Andrew Huberman with Cesar Millan
A greeting that feels friendly to a person can overwhelm a dog. Letting the dog sniff first introduces a different approach to attention, boundaries and calm leadership.
In Millan's framework, dogs process the world first through scent, then sight, and finally sound, so humans should emphasize silent body language and internal energy over verbal commands.
Millan's hierarchy of canine needs begins with physical exercise, followed by mental discipline through rules and limitations, with affection used to reinforce a calm, surrendered state of mind.
Millan describes front-, middle-, and back-of-the-pack dispositions, each requiring different levels of knowledge, direction, or calm surrender to function harmoniously.