Success Stories
- Robert A. Ferber
- Chemin Shapiro
- Jeffrey Ellis
- Roger & Mori West
- Sharon Dean
- Ita Kreft
- Tim & Lisa Driver
- Rande Stern Levine
- Elise Duran & Joy Nicholson
- Lil' Wolfie
- Jasmine Lee
- Stacy Mullaney
- Barbara DeSantis
Robert A. Ferber
Attorney
- Veteran prosecutor specializing in animal abuse prosecutions
- Boards of Directors of numerous animal rescue groups
- Dog and cat rescuer for over 25 years
- Participated in special training with LAPD and LA Department of Animal Services on the behavior of dogs, especially breeds such as Pit Bulls and Rottweilers
- Written and published numerous articles on animal welfare including the social response to the so-called "Pit Bull problem"
- Guest speaker at animal welfare conference
To my amazement, even after 20 years of experience with handling dogs, within 24 hours of applying Mr. Fouché's method to Amy, literally all her aggression issues had been resolved and all the other less serious behavior problems I had with dogs were also resolved. By doing exactly what Mr. Fouché instructed, the entire atmosphere in my house has dramatically changed and I've had the same success in other households seeking my assistance. My own dogs no longer jump on people, no longer bark unnecessarily and, most importantly, all my dogs have assumed a calm and well-behaved demeanor towards cats and especially each other. Now the Pit-bull, Rottweiler and Shepard sleep together with several cats and all three dogs go to elementary schools as part of a program that teaches reverence for animals.
I have such trust in Mr. Fouché's skills that I intend to urge the City of Los Angeles to utilize his services in several programs designed to avoid the current practice of euthanizing thousands of dogs in municipal shelters that have been deemed unadoptable solely due to behavior issues.
Fortunately, Mr. Fouché's communication training is so simple and easy to follow and is so consistent with the natural behavior of the canine species that there is no legitimate excuse for not following his instructions for the life of an animal. For those who follow his simple and natural methods, they are guaranteed a well-mannered, safe, and trusted companion for the life of the animal.
Chemin Shapiro
Cody is a classic example of a dog-aggressive dog who loved people but was unadoptable when we rescued him because he was so powerful and virtually uncontrollable when he saw another dog. We could not take him out to dog adoptions, and only a couple of volunteers were able to walk him. We all feared running into another dog when we did walk him. Doomed to sit in a small dog run at our vet's office until we found him a home because he could not successfully join our dog pack, he might have lived this way for years. When we went to Brandon, Cody's life changed 100% within 2 weeks. For me to see him in a pack of 30 dogs was an absolute miracle! Cody now lives with three other dogs, 20 horses, a pig, and a pack of goats. He is constantly interacting with new dogs, goes on runs/hikes, and has a terrific life at the horse ranch.
Jeffrey Ellis
What a change Caesar has made. I met Brandon yesterday at Runyon Canyon Park - where Caeser had never been before. It amazed me to have Caeser travel off leash around many other dogs, as calm and happy as could be. At the same time, he always "checked in" and stayed close to Brandon and me on our hike.
Today, I took Caeser to the new Culver City Dog Park. Brandon was to meet me there, but was running late, so I decided to take Caeser in myself. Again, Caeser was happy at at ease with the dozen or so assorted dogs, in what amounted to a large back yard. He would trot around, sniff and play with other dogs for a minute or two, and then find me to check in before going back to exploring the other dogs. I called Brandon and told him he didn't need to join us, as Caeser (and I) were doing fine.
The big job that still remains is dominating him at home and on walks around the neighborhood. Brandon has given me a very simple set of guidelines that do not require treats or unusual routines - just straightforward dominance and regularity. The only hard part is withholding the extensive affection that I want to lavish on Caeser, until he remains fully submissive and under my control without challenging me.
I not only highly recommend Brandon, but wish it had been mandatory to work with him. I think anyone adopting a dog such as a GS really needs to focus on establishing dominance - especially if the dog is an Alpha. Obviously, I spent a great deal of time (and money) working incorrectly with Caeser. And I do know that what Brandon has done still remains to be finished by me and my family.
If anyone who is adopting one of WSGSR's dogs wishes to call me, I would be happy to offer my "testimonial" to Brandon's effectiveness. I also like his unpretentious and honest approach in dealing with me and my family. He knew about the issues Shelley and my kids had, and took that into account, I'm sure, in suggesting that he keep Caeser until I returned home from my business trip.
