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Success Stories
Danny
In January of 2008, I rescued five dogs and two cats from a gas chamber at the Spalding Animal Control in Georgia. One of the dogs, a chow, presented an especially troubling challenge. He was considered extremely aggressive. He had a long cable attached to his collar which none of the workers could get close enough to the dog to remove. He also would lunge at the bars of his enclosure whenever workers approached. Food needed to be pushed under the door because no one wanted to go into the enclosure. The director felt that the dog had been chained his entire life. The dog had been brought into the shelter with the help of a pole and with netting over his head because he was so aggressive. The director stated that this dog was not allowed to be adopted except perhaps through a rescue organization
.
The dog was scheduled to be placed into a gas chamber within 24 hours when I first heard about him. I couldn’t bear to have the dog killed. I spoke to a rescue worker who recommended a sanctuary for “last hope” dogs in another state. I agreed to this initially, but when I researched more about the sanctuary, I learned that the dogs brought there could never be adopted out and that aside from various activities and exercise, they basically lived outside in dog houses with small fenced yards for the rest their lives. Of course I started worrying about heat, cold, and hurricanes…although I had been assured that the dogs were sometimes brought inside on a rotated basis. This led me to realize there was not enough room for all the dogs to come inside in extreme weather conditions. Although I’m quite sure this organization sought to do a very good job, I couldn’t resign myself to the fact that this dog would never have the opportunity of having a home and family of his own.
In my extreme frustration, especially with the urgent time constraints placed on the dog, I began calling around for solutions and ideas. Someone recommended the organization, “Dogs Deserve Better”. I went online, called the 800 number, and was referred to representative, Pam Cheatham, who referred me to The Atlanta Dog Whisperer, Angie Woods. Pam told me she sends all of her dogs to Angie…whether or not they actually need “training” as such…because it helps the dogs become so much better balanced. I couldn’t have been more thrilled to hear about an animal “whisperer”. I was very familiar with the horse whisperer, Monty Roberts, and had read some of his books. Monty Roberts can turn around troubled horses by removing fear from the horses …usually in a very short time… and without the use of any of the traditional harsh training methods.
I was concerned that Angie Woods might not accept the dog into her program when I told her of the gravity of the situation. Imagine my surprise when she said, “I never say no”. The next big challenge was how to transport the chow to the veterinarian where Angie said she would meet the dog. On the day of transport, the transporter (who had come with his wife) literally called me from the Spalding shelter to tell me the dog was vicious and that he felt the dog would bite. He said he would need a pole to put the dog in a crate. He actually tried to talk me out of taking this particular dog and said that aggressive dogs like that really should be destroyed; with our efforts concentrated on trying to save the others. I was discouraged with his comments and told him to call Angie and tell her exactly what he was reporting to me. I didn’t want to place anyone in a dangerous situation. He did exactly that and spoke to Angie’s secretary who assured the transporter that Angie already knew about the situation and that she had committed to taking the dog. The transporter told the secretary to tell Angie to bring a pole with her because she would need it to bring the dog into the vet’s. He also said that the dog would have to first be sedated before anyone could administer shots.
Well, a few hours later I called the transporter to see how everything was going. Imagine my total awe when he told me him and his wife had just witnessed a miracle. He then proceeded to tell me what happened. He said that Angie was at the vet’s waiting for them… with no pole. He said she opened the door of the crate, and the dog walked in and out of the crate a few times. Angie held out a slip leash, and the transporter said the dog literally placed his own head into the slip leash! Angie removed the cable and placed a collar on the dog, and then the two of them were off walking and running together. The transporter said that all of this transpired in less than five minutes! At this point, I said, “I just feel like crying”…to which he replied that he and his wife were crying. He said that after Angie and the dog had run and played for awhile, Angie calmly walked the dog into the vet’s office and placed him in a run. Well, that was essentially the end of the problem. The next day, Angie herself was graciously present with the dog when shots were given, and the report was that the chow behaved beautifully and caused no further problem. I named the dog, Danny, after the Biblical story of Daniel in the lion’s den because this dog had literally been saved from a similar experience.
