Snake Proof Hunting Dogs

[lizziedog1]

I have a hunting dog I take on my adventures. There are rattlesnakes here and luckily my dog has not had an encounter with one. I talked to my vet about this.

His practice has rattlesnake vaccination available for canines. After a couple of injections this stuff is suppose to minimize the harm caused by rattlesnake venom. He also mentioned there are rattlesnake avoidance training for dogs.

Apparently they slap an electric collar on your dog. Then they place a live rattlesnake in a container so that a dog can sense and approach it, but the snake can't get at the dog. When the dog gets close to the serpent, they hit it with a heavy dose of electricity. After one or two times the dog then avoids any snake they spot.

I was also talking to this other guy that employed a bull snake to train his dog. He said he placed the snake in the open. His dog went to investigate and the snake gave the dog a couple of good nips. It wasn't poisonous, but it startled the dog well enough that it now doesn't go near any snake.

So, what methods have you all emlyed to snake-proof a hunting dog? What seems to work?

 

[CathyGo]

The rattlesnake vaccinations have been connected to a lot of vaccine reactions. Throughly research it beyond asking your vet before agreeing to give it to your dog. Many vets are WAY undereducated on certain vaccines that are more prone to causing reactions.

Read this to get a good idea on not only the severity of some reactions but the way the company that produces it treats reaction reports: http://www.i-love-dogs.com/forums/d...accine-improperly-administered-vaccine-2.html

Snake proofing works in most cases. You will know where a snake is in the field by the way your dog scoots away as fast as he can manage if it's done right.

 

[16shells]

I will second CathyGo's advise regarding the need to research the rattlesnake vaccine before going that route. As with any vaccine, it is important to weigh the benefits and risks for your specific situation.

In my experience avoidance training is usually effective, but I strongly recommending going with a professional who has experience and positive outcomes with this type of training. The set-up of the training and the timing of the aversive consequence is critical in getting the results you want and none of the results you do not want (e. g. fear of anyone who looks like the person doing the training). In my opinion, there are many dog trainers out there who have more confidence than competence.

 

[Jeff F]

They do rattlesnake avoidance training for dogs at Capitol City Trap off Arrowhead Dr in Carson City a couple times a year. I have a 1 1/2 year old chocolate lab mix that I want to have snake proofed. I will look into when the next date is and let you know. I have been told it is very effective.

 

[oneounceload]

They do rattlesnake avoidance training for dogs at Capitol City Trap off Arrowhead Dr in Carson City a couple times a year. I have a 1 1/2 year old chocolate lab mix that I want to have snake proofed. I will look into when the next date is and let you know. I have been told it is very effective.

Yep - it used to be run by Quail Unlimited and they do a heck of a job - watched several dogs got through it a few years ago there; they got amazing results...............If they just coulda trained my dogs to not go sniff up a skunk............

 

[Smokey Joe]

Avoidance training...

One Ounce Load--You said,

If they just coulda trained my dogs to not go sniff up a skunk............

Generally the skunks will handle the avoidance training for that, for no fee, even!

BTW, in case you need the info: One quart of homemade tomato juice, applied to the dog in question, inside a shower stall, will just about de-skunk a regular-sized Labrador retriever. Follow that up with dish detergent and plenty of rinsing.

 

[oneounceload]

My stupid Elkhound I had at the time got "skunked" TWICE within 20 minutes walking, most likely by the same skunk. While a highly intelligent dog, he missed skunk school..........and I spent a LOOOOOOONG time trying to clean him, as they have an inborn-fear of water

Snake school, from what I saw as mentioned above, really seemed to work on everyone's bird dogs

 

[35 Whelen]

Some dogs are so oblivious, that in snake country, it's almost inevitable that they get bit. Where I live, rattlesnakes are everywhere...they're just a way of life, and eventually, I think all dogs get bit.
The good news is, that most dogs will easily survive a venomous snake bit providied the animal is bit forward of the shoulders. My German Shorthair pointer has been bit twice on the nose, and another mutt once on the nose. Their noses swelled up pretty bad, but we didn't even bother to take them to the vet and they're still with us.
So far my Border Collie has never been bit, but she's pretty much an exception as she more intelligent than your average dog. We did lose a 6 month old Border Collie a few years ago to a rattlesnake bite as she was bit in the shoulder.
I've heard of the snake vaccine, but our vet said no, no, no...that it is for the most part an ineffective gimmick.
35W

 

[H&Hhunter]

Rattle snake vaccine is unproven and has been deadly in too many dogs. My wife is a Vet and won't administer it in her clinic. First off she doesn't think it is effective against a deadly bite and secondly there have simply been too many deaths associated with this "vaccine". One of our vet techs lost two of her own dogs at once due to vaccine reactions from this stuff.

As far as snake proofing you dog I don't believe that there is such a thing. A lot depends on the dogs personality. I lost a German Hunting Terrier to a snake bite two after he'd been through "snake proofing". It might work with some dogs but with my hunting terriers it's a waste of time. I had a another male bitten by a rattle snake right after his "snake proofing" that one survived. But he was one seriously sick pup for a about a week.

BTW,

It's forward of the ears for the bite being survivable not the shoulders. If they get bit in the face/nose they generally survive. I can darn well guarantee you that if they get bit in the neck like my boy did they are most likely a dead dog.

And of course it depends on how much venom was injected as well and the size of the dog. You are always best off though if it's a facial bite.