Malaysia’s dog whisperer
Cesar’s Recruit: Asia s3 first runner-up david ananda quit his high-flying job to care for stray and shelter dogs.
ANIMAL lover and dog trainer David Ananda is a huge fan of renowned Mexican-American dog therapist Cesar Millan. He thinks Millan’s dog-training techniques are superb, and he has always wanted to meet his idol in the flesh.
Never in a million years did David think he’d be shortlisted as one of the finalists of Millan’s reality TV series, Cesar’s Recruit: Asia Season Three.
“I’ve watched many episodes of Cesar’s reality TV show, Dog Whisperer With Cesar Millan .You can imagine my surprise when I was selected as one of the finalists for Cesar’s Recruit: Asia . It was a dream come true,” recalls David, who emerged first runner-up of the reality TV competition.
It was his partner Seema Subash who had coaxed him into sending his application for the reality TV series.
The third season – which aired on YouTube from September – saw eight participants from across Asia vying for the title of champion. In the seven-part series, finalists had the enviable opportunity to work closely with Millan, touted as an expert in rectifying unpredictable canine temperament. China’s Larry Chi emerged winner of the reality TV series. The series was recorded earlier this year in Singapore.
David sounded enthusiastic when speaking about his experience in the reality TV show.
“Though it was a competition, all of us had so much fun on set. Each episode showcased different challenges surrounding dog-training methods.
“It included honing a dog’s state of mind, helping the animal overcome its fears, and getting dogs into peak physical shape. It was a memorable experience working with Cesar,” says David, 39, with a warm smile.
Regarding the most valuable lesson learned from Millan, David explains: “Cesar taught us to understand that animals’ emotions are pure and simple. People have the ability to communicate with animals. Essentially, it boils down to understanding an animal’s behaviour, and learning to build a sense of trust with it.”
David is no stranger to rescuing and rehabilitating animals. Over the span of 30 years, he has saved numerous animals, including abused dogs and kittens stuck in drains.
David grew up in a home where he saw how much his parents loved animals. As a primary student, he would rescue cats and dogs on the way home from school. People thought he was crazy but his parents thought otherwise.
“My mother always said that I had a gift with animals. She helped me nurture every stray puppy or kitten I brought home.
“I didn’t understand what she meant by that, but I did know that I had an innate ability to connect with animals. My mother would just smile and say, ‘someday you’ll understand’,” says David, who co-owned a casting and modelling agency in Kuala Lumpur in the early 2000s.
In 2008, he quit his high-flying career to help underprivileged communities.
“I had a lucrative career in a talent agency. Its rigorous demands could take a toll on one’s health. The working hours were long and I was slowly suffering from burnout. I decided to do something meaningful, and give back to society.”
The same year, he signed up as a volunteer at the Social Educational and Development Society, a non-governmental organisation to help underprivileged communities in Andhra Pradesh, India.
“Part of my three-month volunteer programme required me to help out in health programmes, vocational training courses and protecting natural water resources. After the three-month stint, I was offered a job as programme co-ordinator, and continued to work with STED (Science and Technology Entrepreneurship Development) for five years.”
Since returning to KL in 2013, David has been actively involved in animal rescue and rehabilitation.
He offers dog-training classes for children as well as house calls for both prevention and treatment of behavioural problems in dogs of different ages; it can range from aggressive behaviour to anxiety to hyperactivity.
“When a dog’s ears are perked up and head and back are raised, it means the dog is on alert. Dogs communicate with us through body language and energy. They can sniff you out from a far distance, and know if you’re comfortable around them or otherwise,” says David, who turns to the Internet and books to further hone his knowledge on dog-training.
In 2017, David and Seema co-founded Alive Project, an animal initiative that focuses on strategic solutions for the animal community, with a focus on the 3 Rs – Rescue, Rehabilitation and Rehoming of strays and shelter dogs.
They are in the midst of setting up an animal shelter and training centre in Gopeng, Perak.
Running an animal shelter is a huge career switch from David’s heyday in the advertising field. But he has no regrets.
“Working closely with animals, especially dogs, satisfies my soul. It probably won’t provide me a huge pay cheque, but I’m much happier. It’s food for my soul,” says David, who wants to teach the younger generation on pet ownership and volunteering at animal shelters.