Natural Solutions
"Rattlesnakes are a big problem here in California for dog owners. If you hike with your dog or live in a rural area, or near a canyon in a more developed part of town, there's a good chance that you and your dogs will have a run-in at some point. Several Californians have had snakes in their backyards, and a couple have had their dogs bitten while out and about. The cost of treatment can easily run into the thousands.
We offer rattlesnake avoidance training for dogs primarily in Southern California, from Victorville to San Diego. This includes the High Deserts, Inland Empire, Coachella Valley, Imperial County, plus the mountain areas of Riverside and San Bernardino counties. For this year we will also be covering the Orange County, Los Angeles County, Ventura County, Santa Barbara and surrounding counties. Please e-mail me or refer to the link at the bottom of this column. We will also be incorporating limited opportunities in the Sacramento and surrounding areas in Northern California during the Spring of 08'!
We teach your canine loved ones the vital importance of recognizing the different sensory cues put off by the venomous rattlesnakes of California. More specifically, the individual species of rattlesnakes found here in our own backyards (6 species are found in Southern California, and 8 throughout California).
Don't wait until your loved one comes into contact with the devastating and all too often costly effects of a rattlesnake. Call or email us to schedule an appointment to assist you and your canine companions. Using as natural a situation as possible with our multi-stage process, your dog will learn to recognize and avoid the sound of the rattlesnakes' rattle, particular scent of the rattlesnakes in your area, and the defense posture of an aggravated rattlesnake.
Any size dog will benefit from this training. With our process we have successfully trained dogs as large as Mastifs and Great Danes, to as small as teacup Maltease. Any dog that is possibly out and about will benefit no matter the size.
Rattlesnake aversion training (also known as Snake Breaking, or Snake Training) will help keep your dog(s) and maybe even yourself safe from a devastating and costly snake bite. The cost is $75.00 per dog plus a travel fee of $50.00 (If four or more dogs are to be trained then the travel fee will be waved).
Contact us by E-mail, by clicking the link at the top of our page or call us at 760-464-6792 to schedule an appointment today. October -February their will be no more classes sceduled only private sessions and groups.
Note: If you suffered loss due to the 2007 Wild Fires and are in attendance during any of our classes, please inform us when we train your dog(s), so that we may give you our special rate.
We are not equiped to perform snake removals or relocations. If you have or are worried about rattlesnakes in your yard or surrounding areas, follow this link to OCSnakeremoval specialists. They are well equiped and experienced in locating and removeing snakes.
Note: If you are west of I-15 you may also want to look at our sister company RattlesnakeTraining.com website for contact information.
WHY IT IS IMPORTANT TO
HAVE YOUR DOGS
TRAINED TODAY!
Rattlesnake aversion training has been proven safe and very effective in helping to prevent dogs from being bitten by rattlesnakes. This is often referred to as "snake breaking" or "snake proofing."
Erick Briggs and Andy White, professional animal trainers and reptile wranglers with over fifteen years experience training animals, will personally train every dog to recognize and avoid the sight, sound, and smells of the specific rattlesnakes of your region.
Their experience allows both the dogs and the rattlesnakes to be humanely treated during the training process.
Puppies as young as 4-5 months up to elderly dogs will benefit from this training.
Here in So. Cal. If a dog is likely to be out and about, it is likely to encounter a rattlesnake at some point in it's life. It is at this time when this training shows its merit and importance.
As more and more development displaces natural habitat, the rodents and the snakes that eat them, are forced to share the same area with humans and their beloved pets, and many casualties happen at or near home. Protect your loved ones and have them snake trained by a professional.
OUR PROCESS IS UNSURPASSED
We use a four step process that is more effective than any other form out there.
We are the only ones that use a variety of rattlesnake species, specific to the particular areas in which your dog lives. Every snake has a specific odor and pattern that your dog will recognize.
The first step focuses on the smell. Using a low level electronic correction collar, your dog will learn to associate the smells of the snake with a negative stimulus and thus begin the aversion process.
The second step focuses on the sound of the rattle, in which the same process will be used to teach your dog about the danger associated with the sound.
