Q1. How often should I get my dog snake trained?

A1. Typically, dogs should be trained yearly; once the dog has been trained initially, the subsequent years are for reinforcement of the training.

Some older dogs have great memories and can go for 2-3 years without retraining.  Each dog is different.  We will let you know our thoughts on this after your dog’s training is completed.

 

Q2.  My dog is very sensitive.  What is the correction?

A2.  The  amount of correction is tailored to each dog.  Some dogs will yelp, bay or whine very loudly. While this maybe somewhat uncomfortable -depending on the dog, the alternative of getting bitten by a rattlesnake and the associated pain and recovery (or even death), is much worse.

 

Q3. What does an e-collar correction feel like?

A3. Have you ever gotten a static electric shock or stuck your finger in an electric outlet?  It is a weird feeling for sure! 

 

Q4. How can I be sure my dog doesn’t get bit by the snake during training?

A4. Safety is #1 priority. We make sure that this does not happen- we use double-walled cages to keep the snakes in and when we do take out the snake to show the dog the motion, the dog is at a safe distance away. 

 

Q5. Does this work for all snakes?

A5. We train for rattlers only however our past clients have told us that their dogs have shown avoidance behavior with other types of snakes.

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Q6. How does the dog know the snake is there?

A6. We train for sight, sound and smell.  Only about 1 in 5 dogs associates the snake's smell with the snake. The motion and the rattling are the usual cues to the dog.

If a snake is hidden, not rattling and upwind from the dog, the dog won’t know it is there.  If the dog runs into the snake while chasing a ball, the dog may get bit.  That’s why we recommend the snake vaccine. Please discuss the vaccine with your veterinarian.

Be in tune to your dog’s typical behaviors; if he/she won’t go on the patio or listen to you when you call them in for dinner, there may be a snake there.  Any unusual behavior may be related to a nearby snake.

 

Q7. Is it okay to go hiking after training?

A7.  We do not recommend hiking after training. Please follow these instructions:

• For the rest of the day, no stressful activities - rest and relaxation for your dog are recommended.

• Be sure to play outside in the case that your dog associated the training with the outdoors.

 

Q8. I found a dead snake and then a live snake.. when I called my dog over to it, she came right to it!  I thought the training worked- what happened?

A8. NEVER EVER call your dog over to see a snake, dead or alive, for any reason. By you calling your dog over to the snake, you are telling them that it is good to come to snakes.  This is both confusing to your dog and destroys the training which is to avoid the snake.

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Q9. Will my dog tell me that a snake is there?

A9. This training is snake avoidance not snake detection training - please don’t expect your dog to tell you that a snake is there- they are being trained to avoid the snake- and go away from it.

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Q10. Do the snakes used for the training have fangs?

A10. Yes, the snakes have not been altered in any manner so that they smell, look, and behave as they do in their natural environment.

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Q11. What is the cost per dog?

A11. The cost per dog is $100.00 which includes travel to the East Valley/Scottsdale area; please call  or email to discuss the cost of travel outside of this area. Thank you.

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Q12. What is the youngest age my dog must be to do the training?

A12. We require all dogs to be a minimum of six months old to be eligible for training.

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