Elite Gundogs in Troy, TX will be hosting Wayne Lain of Snakebreaker for a spring Snake avoidance event on Saturday April 26'th, 2014.
It is $60 per dog and only takes about 10-15 minutes. We Pre-register all participants and allow you to choose time slots so that you don't have to wait around all day for it to be your turn. Time slots will be from 7 am until 11-12 pm depending upon the number of entries.

Elite Gundogs is centrally located between Austin and DFW about 10 minutes east of I-35 just outside of Temple, TX. To enroll your dog in the course, fill out a contact request at EliteGundogs.com

Did you know that dogs are about 20 times more likely to be bitten by a rattlesnake than a human and a rattlesnake bite is about 25 times more deadly to a dog than a human?
The rattlesnake bite is generally “hemotoxic” which means that it exerts its toxin by disrupting the integrity of the blood vessels. The swelling is often dramatic with up to 1/3 of the total blood circulation being lost into the tissues in a matter of hours. The toxin further disrupts normal blood clotting mechanisms leading to uncontrolled bleeding. This kind of blood loss induces shock and finally death. Snake bites are life threatening, extremely painful, expensive to treat, and can cause permanent damage even when the dogs survive.

We recommend that all dogs, hunting retriever or family companion receive the rattlesnake vaccine yearly. The BEST preventative measure for a deadly snake bite is to prevent it from ever happening.

Wayne Lain of SnakeBreaker has figured out a way to do just that. Every year he travels around the state of Texas with live Rattlesnakes and Water Moccasins. He removes the snake's fangs and tapes their mouths shut so that they are rendered harmless, then introduces your dog to the live Rattlesnake. Wayne's special method ensures that your dog absorbs the scent, sound, and image of the snake, to fully understand what it should avoid. Wayne even tests the dogs before graduation to ensure that they will effectively avoid snakes.

Why does it not work on polecats?

I'd be interested in this

I asked Wayne of Snakebreaker this, he says if you want to bring and handle the skunk, he will handle the rest

That could be a money making deal there.
Get a few skunks that have had their spray removed.
Do the same technique as snake breaking.
It could work.

It doesn't work. I seen several bird dogs get hit with the hot button on several different skunks and still come back for more. Dogs have a natural aversion to snakes which makes it work for snakes.

My gal got sprayed in her face and since than no problem. And that was a long ride home that day

We are very excited to announce that Ronnie Creek from the Hit TV Show American Hoggers will be at our Snake Avoidance event shaking hands and signing autographs!
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How old does the dog need to be? My puppy will be almost 5 months. Not sure when this is recommended.
Thanks!

The first time I was looking to get one of my pups snake-proofed I had a 7 month old GSP and it was August. I talked to a couple of guys with the LSGSPC and they recommended that I wait until the next year because it can be a very stressful and traumatic thing for a pup to go through. I took their advice and waited. I was careful where and when we were out hunting that year and didn't have a problem. However, I did get him the rattlesnake vaccine that year.

We snake-proofed the next year and he went through it well with no adverse effects.

I'm sure every dog is different and the snake trainers probably have some good insight and experience on this but I waited till mine was about 1 1/2 y/o and had no issues.

Yeah, my pup will be too young for this as well; I hope they can schedule some seminars for later in the year. I'd drive up from the valley for that!