Snake Avoidance Training

[JaSAn]

I will be camping and hiking with a beagle in West Texas and New Mexico this fall.
Is it advisable to get snake avoidance training for my dog?
- He is very inquisitive and likes to 'follow his nose'.
Any training I should look for or avoid?

Being from Northern Minnesota I am snake ignorant.
Anything else I should prepare for?

Thanks, Jim

 

[craig333]

I should get a refresher for my dog. Its insurance. Do it and you'll probably never need it. Considering how long it takes to get to a vet from some of the places we go I thought it was a good idea. The guy I used travels all over CA, AZ etc. Can't recall his name.

 

[RONR]

The short answer: I agree with Craig and recommend it if your heading into rattlesnake country with your dog. Especially a curious dog.

To me it’s peace of mind. Plus my wife has always made it clear that if I take the dog with me and something happens to the dog “don’t bother coming back”.

I’ve always had very mellow Golden Retrievers who probably need no training to stay away from a coiled up, hissing rattlesnake. But before I was aware of rattlesnake training, I was fishing and watched in horror as my golden stepped over a gently moving rattler. She didn’t mind and apparently the rattler did not either but I almost had a heart attack. Hence the beginning of rattlesnake trainings with my dogs.

I have used and highly recommend Get Rattled but they are only in California and Nevada. I was somewhat concerned about the use of the shock collar on my sweet Abby. So when I got to the first training I told the trainer that she was very gentle and very sensitive. He said good to know and dialed the shock down to lower levels. He said their philosophy was to set the collar to a level that was effective for the specific dog. At the trainings I’ve seen some dogs that lower shock levels just piss them off as they keep going for the snake. So they crank it up until the dog learns. So IMHO I would suggest a trainer that understands that not all dogs need it cranked up to a 10 on the first pass.

So with my dogs, because they just don’t seem to care about snakes let alone want to attack it, the goal has been to train them to be aware of the presence of a snake, stay away from it and certainly not walk over it.

Ron

 

[JWL]

I recommend it, and I too wonder if I should get a refresher course. A while back I was on a ladder in my back yard and my dog started barking, and wouldn’t stop. I got off the latter and there lying in the grass coiled up, 5 ft off the ladder was a rattle snake. It works!

 

[Wandering Sagebrush]

Jim, a big yes on avoidance training, and see your vet about a vaccination. I’d also carry Benadryl in your pack.

I have taken both my dogs through the training (Fritz x3 as I hunt him frequently in snakes terrain), both dogs get annual vax. Contact a NAVHDA chapter to find out who conducts training near you!

 

[rruff]

see your vet about a vaccination.

This study seems to show it doesn't help: https://www.dovepress.com/effects-of-the-canine-rattlesnake-vaccine-in-moderate-to-severe-cases--peer-reviewed-fulltext-article-VMRR

 

[Wandering Sagebrush]

This study seems to show it doesn't help: https://www.dovepress.com/effects-of-the-canine-rattlesnake-vaccine-in-moderate-to-severe-cases--peer-reviewed-fulltext-article-VMRR

Here in Oregon, the veterinarians I am associated with do recommend the vaccination. I care deeply about my dogs, and $30/year for any measure of protection is a reasonable expense.

Both NAVHDA (North American Versatile Hunting Dog Association) chapters I belong to offer annual snake aversion clinics, with vaccination if desired.

In life, we buy our tickets, and take our chances. I’m hoping for the best.

 

[teledork]

This study seems to show it doesn't help: https://www.dovepress.com/effects-of-the-canine-rattlesnake-vaccine-in-moderate-to-severe-cases--peer-reviewed-fulltext-article-VMRR

Oh, really?

"...unvaccinated dogs were 2.7 times more likely to have higher morbidity scores...."

"No statistically significant protective effect of the rattlesnake vaccine was suggested in our data, likely due to the small sample size of vaccinated dogs. The potentially life-saving benefits of this vaccine merit further study."
(^^^^^^^^this is an important statement - guess you missed that part)

I know - scientific writing can be tedious to read. It is even more tedious to write.

 

[teledork]

I vaccinate my dogs and carry Benadryl. I have wanted to do the aversion training but have not been able to schedule it. We don't encounter many rattlesnakes (and/or?) the Great Basin Rattlesnake is known for its retiring personality. I've had dogs (Lab, Golden and Aussie) step right over one without incident.

My best friend had a beagle - what a busybody! - but that is their job. If I had a beagle I'd make sure to get the aversion training.

 

[steve whiteside]

Ive had good luck with the rattle snake avoidance training. Went 2x with my last vizsla and 3x with my currently vizsla. Ton of snakes on my 160 acres of San Diego back country. It works in my opinion! The trouble for the OP is finding a class that fits with your travel schedule.

steve

 

[ramblinChet]

I don't have a dog in the fight, pun intended, so my observation is entirely objective. I am an educated professional and have spent much of my life reading and writing technical reports to include statistical analysis. In summary, this report suggests there is no statistically significant benefit to vaccinating a dog ahead of time.

One of my classes in the military was tropical survival where we discussed snakes extensively. The most at risk group happens to be a group of young men drinking and partying in the woods. Some one is going to try and catch that snake...

The most important factor seems to be time so have a plan and activate it immediately. Have addresses, phone numbers, etc. readily available.