This experience has had a life changing impact on me. The implications for what this experience says about all dogs—and all other living beings—are far reaching. What is it that instantly turned a very aggressive dog into a total “pussy cat”? Consider how most people “gave up” on Danny and assumed that it was okay that a dog like that be destroyed…while all the time Danny was simply terrified, was reacting to his environment, and needed someone who would treat him with respect and caring. In short Danny needed someone he could trust. That someone was the Atlanta Dog Whisperer—who truly does care about dogs and has the expertise and skill that seems to say to a dog: “Regardless of your horrific background, your past treatment, and your present fear and poor behavior, you are extremely important and highly valued. You are a very good dog, and we love you”.
The results speak for themselves. Danny totally loves Angie—and vice versa to the point that Angie decided to adopt him. Today Danny is being used to save other dogs. Angie is using him in her seminars and in instructing others. I will be forever grateful that Danny was saved from his “lion’s den” experience by the Atlanta Dog Whisperer, Angie Woods.
Carolyn Mathias
Severna Park, MD
Winston
Well the two hours that Angie spent with us continues to pay dividends. Winston has always been a pleasure to have but he is really proving to be a smart cookie. We have been consistently reinforcing boundaries in the house. We now make all of the dogs stand behind an imaginary line while we open the door for them to go out and call them by name. We don't allow them to rush the door. This works well except that Jasper is still unsure of his name. Ha, Ha, Ha. Winnie used to get called 3rd or last and now he is often called first as we call them based on how calm they are.
Winston is now the best of our dogs on leash. He always walks loose leashed at our side and when we stop he takes a step or two back to stand behind us (most of the time). Angie asked us to demonstrate Winston's progress with Ashley and to have her handle him (to make sure all of his training is transferable) since Ashley is our back up foster.
Ashley and I took Winston up on Kennesaw Mountain last weekend. We (easily) came in close proximity to 20+ children, many dogs and a diversity of people. He was very calm and well behaved. He only whined twice (and was corrected quickly). He never barked or got agitated. I hope I'm not exaggerating to say that Ashley was impressed. Ashley walked him and practiced stopping (and having him stay behind her by him stepping back). He did this perfectly with her and I showed her the force and speed of correction that Angie taught us.
Forrest, Ashley and I met up again to walk the dogs up a trail in Cartersville. We took four dogs and Winston was great. Forrest had him on the way up and I had him on the way down. He was loose leashed and perfectly behaved all the way. There was even a young boy on the narrow trail that reached out to touch him and I told him that Winston didn't like to be touched so he pet Luke instead.
We are thinking about bringing him up to see you guys for a short time next weekend and then will start bringing him on Sundays until he gets used to all the commotion. It would be beneficial to remind the volunteers not to touch him since he is still in training. I have the e-mail where you recommended the wording and will respond to that tonight.
Thanks again for your support of Winston.
Christine and Forrest
Savannah Belle
We are still enjoying the wonderful dog we have in our home after you worked your magic with Savannah Belle. She was an aggressive, domineering, recalcitrant and often times vicious dog. This is not characteristic of a female, black Lab. When we first brought her home from her fourteen-day training stay with you she was and is the perfect, loving, and gentle dog for which her breed is known. However, she soon regressed partially to her old demeanor. We confess that we did not follow through with the correct collar and consistent training as you directed after her first stay with you. She regressed because of our failure, not hers. However, since her subsequent one night boarding with you, we suddenly got the message. Since then we have been consistent in the training that you taught us and she has become an absolute delight. She comes when called most of the time. She walks on a least like an obedient school honor graduate. She spends long periods of time with us at “zero” and is attentive and affectionate. Thank you for your expertise and your genuine and obvious love for our dog and all those in your care. Your talent, skill, and dedication have made us a deliriously happy threesome. We whole-heartedly recommend the Atlanta Dog Whisperer to any one with a problem dog.
