April 2009 Archives

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.

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.

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.

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!

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!

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!

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.

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!

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!

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!

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.