Someone told me that rock salt could be used to keep snakes
away from your yard, Kennel, childrens play areas. etc. Has
anyone heard of this? Tried this? Apparently, you spread the
rock salt about 10 inches from your kennel area, with a five or
six inch width path of salt around the perimiter. The snakes
get a burning sensation if they try to cross the salt.
I would like to give it a try. I know what a snake bite can do to
a dog, it happened to a Rotti of mine many years ago.So I am
snake paranoid. Any other ideas about keeping snakes off your
property or has anyone tried the rock salt?
Thanks
Betty Reavis

Just my opinion, i've owned pet snakes and that is a myth. The best thing is to keep the area clear of what a snake would like to live in or remove all food sources (e.g. places mice would hang out, etc) Similar to a dog with an electric collar on, it may not be comfortable but he could bolt through it if he wanted to.

William: Thanks for the input. Like so many things I guess it
sounded good. I live on four acreas at the foot of a mountain.
It would not be possible to keep it clear. We do however, keep
the grass short. I guess quick fixes are not a reality, I am
always looking at the ground when outside. I must admit I have
only seen 2 poisonous snakes in 20 years, but after my Rotti
got bit I am afraid for my GS now when she is in the yard.
Betty Reavis

Betty, where do you live and what type of snakes are common in your area? I'm not sure if this works for ALL kinds of snakes, but there are definitely trainers/facilities in the west & southwest that specialize in rattlesnake avoidance classes for dogs. Rattlers are obviously uniquely detectible by sound, but these classes also teach the dogs to be aware of the sight and scent of the snakes, so maybe it could apply to other poisonous varieties... having your dog trained to avoid these critters is probably easier than trying to keep them out of your property - and your dog will likely be able to spot them way before you do. Just a thought.

Here's one of many links I found on a quick search:
http://www.snake-avoidance.com/

(in the photo gallery there's even an image of a dog reacting to a Sonoran Toad... so other dangerous animals seem to be covered)

~Natalya

Natalya: I live in North Alabama. We have timber rattlers and
copperheads. There are no such classes in Alabama that I know
of, if there was I would make it a point to check it out, I have
seen this demonstration on TV I think Animal Planet had one on,
where a rattler was glass inclosed and a handler and dog
approached and the dog corrected for being snake curious. I
enjoyed the program. Its difficult finding things here in
Alabama, I'm still hunting a herding class!
Regards
Betty Reavis

Being that I live in Arizona where we have Diamondback Rattlesnakes, there are some snake proofing "classes" here. My neighbor took his boxers to this class, http://www.partnersdogtraining.com/our_snake_proofing.html

As a note, two weeks after the class, he was walking his dog and his dog ran after a diamondback and got bit, needing over $2000 worth of medical treatment. The dog is fine, but this goes to show these classes don't always work. I am in no way affiliated nor have I experienced the class myself so I cannot make any claims to the above school. My neighbor basically told me they had e collars on his dogs set to their highest setting and walked the dog up to a pit of rattlesnakes and as soon as they showed interest they shocked the hell out of the dog. I also know one other person who went there and their dog failed the class, it kept going back after the snakes. Again, being that I am not affiliated and have not experienced the class, I cannot make any claims about them. I am sure this type of training works for some dogs, but clearly it did not work for my neighbor's dog.

We have all types of critters here in Arizona I have to watch out for. Let me know if you do find a way to prevent snakes, scorpions, spiders, poisonous toads and/or anything else.

One more thing, I know there is a "vaccine" offered here in Arizona for Rattlesnake bites, but I am not sure all snake bites it is effective against. I am also not sure of the effectiveness against the venom it was designed for, and it may be worth researching if you are interested.

Mike Armstrong has posted about a class he's taken (or knows of) in So. Cal for snake proofing dogs. It's a long shot but possibly the trainer of that class knows of a class or trainer closer to you?

As for the rattlesnake vaccine...research that carefully. As I recall, there are side effects associated with that vaccine that owners should be aware of before getting it. There is also a question how effective it really is.

http://www.vmth.ucdavis.edu/vmth/clientinfo/info/genmed/vaccinproto.html

Keith: In my previous post I stated that I had a Rotti
that got bitten, we think, by a copperhead, his leg was so
swollen you couldn't tell what happened to him. I too had to
take him to the Emergency Clinic, cost a small fortune. I
picked him up in the morning and brought him to my vet for
further evaluation. It wasn't until 2 days later, after the
swelling went down that you could see the two puncture marks on
two area's of his right leg. Since he was the weight of a
person 120 lbs and didn't die, we just assumed it was a
copperhead which is less venomous than a rattler. I guess things
sometimes just happen and though we try to do our best we sometime fail. I would be willing to try anything to keep my
GS safe.

We've been to see Patrick Callaghan for the original visit and then to a "refresher" course a year later with a different person. When I go back again, I'll stick with Callaghan. It took about 5 minutes - the fastest $70 I ever spent, but it beats a $2K vet bill. I haven't had any rattlers in the yard this year yet, but it's about that time. I'd contact him for a possible referral in your area.

Mike