Cesar Millan's Short Guide to a Happy Dog: 98 Essential Tips and Techniques

by Cesar Millan

Now in paperback, this inspirational and practical guide draws on thousands of training encounters around the world to present 98 essential lessons. Taken together, they will help dog owners create the most fulfilling life possible with their dogs.

In these pages, Cesar delves into crucial themes that go beyond obedience-school basics to reveal the hearts and minds of our beloved pets. In short, practical takes, he explores:

• The basics of dog psychology
• Instinctual behaviors
• Creating balance and boundaries
• Managing common misbehaviors
• Choosing the right dog for your family
• Helping your dog adjust to life transitions

Throughout the book, inspiring stories from Cesar’s case files -- and from his TV show, Leader of the Pack – provide moving real-world applications and surprising life lessons.

Smart, easy to use, and packed with Cesar's remarkable insights into human and canine behavior, A Short Guide to A Happy Dog is an inspiring tool for anyone looking to live a better life with a beloved member of the family.

Genres: Nonfiction, Dogs, Audiobook, Animals, Self Help, Reference, Science

208 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2013

About the author

Cesar Millan is a best-selling author, public speaker, and the internationally acclaimed star of “Cesar 911,” as well as the original, Emmy-nominated host of the “Dog Whisperer” program. With “Cesar 911,” he brings more than 25 years of dog experience and his status as the most recognized and sought-after authority in the field of dog care and rehabilitation directly to communities terrorized by unruly hounds.

In December of 1990, 21-year-old Cesar Millan crossed the border from Mexico into California. He lived on the streets of San Diego, landed a job grooming dogs, and soon gained a reputation for his calming effect on even the most difficult cases. With a few dollars in his pocket, he moved north to Los Angeles and took a job washing cars.

With the money he saved, he started a freelance dog rehabilitation service, primarily offering his expertise with extreme cases. This led him to open his first Dog Psychology Center, which eventually became the current 43-acre site in the Santa Clarita Valley, now including a sheep herding area, air conditioned kennels, swimming pool, obstacle course, and hiking trails. The Dog Psychology Center is a featured location in “Cesar 911.”

In addition to co-authoring six books, Cesar has created numerous instructional DVDs and continues to host a popular series of seminars where attendees learn how to apply his extensive knowledge of dog psychology and rehabilitation techniques.

In “Cesar 911,” he continues to apply that knowledge in order to bring balance to relationships, households, and neighborhoods being torn apart by out-of-control dogs. More importantly, he helps the humans who thought their dogs were beyond saving but who learn otherwise as Cesar comes to the rescue and teaches them how to be the Pack Leader.

Reviews

[Mariℓina · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've read countless pages of dog training methods and ways to solve behavioral problems, i agree with some and dismiss a lot. Cesar Milan's techniques are well known mostly thanks to his TV Show and maybe that's the reason many trainers try to discredit him and so many dog-owners follow his lead.


Reading this book i found myself, in a limbo. I agree with some parts of his methods but i'm not sure i would use them, or his teachings on my own dog. His general idea which is based on the primeval need of a pack leader sounds very convincing. And is a well credited one for more than 60 years.


Anyway the book as a product is nice, well written and informative so i guess that's all you need from a book like that. I could live without the personal stories but he is a TV-persona so it's actually a mandatory trait.


This book also entails info about human and dog psychology, the evolution and the genetic manipulation by humans that shaped the canine species. “Natural Dog Laws”, the way dogs think and act. Simple ways to choose and raise a puppy, techniques followed in rehabilitation, common misbehavior issues and their solution.

[Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

While Millan's techniques have made him a controversial figure in dog training in the past, I feel like he's actually listened to the criticism leveled against him and taken a good deal of it to heart. This new book is a kinder, gentler Cesar. He is careful to explain what he means by terms like "dominance" and "control" in the very beginning, and gone are the recommendations that you physically dominate your aggressive dog as a means to distract him from his target. Instead, here you find common-sense techniques for curing common doggie complaints such as obsession, separation anxiety, and chewing. I appreciate Millan's openness to positive reinforcement principles and his ability to grow and change.

