My Journey to Training Cesar’s Way Fundamentals of Dog Behavior and Training

My Journey to Training Cesar’s Way Fundamentals of Dog Behavior and Training 1 Course

Jillian Dunn

Early February, I received an email from Jillian Dunn, who is the executive director of the Cesar Millan Foundation for the Dog Psychology Center in Southern California. For over a year and half, Jillian has been a supporter of the North Central Unit Paws in Prison Program.  The foundation has donated books, DVDs, and training aids. She asked me to call her. When I called, I was offered the new Cesar Millan Foundation “Train to Rescue Scholarship” that was created for deserving rescue organizations. Creating balance between people and dogs is at the core of everything Cesar teaches and an essential part of the mission of the Cesar Millan Foundation. The Fundamentals of Dog Behavior and Training I course is a major, hands-on way in which Cesar can help people learn how to achieve that balance. Lynn and I were in total shock. A Go Fund Me web page was created to help with travel and hotel expenses for the week-long class. We are very thankful for all the support from family and friends, we just love them all.

Cesar & Marsha

We drove 3,232 total miles over a three-day drive to California and back again. The dog I brought for training is Jasper, a black lab mix that was trained in our Paws in Prison Program to be a mobility service dog. We are currently working with Jasper on some PTSD commands for a veteran.  Lynn went with me to California and he met Jillian and Cesar on graduation night.

Our Training Cesar’s Way Fundamentals of Dog Behavior and Training 1 started on Monday, February 20th, and lasted four full days from 9:30 am 5 PM. The shorter fifth day was sad for us as we said our goodbyes. We covered so many different training topics. Each student had the opportunity to walk Cesar's pack during a one-mile pack walk every day and received one on one time with Cesar as we walked. Cesar Milan is awesome in person, a very sweet, caring man. As an instructor, he is extraordinary; he will cover each topic until everyone understands it completely.

I made so many new friends at the center, other dog trainers, veterinarians, and some were dog owners wanting to learn how to better themselves and their dogs through training. We are all Facebook Friends and are keeping in touch.

I had brought back many new concepts and skills to our Paws in Prison program, “to be calm - have calm energy” is by far the most important.

Marsha Tonkinson

K9 Paws Dog Behavior Training

North Central Unit Paws in Prison Program