Snake Avoidance Training with Dogs: Making Informed Choices
As temperatures rise in the springtime in San Diego, humans and other creatures increase their outdoor activities. Sightings of wildlife increase with an associated worry on the part of the humans about close encounters with the more dangerous types, for example California’s rattlesnakes. Dog owners in particular share concerns about keeping their canine companions safe when venturing into the desert and mountains for hiking, hunting, etc. Homeowners who live close to the desert and whose yards are exposed are also concerned about keeping their dogs safe. A service provided by a number of individuals that appears to be growing in popularity is called snake avoidance training. Some call it other things: snake proofing (a very misleading term), de-snaking (inaccurate at best), or just snake training (which sounds like it would take a very long time as snakes don’t seem to learn as quickly as other animals). The basic strategy involves a snake, an electronic shock collar and the dog. The purpose is to present the snake to the dog, usually several times under different conditions so that the dog is exposed to the sound, smell and look of the snake. When the dog approaches the snake, a “trainer” administers the shock, usually at one of the highest settings. The hope is that through rapid aversive conditioning, the dog will learn to associate pain and/or fear with the snake and, therefore, will avoid snakes in the future. It sounds simple, but this is actually a very complex situation that deserves careful attention. The purpose of the remainder of this article is to help dog owners make informed choices about snake avoidance training. In addition to notes about the training itself, humane treatment of all the animals involved is also emphasized. The end of the article is summarized with a series of questions dog owners should ask (and get answers) from any potential trainer. My main point of this article is that this is a choice for the owner to make, and I want to encourage the most informed choice possible. It is NOT my intention to say whether one should even attempt this training. That is entirely up to the individual dog owner.
Snake avoidance training is most often recommended for people whose dogs are frequently in the field. People who are active out-of-doors or who live near the desert/suburb interface are also motivated to get the training. The costs range from $40-$80 or more and sometimes include a “free” follow-up session to make sure that the learning stuck. The trainings are frequently offered in a clinic format, with a number of people bringing their dogs to one location over a day or weekend. All trainers seem to note that this process is not guaranteed to work 100%. Many trainers attempt to conduct the training in as safe a manner as possible: safe for the human, safe for the dog. As mentioned above, the usual “presentation” of the stimulus (i.e., snake) is done in several ways where the dog is exposed separately to the sight, sound, or smell so that the dog hopefully will “get it” that this is a snake, and bad things happen to you when you approach a snake. The snake is usually a rattlesnake, and is either caged in some way, loose but defanged in some way or muzzled to ensure the safety of the dog. Ideally, the dog is shocked only once and figures out that snakes are to be avoided. Unfortunately, some dogs don’t seem to get it as quickly (or some trainers don’t know what they’re doing) and multiple shocks are administered. If the timing of the trainer is off by even a millisecond, the dog will be confused. Some of the potential long-term effects on the dog when the training is done improperly range from avoidance of anything remotely resembling a snake (including shadows and other innocuous things), to attacking all snakes. For some dogs, their fear becomes so great that it may interfere with their normal activities. Let the buyer beware.
QUESTIONS TO ASK A POTENTIAL TRAINER:
• What is your experience, training and education about the following: dogs and dog behavior, snakes and snake behavior, operant conditioning? (Check for excellent knowledge and experience… not just “OK.”
• What kind of snake is it? Where did you obtain the snake? How long have you had it? What happens to the snake once all the training is over? How many dogs are used with the one snake? How do you keep the snake on-site when you’re not training a dog? (Check for humane treatment and evidence for compliance with California law about reintroduction after captivity and moving snakes in the wild (that’s a no-no). Also, they better know exactly what kind of species it is… And so should you. If it’s a rare or other protected species of rattlesnake, you should report them to Operation Game Thief at 1-800-352-0700.)
• How will the snake be presented to the dog? If de-fanged, exactly what procedure was used for that process? (If you hear the word “pliers,” run.)