Roger & Mori West
We have a 7 month old deaf Pit Bull named Cade who could not be with other dogs. We had to leave an obedience class because of his aggression and we were advised that he needed serious behavior training. We worked with a trainer/behaviorist and were able to "close the distance" between our dog and other dogs, but our dog still could not come closer than three feet or so, and we better be moving, etc. Our trainer said we would have to socialize with many, many dogs, closing the distance over time. He held puppy party "get togethers" with dogs he trained, while the other dogs played our dog stayed behind a fence because while he tolerated the dogs he couldn't be with them. We also walked our dog at the dog park, but on the outside, socializing him from a distance. Our trainer said we would need to find well-behaved dogs and set up scenarios, perhaps hundreds of them where Cade slowly got closer and closer, like at the puppy parties. This seemed an ordeal and a lot of work if even possible. Seeing our disappointment he said there is one other way and gave us Brandon Fouché's phone number. He told us about boot camp and said two weeks with Brandon and our dog could be with other dogs. He was so right and we are eternally grateful to him for referring us to Brandon.
Two weeks at Brandon Fouché's boot camp and we have a different dog. Brandon kept us informed on Cade's progress, and on his last day met us at a dog park where our dog ran and played with the dogs. Yes, TWO weeks later and our dog was INSIDE the dog park playing with the other dogs. We now walk our dog without worrying about meeting another dog. We do to the dog park using the techniques Brandon taught us. We let him go right away; we don't stay in one place and we keep moving, we don't freak out if our dog gives a bark or snap he's communicating and he can control himself without getting out of hand. Brandon says as week keep working with our dog, Cade will continue to get better and better. Our dog has a genetic predisposition to be highly reactive which in turn creates stress. We need to let him know we dominate him, we have to apply discipline. Affection isn't petting him, it's walking him assertively, being with him. It's much more mental than physical, and the most important part is, our dog is happier, and he is calmer and less reactive and now he knows his place, where before he was unsure.
Last week we had a special day. We took our dog to the dog park then over to the trainer's house for a puppy party. I will always remember the looks from the other owners as our dog walked in to play with their dogs. The last time they saw Cade he snarled from the other side of a fence, now here he was playing with dogs he would have bitten just weeks ago. Brandon showed up too, he knew how much this opportunity meant to us and wanted to share it with us. He is an amazing person, very giving and he truly understands dogs. We feel sending our dog to his boot camp was one of the best investments we've made and has changed our dog and our lives for the better.
It is bittersweet too. Sometimes we walk Cade and notice another dog owner suddenly crossing the street, or heading the other way while their dog is snapping, barking, and straining on the leash. We've realized there are lots of people with aggressive dogs who are missing out. That would have been us and our dog and we may never have known that it doesn't have to be that way, we are grateful for the opportunity Brandon has given us.
Sharon Dean
- EVS
- Ask the Trainer pilot program
- Lie4Paws Adoption Counselor
Thank you. It was an experience. My favorite is the stunning absolutely fearful German Shepard that Brandon Fouché worked with. I am very impressed with what I saw on Saturday and hope to hook up with him for observation and/or seminars. I asked him if he ever mentored or took volunteers to help with is work but he steered me to the seminar aspect. I think he is quite gifted. Thanks for having him attend and help out at EVS.
Ita Kreft
Brandon was here for over two hours, and it turns out that Fitz is just very worried about new smells. And when he could smell the cat from very close (the cat was in the crate) he did not act aggressive, just playful. Brandon believes that in the end the cats will dominate the dog since they can defend themselves very well; moreover Fitz walks around with a big scratch on his nose because he came too close to my cat.
Tim & Lisa Driver
After meeting you and speaking with you, we know you get the canine psyche. Bogey will get what he needs to be a great "dog"!
Rande Stern Levine
President, Karma Rescue
The way Brandon treats his dog far surpasses how some people treat their own children. Besides their basic needs being met, he gives them what truly any animal would yearn for. If you could just see how these dogs look at Brandon with such awe. I will continue to promote and recommend this amazing saint for animals to everyone I know. He is a savior to these dogs and a savior to us rescuers.
Elise Duran & Joy Nicholson
One Dog at a Time
We consult with Brandon Fouché at Canine Communications in Los Angeles. Brandon is the most talented animal behaviorist we know of.
Lil' Wolfie
Thank you for seeing how special I am...
Because of you, I went from a box by the garage to 400 people bidding for me from Good Day LA.
