Cesar Millan Faces His Toughest Challenge Yet: Training a Blind and Deaf Dog with a Neurological Disorder

Renowned “Dog Whisperer” Cesar Millan has spent decades transforming the lives of dogs and their owners through his hit series Cesar Millan: Better Human Better Dog. Known for his calm energy and unique understanding of canine psychology, Millan has faced nearly every type of behavioral issue imaginable — but his latest case has pushed even his legendary patience and skill to new limits.

In season 5 of the series, which aired in August 2024, Millan meets Brunello, a six-year-old boxer unlike any other dog he has trained before. Born both deaf and blind, Brunello also suffers from a neurological disorder that affects his behavior and perception of the world. Millan revealed to Men’s Journal (Sept. 27, 2024) that the dog’s aggression and fear were rooted in his inability to interact normally with his surroundings.

“Normally, I work with dogs that have psychological problems,” Millan said. “But when you work with a dog that was born with a neurological problem, and on top of that, he’s blind and deaf — he became aggressive. Without a doubt, that’s a dog I could have given up on, but I didn’t.” (Men’s Journal, 2024)

Brunello’s owner faced her own emotional struggles. According to Millan, she was hesitant to start dating again because she feared Brunello might lash out at a potential partner. “She couldn’t date,” he told Men’s Journal. “She was afraid that Brunello would attack the guy.”

In a powerful moment from the show’s trailer, Millan poses a striking question:

“How can you change the mind of a dog when he can’t see you, can’t hear you?”

He adds, “He hasn’t been able to trust the world around him — or his pet mom to lead him through it. This is my biggest challenge.”

Despite the odds, Millan dedicated three months to Brunello’s rehabilitation, using his signature techniques of trust, energy, and balance. The transformation was profound. Brunello began to express a “happy-go-lucky” personality, while his owner regained confidence and peace in her own life.

“She learned a lot about herself,” Millan reflected. “This has been the greatest and most rewarding rehab of my life. It touches your spirit.” (People, 2024)

Fans reacted emotionally after the clip aired on YouTube, flooding the comments section with praise for Millan’s compassion and skill. One viewer wrote, “This is just beautiful. You are a special person, Cesar.” Another added, “So many dogs are beaten by owners who don’t know how to train them — Cesar is amazing.”

Over the past two decades, Millan has helped thousands of dogs overcome trauma, aggression, and fear, establishing himself as a global authority on canine behavior. According to the Los Angeles Times, his philosophy centers on balancing human energy first — believing that calm, assertive leadership in owners creates balanced dogs.

Millan’s journey to fame is equally inspiring. After moving from Mexico to the United States in 1990, he struggled to find his footing but never lost sight of his dream. A resurfaced clip recently reminded fans how Jada Pinkett Smith helped shape his early career. Millan revealed that after telling her he wanted to teach others through television, she encouraged him to learn English — advice that proved pivotal to his success. (People, 2024; CNN, 2023)

Since then, the “Dog Whisperer” has built an empire that includes best-selling books, training centers, and collaborations with celebrities such as Oprah Winfrey, Jennifer Lopez, and Tom Brady. Yet, despite all his achievements, Millan insists that dogs like Brunello are what keep him humble and inspired.

“Every dog teaches me something new,” Millan told Men’s Journal. “Brunello reminded me that love and trust don’t depend on sight or sound — they depend on connection.”