The following is the description of the snake avoidance training.  

The process takes about 20 minutes.

All snakes are in double-walled cages for safety, except for when the snake is removed from the cage ( at a safe distance from you and the dog) for Part Two of the training.

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When you arrive, please remain in your vehicle with your dog until the participant before you has completed their training.

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If you have not already printed your 2-page Release of Liability form, we will have one ready for you to complete, which includes the medical and other pertinent questions.

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Once the prior participant and dog are in their vehicle, please feel free to come to the staging area where we will review the form and discuss the training and most importantly we will visit with your dog to have him/her get acquainted with the environment to feel comfortable. 

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During this "get acquainted time," we will place the electronic collar (e-collar) on your dog as well as a metal training collar (for safety).

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There will be a place for you to stand which will enable you to watch the training during the first part of the training.  For the second part of the training, we ask that you participate in the training  so that you are able to see your dog's behavior in the presence of the snake.

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Part One: We will walk your dog on the leash, letting him/her walk and sniff to get his/her nose working.  There is no obedience involved for this training, we let your dog be a dog. Once we are downwind of the snake, we let the dog pull toward the snake and at that exact moment of smell and sound(rattle) recognition by your dog, a sharp correction is given with the e-collar. Afterwards, we repeat -at a very low level- the correction when the dog shows interest in the snakes; this may take 1-3 repetitions, depending on the dog. 

Once the dog understands that whatever is smelling and sounding like that "over there," is bad, the first part of the training is completed.

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Part Two: We signal for you to join us. This part of the training allows your dog to see what was causing  the smell and sound from the first part of the training. Your dog will be able to see the snake and see the snake's motion, as well as be able to smell and hear  it. We ask that you hold your dog's leash  and stand in a designated place for the remainder of the training  which is when we remove the snake from the box.  At this point, we again give the very lowest level of correction when the dog shows interest in the snake.  Once it is clear that the dog wants nothing to do with the snake, the training is complete.

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Conclusion of the Training: We discuss the results of the training, whether the dog was successful or if remediation is recommended.  Relaxation for the rest of the day is recommended for your dog.  Please visit the FAQs page for additional information.

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