Who is Cesar Millan and why is he known as the Dog Whisperer?
There are always big stories on WalesOnline - don't miss any with our daily email Invalid Email Something went wrong, please try again later. Sign me up now Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice  Cesar Millan is a dog behaviourist, best known for his television series "Dog Whisperer with Cesar Millan" which has been televised in more than 80 countries worldwide. He is currently filming a new TV show about dogs for National Geographic Channel - so we thought we'd take a closer look at the famous dog trainer who believes you can teach any dog to do anything. How it all began  Cesars life has been one of extraordinary achievement in the face of adversity. The poor farm boy from Mexico has become one of the most recognisable TV personalities in the world today. He hosted an Emmy-Award nominated series for a decade and went on to star in other dog-related TV shows. Cesar, who is now 51, grew up around dogs in rural Culiacan, Mexico. Millan wanted a better life for himself so, despite speaking no English, moved to the United States and worked as a pet groomer. He went on to work as a limousine driver and met actress Jada Pinkett Smith, who became one of his first clients. She provided him with an English tutor, he gradually gained more celebrity clients and dog owners soon starting flocking to him to try and help train their dogs. Cesar eventually created the Dog Psychology Center, a facility in Los Angeles that catered to large breeds of dogs. He became a permanent resident of the United States in 2000. The Dog Whisperer  In 2002, the Los Angeles Times profiled Millan, and soon after, he landed his ground-breaking television series. When the show premiered in 2004, it quickly became National Geographics most popular television show. Episodes featured guests' problem dogs, introduced through documentary-style footage and an interview with the owners. Millan offered suggestions on how the owners could become their pets "pack leader", consistent with the theory that dogs are pack animals. (Image: Getty Images)  He used behaviour modification techniques and the philosophy that exercise, discipline, and affection are required in that order for dogs to be healthy and balanced. In the time since he skyrocketed to success, Cesar Millan has written several best-selling books, starred in another show called Cesar 911, worked on a childrens television show for Nickelodeon, and appeared on another show called Dog Nation. In 2007, he created a non-profit organization now known as Cesar Millan PACK Project that provides support to animal shelters that find homes for dogs. Cesar Millan also became a United States citizen in 2009. His techniques have faced controversy and criticism  In a 2016 episode of Cesar 911, Cesar Millan used a pot-bellied pig in one of his training efforts with a dog that had aggressive tendencies. The dog broke free of his grasp and attacked the pig, biting it on the ear and drawing blood. The incident was investigated as a case of animal cruelty due to outrage from the public, but it also brought to light what many of Cesar Millans critics had been saying all along, that his tactics caused animals an unnecessary amount of anxiety, fear, and harm. What Cesar is doing now  Cesar starred on the show for more than a decade. When the TV openings dried up, he turned to YouTube. Cesar showcases his behaviourist skills on his self-titled YouTube channel with 1.61 million subscribers. Millans content is wildly popular, with most videos passing the two-million views mark. He is coming back to National Geographic Channel this summer with an all-new series, currently titled Cesars Way. The show follows Millan as he helps dogs and their human families make lasting and positive adjustments in the middle of these challenging times. In the new series, Cesar opens the gates to the famed Dog Psychology Center, his California ranch retreat for dogs. Here he transforms dogs - and families - one case at a time, working to make the world a better place.