The bottom line is that snake avoidance training is not for every dog. If you decide to pay for someone’s services, choose your trainer carefully and wisely. Finally, keep in mind that there are larger issues to consider, both for your dog and for the other creatures involved.
This article was edited, the original article written by Allison Titcomb.
DOG PARK ETIQUETTE
Dog Park Etiquette taken from the American Pet Dog Trainer Website
Following are some basic guidelines that should be taken into consideration when bringing your dog to a dog park. An ideal park will have all the desirable items and none of the undesirable items. However, just because a park doesn’t have everything or does have an undesirable item doesn’t mean it is not a good dog park. These guidelines are for dog park patrons to use as a guide – different items will be important to different people.
Be sure to take your dog’s temperament into consideration and don’t assume s/he’s having a good time – watch your dog’s demeanor and make an informed judgment about how happy s/he is to be there. Some dogs will have no desire to play, yet will love to sniff all the bushes and trees; other dogs will be thrilled to race another dog from one end of the park to the other. Both of these dogs can benefit from the dog park – they just enjoy it in different ways.
If you take the time to be an informed dog owner, you will be able to judge for yourself if the situation you and your dog are in is a good situation – so, have fun at the dog park and get yourself a pooper scooper!
Don’t
-Ever bring a dog that is under 4 months of age
-Take sensitive dogs to an enclosed dog park where there are more than 2 dogs per every 20 square yards of space
-Take your dog to a dog park if s/he is uncomfortable — take your dog to a place that s/he enjoys
-Bring or use treats and toys when other dogs are nearby
-Allow dogs to form loose packs
-Allow a dog to bully another
-Ever let your dog off-leash in an un-fenced dog park if he/she is not responsive to your verbal commands
-Worry if some dogs don’t play with other dogs in a dog park
-Bring intact males or females in estrus to a dog park
Do
-Consult your veterinarian about your dog’s overall health before going to a dog park
-Make sure your dog is up-to-date on his/her vaccinations
-Observe the dogs in the dog park to see if there are any potential health or behavior problems
-Clean up after your dog
-Supervise dogs when they are playing and interrupt any rough play
-Be willing to leave a dog park if you feel that your dog is either being a
-Bully, the play is getting too rough or your dog is just not having fun
-Check to be sure there aren’t a large number of intact males at the park
-Make sure your young dog is not being bullied or learning bad manners from the other dogs
-Be cautious about taking advice from other park patrons who are not dog professionals
-Check to see if there is a knowledgeable human on staff to supervise the park – most parks will not have this, but if there is someone, it is a bonus.
HELP FIDO SAVE FIESTA ISLAND FOR THE DOGS
Calling all dog owners! We need YOUR help!
MORE INFO AVAILABLE AT http://www.fidosd.org/
TO GET INVOLVED WITH THE FIESTA ISLAND DOG OWNERS (FIDO)
CALL: 619-640-9496 or email: fidosd@gmail.com
Fiesta Island is at Risk!!!
DID YOU KNOW THAT IF THE CURRENT PLAN TO DEVELOP FIESTA ISLAND IS APPROVED:
You will no longer be able to even wade in Hidden Anchorage (the cove where the ski jump is)
A road will divide our fenced area into 2 separate parts. (You will need to leash your dog, cross the road; go through another gate to the other side and hope that no dogs get loose on the road)
The west half will be designated regional parkland and the first time a conflict occurs between dogs and picnickers, we could lose the entire western half of the island
4 foot fences are being used (Is 4 feet high enough to keep your dog out of the road/parking lot?)
The west half will be used as a parking lot for special events
The city is currently working on a plan to “develop” Fiesta Island. They will add a swimming beach, parking lots, turfed areas and other changes. These changes will forever alter the open, undeveloped nature of Fiesta Island. It will also change how dog owners will be able to use the island.
