Todays' Perfect Moment is brought to us care of our 15 month old puppy, Charley.
This is Charley. (He says, "Don't blame me for the messy room, I just nap here.")
These are the hills and mountains near our house where we go on hikes with the dog.
There are lots of rattlesnakes in the hills and they are an important part of the ecosystem, keeping vermin populations controlled.(Vermin is such a fun word, don't you think? Sounds way cooler than rodents. Sorry, I digress. Also, I did not take this picture, it is a file photo from the Park Service.)
Last summer, we took Charley to a Snake Avoidance clinic which trains the dog to show Zero interest in the sight, sound, or smell of snakes with the use of a trainer and electric shock collar.
Three weeks ago, we went hiking with the dog and saw a 3 foot long black Rattlesnake right next to the trail. My husband was fascinated of course and examined it from a safe distance. He counted 7 rings on the rattle. The dog is usually always interested in what his humans are doing and especially when it involves small creatures, but Not This Time! Charley sat right at my feet and studiously Ignored the Whole Thing!! He did just what he was trained to do when encountering a snake. I am so proud of him! Good Dog!! (Now if only I can fit him with a shock collar to keep him out of the trash.)
24 comments:
I had never heard of such training -- must have been a relieve to know it works so well for Charley!
And, Martha, thanks so much for your kind words. You just turned around what could have been a bad mood for me. *namaste, my friend*
Oh my word! If I saw a snake I would LOSE it!!!! My pup's name is Charlie too...but he really minds us at all and would most certainly end up as rattle snake food. Visiting from Lori's PMM>
wow! this training is such a great idea... and btw, chrarley is so cute!
Charley is so cute. I don't think any dog of mine would need snake avoidance training - the dog would be too busy being dragged behind me as I ran away!
Wow - I never would have thought of that one! Very interesting.
I would not handle a snack situation well - I will tell you that.
:)
Holly
That is amazing. It seems like it would hard to teach a dog to ignore something.
I think I might need that sort of training so I can ignore all that yummy bad-for-me food! (not including chocolate of course!)
Clever doggy.
xxx
Eek! That snake picture was about more than I could handle!!
awww....Charley is so smart!
Looks like Charley has the best seat in the house!
As a dog owner myself I think that's awesome he learned from the training. Lucy is a good dog but has her moments- like running away whenever she would get the chance. Interesting about the rattlers.
Good boy, Charlie!
I was just thinking how scary it would be to have a dog in an area where there are snakes before I started reading. That is a really cool program that they have for the dogs. I can't believe that it worked. Hooray! Around here our dog has attacked a possum, eaten baby rabbits from a nest, chases birds, and fortunately has not been sprayed with a skunk but it happens all the time. Think garter snakes are about the worst you'll find in our suburban subdivision.
Oh my G-d.
Can you train me? Just looking at that picture makes me want to jump on my couch.
(I love that word... Vermin... Reserve it for the lowest of the low)
those hills are beautiful...i would freak if i saw that snake...
He counted the rings on the rattle????
I encountered a rattler on a run in the desert a few years ago. I was on an out and back and ran past the snake when I heard the rattle. I was so scared I couldn't bring myself to return, past the rock I'd seen the snake on. I stood frozen until two men came by on bikes and I asked them to escort me. They very kindly kept from laughing out loud. Of course that snake was long gone.
I would SO never go walking where there is snakes... I am still freaking from your pic. Yuck! So glad that your dog has been snake trained.
wow.. that is one amazing doggy~!!!! he is way too cute, too!!! and i was wondering how you took that photo of the snake!!
wow.. that is one amazing doggy~!!!! he is way too cute, too!!! and i was wondering how you took that photo of the snake!!
ohhhh, love your dog all snuggled up....so cute!
OMG... I am scared to death of snakes... heard it's rattlesnake season in OC right now too... scary.
The doggies warm my heart! Thank you so much for always leaving such a great comment. It seriously makes my day. Just knowing that there are people like you who care means so much to me!
hahaha, your dog learned his lesson, but your hubby did not take the class......he was all too interested in that dangerous snake. "hubby, STOP! Don't get too close!"...if only they would listen to us. hahaha! =)
Vermin, I love that word too :) I don't think I can handle seeing a snake in the wild though, maybe I need some training myself. Also, Charlie is so cute!
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