Took my 6-year-old Aussie, Taco, here for her instinct test this past Sunday and it was such a fun,…read morememorable experience! Our appointment was at 10:15am, and while the website says the test is about 15 minutes, I expected it to run longer (you're working with animals, after all). We ended up being there until about 12:30pm, and honestly it was worth every minute.
A few tips:
-Definitely bring an SUV if you can, the last stretch of dirt road is steep, bumpy with potholes, and super dusty.
-There are porta potties but no hand-washing station, so come prepared.
-Shade is limited, so bring a hat, sunblock, and plenty of water. And wear boots you don't mind getting dusty!
Now, about the trainers: anyone complaining about Paul really needs to get over themselves, lol. He's dry, sarcastic, and doesn't care about sugar-coating things- but he's good at what he does, and honestly I think he's hilarious. You're coming to a ranch to watch your dog tap into their primal instincts, not a spa retreat. It's gritty and authentic, exactly what you'd expect from someone teaching skills that working cowboys have relied on for generations.
We started with Paul, then switched to Janna in a more private area since Taco was distracted by other dogs in the big pen. Once she had fewer distractions, she absolutely thrived! she went in three times total and passed her instinct test on her very first day! Janna was amazing with her. The way she spoke about dogs was so soft, thoughtful, and full of love. you can tell she really cares about each dog as an individual. Her patience and gentle approach made the whole experience feel special, and Taco clearly felt comfortable with her.
And for anyone spreading misinformation about Janna's GoFundMe being a fraud: her facility in Malibu really did burn down in the fires. It's sad how quick people are to make assumptions without knowing the full story.
Overall, Drummond Ranch was a fantastic experience. If you go in with realistic expectations, time runs differently here, it's dusty, hot, and not polished, you and your dog will have a blast. Taco sure did, and we'll definitely be back!