The most heavily used fenced leash-free area on the southern tip of the island is being reduced in size and will have a road running through the middle dividing it into two parts. This will make it more difficult to keep the dogs spread out and will force dog owners to cross the road to get from one section to the other. You will have to leash your dog at a gate, cross the road, and then release you dog. Safety concerns are that dogs may get loose onto the road and that fights may occur at these bottlenecks while owners attempt to get the dogs leashed.
It will disrupt the counterclockwise traffic flow and make it more difficult on those of us who walk, bike and run with their dogs around the perimeter of the island.
The Dept. of Park and Recreation currently designates less than 450 of its 40,000 acres of public land to off-leash use for the county’s 700,000 dogs so it is of the utmost importance that we fight to preserve our areas on Fiesta Island for future use.
Veterinarians and animal behaviorists are aware of behavioral problems in dogs associated with lack of socialization and exercise. Where will dogs be able to go for these activities? Many of the small neighborhood dog parks are currently overcrowded and dangerous. The San Diego County Veterinary Medical Association and San Diego Humane Society have expressed their opinions that Fiesta Island remain off-leash.
FIDO does not support paving to create parking lots nor do we support any other development that will forever change the character of Fiesta Island. We feel that there are dozens of other areas where people can picnic, camp, and park their RV’s. This is the last undeveloped, open park that exists for those who prefer an environment other than
manicured parklands.
If this plan is approved, not only will they be chopping up our fenced leash-free area, but the projected cost is over $150 million for a city that has no money. There has been absolutely no mention of the ongoing maintenance costs this project would incur each year. The Dept. of Park and Recreation has already had to cut its staff, discontinue programs and close neighborhood swimming pools due to lack of money. It seems rather misguided to spend millions of dollars to develop an area that most think doesn’t need developing.
The most current proposal for the development of Fiesta Island is plan 4E. Information about the general development plan can be found here:
Here is a link to the Dog Use proposal for plan 4E:
http://www.fiestaislandgdp.com
——————————————————————————–
“FIDO Did You Know Flyer”
Learn how you can Help to keep Fiesta Island beautiful for our dogs!
If you would like to get involved please contact any of the following:
General Information: Regula Schmidt 619-640-9496 or email fidosd@gmail.com
Volunteers: Alise Shatoff 619-291-2106 or email alise@caninegenius.com
Media: Paula Lynn 858-735-9116 or email paula@ayamba.com
Donations: Dave McIntyre 858-792-6332 or email sd92sd@san.rr.com =
FOXTAILS ARE A BIG PROBLEM FOR DOGS IN SAN DIEGO
Foxtails
Foxtails are named after foxtail brome, a grass whose seed head is bushy like a fox’s tail. The term is used for any of the sharp stickers you might find poking into your socks after walking in a dry summer field.
Some foxtail problems can be prevented
If your dog has thick woolly hair, foxtails embedded in the coat will burrow through the skin and into his body. By the time you discover the problem, there may be dozens of foxtails that have become difficult or impossible to locate and remove. This can be prevented by careful daily combing or a close whole-body trim. The best time for trimming is just before the fields begin to turn brown and again six or eight weeks later.
Even for dogs with short hair, foxtails get started between the toes and burrow into the feet. This is a worse problem for Spaniels or other dogs with webbed toes, but happens with all breeds. Check your dog’s feet every day and remove foxtails before they burrow in. If your dog has long hair between his toes, have a groomer trim it out.
Other foxtail problems cannot be prevented
Nose foxtails
Sudden extremely severe sneezing, pawing at nose, possibly bleeding from nostril. Symptoms diminish after several hours, becoming intermittent.
Ear foxtails
Tilting and shaking head, pawing at ear, crying, moving stiffly.
Eye foxtails
Squinting eye suddenly-swelling accompanied by tears and mucous discharge.
Throat foxtails
Gagging, retching cough, compulsive grass eating, stretching neck and swallowing.
Foxtails in any of these locations must be removed by a veterinarian, and depending on their location, often require anesthesia.
