What happened to Cesar Millan? Legal issues, career updates, and more
What happened to Cesar Millan? He faced lawsuits, investigations, and backlash over his training methods, but remains active in the dog training industry. He was investigated in 2016 and sued in 2021, yet no criminal charges were filed. Despite criticism, Millan has returned to television, relaunched public workshops, and expanded his pet product line.
Source: Getty Images
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Key takeaways
- Cesar Millan is a Mexican-American dog behaviourist best known for hosting The Dog Whisperer, which made him a household name in the field of pet training.
- In 2016, he was investigated after a dog injured a pig on set, but officials found no wrongdoing and closed the case.
- A 2021 lawsuit accused his pit bull of attacking a gymnast and killing Queen Latifah’s dog, but the case was settled privately.
- Millan returned to television with Better Human, Better Dog, which premiered in 2021 and was renewed for a second season.
- He relaunched his live training tours, drawing audiences interested in his leadership-based dog training methods.
- Millan expanded his Cesar’s Way brand to include pet products, training tools, and digital resources.
Cesar Millan’s profile summary
| Full name | César Felipe Millán Favela |
| Nickname | The Dog Whisperer |
| Gender | Male |
| Date of birth | August 27, 1969 |
| Zodiac sign | Virgo |
| Place of birth | Culiacán, Sinaloa, Mexico |
| Current residence | Los Angeles, California, USA |
| Nationality | Mexican-American |
| Ethnicity | Latino |
| Religion | Christianity |
| Sexual orientation | Straight |
| Height in feet | 5'5'' |
| Height in centimetres | 165 |
| Weight in pounds | 168 |
| Weight in kilograms | 76 |
| Shoe size | 8 (US) |
| Hair colour | Black |
| Eye colour | Brown |
| Mother | María Teresa Favela |
| Father | Felipe Millán Guillen |
| Siblings | Erick Millán and Jorge Millán |
| Relationship status | In a relationship |
| Partner | Jahira Dar |
| Children | André Millán, Calvin Millán |
| Profession | Dog behaviourist, author, TV personality |
| Net worth | $20 million |
What happened to Cesar Millan?
He faced multiple lawsuits and public scrutiny, particularly over alleged dog attacks involving his pit bull, but all legal claims were resolved without criminal charges. Meanwhile, he has rebuilt his brand with TV shows, live events, and pet products.
Source: Getty Images
Cesar Millan’s legal issues and controversies
Cesar has faced multiple legal issues over the years. In 2016, he was investigated by Los Angeles County Animal Control after a pig was injured during a filmed training session for his show Cesar 911. After a thorough review, the county cleared Millan of any legal wrongdoing.
In 2021, Millan was sued by gymnast Lidia Matiss, who alleged that his pit bull, Junior, attacked her when she visited his property years earlier. The lawsuit also claimed the same dog had killed Queen Latifah’s dog, though this second claim was never legally verified. Millan denied responsibility, and the case was settled without going to trial.
The TV personality has been criticised for using dominance-based training methods, including leash corrections and alpha rolls. He also faced backlash after controversial scenes aired on his shows. Despite the Dog Whisperer's tragedy and criticism, he defends his approach and remains active in the dog training industry.
Career updates
After facing public backlash and legal scrutiny in the mid-2010s, he gradually rebuilt his public presence. His recent work reflects a more refined brand, focused on education, connection, and balanced human-dog relationships.
Acting
Cesar returned to television in 2021 with Cesar Millan: Better Human Better Dog on National Geographic. The show features real-world cases and emphasises balanced relationships between people and dogs. Season 4 premiered on April 12, 2024, and Season 5 followed on August 16, 2024, marking 20 years of his presence on U.S. television.
Source: Getty Images
In June 2024, Season 4 of Better Human, Better Dog became available on Disney+ and Hulu. This move brought Millan's training philosophy to new audiences through digital streaming platforms.
Podcasting and hosting
In late 2024, Millan launched a podcast titled Walking with Cesar. The show blends personal stories, dog training tips, and mindset coaching. It is part of his effort to reach audiences beyond television.
Millan continues to hold live events, including workshops, demonstrations, and speaking engagements. He performed at the San Diego County Fair in June 2025, where he showcased training techniques and shared his latest insights with a live audience.
Dog Psychology Centre
The TV personality operates the Dog Psychology Centre in Santa Clarita, California. The 43-acre facility offers hands-on rehabilitation for dogs and in-person training for owners. It also serves as a base for filming and creating educational content.
Is Cesar Millan married?
He is not married, but engaged to his longtime partner, Jahira Dar. Cesar was previously married to Ilusion Millan from 1994 until 2010. She played a key role in his early career, serving as CEO of Cesar Millan Inc. and co-producing The Dog Whisperer for several seasons.
Millan filed for divorce in July 2010, citing irreconcilable differences, and the divorce was finalised in April 2012. The divorce settlement included a one-time payment of $400,000, monthly spousal support of $23,000, and $10,000 per month for child support. Ilusion received primary custody of their two sons, Andre (b. 1995) and Calvin (b. 2001).
Where is Cesar Millan now?
Source: Getty Images
He is based in Los Angeles, California, where he actively operates his Dog Psychology Centre. He also frequently travels across the U.S. for live training events and public appearances to engage with fans and dog owners nationwide. Millan is not incarcerated and continues to post actively on social media.
FAQs about Cesar Millan
- Who is Cesar Millan? Cesar Millan is a Mexican-American dog behaviourist best known for hosting The Dog Whisperer with Cesar Millan.
- Is Cesar Millan married? Cesar Millan is not currently married. He divorced Ilusion Wilson in 2010 and has been engaged to Jahira Dar since 2016.
- What happened to Cesar Millan? Cesar Millan faced lawsuits, public criticism, and controversy over his training methods.
- Why was The Dog Whisperer cancelled? Cesar Millan's original show ended partly due to growing backlash over his methods and the network's shift toward other programming.
- Has Cesar Millan been sued? Cesar Millan has faced several lawsuits, but no criminal charges were filed.
- Where is Cesar Millan now? Cesar Millan currently lives in California and operates the Dog Psychology Centre in Santa Clarita.
- What kind of training does Cesar Millan use? Cesar Millan employs dominance-based training, emphasising pack leadership and promoting calm, assertive energy.
Final word
What happened to Cesar Millan? He faced legal challenges, public scrutiny, and ongoing debate over his training style. However, none of the cases resulted in criminal charges being filed against him. Millan has since rebuilt his career through television, live events, and a growing pet brand. Despite controversy, he remains one of the most recognised figures in the dog training world.
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