K9 Rattlesnake Aversion Training - humane & effective
New Mexico, and the southwest in general, is known for its vastness of space, low population, and incredible diversity of outdoor recreational opportunities.
It is also home to 7 species of rattlesnakes who collectively range across all but a few areas of the state. Furthermore, you are as likely to find them on a hike in the hills as you are in your garden.
New Mexico is also incredibly dog-friendly. Dogs tend to be curious, and many are bitten while investigating the smell, sound, or movement of a rattlesnake.
Unless trained to avoid them, most dogs do not naturally understand the danger associated with a rattlesnake.
We do our best to assure they are not interested!
Rattlesnake Aversion Training
HOW IT WORKS:
- Concierge service. We train in the comfort of your own home or an acceptable open space.
- Small groups. Our ideal class size is 4-6 canines. We will consider larger groups or clubs or teams on a case-by-case basis. Please contact us to discuss your needs. There are a number of rattlesnake aversion classes available that will train dozens of canines per day. We are not interested in this approach. Rather, we prefer less distraction and stress for your pets and the snakes.
- Education. We spend time with pet owners discussing the realities of living with rattlesnakes, and rattlesnake awareness. We also focus on the role of the pet handler in understanding your dog's behavior in the presence of a rattlesnake before and after the training.
WHAT TO EXPECT:
- Your dog will train with an e-collar. Snake Dog LLC provides the collar. The goal is to create a strong association with pain in the presence of a rattlesnake. We understand that this may sound horrible to some pet owners, and we can sympathize. However, our job is to do our best to prevent your pet from developing any interest in rattlesnakes. We believe this is the best way to do so. Generally, we believe in positive reinforcement training. E-collars are reserved for the most serious of training. A rattlesnake bite to a dog could easily result in thousands of dollars of vet bills or death.
- Your dog will train on contained, live, and well-cared-for rattlesnakes. Our snakes have not had their venom sacs or fangs removed. This would alter how the snake smells to the dog. Snake Dog LLC, keeps a few live rattlesnakes at our facility for training purposes. In accordance with our commitment to conservation, these snakes are comfortably housed, fed, and cared for.
- We use sight, sound, and smell cues so your dog realizes a rattlesnake is present. All dogs have some degree of hunt drive. As such, they use their sense of smell, sight, and hearing to locate prey. We make sure they are not interested in any way.
- All dogs are welcome! If they are on the trail with you or live in an area where rattlesnakes are present, they should be trained to avoid rattlesnakes. Having said that, we believe puppies younger than 6 – 9 months need to mature into their temperament and are not recommended for aversion training. We will make some exceptions on a case-by-case basis.
PRICING:
Snake Dog LLC would love to see all dogs trained to avoid rattlesnakes. As such, we strive to find a fair price for our clients. We truly believe that this training is most effective, and safest, in smaller-sized groups. We also have to consider the time required to load, unload, and transport venomous snakes, and prep your sight. We encourage you to reach out to a neighbor, friend, or family member to split the costs amongst the group.
Initial Training:
$150/dog with a minimum of 4 dogs trained
+ round trip mileage @ $0.64 per mile from our location (St. Johns area of Santa Fe)
NM Sales Tax
Reminders:
$75/dog with a minimum of 4 dogs trained - this can be a mixed class of Initial and Reminder training.
+ round trip mileage @ $0.64 per mile from our location (St. Johns area of Santa Fe)
NM Sales Tax
Please call us at 505-395-6707 or email info@snakedog.co to make a reservation.