Unfortunately, the common foxtail problems listed above aren’t the only ones. Foxtails can be inhaled or enter any body opening and travel long distances. They don’t show on x-rays and are sometimes impossible to surgically locate and remove. Foxtails are a serious health problem for dogs in Southern California this time of year. Please keep your dogs away from it whenever possible and eliminate foxtails from your yard.
This post brought to you by LOSE THE LEASH SAN DIEGO DOG TRAINING
Useful “Dog-Friendly” Directory for dogs in San Diego
Below are a wide variety of dog-friendly places to go.
Click here for Dog Training San Diego.
Accommodations
La Quinta Inn San Diego Chula Vista -150 Bonita Rd. Chula Vista
Motel 6 – San Diego – Chula Vista -745 E Street Chula Vista
Coronado Island Marriott Resort -2000 Second Street Coronado
Crown City Inn -520 Orange Ave Coronado
Loews Coronado Bay Resort -4000 Coronado Bay Road Coronado
Motel 6 – San Diego – El Cajon -550 Montrose Court El Cajon
Quality Inn Suites -1250 El Cajon Blvd El Cajon
Andrea Villa Inn -2402 Torrey Pines Rd La Jolla
La Jolla Village Lodge -1141 Silverado Street La Jolla
Residence Inn by Marriott -8901 Gilman Drive La Jolla
San Diego Marriott La Jolla -4240 La Jolla Village Drive La Jolla
Motel 6 – San Diego – La Mesa -7621 Alvarado Road La Mesa
Best Western Lamplighter Inn and Suites -6474 El Cajon Blvd San Diego
Best Western Mission Bay -2575 Clairemont Drive San Diego
Double Tree Club San Diego -1515 Hotel Circle South San Diego
Doubletree -7450 Hazard Center Drive San Diego
Four Points by Sheraton San Diego -8110 Aero Drive San Diego
Holiday Inn on the Bay -1355 N Harbor Dr San Diego
Homestead Suites -7444 Mission Valley Rd San Diego
Hotel Solamar -453 6th Avenue San Diego
La Quinta Inn San Diego Rancho Penasquitos -10185 Paseo Montril San Diego
Motel 6 – San Diego – Hotel Circle -2424 Hotel Circle North San Diego
Motel 6 – San Diego Airport/Harbor -2353 Pacific Highway San Diego
Motel 6 – San Diego Downtown -1546 2nd Avenue San Diego
Motel 6 – San Diego North -5592 Clairemont Mesa Boulevard San Diego
Ocean Villa Inn -5142 West Point Loma Blvd San Diego
Pacific Inn Hotel & Suites -1655 Pacific Hwy San Diego
Premier Inn -2484 Hotel Circle Place San Diego
Premier Inn -3333 Channel Way San Diego
Red Lion -2270 Hotel Circle N San Diego
Residence Inn by Marriott -5400 Kearny Mesa Road San Diego
Residence Inn by Marriott -1747 Pacific Highway San Diego
Residence Inn by Marriott -1865 Hotel Circle S San Diego
Residence Inn by Marriott -11002 Rancho Carmel Drive San Diego
Residence Inn by Marriott -12011 Scripps Highland Drive San Diego
Residence Inn by Marriott -5995 Pacific Mesa Court San Diego
San Diego Marriott Hotel and Marina -333 W Harbor Drive San Diego
Sheraton San Diego Hotel and Marina -1380 Harbor Island Drive San Diego
Sheraton Suites San Diego -701 A. Street San Diego
Staybridge Suites -6639 Mira Mesa Blvd San Diego
Staybridge Suites -1110 A Street San Diego
Staybridge Suites -11855 Ave of Industry San Diego
Staybridge Suites -1110 A Street San Diego
The Westin Horton Plaza -910 Broadway Circle San Diego