[Saara · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book was ok, but it was more about how great Cesar is than about how to actually fix problems in dogs. He kept bringing up stuff like picking the right dog/ breed for your energy level, which is great to know before getting a dog, but I think I just have to watch re-runs of the show to get some real tips.

[Jason Donoghue · Rating 2 out of 5]

If I am to be totally honest, I recently had to put my dog to sleep and it has affected me badly. I honestly don't know why I purchased this book, it has brought back some memories of Toby and I now feel horrible again. So I stopped reading it, it a very informative book for novice dog owners, for me it was not so good. Basic stuff I already know about but I would recommend reading it.
.

[Kelly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good book on basic pack theory and how your own behavior impacts dog behavior. Interesting insights into Cesar's personal life trials.

[Nathan Simon · Rating 2 out of 5]

Don't judge me. My girlfriend has a dog and I wanted to learn more.

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was expecting more of a "how to" manual, having just adopted my first dog (a rescue). The book helped me gain a bit of insight into dog brains, though, since I am only fluent in cat.

[Janet C-B · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am preparing to adopt a dog and I found this book simple, enlightening and helpful.
I listened to the audio. It was short at just 5 hours. That worked for me as an intro type book
Rated 5 stars

[Gitty Mandel · Rating 1 out of 5]

Outdated and dangerous misinformation. Cesar Millan has little to no knowledge of animal behavior. Experience does not make someone an expert. You can't apply knowledge you don't have. The reason he seems successful is because of behavioral suppression and learned helplessness which causes long term behavioral, mental, and physical problems. He makes up his own concepts like "state of mind" and "energy" which have no basis, they are empty terms. Taking his advice is equivalent to asking your grandma for medical advice only because she's had children.

[Yvonne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lots of good pointers!

[Nancy · Rating 2 out of 5]

My two dogs did not approve of this book when I shared the content with them.

[Miriam Städtler · Rating 1 out of 5]

I read this book because Cesar Millan is such a hugely controversial figure in the dog world. I don’t watch cable TV, so I wanted to know what all the fuss was about and this book happened to be on sale. It is worth mentioning that the book itself reads more like a rather self congratulatory autobiography than a guide to a happy dog in 98 tips, with plenty of name dropping and not much how-to. A little odd and not at all what I was looking for (or what was promised by title, cover or blurb). Sadly, it really played into the corner that his opponents have firmly stuffed him in and made it even harder to take him seriously. But seriously I shall take him and after this initial warning, shall solely focus on his philosophy and training techniques, not on his need for journaling and his impressive ego.

First of all, the core theory all his recommendations are based on, is not scientifically sound and hasn’t been since the 80s. “Don’t shoot the dog” by Karen Pryor heralded the change and has been supported by much of the literature that followed it. No trained animal behaviourist is going to tell you about alpha/beta structures and how your dog is purposefully spiting you, because you are not “alpha” enough. Generally a dog does not spite - honestly, that’s actually too complex for a dog, just like “guilt” is. The solution is almost universally with the human and not with the dog: You haven’t trained your dog consistently enough. Consistency takes time, is pretty boring and requires you to have a bag of treats with you at all times. Cesar Millan promises easier and quicker results. However, Cesar Millan is also not a trained behaviourist. As far as I can tell, he’s never visited a zoology lecture in his life. That was a pretty big shock to me. He openly states that his credo is all “self taught based on his experience” or “made up” to be precise.

His theories are pretty bizarre, almost occult: there is much talk of energy transference. The dog is an extension of you and feels what you do. A little like the dæmons in “His dark materials” by Phillip Pullman (mystical spirit beasts that are intrinsically linked to their human, for those of you who haven’t read the books, which you absolutely should). There is a distinct appeal to that. I mean, who finished the trilogy and didn’t wish for a dæmon of their own? I sure did!

However, the question that we are forced to consider is “Why the hell does it work?”. Cesar Millan is on TV going around solving people’s dog behavioural problems. He has sold an awful lot of books. If what he says is plain mumbo jumbo, based on outdated science - is his appeal really based purely on charm, a handsome exterior and TV magic? I should add that it was this exact question that made me want to read some of his works and it is a question that his critics seem to side step whenever his methods are debated.

