6 Trapping Safety Videos Dog Owners Should Watch

Earlier this spring I was impressed with a video the Idaho Fish and Game Department put out to educate dog owners on the possible dangers that exist while taking your dog afield during trapping season.   It was a video I thought was so well done to educate the public, I questioned why other DNR’s, like the one in my home state of Minnesota, didn’t follow suit and produce their own.   Particularly considering the negative publicity of some dog deaths in recent years due to conibear traps sometimes set legally and at other times in illegal situations.

Well, that’s another story for a different day…but yesterday I noticed outdoors writer, Al Cambronne wrote in his blog basically the information I had intended to share in an upcoming post.   I’ll spare you those details as I will direct you over to Al’s expertly written blog, but instead I want to conveniently link some videos I think every houndsman should watch.   Even if you do not trap, the day could come when it pays to understand what they are and how they function at least on a fundamental level.

Moreover, it also pays to understand some rather simple techniques on how you can quickly extract a pet from these wildlife control tools used by trappers.   Honestly, I understand that when the adrenalin is pumping and the excitement is high…nothing is simple regarding these corrective actions.   Nevertheless, I feel it not only behooves trappers to use due diligence in setting their traps to avoid non-targeted animal capture, but for dog owners to realize sometimes this cannot be avoided in all circumstances.

Let’s start off with a video I first seen about six months ago that I think serves as a great overview for the topic.   In other words, if you don’t want to take the time to watch all of the videos I’m suggesting…at least take the next 8 minutes to view this one:

I feel the video you’ve just seen gives a good overview on the topic of removing pets from traps.   Now, here is the series of videos Al Cambronne referenced in his blog post.   Consider this viewing extended learning, if you will.   The point is any responsible dog owner must prepare for these possible dangers that may exist in both the fields and forests where hunting dogs are likely to roam.   Having this knowledge could potentially save your dog’s life, or at the very least minimize any physical damage.