Vagabond Inn-Point Loma -1325 Scott St. San Diego
W San Diego -421 West B. Street San Diego
Motel 6 – San Ysidro – San Diego -160 East Calle Primera San Ysidro
Accommodations – Vacation Home Rentals
Casitas del Mar -Call to Arrange San Diego
The Hohe’s Beach House -4905 Dixie Drive San Diego
Accommodations – RV Parks and Campgrounds
Sweetwater Summit Regional Park -3218 Summit Meadow Road Bonita
San Diego Metro -111 N 2nd Avenue Chula Vista
Sunland RV Resort – San Diego -7407 Alvarado Road La Mesa
Lake Jennings County Park -10108 Bass Road Lakeside
Campland on the Bay -2211 Pacific Beach Drive San Diego
Santee Lakes Recreation Preserve -9310 Fanita Parkway San Diego
Beaches
Coronado Dog Beach -100 Ocean Blvd Coronado
Imperial Beach -Seacoast Drive at Imperial Beach Blvd Imperial Beach
La Jolla Shores Beach -Camino Del Oro La Jolla
Point La Jolla Beaches -Coast Blvd. La Jolla
Dog Beach -Point Loma Blvd. Ocean Beach
Ocean Beach -Point Loma Blvd. Ocean Beach
Fiesta Island -Fiesta Island Road San Diego
Parks
Bayshore Bikeway -Silver Strand Blvd. Coronado
Centennial & Tidelands Parks -Orange Ave and First St. Coronado
Tijuana River National Estuarine Research Reserve -301 Caspian Way Imperial Beach
Balboa Park -El Prado St San Diego
Cabrillo National Monument -1800 Cabrillo Memorial Drive San Diego
Cleveland National Forest -10845 Rancho Bernardo Rd., Suite 200 San Diego
Embarcadero Marina Park North and South -Foot of Kettner (N) or Marina Park Way (S), Port of San Diego San Diego
Harbor Island -2036 Harbor Island Drive San Diego
Mission Bay Park -Mission Bay Drive San Diego
Mission Beach & Promenade -Mission Blvd. San Diego
Mission Trails Regional Park -1 Father Junipero Serra Trail San Diego
Park at the Park (Petco Park) -Ninth Avenue at J Street San Diego
Presidio Park -Jackson St San Diego
Sunset Cliffs Park -Sunset Cliffs Boulevard San Diego
Tecolote Canyon Natural Park -Tecolote Road San Diego
Manning Park -Manning Park San Ysidro
Off-Leash Dog Parks
Dog Park at Otay Ranch Town Center -Eastlake Pkwy At Olympic Pkwy Chula Vista
Montevalle Park Dog Park -840 Duncan Ranch Road Chula Vista
Wells Park & Off-Leash Dog Park -1153 E. Madison Ave El Cajon
Harry Griffen Park -9550 Milden Street La Mesa
Dusty Rhodes Dog Park -Sunset Cliffs Blvd. Ocean Beach
Balboa Park Dog Run -Balboa Dr San Diego
Capehart Dog Park -Felspar at Soledad Mountain Rd San Diego
Doyle Community Park -8175 Regents Road San Diego
Grape Street Park Off-Leash Area -Grape Street at Granada Ave San Diego
Kearny Mesa Dog Park -3170 Armstrong Street San Diego
Maddox Dog Park -7815 Flanders Dr San Diego
Rancho Bernardo Off-Leash Park -18448 West Bernardo Drive San Diego
Torrey Highlands Park -Landsdale Drive at Del Mar Heights Road San Diego
Shopping Centers
Otay Ranch Town Center -Eastlake Pkwy At Olympic Pkwy Chula Vista
Horton Plaza Shopping Center -324 Horton Plaza San Diego
Outdoor Restaurants
Cucina Italiana -4705-A Clairemont Drive Clairemont
Cafe 1134 -1134 Orange Ave Coronado
McP’s Irish Pub and Grill -1107 Orange Avenue Coronado
Rhinoceros Cafe and Grill -1166 Orange Ave Coronado
