Rattlesnake Avoidance Dog Training
Thanks so much for your class today at the Mountains Restoration Trust. I'm a veterinarian, and my trainer Janine Pierce recommended you and ONLY you for this training. I moved to Topanga Canyon 6 months ago, and I wanted my 2 GSD's, Bandit and Ranger, to have the best protection they could get. I have already seen Rattlesnakes on my property. I plan on attending your course every year to re-enforce the behavior. I found you and your team very professional and caring. Dr. Debra Rackear
My Redbone Coonhound, Jenna, just took your rattlesnake class today for the first time. 30 mintues after we got home, there was a rattlesnake on our back patio. Jenna went crazy, barking, etc., alerted us and avoided the snake. How ironic, the timing of her first snake! Had she not taken your class before that, she likely would have approached and been bitten. Barbara Burns I'm about to sign up for rattlesnake avoidance training for the third year. The year before my first time I lost two dogs to rattlesnakes who bit them in my yard. I didn't have the financial resources for treatment to save their lives. A friend of mine had taken his basset puppy and said he wasn't sure if it worked or not (she was a very hyper little thing in those days) but since she is so close to the ground and he can't keep his eyes on her constantly, he felt it was worth trying. I brought my two Siberian huskies and watched as both of them really LEARNED to fear rattlesnakes. The next year, with a new dog, I returned with three Siberians to go through the training again. One of my older dogs remembered it so well, that all she wanted was to get out of there. The training makes a DEEP impression on a dog and I'll be back again this year. Martha Kennedy
I met you at the classes in Santa Ynez and promised to send you this...better late than never!  Thank you for an excellent program!!! Debbie My apologies for being so late in relating an actual incident that occurred with my dog last year. We had gone to one of your Rattlesnake Avoidance classes, it was held in Santa Clarita, in June 2005 which was our second time/class/year. The following weekend my dog and I went out for a three day/two night backpacking trip in the Los Padres National Forest. On our way back out we were walking along an old, overgrown fire road, and my dog was about 20 feet in front of me and to the right side of the road. Literally, in the blink of an eye, she was another 50 feet ahead and on the left side of the road. She stopped and turned back to face me, but would not move. I knew she had seen something but did not know what until I heard the distinctive sound of a rattlesnake. After a few more seconds I could see the rattlesnake coiling up in the foot high grass about 10 feet in front to the right side of the road. Thanks to your training I knew that I did not have to worry about my dog coming back or getting near the rattlesnake, which allowed me to focus on avoiding the rattlesnake myself. After I got clear of the rattlesnake and we had gone down the road to ensure we were well away from the rattlesnake, we held a mini celebration. I now go hiking and backpacking with my dog, confident that she will avoid rattlesnakes instead of sniffing them or trying to play with them. Thank you again for this invaluable training you conduct each year. Charlotte Romine and Holchichka I recently lost one of my dogs to a rattlesnake bite after doing everything modern vetrinary science could do to try to save her. My gift to her was to enroll her mate and two "kids" in your class and none too soon I must say. My house is next to the hills above the Rose Bowl in Pasadena. The brush is cleared behind our house and I let the dogs out before sunset 3 hours after taking your class. I had my dogs off leash behind me and spotted a diamond back rattlesnake 5 feet in front of me curled up between two rocks. I froze and my dogs froze behind me. I turned and commanded them to go back in the house and they all ran back in the house. A few nights ago we had a garden snake in our yard. One of the dogs went out, stopped, saw the sanke and ran back in the house. I am so grateful for finding you and am recommending you to everyone I know who has dogs and lives in the hills. Thank you and we'll see you next year! Cheryl Pestor We live in Yucaipa and have a 3 1/2 year old "Schnoodle" (Poodle/Schauzer). Several weeks ago, as my husband was taking her outside, she was just ahead of him and out of his sight behind a tree and all her could see was her jump back and start barking and barking. As my husband got around the tree, there was a young rattler coiled up. Of course we freaked out not knowing if she had been bitten....she hadn't. I credit it all to her training by you folks. We took her to Victorville and San Diego for her training and will be taking her again soon. She did exactly as she was supposed to and that was avoid and warn. She was such a little trooper. We can't thank you enough and credit her training for her life being saved. She is a lizard chasing fool and I have no doubt that without her training, she would have been bitten. It took her 3 times biting bees to learn to leave them alone. Alan and Leanna Thank you for taking the extra time my dog needed