So, why the hell does it work? I’m not a trained dog behaviourist either, but I’ve read a lot of books by those who are, kept up with the current science on dogs, have worked with actual trainers and have of course trained a fair number of dogs myself, though never professionally. This is my stab at an answer:

- Energy transference is not a thing, but dogs reading our emotions absolutely is. Dogs have been bred since their days as wolves to take their queues from us and they rock at that. They can follow our gaze, refer back to us when confused or unsure and are masters at reading our gestures compared to all other animal species out there. The dog knows we can navigate this world much better than them, so they generally rely on us to know what we’re doing. If you are calm, your dog will be much calmer. If you are freaking out, your dog will be on edge. Like a passenger in a plane watching the crew. They know what they are doing, so if they are not panicking, there is no reason for us to do so. Think of a dog like a baby - if mum bursts out crying, the baby will cry even if it was perfectly content two seconds ago. If mum is constantly bursting out crying, then the baby might grow up to think the world out there is bad and can’t be trusted, because it’s constantly making mum cry and that can’t be a good sign. Similarly, if you are constantly shouting at your dog, your dog might well be more stressed in general, because something out there is making you god damn angry and he will be damned if he won’t be angry with you! Clearly there are good reasons to be constantly on edge and angry! You are panicking every time a strange dog comes around the corner? Better bark at that mean dog extra loud and aggressive! There’s obviously something super scary when it comes to strange dogs! So, Cesar’s approach to make the owner chill out has its merits. It’s not because some mystical energy is flowing between you two like a fussy quantum entanglement, but it IS clear communication. “I’m relaxed. All is good.” you are saying.

- Negative reinforcement is generally considered outdated these days. Why? Because it is not as effective as positive reinforcement. However, like corporal punishment in humans, it does work. So, why have we stopped using it? Many reasons: One, it is now considered barbaric. You shouldn’t beat children full stop. Many people view dogs the same way. It can also erode the trust between disciplinarian and their target, leading to lower motivation, a worse emotional bond and someone more likely to use violence themselves to solve problems. It’s the same in dogs. If there is no alpha/beta status, then you are purely relying on the dog’s natural barriers to not bite, but if you keep teaching that dog that pain is an okay way of getting a message across, don’t be shocked if the dog starts using your methods. Generally, with all forms of negative reinforcement, if you make life too miserable for your dog, that misery might well lead to the dog running off, because you are again pitting misery against the dog’s natural instinct to attach itself to a human. Getting angry or shouting at the dog is not great, as that might well communicate that there is something to be angry and stressed about, putting your dog more on edge and dividing it’s attention between you and the potentially dangerous environment - actually the exact opposite of what you are trying to achieve. Cesar Millan doesn’t advocate beatings or shouting, but an “alpha roll”, where you roll the dog on its back and keep it there, to tell it who’s boss. Sadly, that still doesn’t communicate what Cesar says it does. It’s just scary manhandling leaving the dog pinned in a super vulnerable position. Again, like with other forms of negative reinforcement, you are showing your dog that you are scary and that fear is an okay teaching method. Not ideal. Don’t be surprised if the method negatively effects your long term relationship with your dog and makes it more aggressive. But even when your only goal is just to have a law-abiding dog that damn well listens to you and gives you minimal fuss, negative reinforcement is not a good path: One study after the next shows that learning times are much reduced when the human only relies on positive reinforcement and aggressive dogs are more likely to have been taught through negative reinforcement. However, the question was why Cesar Millan’s methods work at all - the answer is negative reinforcement does work, but not as well as positive reinforcement and can have unintended side effects and consequences.

- What about Cesar’s other weird and wonderful methods? At least those mentioned in this particular book again don’t do what Cesar says they do, because they are based on faulty science, but still go from building trust to “no harm done”. For example stroking your dog from head to toe every day is not going to tell him you are his alpha, but will be nice for both dog and owner. It reinforces a good relationship and that is important and might even translate in more focus and effort from your dog during your next training session. That does work, but has nothing to do with Cesar’s alpha and beta nonsense.