Frank and Jerrie Miller
In January of 2008, I rescued five dogs and two cats from a gas chamber at the Spalding Animal Control in Georgia. One of the dogs, a chow, presented an especially troubling challenge. He was considered extremely aggressive. He had a long cable attached to his collar which none of the workers could get close enough to the dog to remove. He also would lunge at the bars of his enclosure whenever workers approached. Food needed to be pushed under the door because no one wanted to go into the enclosure. The director felt that the dog had been chained his entire life. The dog had been brought into the shelter with the help of a pole and with netting over his head because he was so aggressive. The director stated that this dog was not allowed to be adopted except perhaps through a rescue organization
. The dog was scheduled to be placed into a gas chamber within 24 hours when I first heard about him. I couldn’t bear to have the dog killed. I spoke to a rescue worker who recommended a sanctuary for “last hope” dogs in another state. I agreed to this initially, but when I researched more about the sanctuary, I learned that the dogs brought there could never be adopted out and that aside from various activities and exercise, they basically lived outside in dog houses with small fenced yards for the rest their lives. Of course I started worrying about heat, cold, and hurricanes…although I had been assured that the dogs were sometimes brought inside on a rotated basis. This led me to realize there was not enough room for all the dogs to come inside in extreme weather conditions. Although I’m quite sure this organization sought to do a very good job, I couldn’t resign myself to the fact that this dog would never have the opportunity of having a home and family of his own.
In my extreme frustration, especially with the urgent time constraints placed on the dog, I began calling around for solutions and ideas. Someone recommended the organization, “Dogs Deserve Better”. I went online, called the 800 number, and was referred to representative, Pam Cheatham, who referred me to The Atlanta Dog Whisperer, Angie Woods. Pam told me she sends all of her dogs to Angie…whether or not they actually need “training” as such…because it helps the dogs become so much better balanced. I couldn’t have been more thrilled to hear about an animal “whisperer”. I was very familiar with the horse whisperer, Monty Roberts, and had read some of his books. Monty Roberts can turn around troubled horses by removing fear from the horses …usually in a very short time… and without the use of any of the traditional harsh training methods.
I was concerned that Angie Woods might not accept the dog into her program when I told her of the gravity of the situation. Imagine my surprise when she said, “I never say no”. The next big challenge was how to transport the chow to the veterinarian where Angie said she would meet the dog. On the day of transport, the transporter (who had come with his wife) literally called me from the Spalding shelter to tell me the dog was vicious and that he felt the dog would bite. He said he would need a pole to put the dog in a crate. He actually tried to talk me out of taking this particular dog and said that aggressive dogs like that really should be destroyed; with our efforts concentrated on trying to save the others. I was discouraged with his comments and told him to call Angie and tell her exactly what he was reporting to me. I didn’t want to place anyone in a dangerous situation. He did exactly that and spoke to Angie’s secretary who assured the transporter that Angie already knew about the situation and that she had committed to taking the dog. The transporter told the secretary to tell Angie to bring a pole with her because she would need it to bring the dog into the vet’s. He also said that the dog would have to first be sedated before anyone could administer shots.
Well, a few hours later I called the transporter to see how everything was going. Imagine my total awe when he told me him and his wife had just witnessed a miracle. He then proceeded to tell me what happened. He said that Angie was at the vet’s waiting for them… with no pole. He said she opened the door of the crate, and the dog walked in and out of the crate a few times. Angie held out a slip leash, and the transporter said the dog literally placed his own head into the slip leash! Angie removed the cable and placed a collar on the dog, and then the two of them were off walking and running together. The transporter said that all of this transpired in less than five minutes! At this point, I said, “I just feel like crying”…to which he replied that he and his wife were crying. He said that after Angie and the dog had run and played for awhile, Angie calmly walked the dog into the vet’s office and placed him in a run. Well, that was essentially the end of the problem. The next day, Angie herself was graciously present with the dog when shots were given, and the report was that the chow behaved beautifully and caused no further problem. I named the dog, Danny, after the Biblical story of Daniel in the lion’s den because this dog had literally been saved from a similar experience.
