A recent client asked my thoughts about how to best protect their dog from rattlesnake bites because they spend a considerable time in the desert. They had a previous dog who had been bitten by a snake, and their current dog has already completed rattlesnake aversion training with the use of a shock collar before working with me. Even though they still need to come in once a year for a “refresher” course, they believe the training worked because their dog clearly understood to avoid the snakes during the first round of training. They also stated that if they didn’t do the refresher training, they believed they weren’t being the best pet parents they could be to protect their dog against a bite.

Lets first examine statistics of snake bites to dogs. According to the ASPCA, the mortality rate varies from 1 to 30 percent, depending on the size of the pet, the species of the snake and the location of the bite. However, reports are not completely accurate because there is no single database for snake bite occurrences. Many bites are not reported at all because some dogs recover from a bite without treatment. There are also too many variables that determine the outcome of a bite. For example; the size of the dog, the location of the bite, the number of bites (some snakes bite more than once) and the amount of venom released (some snakes make “dry” bites) all must be taken into consideration.

After giving this topic more thought, it’s actually more of an ethical debate rather than a simple “how to” protect our dogs against snakes

We all search for that 100% guarantee that our pets will be safe, but the reality is that nothing offers that type of guarantee. The aversion training may look like it works at 100% at the time of training and at that location. But let’s not forget that dogs are situational learners. This means there is no guarantee that when confronted with a snake in a different scenario, the dog will respond properly. For any behavior to be maintained at a desired level, it needs to be practiced often and in different locations, otherwise the behavior falls apart. Behavior functions as a “use it or loose it” prospect. How is one able to sufficiently maintain or practice the snake aversion training during the year? Furthermore, if the aversion is a 100% guarantee, one wouldn’t need to go back annually for a “refresher course.” Lastly, whenever using shock collars for training, some dogs figure out that it’s the collar that delivers the shock. If the collar isn’t on, the dog has become savvy that no shock is given as a result. It’s fair to say that most owners are not having their dogs wear the collar 100% of the time they are outdoors.

Using shock collars for snake bite avoidance training is another example of a quick fix vs. long term efficacy.

When I continued my research on best practices to protect dogs against snakes, not a single reliable source mentioned shock avoidance training. Now some may argue there are trainers who have impeccable timing when using shock collars, but finding a trainer who does it well is a challenge within itself, especially one that will properly build the dog’s confidence back up after receiving the shock. This also does not address those dogs who behave one way when the collar is on, and another way when the collar is off.

If we want to truly do what is best for our pets, why put our dog through the potential mental anguish of this type of training, which can lead to long-term damage in a relationship, especially if it may not even work when confronted with a snake.

As with all dog training methods, it’s a study of one. I look at the dog that is right in front of me to make the best decision for that dog, both physically and mentally. I also stand by a code of ethics that stress the use of least intrusive, minimally aversive methods first.

Every day, we are taking risks (in all aspects of our lives) and we need to evaluate what is in our control and what is not. We also need to look at how high that risk is and what can we do to mitigate it. As a professional who deals with the long-term effects of our actions on our dogs, I opt to support a position of management and training that builds on the premise of other options our dog CAN do vs. one option our dog CAN’T do. This idea increases the likelihood of success in a variety of situations because it can become generalized and practiced often.

Management

  • Install deep snake fencing around the yard to keep the snakes out
  • Use a visual barrier for dog in the yard, a low fencing that can mark off a particular part of the yard to avoid
  • Keep dogs on leash when out for hikes
  • Don’t go on hikes with your dog during certain times of the year
  • Vaccinate
  • Take your dog to other places to play and walk
  • Keep your dog on a long line in yard

Training

  • Boundary training in yard – game of hot and cold, similar to training dogs not to go in planter areas
  • Rewarding automatic eye contact
  • Teach the Name Game – a fast redirect of just looking at us!
  • Train a Rocket Recall – the best solution!

If you’d like assistance training your dog in any of these areas, feel free to reach out to me.

Additional Resources:

  • https://www.petmd.com/dog/care/evr_dg_snake_bites_and_dogs
  • https://www.marketplaceveterinary.com/blog/does-the-rattlesnake-vaccine-belong-in-your-pet-vaccine-arsenal/
  • https://www.embracepetinsurance.com/health/rattlesnake-envenomation
  • https://www.callnorthwest.com/2020/03/4-ways-to-keep-snakes-out-of-your-yard/
  • https://animalcarectr.com/blog/the-striking-truth-about-snake-avoidance-training-classes/
  • https://www.whole-dog-journal.com/care/snake-avoidance-training-for-dogs/
  • http://www.snakeavoidancewithoutshock.com