At the age of 13, I wanted to be the best dog trainer in the world. That was my wish.

Oprah was doing everything backward with Sophie. I just wanted to give back what she had given to me.

I wished to have a TV show — a series, not a special — to change the way people behave with their dogs. I saw the need and wanted to fulfill the need. See what happens? Are you with me? The universe is always there for you.

The most important thing that we have to provide every day is that we are the pack leader, that we set the rules, the boundaries and the limitations, and then we love. Most of the people, they go to get a dog because they need somebody to love. So they are going after what they need, not what the dog needs. And that, to me, creates instability immediately, and the dog sees the human as a soft energy. So they don't follow the lovable leader or a spiritual leader; they follow a dominant one.

Mother Nature always wants to be balanced. So there's no age where they don't want to return back to normal. I have worked with dogs that are 11 years old, 13 years old, which you witness in the show. I worked with a dog that was 13 years old that was extremely territorial to her food. And I was able to accomplish a calm, submissive state, which is allowing for you to create rules, boundaries and limitations. The mind backs away from the food. So in their world, they are always ready to balance. It's the human who fights it.

We have to use exercise, discipline and affection every day. Most of the time people share affection, affection, affection, and that creates frustration. In a powerful breed, that's going to lead him into aggression. So exercise and discipline play a big role in balance.