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Top 10 Fascinating Facts about Cesar Millan

César Felipe Millán is popularly known for the television series Dog Whisperer with Cesar Millan. The Mexican-American dog trainer who was born on 27^th August 1969 hosted the series from 2004 to 2012. The Emmy-nominated television series was aired in over 80 countries.

In addition to the television series, Millan has a line of dog products and instructional videos and he is also a bestselling author in the New York Times. His initial three books, which all became best sellers in the New York Times, sold two million copies cumulatively in the United States. The books which include Cesar’s Way, are available in 14 other countries.

Before he began The Dog Whisperer series, Millan operated a rehabilitating center and worked with aggressive dogs. He also established a rehab facility known as the Dog Psychology Center in Los Angeles. The facility operated from 2002–2008. In collaboration with IMG, Millan created a magazine titled Cesar’s Way in 2009. The monthly magazine ran articles on the relationship between humans and dogs and also printed advice from Millan. The Magazine’s final copy was the November/December 2014 issue.

Below are ten interesting facts on César Felipe Millán.

1. From a Young Age, he had a way with Animals

Image of brown sheep. Photo by José Martín Ramírez Carrasco on

Millan had a way with dogs from a young age. It was easy to spot his love and passion for animals. His parents, Filipe and Maria, knew they could count on him to help around the family farm.

2. His adoration for dogs earned him a terrible nickname

Dogs on a dirt road. Photo by Alvan Nee on

Millan was incredibly skilled with farm animals and his community quickly realized this. This made him popular among the members of his community.

What stood out the most was Millan’s love for dogs. He associated with the dogs in a unique way which made him get bullied. Unfortunately, since he was always wound animals, Millan’s nickname became ‘The Dirty Dog Boy’.

3. He met his biggest supporter when he worked as a limousine driver during his early days in the United States

1998-2002 Lincoln Town Car limousine photographed in the USA. Photo by IFCAR/

When Millan first arrived in the United States, he worked at a dog grooming store. This was followed by the creation of the Pacific Point Canine Academy.  As he worked as a limousine driver Jada Pinkett Smith was his first client and biggest supporter. In 2002, after Millan’s profile appeared in the LA Times, he began working with MPH Entertainment, Inc. It was here that he created the pilot for Dog Whisperer. This was a reality television series that followed Millan as he worked in the field of dog rehabilitation.

4. He unknowingly committed a specific crime over and over again

Person walking dogs. Photo by Matt Nelson on

To get by while in the United States, Millan took up a job walking dogs after his limousine driving shift. He was so good with dogs that he could walk 30 to 40 dogs at a time, off-leash. He did not know that walking the dogs off leash was a crime in the United States.

5. Jada Pinkett Smith Helped him jumpstart His Career

Jada Pinkett Smith at the 2014 NY PaleyFest for the TV show Gotham. Photo by Dominick D/

Millan met Jada Smith while working as a limousine driver. He stated his desire to have a pet show on television and she informed him he would need to improve his English.

Jada Smith helped him find an English tutor. She was also his biggest supporter and helped him jumpstart his career.

6. His show had viewership in more than 80 countries

National Geographic Channel Logo (1997-2016). Photo by www.starchoice.com/

Millan’s show ‘Dog Whisperer with Cesar Millan, became National Geographic’s number one show. It had viewers in more than 80 countries.

The television series first aired on the National Geographic Channel on 13^th September 2004. It later moved to the Nat Geo WILD channel. After about eight years, the last episode aired in the United States on 5^th September 2012.

Despite its success, Millan continued to educate owners. He taught them how to create relationships with their dogs and fulfill the dog’s energy levels.

7. Tough times caused him to struggle with depression and mental health

Millan had a successful career but in the year 2000, he experienced some tough times that caused him to go into serious depression. His wife wanted a divorce and custody of the children. She also wanted spousal support.

His dog of 16 years also passed away. These tough times caused Millan to spiral into depression and he tried to take his own life.

8. He hosted a show that highlighted how dogs were killed every year

Dogs in a cage. Photo by Sasha Sashina on

Millan also had a show titled, Cesar Millan’s Leader of the Pack. The show aimed to highlight the needless killing of dogs. Millan wanted to show the world how dogs were being treated and also save millions of canine lives.

9. He used a unique Dog training method

A dog running around. Photo by Murilo Viviani on

Millan’s referred to his unique training method as a ‘calm-assertive energy. He believes that dog owners need to authoritatively be calm-assertive pack leaders. Millan believes that dogs have three basic needs which are affection, discipline, and exercise.

According to Millan, the dog owner needs to fulfill the dog’s energy levels. This can be done through challenging exercises. The dog owner needs to communicate boundaries and limitations, and rules and also be affectionate with their pets.

10. He has two sons with his first wife

In 1994, Millan married his first wife Ilusión Wilson. Together they have two sons. He became a permanent resident of the United States in 2000 and attained citizenship in 2009.

Millan and his first wife Ilusión Millan established the Millan Foundation. This foundation was later known as the Cesar Millan Foundation and is now known as called the Cesar Millan PACK Project.

It was founded to offer financial support to animal shelters and organizations. The foundation supports organizations that rescue, rehabilitate, and re-home abandoned and abused animals. The foundation also supports the spaying and neutering of these animals.

Millan’s first wife filed for divorce in June 2010. He began a relationship with Jahira Dar in August 2016. In April 2016, Millan and Jahira an actress and former stylist and wardrobe consultant, announced their engagement.