Luke GSP Posted February 25, 2008 Share Posted February 25, 2008 LAst week whilst out at the dog park monte went missing for a couple of minutes and when recalled came back with a bit of a surprise, ie about 2 feet of Red belly black snake which he had obviously just killed judging by the amount of blood around his head and neck from shaking it. Of course he would not choose to go for the tail end he came over withe the business end( head) :D I nearly died and droive him as quickly as possible to the animal referal hospital in Strathfield. Thankfully the test was negative for venom so it would appear that he got away with it this time but this is the second time he has had a run in with a snake (No1 was a green tree snake). :D I have seen people in the states use e-collars for snake aversion as they do not want the dog to wait for input from them in the shape of a command or a signal just head in the opposite direction if they come across a snake. Does anybody have any advce on a way forward? I believe that e-collars can be used in NSW if you get a vets letter of recomendation for a specific purpose. Is this correct? Anybody know of a vet that may be open to this kind of training method? Any other suggestions? Please do not get me wrong I am not trying to open a moral an ethical debate on e-collars just saying that I have seen this method work. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BJean Posted February 25, 2008 Share Posted February 25, 2008 (edited) LD I don't know what breed of dog you have, but it reads that your dog knows very well how to deal with snakes. I think that is a good thing and would praise the behaviour As an aside, dogs that are good with snakes tend to have a penchant for knowing when they are about, well before we do. So in that regard I don't know how the e collar would work, if you don't know when the dog is near a snake until the dog has done away with it. Edited February 25, 2008 by lilli Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luke GSP Posted February 25, 2008 Author Share Posted February 25, 2008 In the training that I have seen it is used in a controled environment where a/ several live snakes are used in cage structures that allow the dog to see them , smell them and approach without the chance of a bite occuring. the dog was allowed to roam a paddock and upon approaching the snake and becoming aroused/interested, nicked using the e-collar. this was done as soon as any form of arousal became aware ie scent based or visual, it was all controled by the dogs posture ear/tail position etc? Obviously it could not be only upon sight or else the dog may still look for snakes but just back of once it has made eye contact. The purpose of the training was to attach a negative to anything to do with a snake and evoke flight rather than fight. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Just Midol Posted February 25, 2008 Share Posted February 25, 2008 One of the professional trainers on here does it, or has done it in the past. In general there is a snake thread pinned, check the most recent 10 pages or so and you'll find the post. I've forgotten who it was. He may be of some assistance. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mollipop Posted February 26, 2008 Share Posted February 26, 2008 Maybe you could have kept the snake (in the freezer) and done some training with it like food refusal in UD. I guess you would have the dog on a collar and lead and reprimand him when he went near the snake. Not sure of the exact technique though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luke GSP Posted February 26, 2008 Author Share Posted February 26, 2008 Maybe you could have kept the snake (in the freezer) and done some training with it like food refusal in UD. I guess you would have the dog on a collar and lead and reprimand him when he went near the snake. Not sure of the exact technique though. The only problem I could foresee with this is that I want him to not just leave the snake alone but actually run away. All without any relation to me or my actions. My concern is that he may relate the lead to the reprimand etc and hence only perform the desired behaviour in my presence waiting for some kind of signal or input. I want him to sense a snake and evoke the flight response without any outside stimuli involving me in any way shape or form. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ruthless Posted February 26, 2008 Share Posted February 26, 2008 Cesar Milan talks about doing it with rattle snakes in his new book Power of the Pack. He doesn't go into much depth though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luke GSP Posted February 26, 2008 Author Share Posted February 26, 2008 (edited) Cesar Milan talks about doing it with rattle snakes in his new book Power of the Pack. He doesn't go into much depth though. He has a new episode in season two where he covers it as well. Season two is fantastic by the way. Edited February 26, 2008 by luke dixon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ruthless Posted February 26, 2008 Share Posted February 26, 2008 Mate, I'm all over it Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luke GSP Posted February 26, 2008 Author Share Posted February 26, 2008 Mate, I'm all over it :p how good is it :p ;) :D ;) ;) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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