CA: Dogs learn to avoid rattlesnakes in course

Dogs learn to avoid rattlesnakes in course
Experts help dogs detect sounds and scents of snakes
June 07, 2014 5:20 PM SHANE NEWELL, FOR THE DAILY PRESS

VICTORVILLE • Leash-bound and under the constant guidance of experts, dogs of all sizes lined up to see, smell and listen to a familiar desert enemy — the rattlesnake.

Gina Gables, who owns Ma and Paw Kennel in Simi Valley, traveled alongside her team of experts to the Mojave Narrows Regional Park on Saturday to teach dogs how to avoid rattlesnakes in a multipart obstacle course.

The course’s first station, known as the sight-recognition phase, featured a live rattlesnake that had been muzzled to prevent it from causing any harm. Before moving on, each dog had to learn how to avoid the urge of making contact with the deadly animal.

Steve Gardner, who was in charge of supervising the snakes on the premises, including a Western Diamondback rattlesnake, said the first instinct of many dogs is to smell the rattlesnake.

“Some of the dogs are smarter than others,” he said. “(The training) is the most effective way to avoid rattlesnakes.”

Gables said rattlesnake bites in dogs can be fatal. She said factors such as the dog’s body weight and the amount of venom released by the rattlesnake affect each dog’s chances of survival.

She said she has heard of several pet owners who had to pay thousands of dollars to treat their dogs following rattlesnake bites. She recommended dogs take the course to reduce their chances of being bitten.

Part of the course was dedicated to reinforcing positive behavior in each dog. After learning the muzzled rattlesnake posed a threat to its well-being, each dog received praise and then proceeded to the next station.

While navigating the course, dogs were exposed to rattlesnake scents and sounds. At one station, Gables taught the dogs to recognize that rattlesnake scents posed a threat even when a live animal was not present.

The culmination of the course included each dog and its owner standing several feet apart with a rattlesnake in between them.

Barstow resident Peter Leak and his terrier mix, Pippin, were the first pair to complete the course. Under Gables’ supervision, Pippin successfully completed the final station and learned to avoid the rattlesnake while running to see Leak.

“I think it’s pretty effective,” he said. “We take her out in the desert all the time.”

Danielle Jenkins, who works as an assistant to Gables, said she hopes pet owners will have “peace of mind” once completing the course.

“Rattlesnakes are dangerous, whether you hike or live in a beautiful mansion on the hillside,” she said. “You definitely want to avoid them.”

Patrick Ferree and his father were among the first group of pet owners who participated in the course. He said his family’s dog, Sasha, came Saturday to get a refresher on the rattlesnake course.

Gables, who travels throughout the state to teach rattlesnake avoidance courses, said she enjoys helping pets and their owners.

“It’s really great,” she said. “People are amazingly thankful. I get a lot of return customers.”

The cost of rattlesnake avoidance training is $95 per dog, according to Gables’ website. For more information, visit manpaw.com or call Gables at (805) 523-3432.


KENNETH SOUSA, FOR THE DAILY PRESS
‘Pippin' the dog keeps a close watch on a western diamondback rattlesnake at the Mojave Narrows Regional Park. The live venomous snakes are muzzled and kept in containers before being used by Ma & Paw Kennel training services. The classes are utilized to teach dogs to stay away from harmful snakes, especially rattlesnakes, which are very common sightings this time of year in the Mojave Desert.

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