Cesar Millan Says Homeless People Have Well Behaved Pit Bulls
Their dogs can walk off leash, staying behind in a follower state.
Andrew Huberman · Raising a Dog & Mastering Calm Assertive Energy | Cesar MillanDog trainer Cesar Millan says homeless people are among the best dog owners.
"Nine out of 10 homeless people have a pitbull," he says. That is his own estimate from what he sees in his Los Angeles neighborhood, not a study, and he says those dogs are well behaved.
"They can walk a dog off leash," he says, with the dog staying in the back in a follower state. "Consciously or unconsciously, the dog stays in the back," he says, and is "not allowed to go in front." He compares this to guide dogs for blind people, which stay close and are "not allowed to get distracted because" their purpose is to guide.
The walk, he says, "is the most important activity in" his eyes. In Mexico, he says, "every single dog is off leash."
Questions people ask
Why pit bulls?
Pit bulls are common in shelters and on the street in Los Angeles, so they are often the most available dogs. They are also strong, loyal, and athletic dogs that do well with many hours of walking. With steady direction, that energy turns into calm following rather than pulling.
Is it legal to walk a dog off leash?
In most American cities, including Los Angeles, it is not. Dogs are generally required to be on a leash in public except in designated off leash areas. Millan's remark about Mexico is his own observation, stated as: every single dog is off leash.
How much walking does a dog actually need?
It depends on the dog's age, breed, and energy level, but most adult dogs benefit from at least 30 to 60 minutes of active walking daily, plus bathroom breaks. High energy breeds often need more. What matters most is a structured walk where the dog follows, not just time roaming a yard.