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by troubles on 23 February 2011 - 06:02
anyone know how easy it would be to get my gsd to learn how to track and find snakes of certain species?
how long would it take for him to learn such a task and can i do it on my own?
before people get horrified NO one is going to hurt any snakes my friend is a wildlife geek that workds for some wildlife refuge and goes on snake counts
takes hours and hours to find one snake sometimes we dont find any at all just wondering if the gsd can help
of course dog will be on leash and will not be allowed to touch any snakes because we would not want one getting hurt or slobbered on
no snakes with venom live in this area so harmless for dog
how long would it take for him to learn such a task and can i do it on my own?
before people get horrified NO one is going to hurt any snakes my friend is a wildlife geek that workds for some wildlife refuge and goes on snake counts
takes hours and hours to find one snake sometimes we dont find any at all just wondering if the gsd can help
of course dog will be on leash and will not be allowed to touch any snakes because we would not want one getting hurt or slobbered on
no snakes with venom live in this area so harmless for dog
by alboe2009 on 23 February 2011 - 06:02
I would think the same concept as any scent detection. Your best bet is to get the snake or snakes themselves then set up protocol boxes or containers. My dogs all know what snakes are and just won't run in to grab them/jump on them. Even when there are no snakes in the container the scent will still make them cautious as if the snake is still there. Some snakes, like here; Black Snake can be very large. But they will emit a NASTY odor and I'm sure that is one of the primary reasons for the cautiousness displayed.
Once you figure out how your going to start that you're going to have to figure on how the dog will identify with an alert. That will be up to you. Even though a non-venomous snake it could still hurt the dog. If that dog is looking through rocks, hillsides, fallen trees and is on scent but not on snake and depending on size the snake strikes, some still have teeth. Dogs' nose, eyes and face could get hurt. If you really do it keep us advised.
Once you figure out how your going to start that you're going to have to figure on how the dog will identify with an alert. That will be up to you. Even though a non-venomous snake it could still hurt the dog. If that dog is looking through rocks, hillsides, fallen trees and is on scent but not on snake and depending on size the snake strikes, some still have teeth. Dogs' nose, eyes and face could get hurt. If you really do it keep us advised.
by troubles on 23 February 2011 - 07:02
Yes the rare black rat snake is the main one he wants to track and write up reports on during most of the spring/summer in all sorts of protected areas where this snake exists
my friend also has a permit to own this snake species for education purpose as a display animal for the public
so we have a few that are already captive we can work with
Why are your dogs afraid of snakes? I have seen dogs and cats both kill some pretty large rat snakes but the dogs were being edged on by their owners mostly animal cruetly even big rat snakes are at the bottom of the food chain and have poor defense with no venom. A bite from one would not even make it past the fur of a gsd or even a cat as they have no jaw power even if the snake got a dog on a nose its still nothing compared to something like a cat clawing the nose.
I have been bitten and chomped on so many times lol their jaws are just unable to exert any pressure like a rat or a cat can but i would not want to stress the snake to bad as dogs look like coyotes which eat snakes so teaching a bark or something if he senses one close by should be good i hope it works
my friend also has a permit to own this snake species for education purpose as a display animal for the public
so we have a few that are already captive we can work with
Why are your dogs afraid of snakes? I have seen dogs and cats both kill some pretty large rat snakes but the dogs were being edged on by their owners mostly animal cruetly even big rat snakes are at the bottom of the food chain and have poor defense with no venom. A bite from one would not even make it past the fur of a gsd or even a cat as they have no jaw power even if the snake got a dog on a nose its still nothing compared to something like a cat clawing the nose.
I have been bitten and chomped on so many times lol their jaws are just unable to exert any pressure like a rat or a cat can but i would not want to stress the snake to bad as dogs look like coyotes which eat snakes so teaching a bark or something if he senses one close by should be good i hope it works
by alboe2009 on 23 February 2011 - 08:02
The dogs are not afraid of the snakes but are cautious. They can't just run up on it and take it on. And I won't edge them on. I travel alot so say if I'm in New Mexico (like last year) depending on the season they just can't run up on a snake (now it's a Western Diamondback or a Sidewinder) and if I run back home to Michigan, (now it's an Eastern Diamondback or a Timber Rattler)so they were taught to be cautious and let me know that something is there. Then I see what it is.
The Black Snakes around the farm are big; anywheres from 4' - 6'. Also around here are large Snapping Turtles, Copperheads and Water Moccasins and other critters. Just because they can doesn't mean they won't come away without an injury they don't need or I don't need them to have. I don't feel like paying unnecessary vet bills.
The Black Snakes around the farm are big; anywheres from 4' - 6'. Also around here are large Snapping Turtles, Copperheads and Water Moccasins and other critters. Just because they can doesn't mean they won't come away without an injury they don't need or I don't need them to have. I don't feel like paying unnecessary vet bills.
by destiny4u on 23 February 2011 - 08:02
none of ours got any venom in them either thank god for that
if the dog picks up the snake the snakes not going to bite but its gonna musk and doggy will smell horrible lol
if the dog picks up the snake the snakes not going to bite but its gonna musk and doggy will smell horrible lol
by jamesfountain98 on 23 February 2011 - 14:02
I know the airports in guam and Hawaii use beagles to detect invasive snakes.
Several breeds of dogs are becoming popular in the use of wildlife surveys and studies.
Below are a couple of links talking about detection dogs.
squamates.blogspot.com/2011/01/detector-dogs-used-to-locate-brown.html
www.herpconbio.org/Volume_3/Issue_1/Nussear_etal_2008.pdf
Several breeds of dogs are becoming popular in the use of wildlife surveys and studies.
Below are a couple of links talking about detection dogs.
squamates.blogspot.com/2011/01/detector-dogs-used-to-locate-brown.html
www.herpconbio.org/Volume_3/Issue_1/Nussear_etal_2008.pdf
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