Ep 18. Shadow, Jake & Riley and Norton

In this episode of Dog Whisperer, Cesar Millan takes on the challenges of four different dogs: Shadow, Jake, Riley, and Norton. Each of these dogs has unique behavioral issues that their owners are struggling to manage.

First up is Shadow, a German Shepherd who is aggressive towards other dogs. Shadow's owner, Mark, is a former marine who trained Shadow to be a guard dog. However, Mark is now concerned that Shadow's aggression is out of control and poses a danger to his family and visitors. Cesar observes Shadow's behavior and quickly realizes that he is dealing with a highly protective dog who feels the need to guard his home and family. Cesar works with Mark to establish himself as the pack leader and teach Shadow that it's okay to let his guard down when his owners are present. With Cesar's guidance, Mark starts to see a significant improvement in Shadow's behavior.

Next, Cesar meets Jake, an Australian Cattle Dog who has become extremely anxious and agitated since the arrival of a new baby in the household. Jake's owners, Lacey and Tyler, love their dog but are at a loss as to how to help him cope with the changes in their lives. Jake's anxiety has become so severe that he has started to chew on furniture and walls when he's left alone. Cesar recognizes that Jake is suffering from separation anxiety and begins to teach him that his owners will always return and that being alone is not something to fear. Cesar also works with Lacey and Tyler to establish a routine for Jake and create a calm and stable environment for him.

The third dog Cesar meets is Riley, a Terrier mix who is aggressive towards people. Riley's owners, Sue and Tom, rescued him from a shelter but have struggled to manage his aggressive behavior ever since. Riley will often bark, growl, and even snap at visitors to the house. Cesar works with Sue and Tom to establish themselves as the pack leaders and teach Riley that it's not his job to protect the home. Cesar also introduces Riley to his own pack of balanced, calm dogs, in order to help him learn how to interact with other animals more appropriately.

Finally, Cesar meets Norton, a young Cairn Terrier who is constantly barking and biting. Norton's owners, Mary and Jim, are at a loss as to how to handle their dog's behavior. Norton's barking is so constant that it is threatening to drive them out of their home. Cesar observes Norton's behavior and identifies that he is excessively anxious and has become overstimulated by the constant attention he receives from his owners. Cesar works with Mary and Jim to implement a structured routine for Norton and to teach him that calm, submissive behavior is rewarded. By the end of the episode, Norton is a much calmer dog who has learned to control his impulses.

Throughout the episode, Cesar emphasizes the importance of establishing oneself as the pack leader and providing structure and routine for dogs in order to mitigate behavior problems. He also advocates for the importance of exercise and stimulation in a dog's life. The episode serves as a reminder that almost all behavior issues can be improved with the right training and care.