2026 Rattlesnake Avoidance Clinics
Protect your beloved canine companion with our specialized rattlesnake avoidance dog training clinics in Southern California . This crucial training can save your dog’s life by teaching them to recognize and avoid dangerous rattlesnakes.
Upcoming Events
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PRIVATE HOME/PROPERTY APPOINTMENTS
New added service for 2026
Private Appointment time slots are available for booking on your property location. All appointments areas are currently listed below. Available times are beginning at 8:00 AM, and the final time slot is 3:00 PM.
Cost for private appointments are $250.00/dog, and $235/ for multi dog households.
Upcoming location and dates :
North County San Diego, CA. June 5th, 2026
San Juan Capistrano, CA. Monday June 8th, 2026
Laguna Beach, CA. Sunday June 7th, 2026
Santa Barbara/Ventura, CA. July 10, 2026
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Santa Barbara, CA. Mini Clinic
May 29th, 2026
There are 15 spots allotted for this event. Appointment time slots available for booking beginning at 8:00 AM, and the final time slot is 12:00 PM. Each session is approximately 15 to 20 minutes, depending on your dog. The cost is $135.00 per dog
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San Juan Capistrano, CA. Mini Clinic
Monday June 1st, 2026
There are only 15 spots allotted for this event. Appointment time slots available for booking beginning at 8:00 AM, and the final time slot is 12:00 PM. Each session is approximately 15 to 20 minutes, depending on your dog. Location at a local trail head. The Cost is $135.00 per dog.
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Vista, CA.
June 6, 2026
Appointment time slots available for booking beginning at 7:00 AM, and the final time slot is 2:15 PM. Each session is approximately 15 to 20 minutes, depending on your dog. The cost per dog is $135.00.
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Laguna Beach, CA. Mini Cinic
Monday June 7th, 2026
There are 15 spots allotted for this event. Appointment time slots available for booking beginning at 8:00 AM, and the final time slot is 12:00 PM. Each session is approximately 15 to 20 minutes, depending on your dog. The cost per dog is $135.00.
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San Juan Capistrano, CA. Mini Clinic
Monday June 8th, 2026
Appointment time slots available for booking beginning at 8:00 AM, and the final time slot is Noon PM. Each session is approximately 15 to 20 minutes, depending on your dog. Location at a local trail head. The cost per dog is $135.00.
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Coto De Caza area, CA.
June 20, 2026
Appointment time slots available for booking beginning at 7:00 AM, and the final time slot is 2:15 PM. Each session is approximately 15 to 20 minutes, depending on your dog. The cost per dog is $135.00.
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Santa Barbara, CA
July 11, 2026
Appointment time slots available for booking beginning at 8:00 AM, and the final time slot is 2:45 PM. Each session is approximately 15 to 20 minutes, depending on your dog. The cost per dog is $135.00.
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Ventura, CA
July 12, 2026
Appointment time slots available for booking beginning at 8:00 AM, and the final time slot is 2:15 PM. Each session is approximately 15 to 20 minutes, depending on your dog. The cost per dog is $135.00.
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San Juan Capistrano, CA
August 01, 2026
Appointment time slots available for booking beginning at 8:00 AM, and the final time slot is 2:15 PM. Each session is approximately 15 to 20 minutes, depending on your dog. Location to be determined. The cost per dog is $135.00.
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Walnut Creek/Mt. Diablo, CA.
August 29, 2026
Appointment time slots available for booking beginning at 8:00 AM, and the final time slot is 2:15 PM. Each session is approximately 15 to 20 minutes, depending on your dog. Location to be determined. The cost per dog is $150.00.
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Sonoma, CA.
August 30. 2026
Appointment time slots available for booking beginning at 8:00 AM, and the final time slot is 2:15 PM. Each session is approximately 15 to 20 minutes, depending on your dog. Location to be determined. The cost per dog is $150.00.
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Vista, CA.
September 12, 2026
Appointment time slots available for booking beginning at 8:00 AM, and the final time slot is 2:15 PM. Each session is approximately 15 to 20 minutes, depending on your dog. Location to be determined. The cost per dog is $135.00.
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San Juan Capistrano, CA.
September 26, 2026
Appointment time slots available for booking beginning at 7:00 AM, and the final time slot is 2:15 PM. Each session is approximately 15 to 20 minutes, depending on your dog. Location to be determined. The cost per dog is $135.00.
Our Humane and Effective Approach
Our clinics are conducted in a safe, humane, and controlled environment, prioritizing the safety of your dog and the rattlesnakes. We use humanely collected, muzzled rattlesnakes indigenous to your specific geographical area, ensuring your dog is exposed to the exact sights, sounds, and smells they might encounter in the wild.
Training Methodology
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🐾 Personalized Assessment
Prior to the training the owner and Trainers go over the behavioral assessment information and discuss the dogs age, breed, temperament, tolerance, and training. Each dog is fitted with a stimulation collar, and their individual "working level" is carefully determined, in the presence of the owner. The Highest Level is not what is used for this training.
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🐾 Controlled Exposure
Dogs are introduced to live, indigenous snakes, including Rattlesnakes, in a controlled setting. The Rattlesnakes are live, have their fangs, and rattles intact, and are double muzzled for the safety of the dogs and humans. The environment is a natural setting in which a dog may encounter a snake.
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🐾 Negative Aversive Conditioning and Postive Reinforcement
We teach your dog to associate the presence of rattlesnakes with an unpleasant, yet non lethal, experience, creating a strong AVOIDANCE. The stimulation of the collar is given at the precise, and critical times during the training process of SIGHT, SOUND and SMELL of the Snakes. Once the dog honors their instinct to Avoid, we use positive reinforcement to assure that the dogs is understanding YES this is what we are wanting you to do.
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🐾 Owner Education
You will learn to recognize your dog’s specific "ALERT" signs, empowering you to identify when your dog has detected a snake. Your dog will learn not only to protect themselves, but will also become you, and your families first line of defense.
Our clinics are led by the expert instruction of Rusty Debreceni, of WD Dog Training and Rattlesnake Aversion Training. Rusty brings his 30 years of an expert snake handling, dog training, and course effective course design. The event host, Suzanne Parker, offers over 26 years of professional experience in dog behavior and training, and pack trail dog runs. Their combined expertise ensures a highly effective and safe training experience for both the owner and dog.
Expert RSA Instructor
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Booking
Appointment slots are scheduled in increments of 15 to 30 minutes per dog.
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Arrival
Please arrive 15 minutes prior to your scheduled appointment for necessary paperwork and preparation.
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Confirmation
You will receive an email confirmation upon successful registration.
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Clinic Fee
A booking fee of $50.00 is charged upon scheduling your appointment. The balance of $85.00 will be paid directly to the Trainer the day of the event. An email will be sent with the clinic address and more details.
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What Your Fee Covers
Your fee includes comprehensive training, insurance, location use fees, Fish and Wildlife Agency fees, and the expert care and handling of the rattlesnakes.
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Cancellation Policy
Refunds (minus fees) available up to one week before. No refunds for late cancellations or no-shows.
Annual Training Recommendation
If your dog lives or hikes in high-risk areas, annual training is strongly recommended for safety and peace of mind.