First, a bit of background information on our host. Millan is a dog behaviorist and best-selling author who uses techniques based on his own experiences to "rehabilitate" dogs with personalities not unlike certain Jerry Springer contestants: loud, obnoxious and unpredictable. Though his techniques, Millan reminds us that, like humans, no two dogs are alike, even if they're of the same breed (or race). Also like humans, certain dogs can have trouble adjusting socially, whether it's due to a rough upbringing or...well, simply the way their brains are wired.

Still, the brain is a strange and complex thing, so it's no surprise that even the most dedicated dog owners can run into problems. Maybe your puppy gets along well with adults, but not children. Maybe it's other dogs that rub Fido the wrong way. Perhaps a traumatic event has rendered an otherwise social dog into a timid bundle of nerves. Only with the proper discipline and training can your furry friend get back on the road to recovery; using simple commands that include not just what you say, but what examples you set. I'm no dog expert, so Millan's lessons and advice are even more valuable: with his down-to-earth, patient demeanor and simple explanations, such techniques are easy to follow and understand. In short, it's Dog Psychology for Dummies, divided into easily-digested 22-minute episodes.

The series, which currently airs on the National Geographic Channel, follows a basic formula during most of the episodes: we meet a troubled dog and its owner, both in need of a little helpful advice, so Millan steps in for assistance and shows us what to do. The very first episode introduces us to Nunu (above right), a Chihuahua who's relatively calm---that is, until anyone comes within a few feet of her owner. Later on in the same episode, we meet Kane, a 160-pound Great Dane who's a bit neurotic. Both suffer from different problems, but none are completely untreatable (though several dogs are a bit tougher and get an entire episode to themselves). So while there are a few sad moments along the way---especially since some of these dogs are in particularly rough shape when we first meet them---Dog Whisperer keeps things light by usually going out on a happy note...without getting too sappy.

Millan's experience is on full display during these 26 first season episodes. His work with dogs is never more evident, though, when we consider his ever-changing client list, including (but not limited to) the dozens of dogs that live at his two-acre Dog Psychology Center in Los Angeles---in fact, he's even performed a bit of behavioral work on South Park's own Eric Cartman. Other "clients" we meet during this first season include Daisy (a yellow Labrador who thinks she owns the house), Harry (a dog who flips out when he sees anything with wheels), Rana (a Sheltie who hates her family's toaster oven) and dozens more. Overall, it's a good mix of episodes that only suffers from one unavoidable problem: the show's formula becomes all the more familiar as the season goes on. You won't go through all 26 episodes in one sitting, nor should you: this series is best viewed in small doses, but dog lovers should be more than satisfied.

If Millan could only figure out cats...now that would truly be appointment television, wouldn't it?

Screen Media Films presents this first season of 26 episodes on three single-sided DVDs, roughly nine apiece, with a fourth disc devoted to bonus features. It's a fairly packed collection, all things considered, though the higher retail price (and lower replay value) could make it an ideal rental candidate rather than a permanent part of your collection. In all honesty, though, Dog Whisperer is a quality show that's gotten a respectable DVD treatment, so those who love and appreciate canines will be glad to have it. Let's take a closer look, shall we?

Recorded in what appears to be standard-grade digital video, this collection of episodes is presented in its original 1.33:1 aspect ratio and looks good overall. The majority of this footage is shot outdoors during the day, so the natural lighting produces consistent results with only a hint of softness. No digital problems (such as edge enhancement, etc.) were spotted, with only mild flaws on display due to the low-budget source material. The English Stereo mix is roughly the same quality---nothing to write home about, but good enough to get the job done. No optional subtitles have been included, but Closed Captioning is available during the episodes only.

Also included is a series of additional Outtakes (16 clips, 63:15 total), including "Cesar on Humans", "Making Mistakes", "His Worst Cases" and "Cesar and His Family". They're presented individually or can be viewed all at once with a handy "Play All" option. Rounding out the extras is a brief Preview for the National Geographic Channel (0:58).

Strictly for dog lovers only, Cesar Millan's Dog Whisperer is an interesting series that can indeed help you have a great relationship with your canine companion. Millan offers plenty of helpful advice throughout, covering a wide variety of problems and solutions along the way. The show is admittedly much better to digest in smaller increments, though, as its formula can be relatively straightforward and predictable. Still, Dog Whisperer serves its simple purpose nicely, while Screen Media Films' DVD treatment presents all of the first season's 26 episodes with a decent technical presentation and a handful of interesting bonus features. Though the retail price is a bit steep, this four-disc set can easily be found in the $40 range at most larger online outlets, making this a decent buy for the asking price. Mildly interested parties may want to give it a rent first, but most dog lovers can consider this package Recommended.