Rattlesnake Avoidance Clinic

[Rosemary (Ro) and Enzo]

Enzo attended her first clinic today. I am proud to say she is just another " pretty face" ! ;)
Her first run through the course, the Owner of the Company putting on the Clinic, described to us, to a tee, what she would do, especially after her first meeting with the first live Rattler. She met up with 5 Rattlers and a bag full of " sheds". She was shocked at the first meeting, avoided the 2nd two Rattlers, but did approach the bag. Owner told me, that was completely normal...and she did receive another shock. She than avoided another snake and was brought back to me. We waited while 2 or 3 others dogs went through the course and then it was her turn again. This was a huge field and she was walked all over on a 8 ft lead. As the trainer approached the first 3 snakes with her, she gave them all wide berth. She wanted nothing to do with them. Next came the bag of sheds, and that too she avoided. The first few snakes were rattling up a storm, as we could hear them from where we stood. 2nd to the last snake had his rattles taped, so no sound. This one too, she circled all the way around. Her last test...she was put into a sit stay in the center top of a section with high borders on either side. They put me on the other end and put a HUGE Rattler in the center and told me to call her. LOL...She wouldn't budge'. He then moved the snake closer to her and told me to call her. She backed up, and ran all the way around the barrier to me. SUCCESS!
Many of the dogs that were there were there for the refresher course. One Shepherd was either very stubborn or dumber than a bag of rocks, because he was shocked each and every time, even the second run. He was going out for a third run when we were leaving. Other dogs, obviously remembered their training and sailed through the course.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I so admire and commend you for doing this. Just reading about it terrifies me. I can't even stand to look at a picture of a snake, lol. I love JD more than I can say, and try do everything I can think of to keep him safe, but I am so grateful that I don't have to be in the same space as a bunch of rattlesnakes to do that. Good work, Enzo & mom!

(PS: I have to believe that the Shepherd was either stubborn or an extreme Alpha, because I have never met a stupid GSD, lol)

[Rosemary (Ro) and Enzo]

One of the trainers explained to me that these snakes were used for a few clinics and then released. He then traps/ catches new batches. Hell of a way to make a living!
I don't know Karen......the Shepherd, who I thought someone said was 3 yrs....he just didn't seem to get it! They told me the collars were set according to weight. Enzo gave a small yelp her first shock ( tore at my heart!:(. ). The Shepherd would jump and pull when shocked. And he did not go after the snake. Showed no aggression at all. I actually wanted to stay for his 3 rd run to see how he would do...but it was getting crowded and they wanted all of us that we're done to clear out for those coming in. I wondered if multiple shocks ( and I don't know how strong) could do harm to him.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

He must have been one of those strong silent macho types, lol. 

[Rosemary (Ro) and Enzo]

;)

[Nicky, Riley & Boris]

My goodness. Thanks for describing this very important training. Luckily there are no snakes at all in ireland so it's not something we have to worry about. I do hate those shock collars as a normal training tool though. I was walking a few weeks ago and a woman had a very young dog off leash. I'm guessing about six months and he approached my boys. Just as he got near he yelped and whined running in circles. Then I spotted the collar. Forgive me if some of you use them but I think they are a misguided and cruel implement. I would make an exception for aversion therapy to extreme danger such as poisonous snakes though. I asked the woman why her dog was crying and she mentioned the collar ( I only spotted it then as we don't see them much here). She said it didn't hurt. I didn't answer. Couldn't really as I was a bit upset. I just walked on.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

My DD, who is even more terrified of snakes than I am, dreams of moving to Ireland. :)

[Rosemary (Ro) and Enzo]

Oh believe me, Nicky, I understand what you are saying. I thought long and hard on it. I attended( without Enzo, and as a bystander) a class where they did not use the collars. Quite frankly, it was basically a " leave it" command. Enzo knows leave it...but if we are not around, it does her no good. In the long run, I decided a shock or two, was well worth her life. And 2 seconds after the shock, she didn't appear to be phased . I would never use it for any type of daily training.

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

I commend you too. I hate snakes. I think John would have to do this training :)

[Rosemary (Ro) and Enzo]

Thanks Laurie! LOL...but you guys are giving me waaaaay too much credit! I did no, zero, zilch, training. A trainer takes your dog out to the snake area and runs them through the course. I probably would have been better at entering the snake area, than administering the shock to Enz.

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

LOL....I am pretty sure if they asked me to shock one of my kids or go into a snake den....child protective services would have to be called :) 

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Me too! 

[Rosemary (Ro) and Enzo]

LOL....I'd be in real trouble too.....especially since our daughter is a CPS Investigator! ;)