Raising a Dog & Mastering Calm Assertive Energy | Cesar Millan

**Cesar Millan** (0:00)
I'm not saying that to give affection. I'm just saying give affection to patients and calmness and open mind, right? Because when your dog misbehave, you want them to go back there, go back to your good state of mind, right? You don't want the dog to do fight, flight, avoidance. Those are the bad state of mind. The good state of mind is patience comes to render or happy go lucky. Those are good state of mind.

**Andrew Huberman** (0:25)
Welcome to the Huberman Lab Podcast, where we discuss science and science-based tools for everyday life.
I'm Andrew Huberman, and I'm a professor of neurobiology and ophthalmology at Stanford School of Medicine. My guest today is Cesar Millan, better known as the dog whisperer and the preeminent dog trainer in the world. Today's episode is truly for everyone, not just dog owners. You're going to learn a lot about human psychology and behavior, and it will help you better interact with other humans in every type of relationship. For instance, you will learn a simple tool that allows you to move through the world with a clear, calm state of mind that will allow you to interact with others more effectively, to listen and act with more clarity and intention. And not incidentally, that clear, calm state of mind is also what dogs respond to best and what makes them feel safe and healthy. Today we talk about the critical importance about understanding dog biology and psychology and the fact that they are pack animals, and that we have to remove our human sense about these animals as our pets, and of course they are our pets and they are extremely cute, they are family members, but understand the hardwired aspects of their brain and biology that allow us to be the best leaders for them. I have to warn you, a lot of what you hear today may sound counterintuitive at first, until you understand the biology of dogs and the fact that they respond to people's energy and actions, not words. I know they can listen to commands, they can learn words and commands, but they're responding to the energy and the actions associated with those commands.
Only then can you be the most effective dog owner. And by effective, I mean making your dog as healthy and feeling safe as possible. I should point out that one of the reasons I'm so excited Cesar came on this podcast is that I had an amazingly positive experience with his methods. Years ago, when I got my first puppy Costello, who was a bulldog mastiff, I read his book, Be The Pack Leader, and the principles within that book were critical for developing an incredible relationship with Costello, who lived 11 years. You could bring him into any environment. I would bring him to class. I would bring him into different people's homes. I could take him essentially anywhere. He loved kids. He loved people. And he was extremely well-behaved, exceedingly lazy too, but exceedingly well-behaved. And I credit that to the methods that I learned from Cesar's book. So if you have a dog or you're considering getting a dog, or you want to better understand how to regulate your energy and behavior in all types of interactions with dogs, with cats, and with other humans, today's episode will teach you those extremely valuable tools. And I'm extremely pleased to announce the newest member of the Huberman Lab podcast team, Strummer.
He's also a Bulldog Mastiff Mutt.
He's similar to Costello in breed, but I should say not a pure English Bulldog. So not a lot of snoring and the other stuff that go along with English Bulldogs. I love the English Bulldog breed, but when they're mudded with other breeds like this one, they breathe a lot easier. And he's just the sweetest thing. So you'll be seeing and perhaps hearing more from Strummer. I am applying all of Cesar's methods to training Strummer. You can see he's a very calm, relaxed dog. He gets two walks a day and a bunch of other things you'll learn about during today's episode that will benefit you if you have or you're thinking about getting a dog. Before we begin, I'd like to emphasize that this podcast is separate from my teaching and research roles at Stanford. It is, however, part of my desire and effort to bring zero cost to consumer information about science and science-related tools to the general public. In keeping with that theme, today's episode does include sponsors. And now for my discussion with Cesar Millan. Cesar Millan.

**Cesar Millan** (3:54)
Yes, sir.

**Andrew Huberman** (3:54)
Welcome. I'm a huge fan.

**Cesar Millan** (3:56)
Thank you. Same here.

**Andrew Huberman** (3:58)