The celebrated Dog Whisperer shares what to keep in mind as the weather warms up—and the biggest pet-training mistakes he's seen since the pandemic.
Cesar Millan on the Healing Effects of Companionship
Published on Apr. 10, 2025
Some dog trainers say their toughest client isn’t the pup, but instead it’s the pet parent who needs the most training. Cesar Millan was one of the first figures to bring to the mainstream the notion that it’s our responsibility as pet owners to understand how our pets think, and to work with them accordingly toward a fulfilling two-way relationship and provide them with their healthiest life possible.
Millan has been a trusted figure in helping us get inside the minds of our pets since around 2004, when The Dog Whisperer premiered on National Geographic’s TV channel. More than two decades later, he’s the owner of Halo Collar, whose site says the product provides customizable sound, vibration, or static feedback that encourages the dog to turn around when they approach a fence boundary.” Halo Collar 4 has just come out, which is the brand’s first collar for dogs of all sizes.
As a team of pet lovers, we couldn’t miss out on the chance to talk with one of the world’s best-known advocates for dogs about common trends we’re seeing around our relationships with our pets.
The Healthy by Reader’s Digest: Cesar, we’ve covered how one in five Americans got a new pet to ease loneliness during the pandemic. Have you seen the best practices—or not-so-wise practices—change among dog owners in the past few years? Any common mistakes you see dog families make?
Cesar Millan: One of the biggest mistakes that pet parents often make is to enable the dogs and think of them as “kids” so they often end up getting the upper hand, which is unproductive for both the dog and the owner. Pet parents still need to be the calm and confident “leader of the pack.” The Halo Collar will give your dogs rules, boundaries, and limitations.
Dogs feed off of the energy that their pet parent exhibits. That is why it’s important for the pet parent to set the tone for their dog. For example, if the pet parent is extremely anxious, then the dog will read into that behavior and act overly excited or lash out.
The Healthy: If you had to name the two biggest ways dogs are good for our health, what are they, in your opinion?
Cesar Millan: First, I would say dogs are there for us emotionally. When we are feeling down or not ourselves, dogs can help boost us up and change our emotions by showing us love.
I would also say dogs keep us active if you properly give your dog the needed exercise. Dogs should receive exercise first thing in the morning so that way they can get their energy out at the start of the day.
Additionally, as we all know, guide dogs or service dogs are literally life changing. Some dogs can detect health problems ahead of anything bad actually happening.
The Healthy: What’s something you want pet owners to think about as the weather turns nicer?
Cesar Millan: As the weather gets warmer and pet parents want to be outside and active with their dog, I suggest they keep in mind their dog’s activity level and age. They should also be prepared with water and snacks. It is important to keep in mind what is considered hot for a dog. For example, 80 degrees is hot for a dog.
The Healthy: What should families should know about the Halo Collar?
Cesar Millan: I encourage tools such as the Halo Collar, which will give dogs the rules, boundaries, and limitations they need, while allowing them to live freely and safely. With Halo you can instantly create and store unlimited wireless fences in each collar at the touch of a finger in the Halo app. It does not require Wi-Fi or a cellular connection. Halo Collar is inclusive of all dogs big and small, from 10-plus pounds and up. [It gives] pet parents the ability to create a “backyard” everywhere they go—the beach, Grandma’s, the park, or on vacation.
The Halo Collar app includes my 21-day training program, including premium lessons about my approach to dog psychology. People across the country can now access my methodology and techniques—and have technology that reinforces them even when not at home.
The Healthy: What’s one self-care habit you refuse to skip?
Cesar Millan: I always meditate on my ranch to start my day.
The Healthy: Finally, what’s your favorite comfort food?
Cesar Millan: Mexican food!
For daily wellness updates, subscribe to The Healthy by Reader’s Digest newsletter and follow The Healthy on Facebook and Instagram. Keep reading:
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- Research Shows Owning This Type of Pet Could Extend Your Lifespan
This interview has been edited for length.
