We train your dogs to recognize and avoid rattlesnakes by using real live rattlesnakes. All of the snakes are muzzled so the dog is in no danger what so ever. The snake is not harmed either. The trainers and the owners are all safe. A correction collar is used at a very low level to make the dog think it just got bit by the rattlesnake. Each dog goes through four stations, starting with a juvenile
snake native to the area that we are training in. When the dog is fully engaged with the snake, the correction comes into play. This is done as many times as needed until the dog is clearly avoiding the snake. The next station is a shed skin for scent recognition. The skin does not look like a snake, but it still smells like one. When the dog engages the scent, another correction is given, teaching the dog that if it is poking through a bush and smells this smell, danger is present. The third phase consists of a real rattlesnake hidden in a hide box. The dog cannot see the snake, but can only hear it. Immediately when the dog hears this sound, a correction is given and the dog is ran in the opposite direction. The final stage uses an adult rattlesnake, native to the area. By now the dog knows the site, smell, and sound of the rattlesnake, but we try and make the dog make a mistake and stumble upon it, issuing a correction when this occurs. This teaches the dog to be more alert of its surroundings. When the dog clearly avoids the snake, we run the dog back and have his or her owners stand on the opposite side of the snake. We have the owners call the dog to them, teaching the dog that mom or dad are on the opposite side. The dog will think, "Should I close my eyes and go over the snake or figure out a safer way to my owner". If the dog chooses to completely avoid the snake, the training has been successful. We recommend to have your pets trained once a year for three to four consecutive years. Please visit our website at www.snakeworx.com or e-mail us at [email protected].
