RATTLESNAKE! Now that’s a word that can send shivers down the best of us.
How do we save our dogs from rattlesnakes? In many parts of the United States the rattlesnake is an unseen enemy that can strike on a moments notice. Whether our dogs are free running or leashed we are the ones to save our dogs from a rattlesnake bite. But how do we do that?
Train your dog. It may save his life.
Dogs are mostly curious and many are Happy-Go-Lucky as they go roaming around in the fields you train or hunt in. Most are very happy to go on a leashed walk with you. But are they on the alert for the rattling sound of an angry rattlesnake? No…not unless you’ve trained them to be.
Rattlesnake Avoidance Training is specialized training that teaches your dog the sound of a rattlesnake is a sound that can hurt him. It teaches him to be aware, while he’s doing his everyday things, that a rattlesnake may appear in that crevice in the rocks, in the middle of a field or even in his own backyard.
The curious dog will go towards something he doesn’t know. Sadly, that thing he doesn’t know may kill him or make him horribly ill while handing you a high vet bill.
Rattlesnake avoidance training typically uses low grade electrical stimulus via an electronic collar. Through various means and methods, your dog will be introduced to the sight, smell and sound of rattlesnakes. He will learn that the sight, smell and sound of a rattlesnake is something to be avoided at all costs. The training is quick and effective. You may want to do an annual refresher course to reinforce the training but for many dogs once is enough. In this case it’s pretty much like “Once bitten – twice shy” without being bitten.
Another benefit to his rattlesnake avoidance training? The majority of dogs will speedily react to the sound of a rattlesnake when they have gone through the training. Their instant reaction will be to get away from it as soon as possible. We call this reaction “Alerting.”
The Alerting action of your dog, when you are with him, may very well save your life. Not only will he want to get away from the snake, he will be alerting you to DANGER, saving your life and his.
Be safe out there and, as always, feel free to drop me a line.
Sam