Coues 'n' Sheep Report post Posted April 21, 2008 It is that time of year..... and the snakes are out!!! I was out in the woods a while back with my new pup (Sheila) when we came nose to nose with a large bull snake and she had NO fear. Snakes always creep me out, cuz I have had a few close calls. Knowing full well that Sheila will be going to the woods/lake/desert with me all the time I felt that I needed to get some "snake avoidance training" ASAP..... I am fortunate that my Dad is a professional bird dog trainner, so I knew who to call! ..... Mom!!! I made the long trip to Chino Valley today and am feeling alot more prepared for the summer months ahead and any snakes we may meet along the way. If you you love your dogs like I do find some one in your area who has a GOOD reputation with that sort of thing and get it done!!! FYI.... if not done right "snake avoidance" is a complete waste of time. Sheila's lesson: Bringing the snake to the field. Sheila waits for her turn to check out Mr. Rattles.... The walk..... Aw Dang! As soon as she smelt that sucker she ran right up there and put her nose on him!!! After a check.... and a double check, she got some love and a treat from Gram! And of course, Mom wanted to keep her ... But she says that to all the dogs.... My Dad has done this to every dog I have had in recent years and I can tell you it is cheap insurrance for you and your pet. I also had Sheila "mico-chipped" today.... I have put, too much love & work into her to lose her and not be able to get her back! I know..... not all dogs are out and about as much as she is, but any Arizona dog could benifit from the two simple things I had done for my dog today! Contact your local dog trainer to find a snake avoidance clinic near you and your vet can do the micro-chip... unless your Mom can do it for you.... CnS Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
IHunt2live Report post Posted April 21, 2008 Defiantly a must for all gun dogs and it works GREAT. But remember that there is still always the risk they get bit. I had my female pup snake avoidance trained but she was just unlucky one day out and got bit as she ran past one not know it was there. My dad has told me stories of his dog growing up and one of them kept messing with ratters even after the training and being bitten a few times. He also had a friend who had a Springer spaniel up in North Dakota that had a grudge against porky pines and every time he ran into one he’d try to kill it. Some hard headed/dumb dogs out there. Anyway, sorry about the long windedness. Now you can take her out all summer to help look for sheds. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
firstcoueswas80 Report post Posted April 21, 2008 I love taking my dog out scouting with me as much as he loves to go but I get nervous in the summer months for that reason! I had never had a run in with a snake until one day north of Arivaca lake last year. I almost brought my dog with me but decided to leave him at home.. well, i was walking back to meet up with my dad at the boat when a 3-4' long Rattler coiled up at me wanting to eat me for breakfast..... Needless to say, he met 155 grains of .40 Smith and Wesson right to the mouth.. wasnt a big fan of it either! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Red Rabbit Report post Posted April 21, 2008 Rattlers have made appearances at two archery 3D shoots in the past two years- one at Willard Springs and one in Camp Verde. Both have turned into reinforcement training opportunities Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SilentButDeadly Report post Posted April 21, 2008 Briggs has stepped on a rattler before - fortunately he was running, and the bugger struck at nothing but air... We've had a few run ins with um now, and he's shown no interest in them. I let him sniff a bullsnake once hoping it would bite him and teach him a lesson - he took one sniff and ran away from it... Anybody get that Red Rock Biologics vaccine??? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Basser15 Report post Posted April 21, 2008 Great reminder. Just had mine rechecked a couple of weeks ago just to help reinforce the idea that snakes are BAD! We had a close call two years ago when he decided to retrieve the "moving stick" that was swimming across the river...fortunately he grabbed it close enough behind the head that it couldn't reach around and get its fangs in him. And this leads me to a question for some of you who might know since I've heard several versions: Do rattlers have to strike from a coiled postion to inject venom? Don't see why they couldn't but I've talked to some people who swear that they can't. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jackshoe Report post Posted April 21, 2008 Briggs has stepped on a rattler before - fortunately he was running, and the bugger struck at nothing but air... We've had a few run ins with um now, and he's shown no interest in them. I let him sniff a bullsnake once hoping it would bite him and teach him a lesson - he took one sniff and ran away from it... Anybody get that Red Rock Biologics vaccine??? I have a Vizsla and I have had him snake trained and also given him the vaccine since he was a puppy and started hunting. I have heard of people saying their dogs had reactions to the vaccine, but I know of four hunting friends and my dog that have had the vaccine with no ill effects. the guy who recommended the vaccine to me had search and rescue dogs and he wasn't selling the vaccine- he had seen three search dogs bitten that had the vaccine - all had very minor swelling and sickness from the snake bite. I think it's worth the risk- I would hate to lose my pardner!! Jackshoe Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jeepers creepers Report post Posted April 21, 2008 I just got a new pup too. He's only 2 1/2 months old, but I am highly concerned about taking him out this summer because of those darn rattlers!!! I can't wait until he is old enough to bird train! