We just went through snake avoidance training a couple of weeks ago with my mixed breed 1 1/2 year old dog. I'm still a little bit wary of letting him run around in the middle of rattlesnake country when I head out to the ranch next week.

How long should his initial training be effective ...anyone have any snake avoidance stories to share?

-RC

Mine was done 2 yrs ago and she is still very cautious around a snake or where a snake has been.

It depends on the dog. Ive had one dog that stalked a large snake across my backyard one week after the clinic. She was staying two feet behind it. The other two dogs wouldn't go near it. They avoided that whole section of the yard. My male remembered the snakes from last year and wouldn't go near them at the clinic. I would get her the vaccine just in case.

It depends upon how smart and mature the dog is. I did mine at 6 months old and did not do her again at 18 months old. At about 21 months old she went after a prairie rattler. I had Wayne do her for the next three years. This year we just took her to the snakes with no e-collar on to see what she would do and she would not go near them. She wouldn't even let me go near them.

If it was your dogs first training, I would be a little cautious. I would definately get the rattle snake vaccine even if the dog is snake trained.

Having Miss Dee done tomorrow

My Buddy at the ranch has his GSP dogs done annually..and he lives w/the snakes all around..My old Lab that points never needed it..he points snakes also..but it would depend on the animal. A really agressive dog would probably require an annual
tune up..DD

Thanks for sharing... I'm looking forward to a snake-feared dog reaction when needed.
RC

i have mine done annually, along with the vaccine. Its a nice $65 insurance policy.