For anyone who watches the celebrity dog trainer on TV, the opening lines of his show say it all. I rehabilitate dogs, I train people. That pretty much sums up his approach as week after week he shows that most often, its the tall animal at the other end of the lead that is causing the problems rather than the dog.
Leslie Stahl of 60 Minutes went so see Cesar Milan on Sunday. She visited his Dog Psychology Center in the hills of northern Los Angeles. It was all made possible by his hit series, The Dog Whisperer.
One analyst projects that his empire, built on best-selling books, DVDs, a magazine, a line of doggy products, and of course his TV show, with its sixth season premiering this week, is worth nearly $100 million.
His trademark is soothing the savage beasts that no one else can. He even makes house calls, where he sits distraught owners down and explains that they have to calm down and show their dog who's boss.
In the interview spoke about his roots in rural Mexico and how early episodes of Lassie and Rin Tin Tin were his first inspirations. He gives a complete account of his younger days, how he skipped the border and worked as a dog groomer, walker and trainer. That's how he met the future Mrs. Will Smith, Jada Pinkett.
"You became such good friends, am I correct about this, that she insisted that you take English lessons?"
"Yes, she did. And she actually, you know, sent a teacher to me for a year. She paid for it."
Now, the man with the rough English is speaking at Yale University, where he's helped develop and fund a program that brings dogs into nearly 100 elementary schools around the country.
If anyone is a good role model for this country, its Cesar Milan. He came with nothing but a skill and has worked hard to build himself a niche in our culture, and our hearts.
