Cesar Millan, famously known as the "Dog Whisperer," rose from humble beginnings as an immigrant to become a renowned dog trainer and television personality. However, his career has faced significant challenges in recent years. Personal and Professional Challenges:
- In 2010, Millan's wife of 16 years, Ilusión Millan, filed for divorce, which deeply affected him emotionally and financially. That same year, the death of his beloved Pit Bull, Daddy, led Millan to a suicide attempt, from which he later recovered with support, including from his later partner Jahira Dar, whom he got engaged to in 2016
Controversies and Legal Issues:
- Millan's training philosophy, centered on dominance and pack leadership, has come under increasing scrutiny as modern dog training has shifted towards positive reinforcement. Critics, including animal behaviorists and welfare organizations, have accused his methods of being outdated and potentially harmful
- He has faced lawsuits and investigations related to dog attacks and allegations of animal cruelty. Notably, incidents involving his own dogs, such as attacks on people and other animals, intensified public and professional criticism of his approach
- Despite rumors and viral videos circulating in 2025 claiming he was sentenced to life in prison, these claims are false. Millan remains free and active, continuing his work with dogs, promoting his training programs, and maintaining a presence on social media
Current Status:
- Millan continues to operate his Dog Psychology Center and remains involved in dog training education, although his television presence has diminished. He shares pet training advice on platforms like Instagram and engages with his audience through various programs outside of mainstream TV
In summary, while Cesar Millan's career and public image have been marred by personal hardships and controversies over his training methods, he is not imprisoned and continues to work within the dog training community, albeit with a more controversial reputation than during his peak television years.
