Ep 5. The Hairy Houdini

In this episode of "Dog Whisperer with Cesar Millan," Cesar meets a dog named Otis who has a knack for escaping his yard. Otis' owners are at their wits' end, having tried everything from taller fences to locking him inside the house, but Otis always finds a way out.

Cesar begins by observing Otis' behavior and quickly realizes that the dog has a high prey drive. He sees a squirrel in a nearby tree and notes how focused Otis becomes on the creature. Cesar explains that for dogs like Otis, who have a strong prey drive, escaping is often tied to their desire to hunt. Since Otis cannot go after the squirrel, he focuses on finding a way out of the yard in search of other prey.

To address this issue, Cesar starts by taking Otis on a walk with a leash, teaching him to focus on his owner and not on potential prey. He explains that walks like these are necessary for dogs with a high prey drive as they help to build trust between the dog and their owner and create a bond that will make it easier to redirect their attention when needed.

Next, Cesar focuses on Otis' exercise routine. He notes that a lack of exercise can contribute to a dog's desire to escape as they have pent-up energy that needs to be released. He recommends increasing Otis' daily exercise routine to help tire him out and reduce his desire to escape.

Cesar also emphasizes the importance of consistency in training. He shows Otis' owners how to practice basic obedience commands like "sit," "stay," and "come" to help redirect Otis' attention and reinforce positive behavior. He explains that using these commands consistently throughout the day can help Otis see his owners as leaders and follow their directions.

Throughout the episode, Cesar emphasizes the importance of understanding a dog's behavior and motivations in order to address issues like escaping. By building trust, providing adequate exercise, and using consistent training, Otis' owners are able to help him overcome his desire to escape and become a happy, well-behaved pet.

Overall, "The Hairy Houdini" episode of "Dog Whisperer with Cesar Millan" showcases Cesar's expertise in addressing difficult behavior issues in dogs and provides valuable insights for pet owners who may be struggling with their own furry escape artists.