Rattlesnake Avoidance Training

[Moses]

Hey All,
Haven't posted much and finally found something worth asking....

My pup was bite a few weeks ago by a rattler while we were visiting my son in Montana.  He's ok now but I'd like to get him into a snake avoidance class.  Saw them offered in MT but haven't found anything in Western Wa.  Any suggestions?

Thanks

[boneaddict]

Get a bullsnake.  They very much mimic a rattler, let the dog see it, then beat the dog to a pulp.....(ok, thats not PC) but you probably know what I mean.   He probably won't bother another snake.  The rattler may have taken care of that for you.


thats the redneck way

[Special T]

I was talking to Ryan Fortier , Long hollow Retrievers where my Chief is at training, and he said he used to catch one and defang it... Then put the dog on the snake while the dog is wearing a E collar.. When the snacke struck  shock the hell out of the dog... Rarely need to do twice... if don't want to do it give him a shout he's in Ellesburg and could probably do it for you...

[corktex]

I was talking to Ryan Fortier , Long hollow Retrievers where my Chief is at training, and he said he used to catch one and defang it... Then put the dog on the snake while the dog is wearing a E collar.. When the Snake struck shock the hell out of the dog... Rarely need to do twice... if don't want to do it give him a shout he's in Ellesburg and could probably do it for you...

                                                                                                                                                                           I've heard of people defanging rattle snakes for this purpose,but it's pretty dangerous and the fangs grow back! Your snake aren't near as big as the ones in Texas,but bone has a pretty nice one(bull snake) getting after his chickens I bet he would love to grab for you!

[Special T]

I'm sure a bull snake with a rattle on its tale might have the same effect... Ryan may have done more than just defanged them...

[Moses]

Thanks all! 

[Happy Gilmore]

I was talking to Ryan Fortier , Long hollow Retrievers where my Chief is at training, and he said he used to catch one and defang it... Then put the dog on the snake while the dog is wearing a E collar.. When the snacke struck  shock the hell out of the dog... Rarely need to do twice... if don't want to do it give him a shout he's in Ellesburg and could probably do it for you...

Probably de-fanged and took out venom sacs- still freakin' wrong!! I hate snakes- they make me scream like a little girl!

Thanks for taking the dog/cat food donation up to Noah! Good meeting you in person-even though I'm pretty sure I know you from years back somewhere at Central! Talk to you soon- looking forward to meeting Chief- PG

[Chessie_Guy]

Kill rattler.  Throw on ground.  Let dog out.  When dog sniffs rattler, hit him with a 5-clip (or hottest you got) on the e-collar.  Like someone said, might take a few times, but he'll get it.

[Gobble]

Nearly lost my lab pup to one in Cle Elum a few years back. It was a big Timber Rattler and it was sitting in the middle of the road we were grouse hunting on. My pup was only 3 mos old and once he saw the snake he bolted right for it, this thing was huge. Thank god I was able to intercept it before he got bit. The snake got to see the barking end of my shotgun at close range  

[Curly]

I got lucky with my lab.  For some reason he had a natural fear of rattle snakes.

My wife and I were camping at Roosevelt Lake one time and were taking a walk with the dog around the campground when Skeet sniffed in a bush and when he noticed the rattler, he jumped back as fast as he could.  I couldn't believe it.  This is from a dog that had not learned his lesson on porcupines and had gotten a few of them, but for some reason he didn't like rattlesnakes.  The only thing I can figure is maybe he had tangled with one once before when we were hunting and I hadn't noticed it happen.....

[Billy]

You might try calling Pat Murphy at Northwest Performance Dogs, in Snohomish.  I was talking with him today, about the training my pup will be going through, and he mentioned he does snake avoidance training.  He also recommended the vaccine.  His contact info is:

www.northwestperformancedogs.com and (360) 862-8714.

Good luck with your pup. 

Billy