BajaNomad

Dog saves husband from rattler

bajachris - 7-23-2009 at 08:15 PM

For two years in a row, I sent my dog (black lab) to rattlesnake awareness training taught by Patrick Callahan in California. Well, one day my husband is alone with the dog in our Baja house (very isolated). The dog crouched very low to the ground and blocked the door so my husband couldn't get out. The dog held his ground and refused to budge. My husband decided to look out the door. There directly outside the door was a coiled-up rattler. I highly recommend this training. It not only saved my dog, but also my husband, who never would have been able to get help in time. I have no doubt the dog will alert us again if we see one.

Great Training

bajaguy - 7-23-2009 at 08:37 PM

We have taken our Yellow Lab, Libbie (aka Flan Breath) to the avoidance class....it really works!!!!! Highly recommended for those dogs who spend a lot of time outside.

Also suggest an annual "rattlesnake vaccine".....slows down the venom effect, but still needs vet treatment/

DianaT - 7-23-2009 at 09:00 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by bajachris
For two years in a row, I sent my dog (black lab) to rattlesnake awareness training taught by Patrick Callahan in California. Well, one day my husband is alone with the dog in our Baja house (very isolated). The dog crouched very low to the ground and blocked the door so my husband couldn't get out. The dog held his ground and refused to budge. My husband decided to look out the door. There directly outside the door was a coiled-up rattler. I highly recommend this training. It not only saved my dog, but also my husband, who never would have been able to get help in time. I have no doubt the dog will alert us again if we see one.


Loved the Callahan training! His wife is also great. Our Tommy is a very sensitive dog and Mrs. Callahan walked us through the process---her arm around me to reassure me that it was a good thing! Good training.

One thing, however, if you have two dogs. Our Maggie acts like the alpha dog, but she is totally dependent on being with our bigger dog, Tom. So, she did not focus on the training enough as she was just focused on watching Tom on the side lines. Next time, we will make sure Tom is not where Maggie can see him.

But protecting us, not sure our Tom would do that----that is a great story.

We also keep up on the vacines!

Diane

[Edited on 7-24-2009 by jdtrotter]

noproblemo2 - 7-23-2009 at 09:46 PM

Wow, never heard of such training, but an excellant idea. Maybe they could do one for cats, we have one that seems to find the smaller ones and bring them in the casa still alive, so far only got bitten once!!! Lucky little bugger...

DENNIS - 7-24-2009 at 08:49 AM

Any links to a Callahan site? Where are they? I've heard of one in the San Diego area. Is that it?

DianaT - 7-24-2009 at 08:56 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by DENNIS
Any links to a Callahan site? Where are they? I've heard of one in the San Diego area. Is that it?


They travel around the southern California area--here is their site and schedule.

Rattlesnake Avoidance Training

DENNIS - 7-24-2009 at 08:59 AM

Thanks, Diane.

Russ - 7-24-2009 at 09:12 AM

A little off subject but here's an article about rattler bit caccine:
http://www.gundogcentral.com/article.php?articleID=21
The training sounds like the best thing. Nothing like prevention.

jahImpala3 - 7-24-2009 at 11:06 AM

Thanks for the information. I need to take my dogs in for training. We live in rattlesnake country and are always out hiking.

24baja - 7-24-2009 at 11:53 AM

I have passed this info on to friends who have a dog and spend lots of time in BOLA. Thanks for the info, what a great thing!

Cypress - 7-24-2009 at 12:25 PM

Rattle Snakes? Laid back easy going reptiles. On the other hand. Have seen a dog hit by a cottonmouth, was struck in the head, staggered a few steps and went down. Carried it out. It survived! Those little rattle snakes can't hold a candle to a full grown cottonmouth water moccasin, they're aggresive and ill tempered.:biggrin:

vandenberg - 7-24-2009 at 01:24 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Cypress
Rattle Snakes? Laid back easy going reptiles. On the other hand. Have seen a dog hit by a cottonmouth, was struck in the head, staggered a few steps and went down. Carried it out. It survived! Those little rattle snakes can't hold a candle to a full grown cottonmouth water moccasin, they're aggresive and ill tempered.:biggrin:


No cottonmouth here, but lots of loudmouths.:biggrin:

SKIDS - 7-24-2009 at 04:22 PM

Have benedryl handi . Here in Jamul we have our share of rattlers. My sister's boxer was bitten twice in 2-months , gave her a few benedryl capsules and she was fine the next day.

mtgoat666 - 7-24-2009 at 04:52 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by bajachris
It not only saved my dog, but also my husband, who never would have been able to get help in time. I have no doubt the dog will alert us again if we see one.


good doggy! cook him a big pot roast!

estebanis - 7-24-2009 at 09:01 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by DENNIS
Any links to a Callahan site? Where are they? I've heard of one in the San Diego area. Is that it?

My good friend Tracy Jenson-Presson breeder/trainer of my Small Munsterlander is up in the Lake Henshaw/Julian area. She has been training dogs Rattlesnake avoidance for many years. I sometimes assist as the "Rattlesnake Wrangler" Here is a link to the website...
Highon Kennels I am the hacker that built that website...

[Edited on 7-25-2009 by estebanis]

[Edited on 7-25-2009 by estebanis]

rocmoc - 7-25-2009 at 07:25 AM

We have plenty of rattlers & scorpions here in AZ as you do in Baja. We never leave the house or out-buildings without looking out the open door first. Always listening for rattlers, sounds like water running or escaping air. Have had two coiled up just outside the doors, five total in the last five years. Carry a square nose shovel when walking in bushy areas. Also at night, never barefoot or without a flashlight. Just asking for it if we don't follow these tips in rural AZ.

rocmoc n AZ/Mexico

DianaT - 7-25-2009 at 08:42 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by rocmoc
We have plenty of rattlers & scorpions here in AZ as you do in Baja. We never leave the house or out-buildings without looking out the open door first. Always listening for rattlers, sounds like water running or escaping air. Have had two coiled up just outside the doors, five total in the last five years. Carry a square nose shovel when walking in bushy areas. Also at night, never barefoot or without a flashlight. Just asking for it if we don't follow these tips in rural AZ.

rocmoc n AZ/Mexico


Yikes, and you have those really nasty scorpions, glad ours are not the same type, And, if we had that many rattlers around our home, I would be gone!:yes:

But if is a beautiful area where you live.