Rattlesnake Avoidance Clinics

Protect your beloved canine companion with our specialized rattlesnake avoidance training clinics in San Diego and Orange County. This crucial training can save your dog’s life by teaching them to recognize and avoid dangerous rattlesnakes.

Reserve your spot in the upcoming Rattlesnake Avoidance Training Clinic

Rattlesnake used for avoidance training with a dog during Suzanne Parker’s snake safety clinic in San Diego

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

🐾 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.
🐾 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.
🐾 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.
🐾 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.

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Expert Instructors

Our clinics are led by Rusty, an expert in snake handling and course design, and Suzanne Parker, who brings over years of professional experience in dog behavior and training. Their combined expertise ensures a highly effective and safe training experience.

Suzanne Parker professional dog trainer and rattlesnake avoidance instructor in San Diego

Rusty snake handling expert leading rattlesnake avoidance training clinics in Southern California

Book Snake Safety Training

Registration & What to Expect

Appointments are scheduled in short increments for efficient flow. You’ll receive full instructions, location details, and confirmation once registered. Your fee covers training, expert handling, location use, and agency permits.

Booking

Appointments are scheduled in short increments per dog for efficient training flow.
Arrival

Please arrive minutes prior to your scheduled appointment for necessary paperwork and preparation.
Confirmation

You will receive an email confirmation upon successful registration.
Clinic Fee

An advanced payment is required to secure your spot. An invoice and the exact clinic address will be sent upon receipt of payment.
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.
Cancellation Policy

Refunds (minus fees) available up to one week before. No refunds for late cancellations or no-shows.