RATTLESNAKE ALERT

RATTLESNAKE AVERSION TRAINING

FOR DOGS - Salt Lake City, UTAH

Why rattlesnake aversion training?

You will be able to put your mind at ease whether you are playing or working with your canine in rattlesnake terrain. Typically, upon seeing and/or hearing a rattlesnake in the wild, a dog’s first instinct is to approach it for further investigation with it’s nose. This unfortunately results in either the dog or the snake getting bit, injured or possibly killed. After completing aversion training, the dog will be able to identify a rattlesnake through its senses of sight, sound and smell and avoid the snake altogether. Ideally, this will also alert you, the owner, to the potential danger ahead.

Why this training?

This proven method of Snake Safe training, developed by Web Parton, has been in practice for about 40 years. Defanged rattlesnakes are used so your dog can be in close proximity to a rattlesnake without worry of being envenomated. This will ensure the dog is able to see the snake move around, hear the rattle clearly, and most importantly pick up the distinct smell of the rattlesnake. At least two different species of rattlesnakes are used to cover the gamut of different scents among species. Once I am confident that your dog can identify a rattlesnake, I will apply low level stimulation from an e collar to simulate a bite. Measures are taken to make sure the dog understands that it is the snake that is “biting” it. Once I feel confident of this, we will do a final test to make sure the training was effective. After this training, your dog will remember to avoid this present danger for the rest of it's life.

For a deeper dive into why this method of aversion training is recommended, please click on the METHOD link.

Great Basin Rattlesnake

Learning to identify a rattlesnake through smell

Discovering a rattlesnake for the first time

Rattlesnake factoids:

Rattlesnakes don't want to harm us

Rattlesnakes do not seek out humans or dogs so they can attack us. They would much rather be left alone and save their venom for killing prey. Most venomous snake bites in the US are caused by humans startling the snake or trying to handle it.

how to identify a rattlesnake

The most distinguishing characteristic of a rattlesnake is it's rattle. They do not always use their rattle before they strike. Very young rattlesnakes may only have one “button” which will not make noise. Rattlesnakes tend to protect their rattle by raising it in the air as they move around. Other snakes may mimic a rattlesnake by vibrating their tail. Another characteristic of a rattlesnake it a triangular shaped head which leads into a narrow neck and fat body.

rattlesnakes are important to our environment

Rattlesnakes help to keep an ecological balance by feeding on mice and rats. These rodents carry diseases, ruin crops and can destroy personal property. We would be overrun by these nuisance mammals without the presence of rattlesnakes.

rattlesnakes can't hear us

Rattlesnakes do not have ears. They have three ways of detecting an approaching object. A rattlesnake will either see you, feel you coming though vibrations in the ground or detect you through heat sensors in the pits located behind their nostrils.

what to do if you or your dog is bitten by a rattlesnake

Remain calm! If possible, immobilize and keep the affected area below the heart. Remove any articles that may harm the dog if the area swells (collar, handkerchief, etc.) As quickly and calmly as possible, make your way to the nearest hospital or veterinary clinic that stocks antivenin. Anything else you have read about how to treat a venomous snake bite in the field is outdated and will likely cause more harm than good.

I introduced Sam to a rattlesnake 3 years after his initial training. Here is the result:

Rattlesnake Alert 2827 S 2300 E Salt Lake City, UT 84109 mike@swimatbarleys.com 801-598-0232