

Dogs get first-paw experience in snake training
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During the Rattlesnake Avoidance Training on Saturday, Axel, owned by David Cavanaugh, walks right up to this Southern Pacific rattlesnake (which is muzzled with medical tape and drained of its venom). Erick Briggs, trainer, takes the dogs through several stations, beginning with meeting a baby rattler, learning the scent of a rattler by some rattlesnake skin on the ground, a rattler rattling behind a rock, and finally encountering an adult rattler on the ground in front of them. The event was held at the Community Center site. Photo by Barbara Reese

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