Ep 7. Bella & Big Boy; Gracie

As a dog behaviorist, Cesar Millan has encountered all types of canine misbehaviors. In season 3 episode 7 of Dog Whisperer, titled "Bella & Big Boy; Gracie," Cesar works with three dogs who suffer from different behaviors that are causing anxiety and stress in their owners' lives.

The episode begins with Cesar visiting Debbie and her two dogs, Bella and Big Boy. Bella is a pitbull mix who is nervous around other dogs, causing her to pull uncontrollably on her leash during walks. Big Boy, on the other hand, is a Rottweiler who becomes aggressive towards other dogs and people because he feels the need to protect Debbie. Cesar observes that both dogs are relying too heavily on the humans to provide leadership and security and recommends that they go through intensive training to help them regain confidence.

Next, Cesar meets with Jake and his adopted dog, Gracie. Gracie is a mixed-breed dog who is frantic and fearful when encountering other dogs. Jake is struggling to take Gracie on walks because she becomes reactive and tries to run away. Cesar determines that Gracie's behavior stems from her past traumas and recommends that Jake provide her with structure and boundaries to help her feel safe.

Throughout the episode, Cesar works with each dog and their owners to create a personalized training plan to address their specific behaviors. For Bella and Big Boy, Cesar helps them learn to rely on each other for support and protection and teaches Debbie how to use her body language to communicate with them effectively. For Gracie, Cesar helps Jake establish rules and routines to help Gracie feel more confident and secure.

As the training progresses, the owners see a noticeable improvement in their dogs' behaviors. Bella and Big Boy are excited to go on walks together and show more restraint when encountering other dogs. Gracie is less reactive and more relaxed during walks with Jake. The transformation is remarkable as the dogs become more balanced and confident.

Through his work with these dogs, Cesar emphasizes the importance of providing structure and discipline to our canines, stating that dogs need rules, boundaries, and limitations to feel secure. He also highlights the importance of being patient and understanding when working with dogs who have experienced trauma.

In the end, each owner expresses their gratitude to Cesar for helping them and their dogs achieve a happier, more fulfilling life together. The episode leaves viewers with a sense of hope and inspiration, reminding us of the incredible bond between humans and dogs and the transformative power of training and rehabilitation.