For the Love of Dog

The Love of a Dog Helps Us Find Balance in Life

By Cesar Millan

I often speak of how important it is to keep body, mind, and spirit in balance, but am often reminded of how unbalanced we have become as a society. Every time there’s morning rain in Los Angeles, traffic falls apart, for example. Living in big cities we can forget how to stay balanced and live in the natural world. My clients remind me constantly—or they wouldn’t be my clients. Some are Harvard graduates, but they can’t walk a Chihuahua. Because you need more than intelligence to create a connection with Mother Nature. Many of us have lost that connection and it is reflected in our animals. Dogs are our mirror and when they’re not following us it’s because we’re not balanced.

The love of a dog is unconditional. Being unconditional, that’s a dog. Humans are very conditional. Dogs, accepting. You can look horrible, but a dog will look at you like you’re the most beautiful human being ever, because what he’s looking at is your feelings. Dogs have integrity. But many humans measure integrity materially, with money. That’s how disconnected and unbalanced we have become.

If I can help people to understand how simple it is to reconnect ourselves back to Mother Nature, then the payoff we get is community life, country life, world life. Because… if you transform your relationship with your dog and your neighbor does too, the whole neighborhood will feel it.

There are thousands of dog issues, but at the end, they’re all the same. Unfortunately, the world does not live in prevention mode, just intervention mode, ignoring an issue until it becomes a major problem. That’s because there’s no money in prevention. But the benefits of prevention are enormous—it gives us a balanced world, a lot of happiness, and a lot of health. That’s real integrity. Working with Mother Nature, not against her, is the best prevention in the world, rain or shine.

A Walk in the Park

Spring is here! Time to get out and walk your dog. If you have some problems walking your dog, here are some tips…

6 Tips for Mastering the Dog Walk

By Cesar Millan

Here are 6 dog training tips on how to walk your dog and master the dog walk. When I’m out with my dog pack, I often walk about ten dogs at a time, sometimes even off-leash if I’m in a safe area. People are amazed by this, but it’s simple: the dogs see me as their pack leader. This is why dogs follow me wherever I go.

1. Walk in front of your dog.

Walking in front of your dog allows you to be seen as the pack leader. Conversely, if your dog controls you on the walk, he’s the pack leader. You should be the first one out the door and the first one in. Your dog should be beside or behind you during the walk.

2. Use a short dog leash.

This allows you to have more control. Attaching the leash to the very top of the neck can help you more easily communicate, guide, and correct your dog. If you need additional help, consider the The Illusion Dog Collar & Leash Set (Next Generation). Always keep your dog’s safety in mind when giving corrections.

3. Give yourself enough time for the dog walk.

Dogs, like humans, are diurnal, so taking walks in the morning is ideal. I recommend setting aside thirty minutes to a full hour. The specific needs of each dog differ. Consult your vet and keep an eye on your dog’s behavior to see if his needs are being met.

4. How to reward your dog during the walk.

After your dog has maintained the proper state of mind, reward him by allowing him to relieve himself and sniff around. Then you need to decide when reward time is over. It should always be less than the time spent focused on the walk.

5. Keep leading, even after the walk.

When you get home, don’t stop leading. Have your dog wait patiently while you put away his leash or take off your shoes.

6. Reward your dog after the walk.

By providing a meal after the walk, you have allowed your dog to “work” for food and water.

And don’t forget to set a good example by always picking up after your dog.