Jasmine Lee
Daily Breeze news article
Like a probing psychologist, Fouché gets inside the minds of his canine patients.
Stacy Mullaney
Much Love Rescue
Thank you so very very much for talking to our group on Monday! Everyone has said how helpful and interesting it was. All of your insight will help us interact so much better with the dogs and hopefully have calmer, more successful adoptions! You are the best!
Thanks again!
Barbara DeSantis
I am going to attempt to explain to you, in words, something that is just about impossible to explain in words because words are a human construct. When Brandon works with dogs, he is able to momentarily abandon the human plane and relate on an animal level. It's that simple. And that complex.
When Brandon enters a dog's world, you will hear no words. No pleading, cajoling, pleasant or angry repetitions of "sit", "stay", or "come". Why should you, Brandon explains, coax a dog to do things he will do anyway? Conspicuously absent, also is the rustle of the ever present treat bag you hear when most trainers come. Food is small motivator, it seems, in comparison with being truly understood. (Diet industry, take note!)
What you will see when Brandon comes, is an almost shamanic dance between man and animal. When Brandon first came to work with our notoriously aggressive pound-rescue mix, Rocky, he walked in, silent, in shin guards and a baseball cap. Rocky who bit any stranger who entered his world (and all the people who lived there, besides), literally fell to the ground at his feet. Sitting calmly in a living room chair with Rocky nestled obediently at his feet, Brandon went on to explain that from then on, Rocky should arise when Brandon arose, walk when Brandon walked, sit when Brandon sat. Amazingly, he did. Even more amazingly, Brandon was soon able to train everyone, from my husband and I to our seven-year-old son, to walk Rocky, pet Rocky, manage Rocky, cuddle Rocky and have fun with Rocky. It wasn't easy; a lot of us were still afraid at first, and none of us was Brandon. But by the time Brandon had finished a few intense sessions with Rocky, Rocky had gone from being a dog who spent most of his life crated, muzzled and separated from the rest of the family to a sweet, affectionate, loved and loving pet. Unfortunately, Rocky was killed in a hit-and-run accident recently, but because of Brandon, he died knowing what it was like to feel centered, to love his human family, to enjoy his life as a pet, and to be treasured.
We then adopted a giant, intact, male chow mix, Kai, against the advice of the animal shelter; they claimed he was aggressive. Well, to me that just meant that his stay at the pound would be a death sentence since they were actually advising people not to adopt him. So of course we had to take him. Besides, I knew that we had Brandon. Not surprisingly, the shelter was right about Kai. He growled if you petted his head. Snapped if you touched his ears or eyes. Ambushed you if he saw a brush in your hand. And terrorized any dogs who had the audacity to approach his food dish or even the temerity to protect their own.
So Brandon's work began. And not that I would have imagined it was possible, Kai was even more difficult than Rocky had been. He was at least three times bigger for one thing. He was older, more set in his ways and had been intact longer. His aggression, Brandon said, was based on dominance, not fear. This time, even Brandon seemed to need home preparation time to psych himself up. Because when he got serious about reforming Kai, it was nothing I'd ever seen before. There was Brandon, down on the floor with Kai, for at least an hour, it seemed, keeping Kai down. There was no threatening, no violence, but their eyes met over and over. Brandon did not give way. And when he allowed Kai up, we had a different dog.
When Brandon came to me after his ordeal with Kai, he was sweaty. Spent. As was Kai. But almost instantly, Kai approached Brandon for affection. And Brandon gave it. Their relationship had been established, and now when Brandon comes to walk the dogs, Kai practically grazes the ceiling with excitement. You see the beautiful, easy grace of a dog who is loved and managed in the only way a dog can understand.
Of course I am simplifying what Brandon does. Of course it isn't magic (well, okay, some of it is) but there is also a lot of hard follow-up work you have to do. Brandon teaches you and your dogs how to walk, how to eat, how to groom, socialize, and play. How to be the happy, trusting, closely-bonded animal-human couple or family that we all want to be with our pets. We had four children, a foster child, eight or nine dogs of our own (not to mention a wolf - whoops!) that Brandon thank God found placement for and countless foster dogs in and out of our home, and I have to say, I have never had anyone help me so profoundly and with so much patience and so little judgment as Brandon has. Having the chance to work with Brandon is, I think, as close to a miracle as a dog is likely to find on this earth. And that goes for his owner as well.
I hope these words help you understand and have faith in Brandon.