Upland Bird Dog: Rattlesnake Avoidance

"Rattlesnakes" by Alex Heindl from the University of Nevada.

Links to rattlesnake information.

If you spend much time outdoors especially in the Southwest, USA, you probably recognize this snake. This picture might even send chills down your back. If you identified the snake as a western diamondback rattlesnake you are correct. My first Pointer, Kiwi Magic, ran into seven rattlesnakes during her first summer. One was huge, it coiled about 1 and 1/2 foot (45 cm) tall at first I thought it was a bird. I moved very slowly because Kiwi was pointing at it. It took me some time to realize it was a rattlesnake because the snake's effective camouflage blended into the bushy background. I walked up slowly and grabbed the base of Kiwi's tail to prevent her from jumping in. Just then I heard the most deafening rattle. I had nightmares that night and the following morning I called Cabelas (sporting goods supplier) and ordered snake proof chaps. I wore those chaps all summer even though they were heavy and hot. I was relatively safe from rattlesnakes but I wasn't so sure about Kiwi. If she pointed them once, she might actually go in and try to get closer. In fact, she did just that on another rattlesnake. She acted like a mongoose with her head bobbing back and forth while the rattlesnake was coiled ready to strike.

I remember Bill West, a professional trainer, say he postulated a snake avoidance procedure during one of his seminars. The following summer, Bill and I put on a snake-break workshop. Using live rattlesnakes, we snake-broke over 60 sporting and non-sporting dogs.

Warning!!! Rattle snakes are very dangerous and can be fatal to both humans and dogs. Do not handle rattlesnakes. Do not attempt to snake-break dogs. The pictures and text below are for informational purposes only. The Nevada Department of Game and Fish as well as a herpetologist were there to oversee the training.

	These pictures were taken in Las Vegas, Nevada. Professional trainers Bill Gibbons (Phoenix, Arizona), Bill West (Quitman, Texas), and myself conducted a snake avoidance training. Bill Gibbons and I snake-breaking a German Shorthair Pointer (GSP). I brought the dog down wind in order for it to smell, see and hear the snake. When the GSP investigated the snake it was then stimulated with an adverse stimulus by an electronic collar (e-collar).
Bill West and I snake-breaking a Brittany, similar to the GSP above. This Brittany is still quite interested in the rattle snake. Once again, I brought the dog down wind of the rattle snake. Notice that Bill has his hand on the remote transmitter and ready to stimulate the dog. Timing is critical. The dog quickly makes the association with the adverse stimulation to the rattle snake. At the end of each session, all the dogs wanted to leave the rattlesnake alone. Dogs learn quickly that the smell and the sound of a rattlesnake is very unpleasant. This technique of snake avoidance has a lasting effect on dogs. Years later, they still remember that snakes are to be avoided.

Schedule for Snake Avoidance Workshop

Currently, we are scheduled to have several snake avoidance workshops for 2005. Please call the clubs below to register. You can also fill out the form and it will be forwarded to the host clubs. I will be conducting the snake avoidance workshop as it was taught to me by Bill West.

Form for Snake Avoidance Workshop

Bob Burkhardt's Good Dog Training School, March, April, May and other dates as the need arises in 2005. Please call Lynn at 858-735-8318 to register and for directions to the grounds.

These website links are for information only. UplandBirdDog.com does not endorse nor make no representation regarding the content, accuracy and suitablity of any information, nor the safety or products found there.

Aubrun University College of Veterinary
Snake bite treatment for field dogs.

Protocols for Managment of Venomous Snakebites
Worldwide Protocols for Managment of Venomous Snakebites from the University of California at San Diego.

Arizona Herpetological Association
General information on rattle snakes and things to do and not do if bitten.

Palm Beach Herpetolgical Society
From the University of Forida, first aid.

General information on rattle snakes
Life cycle and range of California rattlers