Snake Avoidance Clinic

Snake Proof Your Dog

June 9, 2012 (Saturday)

Snake Avoidance Training

(Fundraiser for BIGdogs on a LOOSEleash Rescue)

Give your dog the best chance to enjoy outside romps with you and become a super savvy “Dog of the Woods”.

Also, you’ll be a super hero helping BIGdogs on a LOOSEleash Rescue. 90% of all proceeds go to the dogs. Want to give more??- Be wild and weird – VOLUNTEER for these big dogs in need.

* Back to our Snake info *

Warm times of spring and fall are common times to see snakes in the woods and near water. Unfortuanetly, our Texas weather is unpredictable and does not allow a typical snake season. If you live in Texas be cautious of snakes under every nook and cranny.

Walk aware and prepared.

Texas is home to 15 venomous snakes: 1 species of coral snake (Texas Coral Snake), 1 species of water moccasin or cottonmouth (Western Cottonmouth), 3 species of copperheads (Southern, Broadband and Trans-Pecos Copperhead) and 10 species of rattlesnakes (Western Diamondback, Timber, Mottled Rock. Banded Rock, Northern Black-Tailed, Mojave, Prairie, Desert Massasauga, Western Massasauga and Western Pygmy Rattlesnakes). But before you completely freak out about snakes- Read more about “Snakes and Yes, you can be safe!” on my Snake Scoop INFO PAGE.

According to snake bite statistics, “There are approximately 15,000 dogs and cats bitten by poisonous snakes in the United States annually. The highest envenomation fatality rates occurr in Arizona, Georgia, Florida, Alabama, South Carolina and Texas. In dogs, 70-80 percent of bites occur on the face and head, and 20-30 percent occur on the legs, with only rare cases occurring on the body. Rattlesnakes account for 80 percent of dog envenomations, while cottonmouth/water moccasin and copperheads are responsible for the remaining 20 percent.”

Snake Avoidance Training - Dog BUY and READ a good Texas snake field guide book, KEEP it with your FirstAide kit and KEEP BOTH handy when you are out and about..

Most people, dogs and livestock don’t even know a snake is anywhere around until they have the misfortune to step on it. Those unfortunate times happen because snakes have tremendously good camouflage.

Walk aware and prepared!!

WHO NEEDS TO SNAKE PROOF THEIR DOG

Anyone that enjoys the outdoors with his or her dog is encouraged to register your dog to be snake proofed at the Snake Avoidance Clinic. Pre-registration is appreciated and reduces your wait time. Walk-ups are welcomed; you will be on a first come first available time slot on the sign-up list.

WHAT

A proven method of snake avoidance for dogs and puppies. Your dog will be trained to recognize snakes by sight, sound and smell and will want to avoid the vicinity of a snake at all cost. When your dog avoids a snake, that keeps you both safe.

WHEN

June 9, 2012

WHERE

Chula Vista Ranch
5625 White Settlement Rd
Weatherford, TX 76087
(just west of Fort Worth, TX)

Please Note – Some mapping programs take you to the back side of the ranch. The gate is on Old White Settlement Road. Once you turn left on White Settlement Rd continue for about 1 mile until you see the Black dog sign. The gate will be on your right.

Look for Snake Clinic, Bark!Here, or Dog Event signs

WHY

Train your dog in a controlled situation to avoid snakes. BTW we gots more snakes than you can shake a stick at in our Corp of Eng walking pathes in our lovely Dallas and Fort Worth area. This real live snake, mouth securely closed, not in a cage, simulation scenario allows your dog to see, smell and hear a rattlesnake’s presence up close and be trained to avoid any contact of any kind of snake. This is a much better approach than to have your dog bitten by a poisonous snake and hope your dog lives and remembers the lesson. This way he learns: “Stay Away from the Snake!!”

HOW

A professional dog handler will place a large rattlesnake (mouth securely closed) in the grass. Your dog will be fitted with an e-collar and you will be instructed to lead your dog past the snake on a long line. Some dogs may use a direct approach, while others may circumspect. As soon as the dog shows any interest, the professional with perfect timing, will safely simulate the “strike of the snake”. Each dog will quickly understand the danger a snake poses and will choose to go anywhere but near a snake.