issues and corrects Kim’s response to them, showing her how to improve Sophie’s behavior around strangers. Within minutes, Sophie is calmer than Kim has ever seen. Then, Cesar works with Lovey to teach her to calm her nonstop affection. Lovey’s obsession might seem sweet at first, but it quickly becomes burdensome. With Cesar’s help, LCA learns how they can go one step further in their puppy mill rescue efforts and give the dogs a normal, happy life.
“When you bring a dog into your life, please do your homework and don’t buy a dog from a puppy mill. Visit a local shelter or rescue group instead,” Cesar says.
For more information and exclusive clips, visit www.natgeotv.com/dogwhisperer.
About Last Chance for Animals
Last Chance for Animals is a national, nonprofit organization dedicated to eliminating animal exploitation through education, investigations and legislation. LCA’s work advocates conscious and informed lifestyle decisions, and the organization is committed to disseminating truthful information about societal animal abuse to improve the treatment of animals.
About Dog Whisperer
Each episode of Dog Whisperer follows dog behavior specialist Cesar Millan as he goes directly into the homes of dog owners — without any prior information about the dog’s case — and documents the remarkable transformations that take place under Cesar’s calm, assertive guidance.
The hugely popular series has grown into a pop culture phenomenon, including parodies on “South Park” and “Saturday Night Live”; references on popular shows including “Jeopardy!” and Bravo’s hit series “Work Out”; appearances on “Oprah,” “Tonight Show with Jay Leno,” “Martha Stewart,” “Today Show,” “The View” and “Live with Regis and Kelly”; and a guest star role for Cesar on the hit series “Ghost Whisperer.”
The series celebrated its landmark 100th episode in September 2008 with a grand reunion of many of the past guests — and their dogs. The second and third seasons of Dog Whisperer each received nominations for the Primetime Emmy for Outstanding Reality Program.
About Cesar Millan
With more than 20 years of experience working with canines, Cesar has been called a “Dr. Phil for dogs,” and for good reason. He has a unique gift of rehabilitating dogs and training their owners. His talent with dogs first developed on his grandfather’s farm in Mexico. Now, at his Dog Psychology Center in Los Angeles, he receives as many as 100 calls a week from owners desperate for help and confronting a crisis with their beloved pets. He is their emergency responder, and often their last resort. Often, the dogs Cesar works with are “red zone cases” that trainers or veterinarians have told the owners to put down. Cesar believes every dog deserves a chance at rehabilitation before such drastic measures should even be considered. His pack of dogs at the center are largely dogs no one thought should be left alive — and they now live in harmony as part of Cesar’s pack, and make frequent appearances on the show.
Millan was made an honorary member of the International Association of Canine Professionals and was presented The Michael Landon Award for Inspiration to Youth Through Television at the 28th Young Artist Awards.
Cesar’s most recent book, “A Member of the Family,” released in October 2008, is his third New York Times best seller. Other things Cesar include: the first three seasons of Dog Whisperer are available on DVD; Cesar and his wife Ilusion have founded the nonprofit Cesar and Ilusion Millan Foundation, providing financial support and rehabilitation expertise to shelters throughout the United States; Cesar has an exclusive product line available at Petco; and he is giving online seminars, “Sessions with Cesar,” an interactive coaching course. More information can be found at www.cesarmillaninc.com.
Dog Whisperer is produced by MPH Entertainment and Emery/Sumner Productions for National Geographic Channel. Executive producers for MPH Entertainment are Jim Milio, Melissa Jo Peltier and Mark Hufnail. Sheila Possner Emery and Kay Bachman Sumner are producers. This special episode was coordinated by Dog Whisperer co-producer Christina Lublin. For the National Geographic Channel, senior executive producer for season four is Char Serwa; senior vice president of production is Michael Cascio and executive vice president of content is Steve Burns.
