We go to the mountains and desert here, and most times our dogs are off leash and running free within calling distance. Angel has always steered clear of any trouble, cactus, bugs, whatever but Turbo seems determined to stick his nose everywhere. He already sliced his paw open (required surgery) and got a jumping cactus (cholla) on him I can only imagine if there was a rattler he would think it is a toy. Has anyone taken their dog to the anti-snake training or done the anti-venom vaccines? Just curious of prices, where you went, your experience?

Rattlers (or a number of snakes) do look like sticks in the water, and lots of snakes like the water to swim and cool off in. Our retriever Turbo LOVES anything floating in the water as a toy ( uh he "retrieved" our entire Kreepy Krawly pool hose, dove for it and got it pulled to the shallow end and shredded the entire hose in one night ) I am also nervous at lakes etc he will grab the wrong "stick".

I know of a dog trainer that is in the Casa Grande Area I believe. His name is Jay Smith and he does both Rattlesnake & Toad avoidance classes. I have heard really great reviews from people that have taken his course. Of course he has his own rattlesnakes without the fangs and also a toad. His number is 520-709-2203. I know him from when he was helping my girlfriend with the training of her GS. He also worked with me and my GS on certain issues. As far as the rattlesnake vaccine. I talked to a vet regarding it. She gave me a flyer with great info on it. If you have a fax machine I will fax it to you. I know that it will slow the venom in the dogs body that will give you alittle more time to take to the vet. As any vaccines there is always that chance that it might not help. Just because you get your dog vaccinated for this you should always take to the vet. I have heard from some people that my dogs vaccinated for the rattlesnake that I don't have to take to the vet. I was thinking of getting my two done because I usually walk the washes but with summer I stay away from that.

The snake shot only delays the bite effects. You need to take your dog in if he gets bit.

I don't believe rattlers are swimmers. Under normal circumstamces at least

my rattle snake training is if i see a snake, run the other way!!!

HTH do ya train a rattle snake?

i know that sidewinders are swimmers. i have seen it first hand at the river. i dont know about any of the other breeds of rattlers.

Rattlesnake Avoidance for dogs

Here is a link w/ good information. I would like to do this for my dogs because we are out and about in the deser and Glamis so much w/dogs off leash. Thordog, if you could email that info to me that would be super! Here is my email cdixon@e2cc.com

They are excellent swimmers from all the research I have seen.

Esp here in AZ around lakes and rivers, they are in there so please be careful!