yesterday and coming up with an idea that worked for her. Also, thanks for answering my endless questions. It was a pleasure to meet you and your wife and everyone that was working there. I look forward to seeing you again when I bring the pup for avoidance training. Michelle Hunt A week and a half ago I brought my border collie to his first rattlesnake avoidance clinic. I felt it was important because we do a lot of hiking and even though last season we never encountered any rattlesnakes, I figured that was just good luck and not to be counted on forever. This morning I was hiking with a friend and her lab. TWICE my dog alerted to rattlesnakes on the trail. His responses were easily readable as they mirrored exactly his reactions at the clinic. He was a hero and I was so glad that we had taken the time to give him this training. Thank you for your efforts. Lauren Martin My Aussie took this class three years ago. Last year, while on a walk at sunset, she alerted me just in time to avoid stepping on a rattlesnake that was coiled on the sidewalk. When I brought her back for a refresher this Spring, the look she gave me after the 3rd station said, "Why'd you bring us here? Don't you know these things are dangerous?". Monica Milano We live in Campo, California, a high desert community just east of Pine Valley about 50 miles from San Diego. Last year we brought our two Dalmatians for rattlesnake avoidance training. We came with some expectations, but also got the anti-venom shots as a back-up. I guess our confidence was not that great. Over the summer though we became believers in the training. Buster alerted us twice to rattlers near our house. What a nice bonus. All we really wanted was the dog to be safe, but through this training we have protected our home. We just gave the two of them a refresher course on snakes with Patrick. The retention of the scent and sound for our dogs was amazing. We are looking forward to another safe summer. Patty and Dan Lawrence I was truly impressed by the work you did personally with Sadie. I see your clinics as a MUST for search and rescue dogs! I will be registering my new shepherd and a refresher for Sadie this year. I look forward to seeing you! Michelle Hunt Last year our family dog (a 1 year old German Shorthair) went through your rattlesnake avoidance training. It was the best thing for her and my family. About 4 weeks after the training, our dog was barking in the back yard and wouldn't stop. I finally went out to investigate to discover she was warning our family of the presence of a young rattlesnake, about 12 to 18 inches long. She was barking, staying about 10 feet away. She wouldn't go near it. I believe your training saved her life and kept my two young boys away from the snake. This year we returned for a second reminder training session. Our dog remembered the training from last year. Thank you for the service you provide. It worked for us! The Parker Family I am so happy that a friend told me about your clinics. Our dog Freddy has warned us of a rattlesnake at least six times in the past year. I feel that all dogs should have this training. Shirley Hughes Great clinic! One aspect I liked the best was the natural setting. Also, it is good that the owner is able to see the training. A must for all dog owners. At first, I thought the training would only be beneficial for the dog. I can see how my dog will alert me, a possibility of saving my life. Next time the whole family will have to attend! Anyone that knows CPR and First Aid (and has a dog) should attend. This could be a real lifesaver! Chris Rinauro Great 1st time experience. We will highly recommend it to our friends. We will be back next year and bring our horses too. Scott Rochat Fourth year - great program. It really works. I live in Laguna Beach - lots of rattlesnakes - dog avoids them. J.M.B. Excellent! My dog's second year at training - obviously still remembers from last year. Now has even better aversion behavior! Will do it every year! She had been bitten before we had the first class and we will always try to do whatever we can to avoid that again. Excellent. K. Picard In May 1999, three weeks after our initial class, my dog and I were working in my backyard. The dog froze and started barking. I had long handle cutters and checked the bushes! As I looked down, I saw a large snake (9 ft. rattler) at my feet. As it struck at me, I closed the cutters and cut off its head. It was so close that I had blood on my leg. Thank you! S. R. Foulger This is Sadi's 4th year. We come all the way from Anza and its well worth it. I feel the continued reinforcement protects her and me. Marty Amaya Thank you very much. You have found the most kind way to help our dogs be safe. I appreciate that only the necessary level of reinforcement is used. My kids thank you as well. Morgan Lightfoot This was Nikki's second year. Last year she walked right up to the snake without any reservation and required stimulation to back off. This year was a world of difference - she refused to go within 10 feet of the snake even when led and actively avoided the snake when I called her. Great job! Thanks very much! Wendy Hodgin
www.patrickcallaghan.com www.gamelandkennels.com Telephone 951 735-3251 Facsimile 951 735-4772 |