So, his theories are nonsense, but his methods do work, even if not like Cesar claims. However, following modern theory and working alongside the standards and recommendations of today’s behavioural sciences will result in a happier dog, reduced training times and a better relationship between dog and owner. It is worth mentioning that being calm around your dog and regular stroking are absolutely part of those recommendations. That works, no matter if you do it for some odd esoterical energy transference, “alpha/beta” reason, or because you understand how dogs think and comprehend the world. But being knowledgeable about dogs doesn’t guarantee a charming and handsome, TV friendly exterior. The theories are also often too complex to be put into a list of easily digestible bullet points. They are not sexy and promise low effort miracles. But shouldn’t your devoted best friend be worth a little effort? Furthermore they obviously don’t give you a dæmon or make you believe you already have one, which is clearly a massive downside. Sadly, dæmons are the stuff of fantasy realms, even when they have Cesar Millan instead of Philip Pullman on the cover.

[Pickie Loo · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5⭐

[Aafke]

Kan niet wachten... :)

[Jade Caprio · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am as many others are in the dog training community, closed minded.
I try not to be. I tell myself I'm not. But when I saw a Cesar Millan book available and needed an audiobook to listen to i begrudgingly decided now was as good a time as any to confront one of my least favorite trainers.
But here's the thing, in reading this book, I found there isn't much in his training methodology I disagree with.
Over and over he goes over dominance and control.
Exercise, discipline, affection.
Over and over.
But any other trainer worth paying would just call it STRUCTURE AND BOUNDARIES.
because.... That's what it is.
It's not about being the alpha, it's about being a guardian your dog can trust.
I was not aware of his story though, and that was humbling.

[Mary S. Lautensleger · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cesar Millan can certainly identify with desert wanderings during this Lenten season. 22 years ago Cesar spent 14 days wandering through a southwestern desert in 105 degree heat, entering the US illegally in order to fulfill his dream of becoming a dog trainer. I am thankful that he risked all to follow that dream, and that he arrived safely. This is a must read for any dog owner. The book includes the basics of dog psychology as well as training methods and problem solving.

[Eleonora Rangelova · Rating 4 out of 5]

Много добра книга за собствениците на кучета или за тези, които планират да си имат кученце. Много полезни неща научих.

[Liliq Nikolova · Rating 5 out of 5]

Страхотна книга,всеки собственик на куче трябва да я прочете...толкова идеи и похвати може да се използват,а най-якото е че действат ,препоръчвам :)

[Pearl Williams · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rating: ★★★☆☆

Cesar Millan’s Short Guide to a Happy Dog offers a compact, digestible overview of his dog training philosophy — one that blends personal reflection, behavioral theory, and real-world examples from his work. While there are certainly moments of value and insight throughout the book, its foundational approach still leans on outdated methods and oversimplified solutions that may not serve all dogs—or owners—well.

To start with the positive: Millan’s emphasis on fulfilling a dog’s needs—through exercise, boundaries, and affection—is a message that resonates. His breakdown of common behavioral issues and how to approach them is one of the more useful sections, and he does a good job stressing the importance of understanding different breeds and their instincts. The stories he shares about specific dogs are compelling, and it’s clear he genuinely wants what’s best for every dog he works with. His personal reflections add warmth to the book, and you get the sense that he’s evolved emotionally even if his training methodology hasn’t kept up with behavioral science.

However, the structure of the book is oddly paced. The section on how to select the right dog for your home—arguably one of the most critical aspects of setting both dog and owner up for success—comes at the very end, almost as an afterthought. That chapter would’ve been far more helpful at the beginning, where it could frame the rest of the book with intention and realism.

Another noticeable tension in the book is how frequently Millan references the production team of his TV show. While it’s refreshing to see him acknowledge that television edits don’t show the full story, his repeated mentions of being pushed toward certain narratives start to feel like a disclaimer. Yes, he has a show to make—and that means the content will lean heavily toward dramatic “wins”—but it also makes you question the reliability of the outcomes he presents. It’s hard not to wonder how many of those cases were truly resolved, especially when his methods don’t seem like they’d be effective for every dog’s unique challenges.

