New parents Ashlee Simpson and Pete Wentz did more than nest prior to Bronx Mowgli's birth.
Cesar and Ashlee - courtesy of Nat Geo
They called in the canine Cavalry: Cesar Millan of Nat Geo's "Dog Whisperer" fame to straighten out their unruly male Bulldog Hemingway, and the impish younger female Bulldog Rigby, who was starting to pick up his bad behavior.
Ashlee and Pete talk Bulldogs with Cesar- courtesy of Nat Geo
Sunday, December 28 at 8pm ET/PT sees hardcore rehab case English retriever Cricket and the Simpson and Wentz Hemingway & Rigby Bulldog rehabilitation on National Geographic Channel.
Seven months pregnant, Ashlee Simpson-Wentz and "Fall Out Boy" bassist/lyricist Pete Wentz called in Cesar to help them square away the aggressive nature of their male English bulldog Hemingway. Simpson noted: "We're about to have a baby, so it's a big concern."
Fears of how the dogs would react around their new baby prompted the immediate intervention. "I find myself avoiding other dogs, I avoid going to dog parks with them," explains Wentz. Added Simpson, "The first time I noticed Hemingway had some issues, whenever I would see him around other dogs, he would [be] aggressive."
Rigby - courtesy of Nat Geo
Adding 5-month-old female English bulldog Rigby seemingly escalated Hemingway's dog aggression, shown in dramatic B-roll as Wentz walked the dog through their Los Angeles neighborhood.
Cesar gave the couple his calm assertive tutorial, showing Pete and Ashlee how to reestablish dominance over a breed that takes enormous patience and resolve to retrain; Bulldogs are called that name for a reason, they are tough, willful and smart customers bred to bait bulls in England.
During the 1600s, bulldogs were used for bull and bearbaiting. Owners used the tenacious dogs in their gambling sport. Bulldogs were unleashed to attack a bull lashed to a post, biting down on its tender snout attempting to suffocate it.
Cesar and Hemingway- courtesy of Nat Geo
Rigby is an adorable stinker; you see her watching all the lessons Hemingway is getting and see the gears whirling in her little droopy-faced head. The footage of the two running on the treadmill and playing with the exercise balls is great too.
Next, he demonstrates with ease how to walk with Hemingway and pass other dogs on the street — leading the dog and showing Hemingway who is in charge. Cesar also works with the couple in their fitness room, teaching them how to properly use the treadmill with both dogs. Finally, Cesar gives them a lesson on feeding, and how to claim the space around the food.
Cesar shared his dog experience and wisdom: "Dogs don't care how rich or famous you are; they only know who's the leader and who's the follower," said Cesar. "My job was to teach Pete and Ashlee how to take the leadership role before their baby came into the picture."
In Oregon, Cesar is summoned by a well-heeled Anglo-American couple who have an English retriever so far gone in bad behavior, the dog has to be shipped to Cesar's LA compound for intense rehabilitation.
Cricket- courtesy of Nat Geo
Cricket is a British retriever who was biting his owners anytime food was down on his level; the aggression was so severe the whole family feared him.
Six weeks in doggy boot camp learning pack pecking order, submission and correct responses to feeding time combined with rigorous play suited to his breed sorted the Brit retriever right out.
From Nat Geo:
Dog Whisperer Week runs Sunday, December 28 thru Friday, January 2
Other premieres in Dog Whisperer Week include:
Monday, December 29, 2008, at 8 PM ET/PT
Dog Whisperer: Tobi & Riley
Cesar is known for his quick results, but his next case took over a month to rehabilitate. The Pinner family's sheepdog/collie mix, Tobi, lunges, chases and nips houseguests. He's become so aggressive that the family locks him in the garage when they have company. After careful review, Cesar determines that Tobi's bad behavior requires extra attention and brings him to the Dog Psychology Center for more treatment. Then, meet the Smith family and their St. Bernard, Riley. Weighing in at 140 pounds, Riley would be expected to bound up and down stairs, but Riley has severe phobia of steps. The family has tried everything to lure Riley up the stairs, to no avail. Will Cesar be able to step up to the challenge?
Friday, January 2, 2009, at 8 PM ET/PT
Dog Whisperer: Bacchus and Jody
Problems come in all sizes, and in this episode Cesar takes on a massive Great Dane and a little Lhasa apso. First, meet Hailie and Heath and their Great Dane, Bacchus. Just recently Bacchus developed aggression toward dogs he's not familiar with. He used to be fine on walks to the dog park, but now he rears up onto his back legs at the sight of another dog. Hailie and Heath hope Cesar will be able to reinstate this once Great Dane. Then, Christine's Lhasa apso Jody is literally eating her family out of house and home. Jody will chow on anything she can get her paws on, even once swallowing needles from a sewing kit. Christine would like to rid Jody of her enormous appetite, but isn't sure how to lay the rules out on the table. Can Cesar eliminate Jody's hunger pangs?
For more information and exclusive clips, visit www.natgeotv.com/dogwhisperer
Each episode of Dog Whisperer follows dog behavior specialist Cesar Millan as he goes directly into the homes of dog owners — without any prior information about the dog's case — and documents the remarkable transformations that take place under Cesar's calm, assertive guidance.
The series recently celebrated its landmark 100th episode in September with a grand reunion of many of the past guests — and their dogs. The second and third seasons of Dog Whisperer each received nominations for the Primetime Emmy for Best Reality Series.
VIDEO BONUS: "Silver Ball Obsession"
Ashley Simpson-Wentz and Pete Wentz have to learn to control their dog's obsession before the new baby arrives.
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