Ep 26. Daisy and Sophie

The season 1 finale of Dog Whisperer titled "Daisy and Sophie" features two dogs with very different personalities and issues. Daisy is a year-old Labrador retriever who lives with a family in New Jersey. She has a habit of jumping on people, chewing on furniture and barking excessively. The family is at a loss on how to control her and create a peaceful home environment.

Sophie, on the other hand, is a 4-year-old Schnauzer mix who lives in California. She's been rescued by her new owners, but she has a severe separation anxiety disorder that makes it hard for her to be left alone. She barks incessantly when her owners are out, destroys items in the house, and refuses to eat or drink anything until her owners come back.

When Cesar Millan arrives in New Jersey to take a look at Daisy, he gets to work immediately. Cesar observes her behaviour and notes that Daisy needs a lot of exercise and discipline to correct her current issues. With a firm yet gentle approach, Cesar teaches the family how to take Daisy on long walks and encourage good behaviours such as sitting and lying down. Daisy responds well to the training and starts to become more disciplined, which pleases her owners.

When Cesar arrives in California, he quickly identifies Sophie's anxiety disorder. He notes that the disorder is not only affecting Sophie's health but also the mental wellbeing of her owners. He teaches them some exercises to help Sophie calm down when left alone, such as leaving her with a comforting object and leaving her alone for a short period before returning and increasing the amount of time gradually. He also teaches them how to establish authority in the home so that Sophie can feel more secure and know her place in the family.

As the episode progresses, both dogs show significant improvements. Daisy becomes more relaxed, barking less, and exhibiting fewer destructive behaviours. Sophie, on the other hand, is a lot calmer and less anxious when her owners have to step out of the house. Her owners are also more comfortable leaving her alone, knowing that Sophie can cope with the enforced separation better.

In the typical Dog Whisperer style, Cesar offers a few handy tips and insights that dog owners can apply when dealing with similar issues with their pets. He notes that dogs are pack animals, and as such, respond well to structure, discipline, and consistency. He provides several tactics to establish these qualities in the home environment, such as a structured walking routine, clear vocal cues, and focused attention.

The show also highlights the important responsibilities that come with pet ownership. Daisy and Sophie are excellent examples of the different types of issues dogs can struggle with, requiring unique solutions. However, no matter the problem, Cesar Millan believes that every dog is capable of behaving appropriately with the right training, love, and attention.

In conclusion, Dog Whisperer season 1 episode 26 titled "Daisy and Sophie" offers informative and practical solutions to two common dog issues. With expert guidance from Cesar Millan, viewers are empowered to create a structured and loving environment for their pets. The episode is a great demonstration of how with patience, consistency, and a loving attitude, dog owners can help their pets become well-behaved pets and treasured members of the family.