Very fortunate!

Toad

I am driving to Co this weekend to take my two dogs through snake breaking. Kind of a long way to go but with me taking them to Montana this fall, I think its worth the time and money.

A friend of mine has a dog that has been bitten in the face by a copperhead each of the last 3 years. The dog just isn't learning. :rolleyes:

My understanding you really need a live snake of the kind you are trying to avoid them having contact with.
 
Toad, one word!!!! Controlled burn!!!! Lightem' up!!!!! Eliminate the habitat!!!!! Buy that dog a t-Bone!!!!!!!!
 
BleuBijou said:
Toad, one word!!!! Controlled burn!!!! Lightem' up!!!!! Eliminate the habitat!!!!! Buy that dog a t-Bone!!!!!!!!
Click to expand...

If I did anything to the habitat at my house, it would probably just make it more appealing to snakes...:eek: The neighbor that has the most copperheads is the one who cut down all the cedars and planted native grass. He's had quail whistling like crazy this Spring and I am jealous.:( If I had more land at the house, I would love to do the same exact thing!

I've been talking to both neighbors about their experiences with their dogs getting bitten, and I think (hope) we've figured out a pattern. It sounds like 90% of the bites and snake encounters happen within a couple hours of sunset. So I'm guessing the snakes must be the most active after sunset at this time of year. We've decided to just start bringing the dogs in around sunset. We normally let them come and go as they please until we go to bed, but it is only a minor adustment to block them in the house before dark.

Anybody else with copperheads notice the same pattern of evening activity?

The guy whose dogs have been bitten four or five times now just keeps Benadryl on hand to dose the dog after the bite. He said his vet told him that unless the wound gets infected or the dog is having trouble breathing, that the benadryl should be sufficient treatment for the copperhead bite.

I'm calling my dogs' vet in the morning to confirm this, and check on an appropriate dose for the size of our dogs. I will report back if she gives me similar info on the Benadryl.
 
SetterNut said:
Toad

I am driving to Co this weekend to take my two dogs through snake breaking. Kind of a long way to go but with me taking them to Montana this fall, I think its worth the time and money.

A friend of mine has a dog that has been bitten in the face by a copperhead each of the last 3 years. The dog just isn't learning. :rolleyes:

My understanding you really need a live snake of the kind you are trying to avoid them having contact with.
Click to expand...

I hope it works for you!:thumbsup: I assume you are working with rattlesnakes, right?

I am going to keep a close eye on Junie next time she finds a copperhead. If I think she is putting herself in danger I will definitely look into snake breaking her myself or find a trainer who does that kind of thing.

I saw a show on Animal Planet where they were snake breaking dogs in California. It looked like the program was just to hit the dog with the E-collar whenever it approached a snake, and repeat until the dog learned to avoid snakes. If that's the whole program, I could probably do that...:cool:
 
Toad said:
I hope it works for you!:thumbsup: I assume you are working with rattlesnakes, right?

I am going to keep a close eye on Junie next time she finds a copperhead. If I think she is putting herself in danger I will definitely look into snake breaking her myself or find a trainer who does that kind of thing.

I saw a show on Animal Planet where they were snake breaking dogs in California. It looked like the program was just to hit the dog with the E-collar whenever it approached a snake, and repeat until the dog learned to avoid snakes. If that's the whole program, I could probably do that...:cool:
Click to expand...

I think that is a pretty accurate summary of how snake breaking works.
Montana has a fair number of Rattlesnakes and I want to reduce the chances of them getting into trouble.
 
Hey, something that I just found out is it gets pretty expensive to treat a human for snake bites! A guy who works for me was bit by a timber rattle snake several weeks ago while backpacking in the North Carolina Mountains. Backcountry rescue, ambulance and 3 days spent 3 days in the hospital ran up a $100K bill for the whole gig! :( Fortunatly his health insurance is covering all but about $3K. Be careful! The initial bite is only the beginning!
Crazy, his lab was bit by a copper head a week ago. Benidryl and IV fluids were all his dog needed.
Best to all,
Wolf
 
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