Results tagged “snake bites” from Valley of the Dogs

None of us want to find something like this in our yard but as you know much of the southland is built upon desert land. And with the heat coming upon us like gangbusters the rattlesnakes will be out in force. With summer coming families will be out and about hiking, playing in the yard, you know...summer things.

So if you have a dog it is important that they learn to avoid rattlesnakes. And of course it's important that you know how to protect yourself and your family as well.

According to the Natural Solutions website, as more and more development displaces natural habitat, the rodents and the snakes that eat them, are forced to share the same area with humans and their beloved pets, and many casualties happen at or near home.

Most trainers use a variety of rattlesnake species that are indigenous to the area where you and your family live because every snake has a specific odor and pattern that your dog will recognize.

Training focuses mainly on the smell and the sound of the rattle. Using an electronic correction collar the dog is humanely subjected to negative stimulus each time he/she encounters the smell of the snake and its rattle.

During the third step of the training process, the dog is introduced to a live rattlesnake that has been safely muzzled. It is here that the dog must use sight, smell and hearing to fully recongnize the danger associated with rattlesnakes.

The final step involves the introduction of a small juvenile rattlesnake, which is incapable of rattling so the dog knows that a silent rattler does not mean NON-DANGEROUS.

You could also ask your veterinarian about the Rattlesnake vaccine although there is some controversy on that. I'm not so sure I'd go that route since it's definitely not fool proof. Regardless of getting the vaccine you'd still have to take major steps in the event your dog does get bitten.

Oh yeah...according to the information I found, you should take your dog to snake avoidance classes once a year. I'm not sure why though. You'd think that something like that would stick with them.

For more information on snake avoidance training with Natural Solutions, visit their website. Their schedule in the Los Angeles area is currently booked but if you call them or visit the website they can tell you about added classes in your area. The phone number is (760) 464-6792 .

For information on how to treat a dog that's been bitten go here. The information there is pretty cut and dry.

Here are some other training classes that I found

Mint Canyon Community School (Utility Field)
16400 Sierra Highway, Canyon Country

May 10 & 11
July 12 & 13
7 a.m. to 5:00pm at specific intervals
(661)297-0876

Here's a map:

Patrick Callahan Enterprises will hold classes in July at Top Rock Training Center in Acton and in Simi Valley in August.

For more information on rattlesnake avoidance and treatment for the human species (LOL!) Click here.

and by the way...the training can also work for other pets including cats, horses and llamas.