The third step puts it all together. Your dog will be introduced to a rattlesnake that has been safely muzzled. It is during this step you dog can use all three senses to fully recognize the danger associated with the snake.
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The fourth and final step is the introduction of a small juvenile rattlesnake, incapable of rattling. To further drive home the association of the danger involved with the
snakes
* I would also like to note that all dogs "choose" the level of intensity used with the collar during training. The level is slowly increased until the dog responds, and under most conditions will not be elevated beyond that intensity. Good timing is far more important than level of correction. We do not believe in "shutting dogs down," and believe in working within the dogs quirks and needs.
Here is brief version of Erick's bio:
Erick has been training animals professionally for fifteen years. He got his start at age 15 volunteering at The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens, at age 17 he started assisting at their Wildlife Wonders Program, handling and training a wide variety of wild and exotic animals. From there Erick spent 4 years at the Los Angeles Zoo's World of Birds Show training free flight birds and presenting entertaining and educational programs for thousands of guests. He further honed his skills in animal training through other educational and entertainment venues' such as, Wildlife on Wheels, World Bird Sanctuary at Bush Gardens Tampa Bay and Mystic Aquarium, and more.
Erick is also an avid reptile enthusiast, and has been studying reptiles and other animals from a very early age. His interest in rattlesnakes also began very early on. To his mothers dismay he regularly invited these animals in to his home from the age of twelve. He is very educated as to the behavior, toxicity, and natural histories of our native rattlesnakes. He takes extra care in his care and training to make sure all animals are humanely maintained, and no undue stress is put on the snakes or dogs during training.
The variety of animals he has worked with or trained, spans the entire spectrum, and it is this experience that has given him such a keen eye and understanding of behavior. Which in turn has allowed him to snake train dogs effectively with as gentle a correction as possible for several years. An astute behaviorist and a compassionate animal lover, Erick looks forward to providing you and your dog another level of security when exploring the world we share with all of nature.
Answers to frequently asked questions
HOW MUCH?
The cost for training is $75 per dog, plus $50 for travel if less than 4 dogs.
��
WHERE?
We come to you. Training is best
performed in an area your dog is likely to
come into contact with rattlesnakes
naturally.
��
WHEN?
Today! There is no real snake season in
Southern California. In fact, ANY day the
temperature reaches 70 degrees or higher
rattlesnakes will be active!
��
HOW LONG WILL THE TRAINING
TAKE?
The training process generally takes 5-15
minutes per dog, depending on the dog and the
conditions of the training environment.
��
HOW OFTEN DO I NEED TO HAVE
MY DOG TRAINED?
Training is really only necessary once a
year, but can be done twice a year to
remain effective.
Call today for your appointment!
760-464-6792
Here are some of the areas we have proudly served:
San Diego and surrounding areas
Palm Springs and surrounding areas
Yucca Valley / Joshua tree
Salton Sea / Imperial
Los Angeles and surrounding areas
Newport / Laguna
Idyllwild
Lake Arrowhead and surrounding areas
Big Bear and surrounding areas
Banning / Beaumont / Yucaipa
Hemet / San Jacinto
Ramona
San Bernardino and surrounding areas
Riverside and surrounding areas
Sacramento and surrounding areas
Alpine, Texas
Fort Meyers, Florida
Albuquerque & Moriearty, New Mexico
and many more
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Testimonials:
Erick and AJ 4/25/08
Wow! We had our first rattlesnake visit last evening. After dinner, My husband heard the dogs barking incessantly. He couldn’t get them to quiet down. After about five more minutes of barking he went outside to investigate what had them so riled up. One dog was at the top of the slope barking and the other way halfway down the slope barking. Once he got them calmed down my husband heard the rattle of the snake. He couldn’t see it, but he could hear it hiding at the bottom of the slope. He and his mom (who was visiting) both got shovels while my son moved the dogs out of their yard. She poked around with the handle of the shovel until the snake came out of hiding. My husband then proceeded to kill it with the other shovel.