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National Geographic Channel
Based at the National Geographic Society headquarters in Washington, D.C., the National Geographic Channel (NGC) is a joint venture between National Geographic Ventures (NGV) and Fox Cable Networks (FCN). Since launching in January 2001, NGC initially earned some of the fastest distribution growth in the history of cable and more recently the fastest ratings growth in television. The network celebrated its fifth anniversary January 2006 with the launch of NGC HD which provides the spectacular imagery that National Geographic is known for in stunning high-definition. NGC has carriage with all of the nation’s major cable and satellite television providers, making it currently available in nearly 70 million homes. For more information, please visit www.natgeotv.com.
April 17th, 2009 at 10:03 am
I can’t stand Cesar Milan. I think hes a barbaric son of a gun who thinks he’s holier-than-thou. I think he’s lucky a dog hasnt mauled him yet. I also think that hes done a great deal of harm to the worlds dogs by convincing owners of dogs to over dominate their dogs into a position/ behavior versus convincing the dog to choose that position/ behavior. He’s not a positive reinforcement dog trainer. To some, I’m not considered a pos. re. dog trainer either. But I dont force any dog to do anything. I teach them to choose the behavior. Cesar hooking up with LCA is just a publicity ploy and it dissapoints me in great ways. I thought LCA and Chris DeRose had more respect for animals than that. I guess not. But whatever, if Cesar is willing to fight against puppymills with us, fine. We need all the help we can get and it seems celebrity status makes the biggest impact on the public. But Cesar really is not well respected among people that know anything about dog training and the dogs mind. This may cause a discredit to LCA.
April 18th, 2009 at 6:53 am
I think Cesar is the best thing to come along . The dogs CHOOSE to follow him. He is not harsh. How else do you suggest to revert a dogs attention on a fixation? And let me ask, How do you handle a dog that chooses NOT to behave?
I applaud him for trying to stop the puppy mill mentalities. And helping people work with these dogs. I have had several that, Thank God, recouperated from the horendous treatments in side pm’s. It is a blessing to see them blossom. I appreciate his knowing dogs, correctly assessing their problems and doing something about the people that own them. Teaching them to take better care of their pets is what it is all about.
I have studied dog behaviorists that I wouldn’t give 2 cents for let alone be around my dogs or children for that matter.
Cesar is the best there is.
April 25th, 2009 at 7:37 pm
Cesar will bring to light the horrendous reality of puppy mill dogs. I applaud this effort and am looking forward to this episode.
We deal with small time millers, infact two of my puppies were featured as a success story on Cesar’s website. They were so starved, and left to die when they were confiscated by a local Humane Society. We were called in, and their bodies rejected food and both nearly died. Their psychological scars and lack of socialization were turned around using Cesar’s Methodology.
I agree with the poster above, Shirley…you are right on! Cesar saves lives…and I have 200 dogs to prove it that have gone through our adoption agency.
April 26th, 2009 at 7:34 pm
The only correct statement that I see in the first comment/ reply is ‘Cesar is not a positive reinforcement trainer.” On this you are correct, he is not a trainer at all and has never claimed to be. There is a big difference between training & psychology.
I foster dogs for the local Humane Society and have rehabilitated quite a few puppy mill survivors. These dogs NEED rehabilitation, not obedience training, as do all the dogs Cesar takes into his Center and those he sees on TV. I have used MANY of his methods with much success. Sorry to say, I work with a lot of the same kinds of dogs he does and have had virtually no luck with positive only training, even on the easy cases.
I also work with the local obedience trainer and we send clients each others way when necessary. There really need not be sides. We should all be working together. This is not a competition, or at least it shouldn’t be. It’s all about what’s best, and what works best for the dogs…”anything that works that doesn’t harm the dog”. I have yet to see Cesar harm a dog and his methods work. Because of his work I, personally, have been able to save many dogs, that would likely have been euthanized, and send them on to good homes as well balanced and well behaved dogs.
I am VERY much looking forward to this special episode! I have not only fostered/rehabilitated these puppy mill survivors but have actually assisted the Humane Society with confiscations. The world needs to know about these places, where those adorable puppies sold in most pet stores come from and, the deplorable conditions that their parents are forced to exist in.
Oprah opened the door, Cesar will bring it to the worlds attention and, hopefully others will take their lead until “commercial breeders”, AKA puppy mills no longer exist.
