Leave it: Dog trainers help pets avoid poisonous snakes
Summary
In Tucson, Arizona, dog trainers use electronic collars to teach dogs to avoid venomous rattlesnakes. This training helps protect dogs from dangerous snake bites, which can be deadly or costly to treat.Key Facts
- Dogs receive a mild shock from an electronic collar when they approach a rattlesnake, teaching them to stay away.
- The rattlesnakes used in training have their venom glands removed and are not dangerous during the sessions.
- About 150,000 dogs in the U.S. are bitten by venomous snakes each year.
- In Arizona, veterinary centers treat several dogs daily for rattlesnake bites.
- Snakebite survival rates for pets are around 94% with quick medical treatment.
- Snakebite treatments can be expensive, involving antivenom and hospitalization.
- Trainers say electronic collars are the most effective method for rattlesnake avoidance.
- Research on rattlesnake-aversion training is ongoing at the University of Arizona’s College of Veterinary Medicine.
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