This experience has had a life changing impact on me. The implications for what this experience says about all dogs—and all other living beings—are far reaching. What is it that instantly turned a very aggressive dog into a total “pussy cat”? Consider how most people “gave up” on Danny and assumed that it was okay that a dog like that be destroyed…while all the time Danny was simply terrified, was reacting to his environment, and needed someone who would treat him with respect and caring. In short Danny needed someone he could trust. That someone was the Atlanta Dog Whisperer—who truly does care about dogs and has the expertise and skill that seems to say to a dog: “Regardless of your horrific background, your past treatment, and your present fear and poor behavior, you are extremely important and highly valued. You are a very good dog, and we love you”.
The results speak for themselves. Danny totally loves Angie—and vice versa to the point that Angie decided to adopt him. Today Danny is being used to save other dogs. Angie is using him in her seminars and in instructing others. I will be forever grateful that Danny was saved from his “lion’s den” experience by the Atlanta Dog Whisperer, Angie Woods.
Carolyn Mathias
Severna Park, MD
Winston
Well the two hours that Angie spent with us continues to pay dividends. Winston has always been a pleasure to have but he is really proving to be a smart cookie. We have been consistently reinforcing boundaries in the house. We now make all of the dogs stand behind an imaginary line while we open the door for them to go out and call them by name. We don't allow them to rush the door. This works well except that Jasper is still unsure of his name. Ha, Ha, Ha. Winnie used to get called 3rd or last and now he is often called first as we call them based on how calm they are.
Winston is now the best of our dogs on leash. He always walks loose leashed at our side and when we stop he takes a step or two back to stand behind us (most of the time). Angie asked us to demonstrate Winston's progress with Ashley and to have her handle him (to make sure all of his training is transferable) since Ashley is our back up foster.
Ashley and I took Winston up on Kennesaw Mountain last weekend. We (easily) came in close proximity to 20+ children, many dogs and a diversity of people. He was very calm and well behaved. He only whined twice (and was corrected quickly). He never barked or got agitated. I hope I'm not exaggerating to say that Ashley was impressed. Ashley walked him and practiced stopping (and having him stay behind her by him stepping back). He did this perfectly with her and I showed her the force and speed of correction that Angie taught us.
Forrest, Ashley and I met up again to walk the dogs up a trail in Cartersville. We took four dogs and Winston was great. Forrest had him on the way up and I had him on the way down. He was loose leashed and perfectly behaved all the way. There was even a young boy on the narrow trail that reached out to touch him and I told him that Winston didn't like to be touched so he pet Luke instead.
We are thinking about bringing him up to see you guys for a short time next weekend and then will start bringing him on Sundays until he gets used to all the commotion. It would be beneficial to remind the volunteers not to touch him since he is still in training. I have the e-mail where you recommended the wording and will respond to that tonight.
Thanks again for your support of Winston.
Christine and Forrest
Savannah Belle
We are still enjoying the wonderful dog we have in our home after you worked your magic with Savannah Belle. She was an aggressive, domineering, recalcitrant and often times vicious dog. This is not characteristic of a female, black Lab. When we first brought her home from her fourteen-day training stay with you she was and is the perfect, loving, and gentle dog for which her breed is known. However, she soon regressed partially to her old demeanor. We confess that we did not follow through with the correct collar and consistent training as you directed after her first stay with you. She regressed because of our failure, not hers. However, since her subsequent one night boarding with you, we suddenly got the message. Since then we have been consistent in the training that you taught us and she has become an absolute delight. She comes when called most of the time. She walks on a least like an obedient school honor graduate. She spends long periods of time with us at “zero” and is attentive and affectionate. Thank you for your expertise and your genuine and obvious love for our dog and all those in your care. Your talent, skill, and dedication have made us a deliriously happy threesome. We whole-heartedly recommend the Atlanta Dog Whisperer to any one with a problem dog.
Frank and Jerrie Miller