Cesar Millan

Could someone mistake your dog for your shadow? If a super attentive pooch likes to trail behind your toes, this behavior isn't a good idea if you both take a trip to a new environment. It's important to have pets adjust to a new space no matter the length of the trip.
I asked Cesar Millan for his tips for helping a dog get acclimated to new surroundings and he explained the best technique for an enjoyable experience for both of you. Cesar said:

A main thing when a dog comes into a new environment is how does he feel about the environment. Step one, I would tell him where he would feel safe. I will bring his pillow from my house and then choose an area away from the humans where he can stay. Where people can use the command to stay. I want him to feel safe in the environment without me being there or otherwise he becomes co-dependent. That's when separation anxiety gets built and then you don't get to enjoy the party cause the dog is right there on your heels. You don't want that for the dog, you don't want that for yourself, you don't want that for the environment. So that would be the best way. Obviously, I always suggest exercise before you tell a dog to stay. So you take him on a nice good walk, you tire him out and then you bring him inside the house and tell him where he's going to stay.

I can't wait to try this out when we go visit pals later this month!

I got the chance to chat with Cesar Millan when he was in San Francisco before the holidays promoting his new book Cesar's Rules (and the Swiffer/ Macy's Holiday Pet Adoption Windows) and asked him all about entertaining with dogs at home. Since better behavior is a year-round New Year's resolution for many pet owners, learn his tips that you can try next time you have guests come knocking.

PetSugar: Why does my dog want to jump on new people that come in?
Cesar Millan: Every time something changes with a dog, an object or a human, they become curious. When the new humans come into the environment of the dog, if they don't know how to behave, then that triggers the excitement. The scent and the energy are two different things. The scent creates curiosity 'Who are you? How should I feel about you?' If the human is nervous, excited, tense or unsure, that triggers excitement in a dog.

Learn how to stop this and how to deal with more anxious dogs when you read more

It was another tough year as many celebrities lost pets, and even a famed soccer score-predicting wild animal passed away! The votes have been tallied and Cesar Millan's pit bull Daddy (who died back in February) was your choice.

A beloved pet since he was four months old — and a frequent guest on The Dog Whisperer and four-legged ambassador for Pit Bulls worldwide — the 16-year-old pooch was surrounded by his family at his time of death. Rest in peace!

I'm oohing and ahhing over Kristen Bell's gorgeous puppy tub spotted in the latest issue of Cesar’s Way magazine. Created by interior designer Kari Whitman, it appears to be one part bathtub, one part fountain, but all in all, absolutely beautiful. The lowered side makes it easier for a pet to climb in by himself and can provide less strain on your back since you're not hanging over a higher side while bathing. As anyone who's tried to give a pet a scrub in a tub or sink will surely attest, the removable showerhead is a must, too!

The designer has also helped out celebrity clients like Jessica Alba and Virginia Madsen along with her eco-tastic Greener Pup line with each pet bed containing from 70 to 120 recycled plastic bottles which would’ve otherwise wound up in a landfill! She emphasizes the need to understand your pets' needs and behavior when planning your décor:

I do it all from carpeting, furniture, and accessories to construction, yard design, and architecture . . . It’s only then that you can incorporate design ideas that will leave you with the kind of beauty you need to create.

I'm saddened to announce the passing of Cesar Millan's 16-year-old pittie named Daddy. Surrounded by family at his time of death, he lived with the Millans since four-months-old and acted as a four-legged ambassador for Pit Bulls worldwide in special appearances and red carpet events.

Daddy appeared over 50 times on The Dog Whisperer to bring his balanced energy to unmanageable dogs so, to celebrate the pup's life and continue to give back, the Millan Foundation has established an Emergency Animal Rescue Fund in Daddy's honor. It not only provides funding and assistance for dogs who are victims in large-scale disasters (like hurricanes or fires) but also helps those victims of "man-made disasters," such as hoarders, abuse, and puppy mills. RIP, sweet pooch!

From the department of spot-on casting comes the news that Wilmer Valderrama will play a character based on TV's dog whisperer, Cesar Millan.

Fox is producing the half-hour comedy, and though Valderrama's starring role is only based on Millan, the successful dog trainer, the resemblance between the two men is pretty uncanny. In any case, it's nice to see Valderrama getting a new project, since he really hasn't done much since That '70s Show.