Ep 13. Joe, Penny and Promise

In season 3 episode 13 of Dog Whisperer, titled "Joe, Penny and Promise," dog behaviorist Cesar Millan helps three families struggling with their furry companions.

In the first segment, Cesar meets with Joe and his Great Dane, Gatsby, who has become increasingly aggressive towards people and other dogs. Cesar quickly identifies the root of Gatsby's behavior as fear, and works with Joe to build the dog's confidence through assertive leadership and obedience training.

Next, Cesar visits Penny and her Australian Cattle Dog, Ripley, who has developed a destructive chewing habit. Cesar explains that the issue is not about the chewing itself, but rather an underlying anxiety in Ripley that needs to be addressed. Cesar teaches Penny how to establish boundaries for Ripley and provide him with enough exercise and mental stimulation to keep him calm and content.

Finally, Cesar helps the family of a rescued Labrador Retriever named Promise who suffers from separation anxiety. Promise's owners have tried everything from medication to crates to help ease her panic, but nothing has worked. Cesar shows the family how to gradually desensitize Promise to being alone through short periods of time and positive reinforcement.

Throughout the episode, Cesar emphasizes the importance of understanding and meeting a dog's needs in order to prevent or modify problematic behavior. In each case, he works closely with the humans involved to develop a plan tailored to the specific dog's personality and history, highlighting the complex and individualized nature of his work as a dog behaviorist.