April 27th, 2009 at 1:29 am
Sue, dear you are spending your time criticizing Cesar Millan? Wow. Unfortunately you are not alone there are many ignorant people in this world such as the puppy mill breeders who think they know it all, too. Should we all forget about the puppy mill breeders and start concentrating on Cesar Millan’s horrible and torture strategies. Really? Come on. You are so worry about Cesar Millan’s tactics but care less that there are dogs being tortured? Why can’t you concentrate on the ignorant people who actually do torture people and animals every day! I am sorry but that is very ignorant of you!
April 27th, 2009 at 2:29 pm
Cesar has been the best thing to come along to the canine world in maybe forever. Sue, I’m so sorry you’ve somehow been misled about Cesar. He’s definitely not what you describe him to be. I’m looking forward to this episode as I have adopted a puppy mill survivor. I have also turned a topsy turvey relationship with my pittie into an awesome one because of Cesar’s philosophy. I love his program because he explains so much – WHY a dog is acting the way he acts and WHY he’s doing what he’s doing and WHY that helps the dog, WHY the owner needs to change themselves, etc. etc. And it all makes so much sense.
May 4th, 2009 at 2:57 pm
First of all, I appreciate the work that Caesar does for these idiot people who can’t understand themselves or their own children, nor take the time to,know, let alone their pets. It is a trmendous responsibility to have a child and to own a pet for those who do not take it lightly. They should have priority. They cost and require much and yet give without judgement. And those that don’t consider that their pets fall in line with God’s creatures, then they shouldn’t have them at all. Caesar, thank you for at least giving some of these pet owners guidance and for giving many of these pets a second chance. I appreciate you!!! And so do they.
ps – I missed you at North Shore. Couldn’t find it. Shucks!!!!
May 5th, 2009 at 8:05 pm
I’m surprised more Puppy Mills are not closed down simply for BEING Puppy Mills. Any and all dog breeding facilities should be routinely checked out for abuse. Cesar is doing a grand thing by helping to expose such atrocities. If it takes his ‘celeb status’ to do it then so be it. So long as it gets done! He doesn’t seem as thought he uses his ‘status’ anyway. He just is who he is. And that’s what people love about him.
May 8th, 2009 at 9:32 pm
I love Caesar Milan. I have always been a fan of Natgeo but since his inception, I watch all the time. I find it hard to believe that someone would say that they “can’t stand” Caesar Milan. Are you serious? He has done so much for dogs and dog owners, I have learned so much from watching Caesar and have tried some of his techniques on my German Shepherd mix and, guess what, they work! My dog was adopted two days before her scheduled “put down” date. She is the love of my life. I believe in and support what Caesar Milan does as well as supporting the closing of puppy mills. Because of Caesar and his abilities, many dogs are happier and so are the families.
May 9th, 2009 at 12:12 pm
Good for Cesar, he’s finally doing a show on puppy mills. He picked the wrong organization to hook up with though. LCA is on a no-give list on all the charity watch organizations. Look it up. They do not conduct their business by the standards required for tax exempt non-profits. Ask anyone who has been an employee. Employees are treated worse than the animals they pretend to protect.
That organization has everyone wondering where the money goes. They rake in over a million dollars a year and cannot show how they spend that money. They sure don’t pay employees. Before you donate, ask Mr Boss to see a full accounting of the books. He’ll either hang up on you or threaten you physically.
Spends his days chasing tail, chasing money.
October 21st, 2009 at 9:39 pm
I think that just like everything else, there are those who do it well and those who don’t; those who care and those who don’t. I also think the best thing is to help those wanting a new pet to be educated so that they purchase wisely. With the help of people like Cesar, hopefully the bad ones will diminish and then the good ones will prosper more.
June 3rd, 2010 at 10:14 am
A lot of people consider crate training dogs can be bad. The thinking behind crate training is actually to have your dog to listen to your instructions. This can sometimes be for their individual saftey, yet more often than not its used to test their obedience together with behaviour. Your first step in crate education should be to find the most effective place for the pups crate. Consider the actual thinking associated with by using a cage is to give your puppy his or her own space, plus get your pet accustomed to the idea of being clear of your household. Nonetheless it should also enable them to observe whats going on.