SHOCK FREE Snake Aversion, Online or Private
Most snake aversion courses involve the use of live snakes and shock collars to "teach" the dog that snakes are painful. This is terribly unnecessary, and traumatic for both your dog and the snake. We will not be teaching your dog to avoid a snake because it hurts, we will be teaching your dog that seeing, hearing, or smelling a snake means returning to your side is very rewarding. Dogs are capable of understanding that the collar means pain (shock) or unpleasant stimuli (vibration or warning beep) occur in the presence of certain things. They are equally capable of understanding that the absence of the collar means an absence of the pain or stimuli. It is not reasonable to expect your dog to wear that collar all of the time, nor is it reasonable to expect that a snake will only be in certain places at certain times. Snakes are individuals, and they have a way of working their way into spaces that can be unexpected! Like your garage, or basement, or literally anywhere outdoors.
The private course for rattlesnake aversion includes discussion of the skills you as the owner need for keeping your dog safe in snake country, introduction and demonstration of training the behaviors needed for your dog to recall immediately to you if she sees, hears, or smells a snake. The first session is always virtual, so I can learn more about your relationship with your dog, and we can go over all things snake and dog! After that, we will meet once so I can introduce the behaviors you will begin training. After your dog is solid on these behaviors, I bring fake snakes, snake scent, and a speaker to hide with rattlesnake sounds to help you link to the behaviors as cues, and demonstrate further training. The private course can be enhanced by attending planned practice sessions offered throughout the spring and summer, beginning just prior to snake emergence, for an additional fee per practice. The practices use my props and set you up for real life scenario encounters to test your training!
The online course for snake aversion helps you learn the skills to teach your dog to recall to you at the sight, scent or sound of a snake. Different parts of the country have different snakes that can be dangerous to dogs. While this course is tailored to rattlesnakes, it can be used to teach dogs to recall away from other dangerous snakes as well.
For either private or online option you will receive a lesson plan in .pdf format for each of the behaviors to teach your dog to recall in emergency situations, as well as other behaviors to keep your dog safe plus a list of the props and skills that you need to keep your dog safer through training, prevention and awareness. You also get one on one coaching through Zoom as needed for 3 months, and lifetime (your dog's) of support through phone/text/email as needed.
THIS COURSE IS BEST TO START IN FALL OR WINTER, AS MANY OF THE BEHAVIORS YOU WANT FOR YOUR DOG WILL NEED TO BE TRAINED INSIDE TO BEGIN! By spring, with regular practice you and your dog will have the skills to be set up for success.
To register please click on the link, https://form.jotform.com/80955429863167 and fill out the behavior history form.
To pay online with a credit card simply add this item to the cart, or you can pay with cash or check at the time of appointment.