‘I don’t train dogs, I train people’

Cesar Millan, star of the show “Dog Whisperer” on the National Geographic channel, comes to town Dec. 6 for his first Atlanta seminar. During the three-hour event, Millan will discuss how people can have happier, healthier relationships with their dogs.

In advance of his visit, we asked him a few questions about what he’s been up to, about dogs in general, and about what kind of dog President-elect Barack Obama should get for his family.

Q: You’ve had best-selling books, a hit television show and DVDs. What are you doing now?

A: I’m doing a book and a video right now on how to raise a puppy. People say you have to do different things with different breeds, but the truth is, they’re all dogs. You just have to reach the dog in them and help that flower. We’re filming Season 5 right now, and we just celebrated our 100th episode not too long ago. We had a big party with 100 dogs and their owners there. Not one fight. Everybody was in their happy/calm state.

Q: Americans obviously love their dogs. So why are so many messed up?

A: If you spoil a dog and they don’t have to work for it, you get an out-of-control dog. A dog, what he wants is a good walk, interaction with others of his kind and rules. The most positive thing I’m doing is training a human to be a calm, assertive leader. I don’t train dogs, I train people.

Q: You’ve probably heard the Obama family plans to get a dog once they get to Washington, but because their older daughter has allergies, they want a hypoallergenic dog. Any suggestions for them?

A: They should not get a high-energy dog. Because they’re such a busy family, they need a medium-energy dog. If they don’t know how to get a medium-energy dog, I’d be happy to help them. But that’s more important than any hypoallergenic or not hypoallergenic. And then the president has to practice leadership with the dog as well. It’s the most primal message.

If we see the dog running in front of the president getting off Air Force One or running into the White House first, then we’ll know he’s lost control. The dog rules.

IN PERSON

> Cesar Millan seminar. 2 p.m. Dec. 6. $24 and up. (Put “Gwinnett” into promotions code field at ticketmaster.com and $5 will be donated to the Gwinnett Humane Society.) Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre, 2800 Cobb Galleria Parkway. 770-916-2800, www.cobbenergycentre.com.

> Book signing. 4-6 p.m. Dec. 5. Costco, 6350 Peachtree-Dunwoody Road, Sandy Springs. (You must be a Costco member to attend.) 770-352-8660, www.costco.com.