We recommend two Rattlesnake Aversion lessons per season to ensure your dog retains and reinforces their avoidance behavior. The ideal schedule is one lesson between April and June, and a second between July and October. Regular refreshers help keep the training effective and your dog safe year-round.

Yes, we use live rattlesnakes in our training. The snakes are safely caught from local areas near our facility to ensure your dog learns to recognize the real sight, sound, and scent of a native rattlesnake. Our snakes are not muzzled or modified in any way, as it’s important that dogs are exposed to a natural and realistic experience. All safety precautions are taken by our experienced trainers to ensure everyone remains safe throughout the process.

No, your dog will not be at risk during the training. Both you and your dog will remain at a safe distance from the snake at all times and will not come into direct contact with it. Dogs do not need to be close to a snake to detect its scent—this training is designed to keep everyone safe while still being highly effective.

When you arrive at our facility, please keep your dog in your vehicle until a trainer instructs you to bring them out. We will fit your dog with one of our facility-provided e-collars. Before beginning, a trainer will give you a detailed informational session explaining the process.

During the training, our trainers will handle the rattlesnake while you remain at a safe distance. Once your dog notices the snake, our trainer will activate the e-collar, and you will immediately move away with your dog using a designated command word. If you are not physically able to run or walk during this portion, one of our trainers will handle the movement with your dog for you.

No, this training requires the use of an e-collar. For safety and consistency, we use our own e-collars provided at the facility. This ensures the training is effective and the equipment is properly calibrated for your dog's experience.

Yes, children are welcome to attend if they are the designated handler of the dog and can follow instructions from our trainers. For safety and the success of the lesson, we require that all children remain calm, attentive, and respectful throughout the session. If your child is not the handler or is unable to listen and behave appropriately, we kindly ask that you make alternate arrangements for them during the lesson.