Millan’s techniques still rely heavily on dominance theory, physical corrections, and the notion of the human as “pack leader.” These ideas, while once mainstream, have been largely debunked by modern animal behaviorists. The book glosses over this shift in understanding, and instead doubles down on approaches that can sometimes lead to fear or behavioral suppression rather than genuine progress.

In short: there are nuggets of wisdom here—especially for brand-new dog owners looking for structure—but they’re wrapped in a framework that’s at odds with today’s best practices. If you read this, read it critically. Then go pick up something evidence-based to balance the scales.

[Regina · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you are an experienced dog owner that understands how to deal with behavioral issues, I don't think there would be anything to gain from this. I borrowed this from the library, and now I want to own this book for reference. I liked the structure of the book to make it easy to flip to the sections that most relate to the issues you need to address. It is not necessary to read the entire book as not everything presented will apply to you and your dog. Cesar covers a very wide range of behavioral issues from aggression to fear to hording to obsession. And he also covers how to prepare for a new dog, how to pick a dog that would be best suited for your family, how to introduce a baby/family member, and how to deal with a loss.

[Jamie · Rating 3 out of 5]

For the book itself and the information contained, almost 4 stars. But I did this as an audiobook. And the narrator was monotone and when using "I" statements they didn't feel real at all. Honestly I don't know why Cesar Millan didn't do it himself. The authenticity and passion would have made a huge difference. Honestly I barely finished because of this. So 3 is being generous based on the information this book contains.
This book is best for new dog owners or those looking for their first dog. Worth looking into for them. But for someone who has been around a variety of dogs, most of this is well known. But still, some points are made worthy of thought for anyone.

[Sara · Rating 2 out of 5]

I found this book to be lacking in concrete examples, even though it specifically had pages that were supposed to be concrete examples. So much of this book was about Millan himself and how great he thinks he is. He also kept saying things like "and now you've learned...", and I kept thinking "really? Where?". I felt like the book was missing pieces of the content even though all the pages were there.

[Goodboy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Listo para ser el líder de la manada de Fido.

[Carly Schafrik · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very disappointed it was not read by Cesar! Great little camping listen with Dan while we await our new pup. We have to retrain ourselves first....

[April Pierce · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Cesar Millan. He is a great Dog Behavorist and Trainer. This book was very insightful.

[Jessica Jasso · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this and learned a lot about not only my dog, but myself. For the longest time my husband had been telling me the only person who can heal my anxious dog is me. I understood a little bit, but often got frustrated because I considered myself to be a really good dog owner (better before kids, but I do my best). What was I supposed to do? I fulfilled her basic needs and gave her love. Wasn’t that enough?
It wasn’t until I started working on myself that things really clicked. And this book helped me understand why.
Dogs are instinctual and live in the moment, whereas humans are emotional, intellectual, and spiritual, and they’re susceptible to living (dwelling) in the past or future. I was anxious all the time, living in the future in my head, and I wasn’t being a good leader for my dog. My energy wasn’t that of a leader, and she fed off of my energy, resulting in… you guessed it, anxiety.
Anyway, anyone with or thinking about getting a dog should read this.

[Ari Garzon · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is for sure staying on my shelf for reference purposes.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I find Cesar’s approach to dogs so interesting. Everyone thinking about getting a dog or who has a dog should read his books. It’s all about dog psychology!

[Donna · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like the author. He seems like such a kind and genuine human on his show the "Dog Whisperer". I haven't seen his new show, but I'm sure he is probably the same guy there as well.

I like this approach to dog training. I do some of what he says, but after reading this book, I had to ask myself what the heck I'm doing with two dogs. Apparently I don't spend enough time with them or attend to their needs like I should. This felt like a little bit of a guilt trip. So 3 stars.

[Marcel · Rating 2 out of 5]

- Dobar dizajn i ilustracije
- Svaki problem u knjizi rješava se šetnjom..
Pravo sam se iznerviro.