The most famous dog trainer on the planet, and likely the best, the man they call the Dog Whisperer, Cesar Millan, kicked off a Canadian tour in late October of 2010. It started in Victoria and was followed by a show following night at the River Rock Theater in Vancouver. On October 30 he began the Eastern swing of his tour with a show in Hamilton.
There are 11 cities and 14 shows on the 17 day tour and all see his philosophy of dog training delight Canadian canine lovers. "What a dog needs is exercise, discipline and affection," the soft-spoken, affable native of Culiacan, Mexico says. "Everybody wants honesty in a relationship, integrity in a relationship and love.”
Dog Whisperer Crosses the Country
After the show in Hamilton he played Toronto and tonight, November 2, is in London, Ontario followed by Ottawa and Montreal. He is then in Edmonton and Calgary and has two more in Vancouver before finishing his tour in Saskatoon on the 13th and Winnipeg the following night. His shows so far have all sold-out.
His website gives a description of what a Millan show is like and he is turning arenas and theatres into parks into his own home's living-room in order to demonstrate how to develop a more authoritative but loving relationship with your dog. There are actual dogs onstage.
"The first half of the show is set in Cesar’s home...about how the everyday things we do in our homes can grow into behavioral issues as well as tips and tools for a calm and balanced dog," Millan's website says. "The second part...is set in the dog park where Cesar demonstrates the importance of energy and leadership and how this can transform your dog."
Dog Trainer has been Lover of Dogs Since Childhood
Millan, whose TV show The Dog Whisperer airs on the National Geographic Channel, the station that is sponsoring the tour, is dog trainer for common folks and stars alike. He has trained dogs for Oprah Winfrey, Will Smith, Charlize Theron, Nicolas Cage, Tom Brady and wife Gisele Bundchen. In California he operates a Dog Psychology Center where he takes dogs who pose extra behavioral problems and trains them using up to 50 dogs who were themselves once behavior problems.
“I was 13 years-old when I said ‘I am going to be the best dog trainer in the world," Millan says. When you take into account the immense popularity of his TV show - next year he begins another show Dogs Around the World where he visits dogs in many countries - it appears he has achieved his goal.
The trainer also travels around the U.S. and other parts of the world working with people and dogs, has a magazine available by subscription and his comprehensive website is full of information on dogs and their health and behavior.
Dr. Phil of Dogs says Dogs Need Exercise, Discipline and Affection
His website says that his show teaches people how to see "the world through their dogs eyes" and Millan is thrilled at being able to contribute to the world by sharing his knowledge of dogs and people.
"What amazing places dogs are taking me to,” Millan says. “If you had told me when I was growing up in Mexico that one day I would be travelling the world with my own live show, I don’t think I would have ever believed it. I rehabilitate dogs and train people, so to be given the chance to share my talents to help dog owners become calm and assertive pack leaders with their dogs really helps me fulfill my vision of making the world a better place.
"One dog at a time.”
Sources:
- Cesar' Millan's Dogs Way website
- Enberg, Tanya; 'Cesar Millan hitting road for Great White North tour'; published September 6, 2010, accessed October 24; The Toronto Sun
- Hondro, Marcus; 'Dog Whisperer Cesar Millan Travels and Trains Dogs and Humans'; published September 28, accessed October 24; Suite 101
- The Saskatoon Star-Phoenix; 'Dog trainer comes to city'; published September 28, accessed October 24
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