Woof

Celebrity dog expert Cesar Millán shares a few helpful tips to train your pet.

Reality star Cesar Millán always knew in his heart what his true calling was. While living in Culiacán, Mexico, Millán, then 13, was on his way to a judo competition when it hit him. At that moment he declared to his mom and to all those within ear shot that he would be the best dog trainer in the world. Today with his shows The Dog Whisperer on Nat Geo Wild and El Encantador de Perros on Nat Geo Mundo it’s a reality. “My mission is to remind people how simple it is to coexist with dogs,” says Millán. To further this end, Millán has partnered with Yale University and has created the Mutt-i-grees curriculum (www.education.muttigrees.org) to teach kids how to interact with our beloved canine friends. “It’s very important to learn about dogs; to learn empathy and compassion so when you get a dog you are truly prepared.” But if you ask Millán, he has yet to reach his ultimate dream. “If you go anywhere in the world, you will always find a dog, so I want to go global. If I don’t, I will not be honoring their full potential.”

To have a happy and healthy relationship with your four legged companion Cesar Millán suggests these four tips.

1. Fulfillment
Before you train your dog, the dog’s basic needs must be satisfied: exercise, discipline and affection.

2. Conditioning
Once a dog’s needs are met, you can start conditioning or training. The best time is when your dog is hungry or playful. Keep the sessions short, and vary both the time of day and the duration of the lesson. That way, your pet never knows when or how long to perform. Also, always end while the dog still wants to perform again, and not later when the dog is bored or starts shutting down.

3. Consistency
Fulfillment and training must be consistent and everyone in the family must participate.

4. Distance
Make sure you practice how to establish distance from your dog. It is the key to preventing separation anxiety. Do not let the dog follow you around the house 24/7. Also, do not confuse the dog. For example, don’t interact with him for 30 minutes when you come home from work, and then leave the house again. By bringing him into your intimate space, then leaving again, you do not give the dog any signals to relax. As a result, the dog will feel abandoned. Instead, when you get home, avoid eye contact and any petting or touching. Let the dog calm down, acknowledge its calm behavior, and ask him to give you distance. Then you bring him back into your intimate space. When you are ready to go out, send him away from your intimate space then you can leave home. Your dog will understand that by giving you time and space, he will receive affection. When you close the door, your dog will stay relaxed and calm.

The Dog Whisperer on Nat Geo Wild, Saturdays at 8pm/7c

El Encantador de Perros on Nat Geo Mundo, Daily at 7pm/6c