Bulldogs and snakes
Submitted by SNACPete on March 28, 2012 - 11:18amI'm just wondering if (in general), bulldogs would instinctively be wary of snakes. Our backyard is the ideal habitat for copperheads, rattlesnakes and whatever poisonous water snakes live in Va Beach. Jack just killed our garden hose so it concerns me that he would attempt the same with a snake. A few years ago, our great dane cornered a snake and I was able to get her away from it. I didn't stick around to see what kind it was either. Jack being the guy that he is, would mess with the snake just to egg it on. Our cat beats him up nightly and we think he enjoys it. Jack even fights like a cat but thats a completely different topic.
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Nakina
hahahahaha...you crack me up
hahahahaha...you crack me up naki! lol
Dooley just took a rattlesnake avoidance class this past weekend
using real rattlers. He was very wary the first time he saw them and the second time he avoided them like the plague.
wow
that's cool! Didn't know they would have such a class
We have them here, but they are up in the hills (we are in a Valley) and Kippah would never be in a situation to be around them....especially since they typically only make themselves visable around here while they are sunning...and Kippah would not be out in the heat
Loves and Smooches, Kippa and Mama (Annette)
The class was really good...They put clear plastic hoods over
the snakes and walked the dogs up towards them. Dooley had a stimulating collar on and when he acknowledged the snakes rattle they stimulated him once that was all it took. The second snake had its rattle taped, but they put off a musty smell and he totally avoided it. He went through twice and no stimulation on the second time at all. They had a golden, lab and border collie all walked right up to the snakes, so they got more stimulation. Second time through they all avoided the snakes. I"m hoping it will be a deterrent since we've had a baby and a large rattler on the patio.
Thats neat
I've never seen a rattlesnake around here but I'm told they are indeed here in Va Beach. I think these rattlers are the wood loving ones so its possible we could get them in our yard. I'll have to ask Jack's trainer to see if they do any kind of class like this. Thats a good idea though!
Nakina
We have rattlesnakes here all the time...
last year we had a mohave on the patio that just sat there and struck at the glass, the dogs were on the inside barking their fool heads off at it. I would love to take them to an avoidance class, I was afraid they might have a heart attack when they got shocked though. We always have to check the patio and yard before we let them out in the summer.
My son was VERY close
My son was very close to being bit by a rattler a couple years ago. He was helping friends prepare their yard for a big Red Cross Fund raising function. This was in the far back yard of the house, and there is a ridge to one side of the property. They had seen several rattlers on the hill side, but never down on the property. The boys were moving large rocks and spreading small rock etc. They noticed the large German Shepard was not bothing them--VERY unusual...they went to look for him, and he was down. He was panting and barely conscience. They tossed him on the back of a golf cart and rushed him up to the house, grabbed some water from to pool and splashed him thinking it was from the heat. When that did not effect him they rushed him to the vet. The boys stayed back and not more than 5 minutes later they heard a rattler right in the same area. My son slowly turned around and it was with in 3 feet from him....he had a shovel in his hand and between him and the other boy who had a pick axe, they killed the rattler. Glad I was not there, my son did not tell me until 3 days later...he knew I would freak.
They called the vet and told him they thought the dog was bit, but had a hard time convincing him, The Shepard made it, but it was iffy for several days. When they got the dog home they were convinced it was a rattler because every time the dog heard a similar sound, even rattling plastic, he would either run to get into the house, or if he could not he would jump into the pool!
Loves and Smooches, Kippa and Mama (Annette)