Dogs and Owners Learn to Team up Against Attack

A young woman walks her dog in the still desert morning. Enjoying this quiet time, the woman doesn't notice a man crossing the field towards her. Her dog does.

The man draws closer, and, after a few admiring glances, decides he wants more than to look. As he draws abreast of the woman, he suddenly reaches for her.

But before the man can grab the woman, the docile family dog at her side bares its teeth with a snarl and prepares to attack the assailant upon command.

Second thoughts immediately enter the would-be-attacker's mind as he is suddenly faced with this canine persuader, barking and snarling its
warning. Realizing that the bite may be worse than the bark, the man backs down and hurries away.

The young woman hurries home, shaken, but untouched by the would-be rapist.

The above scenario is similar to the recent experience of Candy O'Brien of Apple Valley. She, too, has a dog
trained to provide rape protection that thwarted the advances of her assailant.

The dog and four others trained in family and property protection were put through their paces by trainer Steve Welch at the home of Nancy O'Brien, Candy's mother, in Apple Valley Saturday.

Welch teaches rape prevention courses consisting of basic self defense and use of the family dog for protection. These dogs are not vicious attack or guard dogs, Welch insists. "The dogs I train are family dogs," said Welch.

The dogs are taught how to best protect their owners, and to respond to the owners' command even in the confusion of an attack. They are trained to respond in a threatening situation, yet remain friendly to the same person in a normal situation.

The dogs are not abused to make them mean.

"An overly aggressive dog may be trainable, but, if that dog is uncontrollable, it should be destroyed immediately," said Welch. "And any dog that is a danger to children should be destroyed."

The five dogs -- three Doberman Pinchers, one German Shepherd, and one mixed breed - in various stages of training, were used in the demonstration Three of the dogs are family dogs, and two are working dogs belonging to Welch. Welch also trains dogs for use by law enforcement agencies.

Wearing padding to protect their arms, Welch and his son, Jeff, played the part of the attackers, while the dog owners played the victims.

About 25 people came to observe the session. Many brought their dogs, and Welch followed the hour and a half demonstration by checking some of them for training potential in one of his courses.

Obedience training is a prerequisite to Welch's rape protection course.
both courses are available for a fee.  Owners train their own dogs and must be willing to work their dogs every day as well as attend all the classes.

"I would suggest that a dog be over 30 pounds for greatest effectiveness, although I've trained smaller. I've seen some of those little dogs do a lot of damage," said Welch.

More information on the courses can be obtained by calling Steve Welch & Associates at 800-400-OBEY.