Inside Puppy Mills
NAME: Sophie
BREED: Pekingese
AGE: 5 years old
NAME: Lovey
BREED: Yorkshire Terrier
AGE: 6 years old
ABOUT THE DOGS: Sophie, aka Biter, a 5-year-old female Pekingese, was one of the dogs removed from World Kennels on May 2. Last Chance for Animals, the rescue group who took her in, believes that Sophie was born at World Kennels purely for breeding purposes and had never lived outside of her wire cage. Sophie is thought to have had 5 or 6 litters. LCA volunteer Kim Sill 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 is a three-legged Yorkie, also from World Kennels. She was first seen by LCA getting trampled by the other dogs in the cage. Once removed, she immediately started licking Kim. The licking started off cute but has since become a bit of a nuisance.
ABOUT THE OWNER: Founded in 1984 by Hollywood actor Chris DeRose, Last Chance For Animals 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. LCA continues to conduct undercover investigations with its many volunteers and has succeeded in putting puppy mill pet stores out-of-business and making puppy mill kennels compliant with USDA regulations. Learn more about the group at LCAnimal.org.
BEHIND THE SCENES: An initial edit of the Last Chance for Animals segment featured Cesar working with Sophie and Lovey, as well as a brief background of the puppy mill story. After the National Geographic Channel saw the segment, they wanted to do a longer and more involved story about LCA and its exposure of puppy mills. Dog Whisperer Producer Christina Lublin worked intensively with LCA, and they came up with an undercover investigation in which Cesar could participate, resulting in an hour-long look at what happens at a puppy mill.
Investigating Alongside Cesar
Going to a puppy mill was initially a very daunting and life changing event for me.That alone made last year one of those "years" in my life that would never be forgotten. Add to that Cesar Millan helping me realize that "I" have been the biggest problem in my pack of rescue dogs. Next add getting to be a part of the team that took Cesar to a puppy mill.
While standing in the windy Antelope Valley Cesar suggested that I take pet shop owners to puppy mills and to shelters. The cameras were following him, the police were on their way to remove us, the sand was blasting our faces and in the distance you could hear the rest of the crew screaming for us to pack up and leave. We were running to get in my truck, as he said, "you have to do that. Show them what they are contributing to." In that moment I felt as if nothing else was happening. I was getting some great help from a great hero of mine. Then as I got into the truck I hit my head. Cesar didn't laugh, he asked if I was okay? I was, but I was also terribly embarrassed.
Cesar was no nonsense. He wasted no time, he acted in the moment, and was aware of everything going on around him. But still he was able to give me some really good advice.
I have cherished that time with him and have taken all of his sage words and put them into action.
The help he gave me with my own pack of dogs has made me be able to bring in foster dogs that need a place to get rehabilitated until I find them a forever home.
Of course first there was Lovey, the Yorkie missing a foot. Sophie the biter, then Tobey the Chihuahua that never got adopted at a pet store, Cooper the Bassett Hound, Yogi the Anatolian shepard, Ginger and Barry the red listed shelter ShitZu's, and Little Bit the Yorkie that now lives with Sharon Osbourne. Currently I am fostering a beautiful Pomerian mix with a broken leg whose name is Foxy. He was deemed highly aggressive and on his way to be euthanized when I took him. My pack doesn't always agree with the choices I bring home but it keeps me on my toes. My wonderful dogs like that I discipline them. I now "can" discipline them thanks to Cesar! My dogs like me being a leader. I can see in their eyes that they trust what I am doing. On the other hand I am not quite sure if my husband feels the same way.
Joel has been falling in love with every dog I bring home. He has a rough time letting them go. I thought if I took him along for the home checks that he would be better. Cesar I may need some more help, how do we get my husband to follow the pack leader?
A Careful Approach to an Awful Situation
When we first received the Dog Whisperer submission from Last Chance for Animals (LCA), I was really excited. I knew LCA's work from the HBO documentary Dealing Dogs, so I couldn't wait to meet these real life animal heroes. The original segment about LCA was Cesar Millan rehabilitating a couple of puppy mill survivors. When it was decided we would be producing a full episode about LCA and actually going inside puppy mills, I wasn't sure what to expect. I've done animal rescue work in Tijuana and witnessed some horrible things, but I had no experience with puppy mills. The day we taped at the kennels in Lancaster, CA will stay with me forever.
