We love our pets. We pet them, walk them, feed them, talk to them, let them eat our shoes and bite the hand that feeds them with nary a yell, smack or pinch. We scream at our children for tracking dirt into the house, yet find it difficult to discipline a dog for “making a mistake” in the basement. Into this equation wheeled Cesar Millan, “this Mexican guy on roller blades,” who has become the Dog Whisperer for the entire country via his National Geographic series and bestselling books.

Laying down the calm/aggressive law, Millan’s concept of the owner being the pack leader and the dog being the dog – not a four-legged child – has rewritten the rules in households around the world.

Taking to the stage with his trusty canine companion, Junior, Millan will bring his speaking tour to the Palace Theatre on February 4th. He spoke with (614) on the phone from California to preview his event.

What is the Cesar Millan Live Speaking Tour experience?

Believe it or not, I have the greatest fans in the world. The live experience will feature speaking and demonstrations. I’m bringing Junior along – it’s an organic experience, with questions from the audience.

So, Junior is a pitbull …

Everyone gets aggressive; it’s not a breed. We think, “get rid of the breed, get rid of aggression.” But aggression is the outcome of a problem – anxiety, fear, insecurity, hyperactivity.

Do your training ideals apply to other areas of life as well?

If we all understood the principles, we could remove aggression from this country. Aggression is the most feared emotion. An understanding of the principles – honesty, integrity, learning to follow through, discipline – these are more important than technology. Society has learned to live with discomfort, depression and frustration … it’s a pattern I’ve seen over the years. Dog owners don’t want to be a “bad” person, they want to be a good person, but that doesn’t help their pets. This creates confusion in the dog world. Society has accepted me because I brought hope into their lives. I worked with Patti LaBelle, who couldn’t go into her backyard for two years – she was a prisoner in her own castle because of a 165-pound aggressive dog.

You showed an early simpatico with dogs on your family’s farm in Mexico.

As a kid in Mexico, I watched dogs follow my grandfather around. It was pretty amazing.

There was pride, love and trust. Every day – exercise, discipline and love. When I told my mom I wanted to be the best dog trainer in the world, she said, “What do you have to lose? You’re poor.” (laughs)

The story of you crossing the border young and broke is well known. And here you are …

I’m passionate, I wish for things. I was supported by people who believed in the miracle. My mom said, “You can do anything” with such power, love and trust. You don’t know when you wish for something, what the ramifications are going to be.

What’s the next wish?

Now I’m on a different journey; it’s like the same day that I first came to the United States. I went through a divorce a year ago and I was not the one to say, “I want a divorce.” It was a surprise and emotionally, I went all the way to zero. But now I’m hungry again. It’s a great feeling. I’m ready to make that wish again, but it’s gonna be bigger. I’m creating a nationwide curriculum for kids with Yale University through the Millan Foundation and a TV show for kids with Disney.

Why do we love our dogs so much?

A dog is super honest. A dog will play with a leaf … I sell toys; I shouldn’t say that, but that’s my take. A dog fills the empty spaces in your life … they never miss a day. They don’t care if you’re homeless or wealthy, they’re gonna be there for you. Humans don’t practice these things – forgiveness, gratitude … when people leave their money to their dogs, it’s because they did more for them than their own humans. Dogs are still honest, pure and joyful.

Cesar Millan
February 4th, 7 p.m.
Palace Theatre, 34 W Broad St.
www.capa.com