Clinics
Snake Aversion Clinics
A curious dog and a rattlesnake is a bad combination.
Most dogs that get bitten were not being aggressive. They were being dogs. Nose down, moving fast, investigating something new in the grass.
Snake aversion training teaches your dog to identify a snake and leave it alone.
Northern California Clinics Are Forming Now
Locations under consideration are the Red Bluff area and the Pacifica and San Francisco Peninsula area.
Where the clinics land depends on where the dogs are. Email me your city and how many dogs you would bring.
Email: info@dogpsychology101.com
Subject line: Snake Aversion, and your city
No deposit and no commitment to be on the list.
How It Works
Two sessions per dog, using live snakes and an electronic collar.
Live snakes matter. Your dog needs to learn the real scent, sound, and movement, because that is what they will meet on the trail. A shed skin teaches a dog to avoid a shed skin.
The e-collar is what makes the lesson stick. The snake itself has to become the thing your dog wants no part of, not my voice and not your recall. It is brief, controlled, and unpleasant for the dog, and it is the reason the training works. This is one of the very few situations where I use one.
The first session builds the association. The second confirms it held. Time on the field depends on the dog.
Pricing
$200 per dog, both sessions included. Multiple dogs from one household are welcome. Each dog is worked individually, so there is no multi-dog discount.
Who Should Come
Dogs 6 months and older.
- Dogs who live in or travel through snake country
- Hiking, camping, and trail dogs
- Working, ranch, and hunting dogs
- Dogs with high prey drive
- Dogs who have already had a close call
Severe behavior and bite history are what I do. Tell me in advance and I will plan for it.
Who Should Not
- Puppies under 6 months
- Dogs with a seizure disorder or a history of seizures
- Dogs who are unwell, injured, or in pain
- Owners who are not comfortable with the method. Ask me your questions first.
If your dog has any medical condition, is on medication, or has a heart condition, talk to your veterinarian before signing up and let me know.
What to Expect
Aversion training changes the odds. A trained dog is far more likely to detect a snake early and move away on its own. It does not make a dog snake-proof, and it does not replace leashing on unfamiliar trails, knowing where the nearest emergency vet is, or talking to your veterinarian about the rattlesnake vaccine.
Host a Clinic
Training facilities, rescues, ranches, hiking and sporting clubs, and breed groups can host. I need outdoor space and enough dogs to make the travel work. You do not need to know anything about aversion training.
Send me your location, the space you have, and how many dogs you could gather.
Email: info@dogpsychology101.com
Questions People Ask
When will dates be announced?
Locations are being finalized now. Get on the list and you will hear when a date near you is set.
Does my dog need obedience training first?
No. The clinic does not rely on commands.
Will this make my dog afraid of the outdoors?
No. The training is specific to the snake. That is why live snakes and correct timing matter.
How long does it last?
Many dogs hold it for years. A refresher before snake season is a reasonable idea.
Do you offer a discount for multiple dogs?
No. Each dog is worked individually and gets the same two sessions, so the price is $200 per dog.
My dog has seizures. Can they come?
No. I do not work dogs with a seizure disorder or a history of seizures in these clinics. If your dog has any other medical condition or is on medication, check with your veterinarian first and tell me before the clinic.
My dog is aggressive or has bitten someone. Can they come?
Yes. Severe behavior is my specialty. I need to know before the clinic so I can plan the handling and the schedule.
My dog was already bitten once. Is this still worth doing?
Often yes. Surviving a bite does not reliably teach a dog to avoid the next one.
Can I watch?
Yes. You will understand your dog better afterward.
Contact Angie