The Pack Leader of All

He's my go-to guy, the man who rules my doggy world. Cesar Millan, the master of all animal disguises and host of a new breed of animal reality show, Cesar 911, has captured the hearts and minds of animal lovers, everywhere.

From the beginning, Cesar Millan opened my eyes to the crazy world we have inadvertently created with our beloved pets, namely our dogs. Years ago, while introducing two new family pets to my 'kennel' abode, yet again, the barking and jumping began. I remembered Cesar's simple solution to calming agitated pets to new smells through a slightly opened door. Our two retrievers, 'Sally' and Mr. Wiggles followed suit. Company was here! The terrier and mini schnauzer, Mall Cop and his sister, Ella, their cousins, completed their respective performances with a rousing rendition of Tea for Two. Oh, my. I wish this would end. I then thought of Cesar Millan, of Dog Whisperer fame and wondered what he would do in this raucous scenario. Introducing agitated dogs, slowly, to new scents and sounds, through a door, slightly ajar, would help to calm the animals. It seemed to work. Was I the problem? Probably. 

 

Calm and assertive was always my intention, even with our sons. Order would be restored. I follow this simple step, all the time, now, but can't help but think that Cesar Milan has magical powers not present in the rest of us mere mortals. His advice always made sense to me. As I opened the patio doors a couple of inches to allow the scents to co-mingle, the four seemed to calm down so I could talk while they listened till the action began, outdoors. But I still felt there was more to Cesar's “calm and assertive” that I was not doing. I am always a student.

Cesar's advice to "not touch, speak or look at” our dog when it is in an agitated state, with other dogs or humans nearby rang true. We were inviting confrontation, perhaps giving them permission to be unruly. Me? We must never give affection or food during these rousing trials of dominance. (And they need rules, boundaries and limitations.) ... It was a green light to continue. Sound advice. Cesar was definitely the master of all.

On a visit for one of many re-dressing appointments, last year, Sally and I walked up the outside ramp, quickly, before entering the clinic. Through a window, near the entrance, I noticed an elderly canine waiting in the examining room. He turned towards the distraction, - us - as we walked towards the front door. Immediately, he began his 'song'. The 'look' was all that was needed by this majestic elderly canine to unleash his displeasure. He became unwound. His relenting, piercing bark would not end. As we entered the facility, he was still at 'it'. Had he not heard of Cesar? Could his master not control him? It was 'music' to my ears, a laughable poignant moment, courtesy of another dog, not mine. Today, the technicians, other patients and doctors, on duty, knew it was not my Sally kicking up a fuss. It was comical relief, at another's expense. I understood what the other owner must have felt. My problem 'child' was not the only one capable of unsettling the ambiance of the clinic's waiting room. I guess neither of us pack leaders had been 'calm and assertive'. Our pets had other plans. Cesar might have laughed, too, with a solution at hand, however.

On another occasion, as I was about to leave the animal clinic with my girl, I soon realized we had to walk by a giant dog, patiently seated, poised and magnificent, near her master. Would Sally walk calmly by without her usual low level in your face woof-woof directed to all who came near? She had been an outpatient, twice weekly, in the last 9 months for surgeries performed and getting mighty tired of it all. She would shake visibly with every visit, as we waited. Wondering if this calm giant 'cousin' of hers would remain quiet as we walked by, I simply walked out of the examining room, 'calm and assertive', with a stern, leash relaxed, 'Let's go girl'. The approach worked. Neither animal noticed the other as Sally and I exited the waiting room. Cesar was on my mind. Clearly I had been rehabilitated.

We must never lose sight of the qualities of good behaviour in us, our children and pets as we enter the outdoors or Mother Nature's world. For me, Cesar Millan is near as I mingle with the animals I hold dear. We can be both the distraction and the pack leader. I know that now because Cesar tells me so!

Thank you, Cesar, for  helping to make me calm and assertive.