We were so pleased that the dogs did exactly as trained. They couldn’t see the snake, but they could sure hear it and smell it. They certainly knew enough to not go anywhere close to it. We had just taken them into the vets that morning for their first rattlesnake vaccine. It was great that they reacted to the snake properly and we didn’t have to test to see if the vaccine helps.
You guys are awesome and we so appreciate your time and expertise. We are confident now that the chances of having a problem with the dogs and rattlesnake are very slim. I wish you could train the kids and horses too !
Sincerely,
Gary and Linda Hopkins
In a message posted on the The San Diego Off Leash Dog Recreation Meetup Group message board by RhondaIn her own words about our methods!
A later message posted on Yahoo pets groups: Sandiegojackrussell; also by Rhonda about a successful dog/snake interaction she had after our program.
A posting on rimoftheworld.net
From: Bunny
Sent: Tuesday, May 22, 2007 10:33 AM
The training was awesome, the dogs definitely don't want anything to do with snakes. If they don't smell them first, the rattle scares them away. All 3 dogs that were there did very well. We need to take them to snake avoidance class about once a year... Thanks Erick for great training! I'm confident it will keep our dogs safer.
Another member of the San Diego Dog Off Leash Recreation Meetup group's experience after our training; by Jeff
I took the Dogs on the Highland Valley Trail Hike Today with the Southern California Camping & Hiking Cooperative.
Sammie, the "airborne" black dog in your images from Rattlesnake Aversion "training day" encountered a (shed) snake skin in the grass while on the hike. I was alerted to it when once again she was airborne seemly in a state of levitation above the ground. Once back to earth she took her alert pose and pointed.
Inspection showed it to be the skin of a gopher snake (no keeled scales and other clues); however, of all the dogs I have put through rattlesnake aversion training, I have never had one react to a shed skin.
No other snake wrangler I have been trough used snake skins as part of the aversion training. I presumed Ericks use of a snake skin was more of a gimmick to set him apart from the other snake wranglers/aversion training.
I was wrong. I am a believer. Kudos to Erick, well done.
For more testimonials click here
Resources
Please read and make use of our downloadable and printable reference papers
RattlesnakeAversionTraining.pdf
CoexistingWithRattlesnakes.pdf
OurVenomousNeighbors.pdf
Here are some links to excellent information about rattlesnakes.
Here are the species of Southern Californian rattlesnakes and their range maps:
Western Diamond-backed Rattlesnake Mojave Desert Sidewinder
Colorado Desert Sidewinder Red Diamond Rattlesnake
Southwestern Speckled Rattlesnake Panamint Rattlesnake
Northern Mohave Rattlesnake Southern Pacific Rattlesnake
Follow this link OCSnakeremoval specialists. to see pictures and real life accounts of snake bites on dogs and humans.
WOULD YOU LIKE TO SETUP A CLASS FOR YOURSELF; GROUP, CLASS, COMMUNITY, OR FRIENDS?
Step 1: Check our events and location calendar for classes or available dates we will be in your area.
* calendar is at bottom of website
Step 2: Contact US by phone 760-464-6792 or by our e-mail link for available times and dates.
Step 3: Find a location (not on state or public lands).
Step4: Print these helpful forms.
LiabilityRelease.pdf
RattlesnakeClassFlier.pdf
RattlesnakeClassSignIn.pdf
Ask about our group Incentives
*Large groups and classes can be scheduled March to October.
*We still offer individual and private group training options throughout the year.
While nothing is 100% effective, rattlesnake avoidance training has proven highly effective in preventing envenomation by rattlers. Using species endemic to an area. Natural Solutions trains your dog to recognize the sight, sound and scent of the snakes. By learning to avoid these sensory cues, your dog is taught to avoid the snakes. Our methods are humane for both dog and snake, and an added bonus is that by paying attention to your dog's behavior, you can help avoid the snake as well.
Cost and Incentives
*The cost for training is $75 per dog.
*House call/travel fee of $50.
the house call will be waived if there are 4 or more dogs.
* 15 or more dogs = class rate of $65 per dog.
we appreciate those who put in the effort to get groups and classes organized and together within their communities. For your efforts you will be compensated. Thank You. *please inquier
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