Did you know: Your Dog Can Be Trained to Avoid Rattlesnakes In One Short Session..With Gina Gables
By Gina Gables
Community Writer
05/17/2016 at 06:03 AM
Community Writer
05/17/2016 at 06:03 AM
"Training will be held in Riverside Sat. May 21st, For more info or to register online please go to www.MAnPAW.com
Since 1991 Gina Gables, owner of Ma & Paw Kennel Canine Training Services has been ‘helping dogs with people problems’.
She has successfully trained thousands of dogs (and their owners) in disciplines ranging from basic obedience and extensive behavior modification to training personal protection dogs, herding dogs as well as humanely training dogs to avoid rattlesnakes. Every animal has a unique personality and disposition. Because of this, every animal needs to be trained differently. This is what makes Gina a unique trainer.
Gina has a wide range of experience and a wealth of knowledge. Whether you want to train a young animal or an older animal you need expert guidance to effectively train your animal. You can count on Gina to train with love and compassion.
Rattlesnake Avoidance Training (R.A.T.) is a process of conditioning an avoidance response to the sight sound or scent of rattlesnakes by pairing something unpleasant with it so the dog will want to avoid any rattlesnakes it becomes aware of. For more information please go to: http://manpaw.com/Rattlesnake_Avoidance_O88N.php
In Southern California your dog is in danger of encountering rattlesnakes either in your own backyard or on a hiking trail. The best thing you can do is have your dog trained to avoid rattlesnakes. Not only can it save your dog’s life but being observant of your dog’s behavior after receiving R.A.T. can alert you to the presence of a rattlesnake and prevent you from being bitten as well.
“Just wanted you to know my dog Amber went to Rattlesnake school during the summer. She passed that class and saved my husband two different times from Rattlesnakes. I am so glad Amber took your class and she will go to the refresher course as well. Thank you”. -Robert and Ann A.
Many dogs do not instinctively know to stay away from rattlesnakes. Instead they are naturally curious and try to get closer for a better look or a better smell and end up being bitten, usually on the face or neck. Facial bites are often more lethal as the swelling may occlude the throat or impair ability to breathe. Rattlesnake bites can be very expensive to treat IF the dog survives.
In the past rattlesnake avoidance training has gained a bad reputation for being inhumane and traumatizing to dogs (and their owners alike!). Traditionally this training involved using shock collars exclusively.
Gina Gables’ Rattlesnake Avoidance Training does things differently!
For old dogs, young pups, and the very sensitive dogs or owners, there are options such as spray collars (canned air) or vibrating collars (similar to your cell phone) or electric (shock) collars. Manufacturers of electric shock collars suggest their products generally should not be used on puppies under 6 months of age, depending on the breed and the individual or dogs with certain health problems. Dogs can learn from a very young age and having these alternatives enables training puppies not to play with rattlesnakes.
Realistic scenarios… Gina takes the time to scout out the training site location and they set up a realistic 'trail-like' course with approximately 6-9 stations, alternating with sight, sound and scent. Along with live rattlesnakes they use props such as rocks and logs.
The most exciting part, you train WITH your dog! A dog handler (accompanied by the owners) walks the dogs to various staging areas. This way you will be involved and can observe your dog’s training. This will help recognize your dog’s specific, sometimes very subtle avoidance behavior, preventing any possible rattlesnake encounters.
Each dog receives individual training sessions. In these sessions Gina trains your dog to recognize and avoid; the sight, sound and the scent of rattlesnakes. Your dog will then be able to avoid any one of these clues to a rattlesnake’s presence individually, even if the other clues aren’t present. For example your dog may be downwind of the rattlesnake and so he is able to smell it but may not be able to see it (possibly due to high grass, logs or rocks) the snake, not aware of the dogs’ presence, does not give a warning rattle. So by avoiding just the smell, the trained dog would then keep away from the rattlesnake and a potentially life threatening bite.
Gina and crew are very proud of the comprehensive approach they take in making this training as realistic, humane and effective as they believe is possible. By taking part in the sessions the owner and dog will be spared the pain and distress (as well as possible death) caused by a rattlesnake bite.
I cannot say enough good things about Ma & Paw Kennel’s Rattlesnake Avoidance Training. They really get it. … I will come back next year, and recommend that each of you enroll your dog for a session. -Ralph B.
Training will be held in Riverside Sat. May 21st, For more info or to register online please go to www.MAnPAW.com
Gina offers RATTLESNAKE AVOIDANCE TRAINING FOR DOGS in the following counties:San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, Fresno, Ventura,
Los Angeles, San Bernardino, Riverside, Kern, Inyo and Orange
Gina Gables
Ma & Paw Kennel Canine Training Services
Phone: 805.523.3432 Fax: 805-334-6244
Email: Gina@MAnPAW.com Website: www.MAnPAW.com
PUPPY/ADULT TRAINING~ CAGE-FREE DOG BOARDING ~RATTLESNAKE AVOIDANCE TRAINING~
Helping Dogs with People Problems
Since 1991
Please like us on Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/DogRattlesnakeAvoidanceTraining?ref=hl
The page is on the subject of Rattlesnake Avoidance Training for Dogs and rattlesnake related info.
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Dog-Training-101/218608984890850?ref=hl
Dog Training 101 information specifically on behavior/training. Mostly dog but sometimes other animals too.
https://www.facebook.com/MaAndPaw
General dog related topics such as health/safety tips; funny stuff; dogs up for adoption and missing/found dogs in So. California.