October 2009 Archives

NAME: Hardy
BREED: French Bulldog
AGE: 3 years

ABOUT THE DOG:
Owners Shelly and Tadd got Hardy from a breeder at 13 weeks old. He seemed to be the perfect dog and for the first two years, became a mascot for Shelly's beauty salon. But after his second birthday, he started biting anyone who came into his personal space. Now Hardy is banished to a secluded corner of the salon, and his snappy attitude has spread to his owners' home.

ABOUT THE OWNERS:
Shelly Dale has always been a dog lover, even taking in stray dogs. She wanted to incorporate her love of dogs with the clients of her successful hair salon. Tadd McCalmont is a fire sprinkler designer and shares Shelly's passion for canines.

BEHIND THE SCENES:
Hardy's salon "test" took place at Primrose Organics. The owner is a friend of the show and has cut the hair of the Dog Whisperer staff.

NAME: Valentino
BREED: Chihuahua
AGE: 5 years

ABOUT THE DOG:
Owner Brendi Blackburn rescued Valentino from a neglectful and potentially abusive situation. Now, it seems he has taken a vengeance and started lashing out, biting those who come near Brendi and sometimes, even Brendi herself.

ABOUT THE OWNER:
Brendi Blackburn works in the film and television industry. Her family owned big, "outside" dogs when she was growing up. Before Valentino, none of the dogs in her life had any behavioral issues.

NAME: Pekaso
BREED: Pekingese
AGE: 1 1/2 years

ABOUT THE DOG:
Owner Daniel Maltzman bought Pekaso from a pet store that specializes in small breed dogs. When he brought her home, he noticed that Pekaso refused to eat or drink in front of him. The dog has gotten so dehydrated that she had to be taken to the vet and put on an IV.

ABOUT THE OWNER:
Daniel Maltzman is an artist whose paintings hang in swanky Hollywood clubs and the sporty halls of Yankee Stadium. His work has also been featured in film and television programs.

BEHIND THE SCENES:
As a thank you for helping with Pekaso, Daniel gave Cesar one of his "scuffs," a wristband made of recycled leather and painted with organic paints.

NAME: Yogi & Smokey
BREED: Chow mixes
AGE: 1 year

ABOUT THE DOGS:
Smokey and Yogi were named for Smokey the Bear and Yogi Bear. The pups' parents were very well-mannered, but Smokey and Yogi's relationship is strained. The dogs often attack each other, and have even drawn blood.

ABOUT THE OWNERS:
Claudia Imson attends nursing school and lives at home with her extended family. Claudia's boyfriend, David, often helps her with the dogs.

BEHIND THE SCENES:
When the crew broke for lunch, Cesar indulged himself with pho, a Vietnamese noodle dish. For the rest of the day, Cesar was a bit sluggish from eating so much!

NAME: Molly
BREED: Jack Russell Terrier-mix
AGE: 3 years

ABOUT THE DOG:
Molly was adopted from United Hope for Animals in 2008. At home, Molly seems perfect and acts very sweet towards her owners and their 6-month-old kitten. However, once outside, Molly charges and barks at other dogs and people.

ABOUT THE OWNERS:
Ellen Thompson is a Los Angeles art gallery manager. Ellen's husband, Dave, is a research editor for Bon Appétit magazine. Ellen and Dave both grew up with dogs and consider themselves "dog people."

BEHIND THE SCENES:
Look for Dog Whisperer's make-up artist Rita Montanez's daughter, Heidi, and her two children in this segment. They can be seen walking through the art gallery during Molly's rehabilitation!

NAME: Cujo
BREED: Mastiff-Lab mix
AGE: Approximately 3 years

ABOUT THE DOG:
Three years ago, Mary Jane Lach noticed a chained up dog across the street from her house. He was clearly neglected, so she started sneaking him food. He was great with her, and as she became acquainted with the owner, who divulged that the dog's name was Cujo, he offered the dog to her. Everything seemed fine until he lunged at both the vet and her roommate. His human aggression has gotten so out of control, that its been recommended Mary Jane put Cujo down.

ABOUT THE OWNER:
Mary is a retired letter carrier from Simi Valley, California. After an accident, Mary moved to be closer to her grandchildren.

BEHIND THE SCENES:
Cesar loves to helps his dogs' owners just as much as the dogs. For this episode, Cesar applied his preferred holistic treatments to help Mary Jane, while he worked with Cujo.

A lot of people ask me how Daddy got to be the "perfect dog." The simple answer is that is how I raised him!

But of course, that process began 15 years ago and since it is impossible for me to show you my exact techniques using an adult dog, I've decided to use this season to demonstrate to old and new dog owners how to raise a new dog from puppyhood!

I will be raising four different puppy breeds in my home, using my pack and principles of dog psychology -- a yellow Labrador Retriever, a blue Pit Bull, a show quality Miniature Schnauzer and an English Bulldog. I want to show how to nurture and balance each breed while developing their breed-specific characteristics and demonstrate how to maintain that balance through their adult years. And as you will see, they taught me as much as I taught them!

This special and book of the same name, "How to Raise the Perfect Dog," is based on my own experiences and the knowledge I have gained from observing each stage of a puppy's development.

The most important aspect of this whole experiment is to create calm-submissive obedience from day one, which as you know means applying exercise, discipline, and affection, and enforcing rules, boundaries, and limitations every step of the way.

NAME: Sissy
BREED: Shepherd mix
AGE: 4 years

ABOUT THE DOG:
Sissy was one of 104 dogs rescued from the home of a hoarder in Palmdale, California. Many of the dogs were euthanized due to medical or behavioral issues, but Sissy was placed in the Agoura Animal Shelter, a facility with a high adoption reputation. Unfortunately, she became difficult to place because of her fearful and skittish nature.

ABOUT THE VOLUNTEER:
Rob Lerner is a retired Los Angeles Police Department officer and now dedicates his time to helping dogs find good adoptive homes, acting as a canine companion and facilitating adoptions. He spends a good deal of time rehabilitating problem behaviors using Cesar's techniques.

BEHIND THE SCENES:
Sissy's story was one of the longest segments to produce -- more than two years! This is a testament to the dedication and patience of Rob Lerner and all the volunteers at Agoura Animal Shelter who work very hard to find perfect homes for the animals in the shelter.

NAMES: Gigi & Optimus
BREED: Great Dane
AGE: 19 months

ABOUT THE DOG:
Optimus and Gigi both came from a reputable breeder in Belton, Texas. Their mother had been a Westminster prize winner, but floppy-eared Optimus didn't inherit her good manners. When prospective owners John and Maria Hiney came to view the pups, Optimus bit John on the leg. Since then, Optimus has bitten several of their friends and neighbors.

ABOUT THE OWNERS:
The Hineys have been together for more than 30 years! John has had pet Great Danes since he was very young.

BEHIND THE SCENES: See above photo!