By Daisy Okas

I’ve been a fan of Cesar Millan’s since before he was well known as the Dog Whisperer on his National Geographic Channel TV show.

But then, he knows the way to a dog owner’s heart; on tour to publicize his upcoming show, he stopped by the AKC offices and praised my Beagle Olive commenting on her “calm energy.”

Millan’s latest endeavor is Cesar’s Way: The Natural, Everyday Guide to Understanding and Correcting Common Dog Problems, an extremely comprehensive book that I would recommend to any current or potential dog owner, especially those who watch the show yet haven’t been able to put Cesar’s Way in to practice.

Viewers of the Dog Whisperer know about Millan’s common sense understanding of dogs as animals first, dogs second, breed third and lastly individual personalities, and about the “calm-assertive energy” he believes we must project to keep our pets in line.

It’s always impressive to watch Millan in action on the show, but rather intimidating to think of dealing with that high-energy hound on one’s own. But Cesar’s Way illustrates Millan’s theories in a way that allows the reader to gain confidence both in themselves and in Millan. He describes his lifelong love of dogs and his varied experiences as a boy watching pack behavior on his grandfather’s farm in Mexico, grooming dogs as a new immigrant to the United States, and ultimately becoming a trainer dealing successfully with deeply distressing cases of abuse, fear and aggression.

It seems that Millan materialized on scene when needed most – our culture anthropomorphizes dogs as never before. While role models like Paris Hilton appear on magazine covers and TV shows with their dogs in fur coats and pearls, Millan urges readers to understand their dog’s animal instincts and innate needs in order to prevent or address behavior problems.

Many of his theories and recommendations directly challenge the current trend toward indulging and humanizing our dogs and therefore may seem harsh to some pampering pet owners. Yet any dog owner, whether they think they need the advice or not, would be well served to read and consider Millan’s very complete and convincing treatise before discounting him.

Millan’s common sense attitude extends to many canine controversies and he is blunt about what it means to be a responsible dog owner, and what one needs to consider before acquiring a dog.  The book advocates the importance of considering the right dog for your lifestyle, or as Millan puts it, a dog “to match your energy level.”  He is against breed bans and puts the onus on humans to give every dog the leadership it needs -– for the well being of the owner, the dog and society.

– Daisy Okas is the Assistant Vice President of Communications at the American Kennel Club