César Millán

When good dogs go bad, "Dog Whisperer" Cesar Millan swooped in at the 11th hour, and with a bit of common sense and gentle firmness, not only rehabilitated the dogs, but trained the masters as well. In lieu of Millan actually showing up on people's doorsteps, his hit National Geographic show, "The Dog Whisperer" (2004-12) reached millions of desperate pet owners, teaching them to be their dog's pack leader and stressing the Zen-like importance of walking the dog and giving off positive energy. Millan's television success spawned its own cottage industry, spinning off into DVDs, books and appearances on "Oprah," where he promptly rehabilitated the talk show's troubled pooch. With over six million dogs in the world, many of them acting up from past abuses, this "Dr. Phil for Dogs," as he was called, was just what the dog owner ordered.