I took Wyatt and Jace yesterday over to a friends farm to do rattlesnake avoidence. I have done rattlesnake avoidence before with Cody and was NOT impressed, in fact the guy doing the training was heavy handed and actually shut dogs down period. I swore I would never do it again. So I went over with a bit of apprehension and prepared to just watch how he did Dixie's dogs first. I watched him do both dogs and he was very kind and soft, he allowed the dogs to make the decision on if it was a good idea to go up to the snake or not, they where on a long line so there was no jerking or pulling the dogs to the snake, just the dog deciding it on their own. yes he did use electric collars, I questioned him on if he had done small dogs and he assured me he uses the lowest amount possible, I told him Wyatt is a softer terrier and I dont want him to shut down, he assured me that would not happen with the way he does it. So I figured why not.
He did Wyatt first, he sets the snakes in different sitsuations and walks the dog on this long line all over the large yard or property. The first encounter was with a snake in a box under a bush, the snake rattled, Wyatt went up to it and as the snake struck out he got a correction, sending him running away to the end of the line, they left that snake and came across a snake with its mouth taped shut, but could rattle and strike, Wyatt saw the snake and ran away, he brought him to the grass yard, and came across a small snake that did not rattle and was in the grass, he avoided it. BINGO! It worked! No upset dog, no shutting down, just a warning that these critters are not to be mucked with.
Jace was next, I know he is a harder dog and told the guy he was. He did the same thing with Jace that he had done with Wyatt, the snake in the box, he ran away from it when he got the correction when he went to sniff it, but he had a problem with wanting to get in the face of the 2 snakes that where loose. he came on the big snake that coiled, struck and rattled with curiousity, WRONG! he got a correction just as the snake struck at him, he ran away, but he turned around with his terrier tenacity to face the foe! he went up to the snake who was coiled, and striking at him and rattling, as he went to face off with the snake, he got a correction, he ran away and decided this quarry was not a good idea. He came across the snake in the grass and was hesitant, but he still made the decision to go check it out, he got a correction and changed his mind. he did finally decide rattlesnakes are not good quarry!
I was very impressed with this guy, he doesnt force the issue but allows the dogs to make the decision I like that!
I am not a big one for using electric collars, in fact I don't like them, but the alternative for this sort of thing is my dogs being bitten by rattlesnakes.
I talked to the guy and he is willing to do a clinic, so I am working on getting a date and making the arrangments, so everyone can also get their dogs done, I feel it is a very good investment. I will keep this group posted on the details.

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http://i8.photobucket...


http://i8.photobucket...

Does the guy have a webpage or any other information I can look at? I would be curious to read more.

Hi the El Cajon Schutzhund club is holding a rattlesnake class april28 or Quails unlimited later in june i think . if you look up
www.patrickcallaghan.com he lists many training sessions. We went hiking above Warner Springs this past weekend and came across our first of the season.

I'm glad you had a good experience. I have done a bit of research on this for our national breed club and just wanted to issue a friendly caution to be careful about who you go to for training. Patrick Callaghan has the highest credentials and the most experience of any other RSA trainer I know of; we are signed up for a refresher course with the Schutzhund Club. We went last year and had a good experience.

It's not really a "shock," the way we think of it, but it is an aversive technique. I believe in use of this to save a dog's life ... and this is certainly one of those instances. It makes an impression on the dog and that's what you want ... for them to associate that musk smell with danger.

So it takes years and years of training and perfecting the timing to do this appropriately. Patrick works with a handler who holds the dog so Patrick concentrates solely on the precise timing, while his wife walks with you on the sidelines and educates you on the way your dog alerts -- each dog is different. This way, you can learn the signals your dog gives when they smell the musk.

BTW, this training doesn't work for baby rattlers. My dog jumped over one on the trail last fall and also did this when he was a pup. The babies haven't developed their musk yet and their venom is very concentrated, plus they don't know when to stop excreting it. They are around in the fall and very scary!

If anyone wants more information, I have an article I wrote for our breed newsletter I would be happy to forward.

You can upload the article into the file section.

I have uploaded two articles in the Files section.

When I was living up in Bishop I did one of the quail unlimited courses with Hobbes and I'm very happy with the results. they had three snakes in cages. They took him out on a leash and walked near the first cage. He noticed the snake heard the rattle and went to investigate. At that point they gave him the shock and he fled to the end of the rope. Then it was on to the second cage under a box. he ignored the snake for awhile and then when he turned and moved towards it they shocked him again. by the third cage he got as far away from it as possible and sat facing away from the snake. The final test was to take him off the leash and have me call him while standing between him and the snakes. He ran 200 feet south of the cage and came to me from behind. So I'd say he wanted nothing to do with the little buggers. I know the training has held because he leads when we are on trails and we have come across several snakes. He will be walking and then suddenly freeze, whine a bit, look back at me for confirmation, and then come back to me and sit. I have to tell you it's really helpful to have another set of eyes on the trail when you are avoid rattlers. He hasn't quite made the distinction between snakes and lizards yet, so he gives a width birth to both. I'd recommend anyone living out here take there dog to one of these trainings. it could save both of you a lot of pain and suffering.

I think I'd like to try to get a refresher course for him, and really like the idea of the loose snakes. The cages seemed a bit staged, but they seemed to have worked.

http://www.patrickcal...
The April class is already sold out, but the june class is still open.
http://www.sdqu.org/...

I'm very glad all this information is being posted. There is also a rattle snake vaccination available. Don't know too much about it, so if anyone out there has used this method, let's hear from you. Is it effective?

A friend of mine does vaccinate for her dogs (she lives in the local moutain area). The vaccination is a two shot series, one month apart. It was necessary to vaccinate again in one year; the protocol is now every 6 months.

For anyone attending the Cedar Creek Falls Hike this weekend, please be aware of when to catch your dog before he puts his head into or under a bush or rock. It takes vigilance. The dog is usually stuck in the face from sticking his nose in the wrong place. We want to enjoy the hike (I know we will), and we want to be very careful about rattle snakes they have already been seen in the area.

The Quail Unlimited training is June 2nd and 3rd, so if you do want to participate, be sure to send your check in ASAP: http://www.sdqu.org/... There are some spots open.

The last session of the year is this weekend. It's at Greenhead Hunting Club in Pine Valley--619-473-8668. The cost is $70/dog. There are several spots open, both Sat and Sunday, and you can pay once you are there. See http://www.patrickcal.... and the group's message board for more info. I'm going this Sunday. If anyone else goes in the AM, we could drive up to Mt. Laguna so the dogs can relax after the ordeal--just let me know.