Spiro’s Gyros -1201 First Street Coronado
Tartine -1106 1st Street Coronado
Villa Nueva -956 Orange Ave Coronado
Elijah’s -8861 Villa La Jolla Drive La Jolla
French Pastry Shop -5550 La Jolla Blvd La Jolla
Girard Gourmet -7837 Girard Avenue La Jolla
Harry’s Coffee Shop -7545 Girard Avenue La Jolla
La Jolla Beachhouse Brewery -7536 Fay Ave La Jolla
Sante Ristorante -7811 Herschel Avenue La Jolla
The 910 Restaurant and Bar -910 Prospect St La Jolla
Whole Foods Market -8825 Villa La Jolla Drive La Jolla
Yummy Maki Yummy Box -3211 Holiday Ct # 101A La Jolla
Zenbu Sushi Bar & Restaurant -7660 Fay Avenue La Jolla
Seau’s -1640 Camino del Rio North Mission Valley
Tazablanca -3946 Illinois Street North Park
Bar-B-Que House -5025 Newport Avenue Ocean Beach
Baja Fresh Mexican Grill -3369 Rosecrans San Diego
Baja Fresh Mexican Grill -120 W. Washington St. San Diego
Baja Fresh Mexican Grill -9015 Mira Mesa Blvd San Diego
Baja Fresh Mexican Grill -3737 Murphy Cyn Rd San Diego
Baja Fresh Mexican Grill -845 Camino De La Reina San Diego
Boardwalk Bistro -3704 Mission Blvd San Diego
Cafe 222 -222 Island Street San Diego
Cafe Pacifica -2414 San Diego Avenue San Diego
Champagne French Bakery Cafe -12955 El Camino Real San Diego
City Delicatessen -535 University Ave San Diego
Costa Brava -1653 Garnet Avenue San Diego
El Indio -3695 India Street San Diego
Gulf Coast Grill -4130 Park Blvd San Diego
Hudson Bay Seafood -1403 Scott Street San Diego
Kemo Sabe -3958 Fifth Ave. San Diego
King’s Fish House -825 Camino de la Reina San Diego
Korky’s Ice Cream and Coffee -2371 San Diego Avenue San Diego
Lamont Street Grill -4445 Lamont Street San Diego
Oggi’s Pizza -2245 Fenton Parkway San Diego
Saffron Thai Grilled Chicken -3137 India Street San Diego
Terra Bar and Restaurant -3900 Vermont Street San Diego
The Alamo -2502 San Diego Ave San Diego
The Bean Bar Coffee House and Drive-Thru -3111 Hancock St San Diego
The Prado Restaurant -1549 El Prado San Diego
Trattoria Fantastica -1735 India Street San Diego
Trattoria la Strada -702 Fifth Street San Diego
Uncle Joe’s Pizzeria -4591 El Cajon Blvd San Diego
Virginia Restaurant -717 4th Ave San Diego
Whole Foods Market -711 University Avenue San Diego
Zia’s Bistro -1845 India Street San Diego
The Pennant! -2893 Mission Blvd South Mission Beach
Animal Emergency Services
Animal ER of San Diego -5610 Kearny Mesa Rd San Diego
Animal Emergency Clinic -13240 Evening Creek Dr S San Diego
Emergency Animal Clinic -2317 Hotel Cir S # A San Diego
Pet Emergency and Specialty Center – 5252 Jackson Dr. Suite 105 La Mesa 91941
INDESTRUCTABLE DOG TRAINING TOYS!
I am always on the lookout for dog toys that are not destroyed within the first few minutes of giving one to my pack. I have recently stumbled on a great product that I highly recommend. The company name is West Paw Design and they make a product called zogoflex. The zogoflex is an awesome bouncy material that neither my Belgian Malinois nor my Pitbull can destroy and they play with it all the time. The zogoflex material is used in a floating, bouncy ball and also a bone-shaped chew toy. ENJOY!
