June 12, 2005
"Pet Nation" on Dateline NBC transcript
... But Tamar Geller, an L.A. dog trainer who's roster of star clientele includes Ben Affleck and Courteney Cox, cautions celebs to curb their pet doting ways if they want well-behaved pooches.
Roker: "In dog training, is it just as important for the human, in a way, to be trained as their dog?"
Tamar Geller: "Completely. Otherwise, your dog may listen to me but they are like [waves finger] for you."
Geller, a former intelligence officer for the Israeli army, teaches famous clients like actor Michael Vartan, who stars in the hit show "Alias," how to reinforce good doggy behavior.
Michael Vartan: "Every time she does something, I praise, and I can't do it on camera, because you'll think this guy is a lunatic."
Roker: "Oh come on, youÕve got to do it."
Vartan: "Like you know if she sits down, 'good sit!'"
Millie, Vartan's year and a half old chocolate labrador, accompanies him to the set of Alias every day. But Vartan, who grew up in France, claims the whole pet pampering thing is just a little beyond him.
Vartan: "Very rarely in Europe would you see a dog wearing a little coat or socks or whatever."
Roker: "Or a Mets collar."
Vartan: "Or a Mets collar. You're right. That's a good point. Touche."
Millie does sport a special collar honoring Vartan's love of the New York Mets baseball team and Vartan confesses he also owns this doggy DVD. That's right, a DVD made exclusively for canine viewing.
Roker: "She watches it?"
Vartan: "Oh my God. She stares at this video like she's there."
Still, Vartan says his puppy love definitely has its limits.
Roker: "Are you a dog owner who leaves messages on the answering machine for your dog?"
Vartan: "No!"
Roker: "No?"
Vartan: "I'd never thought of that! But my God, I will start. That's fantastic."
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