On the day of the shoot, I was pretty nervous. The puppy mill owners knew LCA would be visiting them, but they had no idea our film crew and Cesar Millan would also be there. We decided it was best if Chris DeRose and I were the first ones to arrive at the kennel. We didn't want to scare the owner with a full camera crew, so I had to be very careful in my approach. I explained we would be taping for the Dog Whisperer and that Cesar Millan would be demonstrating to LCA the proper way to remove timid and frightened dogs from their kennels. Luckily the owner agreed and signed a location release. What a relief! I quickly called SueAnn Fincke, our fantastic director, and soon the camera crew and Cesar were pulling up the hot, dusty driveway. The kennel owner's family stood by and watched, not sure what was going on. One of our cameramen went into the massive kennel structure to get some close-up, b-roll shots of the dogs. I followed him in and was immediately hit with the deafening sound of barking dogs. I stared at all the dogs in the cages and couldn't believe my eyes - there were so many. Row after row of small, little fluffy dogs. Some were so scrawny and skinny, others were insanely spinning around and others just stood there, trembling. In front of each kennel cage, was a gutter of pee that flowed in a steady stream.
A Veteran's Perspective
As a veteran investigator of 30 years I have seen and witnessed many horrible things done to animals. To be an effective investigator, you learn to separate your emotions from your intellect. Your job is to photograph, videotape and document what is going on and to put these people in prison and out of business for good, so it can't happen to any more animals. Next thing is you use this documentation to change laws and to make a permanent change for the animals. It never gets easy. When you go home at night and put your head on the pillow, that's when you have to deal with your demons.
I did my first investigation into a puppy mill about 23 years ago and I couldn't believe what I was seeing. The cages were piled 3 tiers high and the pups in the top cage were urinating and defecating on the ones below. These dogs were kept in an outdoor enclosure and it was dead of winter. The pups on the bottom literally had ice forming on their bodies and were shaking profusely. The look on their faces is something I will never forget.
I investigated a case in Elko, Nevada where the temperature dropped down to 16 below zero chill factor. It got so cold that the owners abandoned their trailers, leaving these helpless animals to the harsh elements and certain death. When we got there, most of the animals were already dead - frozen in place. There were other animals as well such as rabbits and cats. Three months later, one of the dogs that survived this horrendous ordeal jumped off a sofa and all four of his legs broke because of what he went through. Hundreds and hundreds of the other animals weren't so lucky. All I can think of was that I wanted to destroy the place so that no one would ever come back and start up that horrible business again.
Click here to find out more information about the organization Last Chance for Animals.
Taming Sparky
NAME: Sparky
BREED: Pit Bull Mix
AGE: 3 years
ABOUT THE DOG:
One day Michael Broussard was working out in the backyard and noticed a box at the front of his house. Inside the box was Sparky, who quickly made herself at home and part of the family. But soon, Sparky behavior turned wild -- charging the fence at passersby, running from her owners and seemingly impossible to walk on a leash.
ABOUT THE OWNERS:
Michael and Jenn Broussard are both professionals in the entertainment industry. Both had dogs growing up and in addition to Sparky, they also own Daisy and Brisco.
BEHIND THE SCENES:
The Broussards' audition tape included footage taken from a "doggie cam." When the Dog Whisperer producers reviewed the tape, they were able to see Sparky's point of view as she ran around her yard.
Gaining Control at the Groomers'
NAME: Buster
BREED: Great Dane
AGE: 2 years
NAME: Jack
BREED: Boxer Mix
AGE: 5 years
NAME: Marley
BREED: Aussie Mix
AGE: 5 years
ABOUT THE DOGS:
Buster is a new client of groomer Lauren Warshaw. Owners Jay and Debbie Callin purchased Buster from a breeder as a puppy. Big and hard to control, Buster has no manners. Lauren has a very hard time cutting his nails and getting him into the tub.
Jack is a rescue that his owners Koceya and Jennifer Nsubuga adopted as a puppy. Jack is a known "humper," relentlessly humping Lauren, the owners' kids, and most visitors to the house. Jack is also terrified of the blow dryer and will even try to bite it.
Marley is also a rescue who was adopted by his owners Alex and Chris Gregg 3 1/2 years ago. He is a nervous dog, often biting at Lauren during his appointments. Marley is fearful about hands by his face or ears, and he despises bath time.
ABOUT THE GROOMER:
Lauren, an avid dog lover, left a very profitable sales career to pursue a dream of working with dogs. A few years ago, Lauren met someone at a dog expo who suggested mobile grooming. The following week, Lauren contacted the California School of Dog Grooming and scheduled her interview. By February of 2006, Lauren had completed the required coursework and graduated at the top of her class. She now runs the Club Doggie Grooming Salon, which services the desert cities near Palm Springs, California.
BEHIND THE SCENES:
The Mobile Groomer shoot was probably one of the most ambitious the Dog Whisperer crew has ever accomplished, with an early morning start, multiple shooting locations and a long drive back to Los Angeles.
Party's Over
DOG: Bella
BREED: American bulldog
AGE: 4 years
ABOUT THE DOG: Nate Hedges purchased Bella from a breeder on the Internet when she was 9-weeks-old. The breeder flew Bella in, and Nate picked her up from the airport.
