Here in Arizona, if you spend time enjoying the great outdoors you will eventually run into a rattlesnake. It’s not a question of if, it’s a matter of when.
Of course, we all know what to do to avoid being bit. If a rattlesnake is stretched out on a trail warming up, it’s easy to move around it. The same holds true if it’s in a defensive posture and “buzzing.” All one has to do is give the snake some space and you will be safe. The facts indicate that 90% of human rattlesnake bites happen because the victim was trying to handle the snake. It’s safe to say most bites are self-inflicted.
Dogs, on the other hand, are a different story. They have a few things going against them. Because dogs are lower to the ground than humans, chances are they would not see a snake until they are on top of it, which could result in a dog getting bit. The other factor is a dog’s “prey drive” which means the dog could associate a rattlesnake as game. The dog might try to take it out which, of course, would result in the dog getting bit.
A simple solution is to have the dog snake-broke by taking your dog to a snake avoidance class. A professional dog trainer uses a de-fanged rattlesnake to help form a negative experience for the dog. A shock collar is used to stimulate the dog when it goes over to sniff the snake. The dog quickly learns that snakes are bad and avoids them when the dog smells them.
Another precaution is to have your dog vaccinated against rattlesnake bites. Of course, this does not prevent your dog from getting bit. However, local veterinarians Dr. Rojas and Dr Jessica Rubin both state that vaccinated dogs recover a lot quicker than unvaccinated dogs.
I can attest to this. Last season I was running Idaho Bill who, for a dog, has a bit of a Jason Stratham demeanor. Bill and I set out on an hour-long loop looking for scaled quail. Idaho Bill hunts hard and is out of view at times. We eventually circled back to the truck and, once he was cooled down, I put him into his dog box. The next morning I let Idaho Bill out of his box and was taken aback by his somewhat swollen face, complete with fang punctures. I immediately called Dr. Rojas, who laughed after asking which dog it was that got bit.
Idaho Bill was hunting the next day. I also think he probably ate the snake. The moral of the story is if you want to protect your dog from rattlesnake bites, get them vaccinated and take them to a snake avoidance class …which Idaho Bill has yet to attend.
Both Dr. Rojas and Dr. Rubin will vaccinate dogs. As for snake avoidance classes in the area, outfitter Kelly Kirby will be offering classes this summer. Kelly can be reached via text at 520-235-9095.