Cesar Millan - How to Raise the Perfect Dog: Through Puppyhood and Beyond  

A collection of dedicated canine professionals made invaluable contributions to the writing of this book. Both my coauthor and myself wish to extend our boundless thanks to my friend Martin Deeley, Director of the International Association for Canine Professionals and an internationally renowned trainer, specializing in retrievers and gun dogs. Martin selflessly made his wide range of knowledgeas well as his trademark dry witavailable to us 24/7. Hollywood animal trainer Clint Rowe also graciously shared wisdom from his more than three decades of working with dogs of all breeds and ages. Were proud to continue our professional and personal affiliation with him.

We are also in debt to the many fine veterinarians who remain stalwart supporters of our efforts, especially Charles Rinehimer, VMD, professor of veterinary technology at Northampton Community College (who has worked with us on three books now), and Paula Terifaj, DVM, of the Founders Veterinary Clinic in Brea, California, who also contributed greatly to A Member of the Family. Dr. Rick Garcia and his mobile veterinary hospital, Paws n Claws, were always available to answer questions and to provide thorough health care to all the puppies and dogs in my pack.

A top-notch breeder is hard to find, but in the writing of this book, we met and worked with several of them, particularly Brooke Walker of Covina, California, who provided us with our wonderful miniature schnauzer, Angel; and Diana and Doug Foster of Thinschmidt German Shepherds and Assertive K-9 Training in Corona, California. My old friend Jose Navarro came through with flying colors in producing our fine English bulldog, Mr. President, and of course I will always be grateful to Azael Espino, who gave me my perfect pit bull, Junior. Thanks also to Southern California Labrador Rescue, for bringing us Blizzard and for all the selfless work they do.

Im proud to have begun a close association with Chris De Rose, Kim Sill, and the rest of the dedicated team at Last Chance for Animals. Their courageous work is already improving the way people treat the other creatures with which we share our planet. Thanks also to Stephanie Shain and the Humane Society of the United States for their campaign to end the cruelty of puppy mills.

As always, we thank our literary agent, Scott Miller of Trident Media Group; Julia Pastore, Shaye Areheart, Kira Walton, and Tara Gilbride at Random House; Steve Schiffman, Steve Burns, Michael Cascio, Char Serwa, Mike Beller, Chris Albert, and Russell Howard at the National Geographic Channel; and Fred Fierst, Esq. Cesar and Ilusion are incredibly grateful to John Steele, Michael Gottsagen, and the entire team at IMGespecially IMGs remarkable Mr. Bigfor your continued encouragement and support.

For my pack, Team Millan, I am especially grateful: Kathleen Daniels, Jennifer Dominguez, Carol Hickson-Altalef, Erick Millan, Rosalva Penuelas, Allegra Pickett, Delmi Salinas, and Susan Whalen. Nobody beats our Super TV Crew: Nicholas Bunker, Brian Duggan, SueAnn Finke, Miles Ghormley, Todd Henderson, Chris Komives, Christina Lublin, Rich Mercer, Rita Montanez, and Neal Tyler. Also at MPH and CMI, thanks to Bonnie Peterson, George Gomez, Juliana Weiss-Roessler, Nicholas Ellingsworth, Todd Carney, Christine Lochman, Kay Bachner Sumner, and Sheila Possner Emery and especially Crystal Reel, for her outstanding research, fact-checking, and unfailing can-do attitude. My wife and I are grateful to Stacey Candella, for her dedication to our Cesar and Ilusion Millan Foundation and its mission, and to Adriana Barnes and family for their hard work on the new Dog Psychology Center. I want to acknowledge my neighbors Tim and Diane Archer for being patient and supportive with all our Dog Whisperer endeavors. And a special thank you to Frank and Juanita Trejo for all your love and encouragement.

Thank you to my wife, Ilusion, for her endless patience with me, especially with all the challenges that came with raising our puppy pack. And, of course, thanks to the one who keeps the puppies balanced, Mr. Daddythe greatest nanny in the world!

M ELISSA J O P ELTIER wishes to thank: my MPH partners, Jim Milio and Mark Hufnail, for their unwavering supportThree out, three back. Thank you, Cornelia Dillon, for helping me through one of the toughest times of my life. As always, props to my dear friend and cheerleader, Victoria Adams; my lovely stepdaughter, Caitlin Gray; and my husband, John Gray, who is the best life partner any girl could hope for.

Cesar and Ilusion, Im so grateful you allowed me the honor of participating in your dream once again.

Finally, thanks to my one-of-a-kind dad, Euclid J. Peltier, for passing on your boundless energy, tireless work ethic, childlike sense of wonder, passion for learning, and indomitable life force. I love you very much.