The Dog Whisperer with Cesar Millan: The Complete First Season

Sixty-year-old library clerk Dianna Acklen, of Decherd, Tennessee died May 9 after suffering 200-300 dog bites on her usual daily walk; three neighbor dogs were implicated in the attack. In his hugely popular The Dog Whisperer program on the National Geographic Channel, Cesar Millan rehabilitates “pirate” dogs—biters and/or problem canines—who are close to being euthanized, teaching them how to be family-friendly pets. Explaining that dogs are naturally pack animals, Millan demonstrates how “alpha dogs” who are close to the “redline” of being put to sleep can be taught to recognize human “pack leaders.” Having humans control the dogs and not vice versa is the goal, and as with the late Barbara Woodhouse of No Bad Dogs fame, Millan spends as much or more time training the owners in the 26 episodes here from the 2004 first season of his show. After listening to owners describe their pet's behavioral situation, Millan takes the dog for a short walk to begin to get a sense of the animal's personality before embarking on a makeover course (and showing the owners how they can achieve similar results) that is often both remarkable and inspiring. While it's too late for Acklen, other tragedies could be avoided if owners of problem dogs followed Millan's lead. DVD extras include over an hour of bonus material featuring outtakes, “doggie auditions,” and unaired segments. Highly recommended. Aud: P. (R. Reagan)