At that time, Nate was living in a "party" house where people were constantly coming in and out; saying up all hours of the night. During some of these parties, it's believed that Bella was often teased, probably with her food. As a result, Bella developed food aggression. If anyone--even Nate--gets near her bowl, she will growl, bark, and lunge at the person. Bella also has strong animosity toward other dogs.
ABOUT THE OWNER: Nate Hedges had a good job and a great house, but his partying was out of control and this lifestyle sent him into a downward spiral. After losing his job and home, Nate entered a sober living facility. Now clean, Nate is putting his life back together. He is living in a new house with Bella and getting his career back on track.
BEHIND THE SCENES: The employees of Cesar Millan, Inc. and MPH Entertainment had an impromptu party in their offices to shoot a recreation of Nate's party days for Bella's episode.
Boo's Boo Boos
Can Cesar transform Boo's aggressive ways? Find out Friday, April 17, 9P et/pt!
NAME: Boo
BREED: Dachshund mix
AGE: 2 ½ years
ABOUT THE DOGS: Boo was found abandoned on the side of a road with his mother and one other puppy. Rose and Jerry Bizon adopted him in 2006 at the same time they had purchased their first house. They immediately noticed some behavioral issues that have since intensified.
Boo often exhibits aggression at feeding time, baring his teeth and growling when Jerry or Rose approach him and his bowl. The Bizons also have trouble when trying to trim his nails. He has lunged and bitten them several times. And if a dog gets too close to Boo, he becomes very aggressive toward them.
ABOUT THE OWNERS: Rose Bizon works part-time as an administrator at "I Dig My Dog" doggie daycare. Rose credits Boo with changing her life. It was because of him that she got the doggie day care job, adopted a second dog, Daisy, and is now working toward rescuing dogs and learning about their behavior.
Rose's husband Jerry owns a custom guitar repair shop. He has been building and repairing guitars professionally for over 18 years.
BEHIND THE SCENES: Rose and Jerry's neighbor Carla, who has always been on the receiving end of Boo's aggression, came by at the end of the day and sat on the couch next to him. She was amazed that it was the same dog and actually asked Cesar if he had switched dogs!
Oops, She Did it Again
Meet Britney Dawg this Friday, April 17 at 9P et/pt on National Geographic Channel!
NAME: Britney Dawg
BREED: Pit Bull / Rhodesian Ridgeback-Mix
AGE: 6 years
ABOUT THE DOG: Nicole Maples rescued Britney from a shelter after the pit bull-mix was found running through a park.
Britney is very well trained. She can open an ice chest, get a drink out, and bring it to Nicole. She can also play dead, high five, high ten, crawl, and bow. But her parlor tricks don't make up for her lack of social etiquette.
Britney is aggressive toward people and other dogs. She lunges, snarls, and barks at any visitors to the Maples home. And while Britney will tolerate Nicole's boyfriend Clinton, she is confrontational with Clinton's dog Buddy Boy.
ABOUT THE OWNER: Nicole Maples is a student studying Animal Science at Cal Poly in San Luis Obispo, CA. Nicole also helps manage the Swine Unit there. Together with her partner, she oversees all functions of the facility - feeding, breeding, weaning, and processing the pigs. Nicole also works part time as dog trainer, teaching basic obedience.
BEHIND THE SCENES: During the initial shoot, the production crew had to deal with freezing rain and the cameras had to be covered with rain gear. There was only one "rain jacket" for the cameras, so the other had to be wrapped in a trash bag. One of the cameramen even fell victim to Britney's aggression!
Cesar Millan to Talk about the First Dog on CNN this Afternoon!
What advice does Dog Whisperer Cesar Millan have for the Obama family as they begin their lives with Bo, the new First Dog?
Find out this afternoon as Cesar appears live via satellite on CNN's The Situation Room with Wolf Blitzer at 4:37P et. Check local listings!
Catch the Dog Whisperer on CNN's Larry King Live Tonight!
Cesar Millan joins Larry King to chat about Bo, the Obama's new dog and what the First Family can expect from their new addition! Tune in to CNN at 9p ET/PT.
Revisit Cricket and Hemingway & Rigby on Hulu
Check out Cricket and Hemingway & Rigby this week on National Geographic Channel online and Hulu!
Pop stars Pete Wentz and Ashlee Simpson have their hands full with their two aggressive "fur babies." The problem has become even more urgent, as the expectant parents' due date is fast approaching!
A Member of the Family
Does your family have what it takes to raise a happy dog? Find out this Friday, April 10, at 8P et/pt!
