 Avoiding Snakes
#127749 - 02/04/2007 04:47 PM |
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I have read the past postings on this subject, and didn't see it mentioned. Can you train a dog to avoid snakes by useing the skin that it has already shed, verses a live snake?
With warm weather coming soon, we usually have a snake or two show up in our yard. Rat, viper and water moccasins and I would very much like to teach my dog to avoid them before he encounters a live one. Is there enough of a smell left on a skin for the dog to associate it with a live one?
Thanks,
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Re: Avoiding Snakes
[Re: PeggyBayer ]
#127755 - 02/04/2007 05:10 PM |
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Peggy,
That is actually a good question.
Since dogs work so much off scent, I believe that a good portion of advoidance training could be done with a snake skin.
However, it's worth remembering that a live snake may have movement which will trigger off a dog's prey drive - creating a "higher drive" situation that will create a higher level of distraction for the dog.
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Re: Avoiding Snakes
[Re: PeggyBayer ]
#127756 - 02/04/2007 05:10 PM |
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I have read the past postings on this subject, and didn't see it mentioned. Can you train a dog to avoid snakes by useing the skin that it has already shed, verses a live snake?
With warm weather coming soon, we usually have a snake or two show up in our yard. Rat, viper and water moccasins and I would very much like to teach my dog to avoid them before he encounters a live one. Is there enough of a smell left on a skin for the dog to associate it with a live one?
Thanks,
I've read a lot of snake-proofing methods, but this one:
http://www.beaglesunlimited.com/beagletraining_snakeavoidance.htm
fascinated me, with its inclusion of a tape of a rattler (along with a non-poisonous snake from a pet store).
I've also read about snake-proofing without an e-collar, by training the dog to alert to a snake, like a detection dog with drugs.
And here's another one with a tape:
http://www.cabelas.com/story-123/woodyard_snake_two/132/Snake-proofing%252Bwith%252Ba%252BRemote%252BTrainer.shtml
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Re: Avoiding Snakes
[Re: Connie Sutherland ]
#127760 - 02/04/2007 06:50 PM |
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Will,
How about if I add some movement to that skin by attaching it to the end of a something where I can make it move a little. Knowing my rott, that will catch his interest and bring him in closer.
Connie, good articles. Buying a harmless snake to set up my training is an option but I wonder where I would get a recording of the sound of a rattle snake.
I had three shepards years ago, one male and two females. The male and one female must of went after a rattler, the male was bit on the nose and the female got it on the neck. We figure the male was the first on bit since he swelled up much more then the female. Took both to the vet and they were given an anti venom shots and then I stayed up with them all night smearing DSMO over the bite areas every 30 minutes. Nasty smelling stuff but both dogs recovered just fine with no ill effects.
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Re: Avoiding Snakes
[Re: PeggyBayer ]
#127761 - 02/04/2007 07:01 PM |
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Re: Avoiding Snakes
[Re: Connie Sutherland ]
#127762 - 02/04/2007 07:15 PM |
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i was doing a cadaver search, late summer. We were walking around this pond, grass was about waist tall. Jack (the grave digger)stopped, then kind of walked sideways around this one area. I walked up to see what in the world caused that behavior. It was a Black snake, probably 6 feet or better, I jumped, then Jack jumped, then the deputy that was with me jumped and pulled his pistol. I asked him what in the world he was going to do with that, he said, not sure, but whatever scared you must have been spooky. He never did see the snake until I pointed it out. We let it slither away and went about our business. I've never trained him (the dog) to do that, and he works off leash. Next time, I'll be more aware if I see that behavior again.
DFrost
Any behavior that is reinforced is more likely to occur again. |
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Re: Avoiding Snakes
[Re: David C.Frost ]
#127765 - 02/04/2007 08:52 PM |
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I guess dogs can be different. Cyra's response to a 6 foot long black snake was to start chasing it as soon as she saw the motion. Fortunately I have a good recall (even if it is only a black snake)
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Re: Avoiding Snakes
[Re: Nancy Jocoy ]
#127766 - 02/04/2007 08:57 PM |
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I guess dogs can be different. Cyra's response to a 6 foot long black snake was to start chasing it as soon as she saw the motion. Fortunately I have a good recall (even if it is only a black snake)
Yes, when I read about David's dog, I thought about how many people seem to have an atavistic aversion to snakes....... I never knew that some dogs did too! But I guess some do.
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Re: Avoiding Snakes
[Re: Connie Sutherland ]
#127770 - 02/04/2007 10:18 PM |
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I'm very interested in Connie's training a dog to alert on finding a snake. We find diamond backs frequently in the local National Guard training area. Everyone here teaches avoidance, but for me, it seems silly for the dog to know a poisonous snake is near and have him keep it to himself. Also, I wonder if avoidance "could" interfere with a rescue/recovery operation.
Red Thomas
Mesa, AZ
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Re: Avoiding Snakes
[Re: Red Thomas ]
#127807 - 02/05/2007 11:02 AM |
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I'm very interested in Connie's training a dog to alert on finding a snake. We find diamond backs frequently in the local National Guard training area. Everyone here teaches avoidance, but for me, it seems silly for the dog to know a poisonous snake is near and have him keep it to himself. Also, I wonder if avoidance "could" interfere with a rescue/recovery operation.
I tried to find that again. It was something by Karen Pryor (marker/clicker training). Sorry. I usually have a better file system. 
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