KUALA LUMPUR: The ultimate expert on dogs has reaffirmed that canines do indeed live precarious lives among humans.
Witty and charming, Dog Whisperer Cesar Millan did not mince his words when talking about how dogs have received the short end of the bargain in their relationship with humans.
“We always say dog is man’s best friend. The whole world knows the saying, however when you research about humans being dogs’ best friend, actually we are not,’’ said Millan, who is here on his Asian leg of the Love Your Dogs Tour 2015.
He said many people did not follow the maxim and were hypocritical when it came to dogs.
“A dog makes a human more conscious about life, so it’s actually a teacher about life,’’ said Millan, who has a foundation that helps street and abandoned dogs.
He said humans may not have any problems with dogs, but on the other hand, canines “have a great deal of problems with humans”.
“We are not there for them but we want them to be there for us.
“So, it is not a very healthy relationship and there’s no better way to measure human behaviour than how he is with animals,’’ said Millan.
He added that his goal was to train people to have a balanced relationship with dogs.
“It is about your energy and how you relate to a dog. The goal is for us to learn that with dogs, the best thing we can do is begin a calm relationship,’’ he said.
He said if a person became excited when with a dog, the dog would react in a similar manner.
On the other hand, when one fears dogs and is nervous around them, the animals would also follow suit because canines react to human energy.
“Who you are in the animal world is energy. They don’t know what culture you are, what religion you are or what profession you are — all they know is the energy you are giving out at the moment,’’ he said.
Millan started the foundation so that he could have a platform to tell the world to do what is right to control canine overpopulation, such as spaying and neutering pets as well as homeless dogs.
He said neutering was a good and humane method to control overpopulation.
“We allow dogs to procreate and when we don’t like their behaviour, we just throw them away. On top of that, we want to euthanise them?” asked Millan.
He said breeding must only be done by those with a good understanding of genetics.
“But most breeders do not care about this because they are more concerned with making money.
“I don’t breed. I rescue. I live by example.
“All my dogs are rescued and I created a TV show and a profession based on the dogs I rescued from the streets,’’ said Millan.
The Cesar Millan Live: Love Your Dogs Tour will take place at the Plenary Hall, KL Convention Centre at 7.30pm today.
All premium tickets have been snapped up but a handful of the other seats can be obtained online at www.prworldwidelive.com and by calling 03-7493-3010.