“Our first priority is the comfort and safety of all involved. This includes your dog and the snakes as well as the humans,” said Gables of Simi Valley. As the owner of Ma & Paw Kennel -Canine Training Services since 1991, she specializes in obedience training and problem-behavior modification with dogs. Gina’s experience and sensitivity allows the dogs to be humanely treated during the training process. Gina personally trains every dog to recognize and avoid the scent, sound and sight of rattlesnakes it becomes aware of.
On March 27th, the training will take place in a controlled environment, using a remote training collar system adjusted to each dogs’ individual temperament, personality and physical response characteristics, Gables said, explaining that the device “delivers an uncomfortable stimulation to the dog when the dog has been alerted to the presence of the snake, whether it be the smell or the sound or the sight. We do this so the dog will be able to avoid any of these clues to a rattlesnake’s presence individually even if the other clues aren’t present.” For instance, “your dog may be downwind of the rattlesnake and can smell it but is not able to see it; and the snake - not being aware of the dog’s presence - may not be giving a warning rattle,” Gables explained. “The dog, by avoiding just the smell, would avoid the rattlesnake. If the owner is observant of the dog’s behavior, he or she can possibly prevent themselves or others from being bitten as well.”
Individual training sessions will be given to each pooch. We hope that by taking part in this training, the dog as well as the owner will be spared the pain and distress (as well as the expense) caused by the dog becoming a victim of a rattlesnake bite.
