Dogs
- Keep Your Pets Safe From Poisonous Creatures
By Ruthie Bently Growing up in northern Illinois, I didn’t see many venomous creatures, though my friends and I found a nest of baby rattlesnakes one day under a railroad trestle; we figured they’d fallen off a train car passing overhead. While venomous...
- Plants For Pets To Avoid
Spring is in the air and with this beautiful season follows the arrival of new flowers and plants. But beware - there are certain plants that just don’t belong in a home with pets. These are the plants that can cause everything from allergies to poisonings.I...
- The World's Most Colorful Snakes
The World's Most Colorful Snakes Twenty species of the most colorful snakes in the world. There are 15 families of snake, 456 genera and there are 2,900 species. The smallest snake, the Thread snake is just 10 cm long and the longest, Python...
- Snake Bites To Dogs: Prevention And Treatment
Snake bites to dogs can range from being nothing more than a nuisance to being a fatal injury. For those that live in rattlesnake territory, or regularly hike where rattlesnakes live, with their dog, an encounter with these reptiles is inevitable. You...
- Boa Basics: Columbian Red Tail Boa
Columbian Red Tail BoasThis fact sheet is for information purposes about the "Columbian Red Tail Boa" or Boa Constrictor as it is commonly known. There are several types and sub types of Red Tail Boa including CCB or BCC or Boa Constrictor Constrictor,...
Dogs
Snake Aversion Therapy for Dogs
Spring is in the air and with this beautiful season follows the arrival of rattlesnakes. If you live in the US, you’ve probably had at least one experience with snakes, and if you live in the Southwest, you’ve probably had a few.
If you’re out hiking with your dog and stumble across a rattler, what is the best course of action? First off, you should have your dog on a leash at all times – even while on a trailhead. This will help, but oftentimes, it won’t be enough. Snakes have a tendency to lie across the trail or out in the open where they can absorb the heat from the sun. They can be difficult to see if you’re not paying attention, so try to always pay attention.
If you’re dog attacks or doesn’t see it in time, and is struck by the snake, try not to panic. Get out of there, and if possible, carry your dog out. Adrenaline will increase heart rate, which will increase the spread of poison. Chances are good that your dog was struck in the throat, and if that’s the case, you need to ensure he or she can breathe. The poison will cause intense swelling, which can close off your dog’s airway. Get him or her to the vet as soon as humanly possible. Do not stop and try to suck out the poison (it doesn’t work and can end up killing you). Just get to a vet.
Of course, the best thing to do is teach your dog to avoid snakes altogether. This can be done through a series of snake aversion training by a certified trainer.
There are many ways to train a dog to avoid snakes, but aversion therapy is one of the best I’ve seen. Yes, it uses static electricity collars. Yes, it’s difficult to watch. Yes, it will likely save your dog’s life in the long run. The good thing is that it only needs to be done once in most cases. It’s a lesson they’ll remember for the rest of their lives.
A good trainer will teach dogs to avoid snakes using sight, sound and smell. Ensure that the trainer you use has a long line of references and positive feedback from previous clients. They will lead your dog through a “rattlesnake” course, using snakes that have been rescued from the backyards of terrified homeowners. The snakes should later be released into the wild – ensure you find a humane trainer who handles the snakes humanely.
Depending on the dogs reaction, there are several events that can occur. These depend on the training methods used. Snake aversion therapy is one of the few training events I would ever use a collar for, because it’s that important for the dog to associate a strong reaction with seeing or hearing or smelling a snake.
If you’re interested in taking your dog in for “snake aversion” therapy, check your local listings for a qualified, accomplished trainer who offers humane methods of training. Ensure that they treat the “volunteer snakes” well, and you’ll be in good shape.
It might just save your dog’s life....
ASPCA Poison Control Hotline
1-888-426-4435Note: There is a $60 charge for this service.
The National Animal Poison Control Center (NAPPC)
1-800-548-24231-900-680-0000Note: If you call the 1-900 number, the charge is $20.00 for the first five minutes, then $2.95/minute thereafter. If you use the 800 number, the charge is $30.00 per case.
Stacy Mantle
- Keep Your Pets Safe From Poisonous Creatures
By Ruthie Bently Growing up in northern Illinois, I didn’t see many venomous creatures, though my friends and I found a nest of baby rattlesnakes one day under a railroad trestle; we figured they’d fallen off a train car passing overhead. While venomous...
- Plants For Pets To Avoid
Spring is in the air and with this beautiful season follows the arrival of new flowers and plants. But beware - there are certain plants that just don’t belong in a home with pets. These are the plants that can cause everything from allergies to poisonings.I...
- The World's Most Colorful Snakes
The World's Most Colorful Snakes Twenty species of the most colorful snakes in the world. There are 15 families of snake, 456 genera and there are 2,900 species. The smallest snake, the Thread snake is just 10 cm long and the longest, Python...
- Snake Bites To Dogs: Prevention And Treatment
Snake bites to dogs can range from being nothing more than a nuisance to being a fatal injury. For those that live in rattlesnake territory, or regularly hike where rattlesnakes live, with their dog, an encounter with these reptiles is inevitable. You...
- Boa Basics: Columbian Red Tail Boa
Columbian Red Tail BoasThis fact sheet is for information purposes about the "Columbian Red Tail Boa" or Boa Constrictor as it is commonly known. There are several types and sub types of Red Tail Boa including CCB or BCC or Boa Constrictor Constrictor,...