Is there a qualified rattlesnake avoidance trainer which offers training in our area?
I am willing to drive out of town to have my dog trained. I had a class scheduled 2 weeks ago in Simi Valley, but someone involved in the specific program was bitten before the class and they called me to cancel. I really need to get this done. Help!
COMMENT 199641
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2011-08-03 10:05 AM |
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Buy a nice E-collar and learn how to use it properly. It can save your dogs life.
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COMMENT 199648P
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2011-08-03 10:13 AM |
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What is an E collar?
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COMMENT 199656P
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2011-08-03 10:27 AM |
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An e-collar is a shock collar, i.e. electric sting/burn via remote control. It is totally inappropriate for the majority of behavior problems. In fact, it will cause many dogs more harm and behavioral problems unless used with a trainer's input. Sorry, I do not know the answer to the posters question, but I am a dog trainer and hate to see people rush out and buy a shock collar w/out a dog being evaluated first. As far as rattler training, people use it a LOT in the Southwest, and it works great!! It's basically lessons to teach the dog to go the other way when it sees a snake--not investigate and be bitten.
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COMMENT 199661P
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2011-08-03 10:33 AM |
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We drove to Norco to do this training a few years ago. http://socalrattlesnakeavoidancetraining.com/
Saturday, Aug 27, 2011
Where
Norco, CA (map)
Description
Please contact Linda at (951) 734-1957 to schedule an appointment!
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COMMENT 199669P
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2011-08-03 10:47 AM |
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I do not know about snake avoidance training, but it sounds like a good idea. I do use a spray collar instead of a shock collar. I only use it when my dog is ignoring two important commands she already knows - come and quiet. I have a steep hill in my yard and cannot always go get her Of course my pup thinks water sprayed in the face is the worst punishment ever!
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COMMENT 199674P
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2011-08-03 10:53 AM |
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The So Cal Rattlesnake Avoidance Training Group that 661P referred to is the group I had planned on using...until a rattlesnake bit one of their trainers 2 weeks ago! I don't want to use them per chance there was carlessness involved in this incident. It would be awful if my dog was bitten during the training process. I'm looking for another organization. I want to be thorough in my research and am in search of a group with an excellent safety record. Will "google" this and proceed. Thanks anyway!
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COMMENT 199679P
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2011-08-03 11:01 AM |
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well said 565p
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COMMENT 199689
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2011-08-03 11:28 AM |
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Don't believe the misinformation posted by 565P, there are many varieties of E-Collars and the vast majority of them do not use any sort of electric shock, sting, or burn. The statement that they cause harm is simply totally false. The better models offer a variety of feedback for your dog such as an audible cue or vibration. They are an excellent training tool and can save your dogs life in many situations. However I do agree with 565P that they MUST be used properly. If your dog can not follow commands while on leash they are not ready for off leash training using an E-Collar. Many dog lovers in SB use these collars and have nothing but good things to say about their experience.
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COMMENT 199717
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2011-08-03 12:29 PM |
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i live in the foothills and here's what i do with my cats and dogs. whenever we chance on a snake or big alligator lizard sunning in the road, i noticed that the animals have a natural curiosity AND fear, so when they get close i make a sound with my tongue like a rattler (hard to describe it in print) trtrtrtrtrtrtrtrtrtrtrtr; and the animals jump back as if they were scalded. then i say "LEAVE IT!" and we all move away. i've had lots of close encounters with rattlers on the property and the animals always give a lot of room to them.
stepping on one accidently when you're on a backcountry trail? well, that's part luck and part avoidance training.
good luck.
(ps. if you don't have live snakes lying conveniently around the house, i bet a rubber snake put out in various places "surprising" you and your dog as you walk around, might serve as an effective tool. when he shows curiosity, make the rattle snake sound and watch his reaction.)
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COMMENT 199818
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2011-08-03 04:28 PM |
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You might check with some vets in the Santa Ynez Valley to see if they have info on upcoming avoidance training. We had this done with our JRT some years ago at a ranch just outside of Solvang...
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COMMENT 199827
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2011-08-03 04:39 PM |
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The gentelman who would come to Santa Ynez and do the training, Patrick Callaghan, passed away last year. It looks like the people mentioned earlier, http://socalrattlesnakeavoidancetraining.com/,
do a similar training. @9717 ...a big part of what the dogs learn to fear is the smell of the snake. I doubt that a rubber snake would have the same effect.
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COMMENT 199854P
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2011-08-03 05:44 PM |
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689, etc - if you have to use a shock collar on your dog of any kind, you've failed as a trainer and as an owner because you don't understand the basics of dog motivation. People who use these are really woefully misinformed and there's no safe, humane or reliable way to use one of these devices. They are for lazy owners or those who are well meaning but who haven't learned enough yet about dogs and their behavior.
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COMMENT 199877P
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2011-08-03 06:48 PM |
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We are the ones who did the training at Norco. It was with Patrick Callaghan. The training was excellent and our dogs were in no danger. We had not heard he had passed away. Sorry.
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COMMENT 199884
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2011-08-03 08:02 PM |
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There's a clinic in Calabasas. Google: mountainstrust.org rattlesnake avoidance
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COMMENT 199963
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2011-08-04 08:03 AM |
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My brother once told this story - he put one of those shock collars on himself and ran around the side of the house toward the "invisible fence". Everyone present heard a blood-curdling scream. After that experience, he said that he would never ever put one of those things on an animal.
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COMMENT 199994
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2011-08-04 08:46 AM |
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679P - Where is 565p's well said comment??? Nanny note: they may have meant 656.. there is no 565 on this thread.
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COMMENT 200066
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2011-08-04 10:14 AM |
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We took our 14 lb. JRT to the training in Santa Ynez as well (about 3 years ago). It was terrible to watch. Our dog yelped loudly and LITERALLY flew 3 feet in the air each time she got shocked. The trainer called her a baby. She is definitely cautious about snakes now - we've only seen non-poisonous ones so far, she even backs off from suspicious looking sticks lying across a trail. I'm glad she is cautious now, but it was REALLY upsetting to watch their training methods.
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COMMENT 200119
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2011-08-04 11:24 AM |
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I researched this extensively after Patrick Callahan and his wife passed. I was able to get a hold of Jill who ran Patrick's clinics in Santa Ynez. She recommended the Socal rattlesnake avoidance training which is also called Natural Solutions Rattlesnake avoidance. She felt they were not as good as Patrick but the best out there currently and after going myself in March I agree. The trainer recommended also getting the vaccine on top of training. I also carry benadryl (allergic reaction) and prednisone (limits swelling until treatment) in my first aide kit when hiking in rattlesnake country. In regards to not being fond of shock training its nothing compared to what the dog will experience if bitten by a rattler. The avoidance training also makes hiking safer for you having a trained buddy on the trail. Hope this helps.
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COMMENT 200162
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2011-08-04 01:11 PM |
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Call the Ojai Humane Society. They have the # of a rattlesnake dog class teacher who gives classes throughout the area.
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COMMENT 200311P
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2011-08-04 05:27 PM |
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119, is there an actual vaccine for snakebite? How effective would it be?
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