Leave it: Dog trainers help pets avoid venomous snakes
TUCSON, Ariz. (AP) — Ripley, a medium-sized dog with a strong prey drive, curiously approached Brian, a large western diamondback rattlesnake , until she got a quick zap on the neck meant to simulate a venomous viper’s bite.…
In Tucson, Arizona, dog trainer J.J. Belcher from Sublime Canine utilizes a non-venomous rattlesnake named Brian to train dogs, such as 2-year-old blue heeler mix Ripley, to avoid venomous snakes. This training involves a single jolt from an electronic collar that simulates a snakebite, which proved effective in deterring Ripley from the real rattlesnake.
Belcher noted that the training session, offered for free annually, is intended to keep dogs safe while they pursue small animals in their environment. In the U.S., around 150,000 dogs encounter venomous snakes yearly, with Arizona's emergency veterinarians treating four to six dogs daily for rattlesnake bites alongside occasional cat cases.
Snakebite survival rates for pets typically reach 94% when treated promptly, though the cost of treatment can be substantial.
Written by urgent.news from Associated Press's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — it may contain errors, so check the original before relying on it.