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jackshoe Report post Posted April 21, 2008 I just got a new pup too. He's only 2 1/2 months old, but I am highly concerned about taking him out this summer because of those darn rattlers!!! I can't wait until he is old enough to bird train! I think most of the bird dog pups are curios about snakes-my dog Delbert had the same reaction as Sheila the first time he smelled a snake-wanted to run over and see what made this interesting smell by snuffling it-like they do everything that smells like something they aren't familar with-be careful with your pup. I didn't snake train my dog until he was about eight months old-don't think it would be a good thing on a small puppy. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Coues 'n' Sheep Report post Posted April 22, 2008 I just got a new pup too. He's only 2 1/2 months old, but I am highly concerned about taking him out this summer because of those darn rattlers!!! I can't wait until he is old enough to bird train! I think most of the bird dog pups are curios about snakes-my dog Delbert had the same reaction as Sheila the first time he smelled a snake-wanted to run over and see what made this interesting smell by snuffling it-like they do everything that smells like something they aren't familar with-be careful with your pup. I didn't snake train my dog until he was about eight months old-don't think it would be a good thing on a small puppy. Sheila is almost 6 months and yeah she will not be sticking her nose anywhere near a rattler now! I have no idae what a good age is for Snake Avoidance Training.... I'd have done it a month ago if it would have worked out. Just feel better knowing that she isn't gunna run up there to check one out now. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
IHunt2live Report post Posted April 22, 2008 I think any age is the right age for the snake avoidance training. I think it would be smart if the pup was well introduced with the feild though. You don't want your dog thinking it will have that "intense" of an incounter when it goes out. Some dogs may not be affected but it may take some a long time to get over it. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kmwellslv Report post Posted April 22, 2008 Great reminder. Just had mine rechecked a couple of weeks ago just to help reinforce the idea that snakes are BAD! We had a close call two years ago when he decided to retrieve the "moving stick" that was swimming across the river...fortunately he grabbed it close enough behind the head that it couldn't reach around and get its fangs in him. And this leads me to a question for some of you who might know since I've heard several versions: Do rattlers have to strike from a coiled postion to inject venom? Don't see why they couldn't but I've talked to some people who swear that they can't. rattlesnakes along with all pit vipers can inject venom whenever they feel it necessary. Body position has nothing to do with how much venom they release if they release any at all. it always cracks me up to see big bad a** dudes scared of a lil snake. they dont have magic powers, just step away!!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Coues 'n' Sheep Report post Posted April 23, 2008 Great reminder. Just had mine rechecked a couple of weeks ago just to help reinforce the idea that snakes are BAD! We had a close call two years ago when he decided to retrieve the "moving stick" that was swimming across the river...fortunately he grabbed it close enough behind the head that it couldn't reach around and get its fangs in him. And this leads me to a question for some of you who might know since I've heard several versions: Do rattlers have to strike from a coiled postion to inject venom? Don't see why they couldn't but I've talked to some people who swear that they can't. rattlesnakes along with all pit vipers can inject venom whenever they feel it necessary. Body position has nothing to do with how much venom they release if they release any at all. it always cracks me up to see big bad a** dudes scared of a lil snake. they dont have magic powers, just step away!!! Sparky.... you are a man of Great wisdom.... but I will continue to be spooked by rattlers! I have had some close calls... moving fast and seeing them at mid-step and committed to stepping "on them"... A little fear is very healthy! Now my dog will have a fair chance to avoid them, also. CnS Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
HC2 Report post Posted April 23, 2008 WOW Gino! Shelia has gotten so big, since the last time I saw her! I think that it's so good that you got that done. That way she knows what to do, unlike another puppy I know who got bit and ended up dying just last month. So its all worth it in the end. The other day we had a snake encounter in our backyard and Buddy just stayed away and barked until my Dad, ( Huntin' Couse) got to that snake. So like I said its all worth it. So even know my dog didn't have it done, we just got lucky( and he's to chicken to go up to one) and not everyone is so lucky. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