A Member of the Family was an important book for me to write. My previous books dealt with the basics of dog psychology, but A Member of the Family talks about what it means to adopt a dog. I don't believe pets are disposable. To take in a dog, or any animal, is a commitment for life. I hope this episode helps in making the big decisions, from picking out the right dog, letting your dog go, and fulfilling your dog's life in between.
When we make animals totally responsible for fulfilling our needs, we place too much weight on their shoulders. For example, if two parents want to get a dog to keep a child company, the dog may become so protective of that child, it can cause problems. If a mom wants a dog because her kids are leaving the nest, the dog may pick up on her neediness, as well as her resentments toward the rest of her family members, making them targets. To avoid such situations, start with a family meeting. Lay all these issues on the table before the dog comes home with you.
No matter what the makeup of your family "pack" - be it a college frat house looking for a mascot, or a retired couple looking for a late-life "child" - every member of that pack needs to be equally committed to adding a canine companion to the mix. Everyone in the family must be aware of the realities of dog ownership. That means everyone needs to be familiar with my three-part fulfillment formula for raising a balanced dog: exercise, discipline, and affection - in that order!
One of the hardest aspects of dog ownership is knowing that a human lifespan is so much longer than a canine one. This fact should not bring you down, but help you rejoice and celebrate the wonderful years our dogs are able to share with us. Dogs celebrate every day. A senior dog doesn't spent time reminiscing about old times like a senior human would. Instead, he works to make the best of the time that he's still got - something we can all learn from!
Watch Dog Whisperer Online at Hulu!
Miss your favorite DW episode? Well, hello Hulu! Expected to be released on April 6, you'll be able to catch full-length online episodes of Season 5 of Dog Whisperer at Hulu.com and National Geographic Channel online!
A Tale of Two Dogs and a Horse (Of Course)
Tune in Friday, April 3 at 8P et/pt for an all-new episode of Dog Whisperer!
NAME: Chloe
BREED: Shepherd-mix
AGE: 7 years
NAME: Hobo
BREED: Tibetan Spaniel-mix
AGE: 7 years
NAME: Cupcake
BREED: Bay Quarter Horse Pony
AGE: 22 years
ABOUT THE DOGS: Chloe was rescued from the Santa Monica, CA no-kill pound seven years ago. Around the same time. Hobo was found on the streets of South Central Los Angeles with a rope hanging from his neck. Joan Blank and her husband Jay took the two dogs in. Joan works as a riding instructor at Strides/Sinlimites Therapeutic Riding Center and would love to be able to bring her dogs to work with her. However, when Chloe and Hobo see a horse, they both bark, growl, and lunge. Joan thinks if the dogs got off-leash, they would try to nip at the horses who could retaliate and injure the riders.
ABOUT THE HORSE: A horse farrier offered to lend Cupcake to Strides/Sinlimites Therapeutic Riding Center, but she didn't work out because of her side kicking. The farrier asked if she could leave Cupcake at the center for a month, but never returned for the horse. That was almost nine years ago. The team at Strides/Sinlimites has worked with Cupcake to get her used to riders, but Cupcake's bucking and kicking often frightens the them, many of which are children.
ABOUT THE OWNERS: Joan Blank had a high-powered career as a fashion executive in New York City until she quit her job to become a full-time North American Riding for the Handicapped Association (NAHA) certified therapeutic riding instructor. Joan and the rest of the staff at Strides/Sinlimites Therapeutic Riding Center strive to provide physically, mentally, and emotionally challenged individuals an opportunity for personal growth through horsemanship.
BEHIND THE SCENES: Pairing Cesar Millan and horse whisperer Pat Parelli was a long time goal of Dog Whisperer producer Sheila Possner-Emery. Cesar was all too happy when the two whisperers came together, having been a fan of Pat's work for quite sometime.
Frightened of Floors!
Meet Jack tonight in an all-new episode of Dog Whisperer, 9P et/pt!
NAME: Jack
BREED: Labrador Retriever
AGE: 3 ½ Years
ABOUT THE DOG:
Black Labrador Jack has been with owner Jim Solis since he was a three month old pup. Because of Jack's great nose and excellent prey drive, Jim had him evaluated to be a Detection K-9, and Jack did very well. But in order for Jack to be enrolled into the program, he must get over his apprehension to slick and shiny floors. As a Detection K-9, Jack needs to be able to enter any type of building or structure without hesitation.
ABOUT THE OWNERS:
Jim Solis has been a fish and game warden for 23 years and a former US National Park Service backcountry Ranger. He also referees basketball games, competes in mountain bike triathlons, and is an instructor for Defensive Tactics and Firearms.
BEHIND THE SCENES:
Because the fish and game wardens don't have home offices, the Dog Whisperer crew had to tape the session at the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. The station's firemen stood by quietly as Cesar and Jack made use of the shiny linoleum floors.
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