Minnie Makes It Big

Minnie is the newest addition to the Millan household, and at only eight months old and just barely as large as the bowl she eats out of, she is officially the smallest member of Cesar and Ilusion's pack!

This miniscule mix of Chihuahua and as-yet unidentified wire-haired terrier was given to the Millans as a gift for Cesar's most recent birthday. Though Cesar warns against giving dogs as gifts and is a vocal advocate of care and research before any puppy purchase, it was hardly an offer they could refuse. Minnie joined the family and brought with her all of the timidity common to small dogs - and then some!

The first two months were a struggle to keep Minnie from hiding under any piece of furniture she could squeeze beneath. She was hesitant in the office to stray close to any human being or animal she didn’t see on a daily basis, and seemed to be constantly on the look-out – always wide-eyed and trembling. With structure and discipline, the Millans have helped her to make a great deal of progress. Cesar’s commanding presence as pack leader and Ilusion’s nurturing have soothed her nerves, and under a relaxed puppy exercise regimen (twice a day for 15 to 20 minutes), she has grown both in size and in spirit. She is learning to socialize with other dogs in the neighborhood, and is helping in her own way to bring balance to the Millan pack in the form of a much-needed female canine element.

To others who may have received puppies as gifts this holiday season, the Millans recommend patience as well as the requisite rules, boundaries, and limitations. Provide the foundation for a healthy and balanced pup, and let them grow in their own time - even if twelve inches from nose to tail is all they can physically manage!