University of California Cooperative Extension is exploring the use of trained dogs as a tool to detect and control rodent populations, according to an April 10 announcement. The initiative was demonstrated at the Vertebrate Pest Conference 2026 in San Diego, where JJ, a yellow Labrador retriever, showcased his ability to identify rats and mice on a local flower farm.
The approach comes as California enacts laws limiting the use of certain toxic rodenticides. This has prompted researchers and farmers to seek alternative methods for pest management that reduce environmental risks. University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources (UC ANR) supports sustainable practices that aim to strengthen resilient ecosystems and economic vitality, according to the official website.
JJ’s handler, Mark Vick from Working Dogs for Conservation, said: “The superpower of a dog is the way it interprets and communicates information so we can really use it.” During the demonstration at Mellano & Company’s flower farm in San Diego County, JJ helped locate evidence of rodent activity by using his sense of smell around buildings and fields. Farm owner Mike Mellano said rodents damage irrigation hoses on his property: “Once they chew them up, you lose system integrity. You get leaks. You lose uniformity. There’s excess water. Poor crop performance. Lower yields.”
Niamh Quinn, UC Cooperative Extension advisor specializing in human-wildlife interactions who organized the field tour, said: “We know dogs can do fantastic things… Dogs have potential.” Quinn also noted that using dogs could help land managers identify rodent activity before infestations grow severe while reducing reliance on highly toxic measures.
According to Pete Coppolillo, executive director of Working Dogs for Conservation: “While you watch JJ work… you can see him lift his nose up then drop it down again. His ears go up or he just starts wagging his tail.” After following JJ’s signals during the demonstration, Vick explained that although one entry point was no longer active based on scent cues from JJ, further searching revealed nesting areas behind stacked boxes inside a building.
Quinn pointed out that field demonstrations are key elements in UC Cooperative Extension’s problem-solving approach: “I was trying to open people’s eyes about alternative management options for rodents.” She added that public pressure against pesticide use gives new relevance to old methods such as rat-catching dogs but emphasized more research is needed: “Our integrated pest management toolbox is becoming increasingly limited due to pesticide legislation in California… It’s important we explore whether alternative tools are viable—but we need data showing if they work.”
UC ANR manages its Cooperative Extension services as part of the University of California system according to its official website. The organization operates nine research and extension centers representing diverse ecosystems across California according to its official website, conducts over 33,800 educational events annually with more than 18,400 volunteers engaged according to its official website, secures funding through public contributions according to its official website, and has gained recognition for linking research with community needs according to its official website.
