Rattlesnake Avoidance Training Event
Rattlesnake Country: A Dog Owner’s Dilemma
We Are Offering Rattlesnake Avoidance Training
Saturday, July 5, 2025
Every year dogs are bitten by rattlesnakes in Southern California requiring vet bills that range from $1,500 to $5,000. Avoidance training teaches your dog to identify the sight, smell, and sound and thus stay away from rattlesnakes. If you live near one of our canyons or take your dog on hikes in the canyons or back country your dog could encounter a rattlesnake. Avoidance training could save your dog's life.
Location: The California GSP Rescue Training Field in Beaumont, CA (Address and directions provided upon registration.)
Training provided by High On Kennels for the benefit of the California GSP Rescue.
1 hour session | $95.00
The 8:00am - 9:00am session is limited to six (6) slots.
All other sessions are limited to eight (8) slots.
The sun-baked lands of Southern California, with their mix of sprawling suburbs and winding trails, are a beautiful place to live. But this beauty comes with a hidden danger for our canine companions: the rattlesnake. These silent predators, perfectly adapted to this environment, pose a serious risk to dogs exploring their backyards or out on a hike.
With their curious nature and love of exploration, many dogs are naturally drawn to investigate new sights, sounds, and smells. This inherent curiosity, while often endearing, can put them directly in harm's way. Some breeds, in particular, seem to have an especially strong drive to pursue and engage with small animals. We often call this a high "prey drive."
Imagine breeds like terriers, designed to hunt rodents. Hounds are another type, famous for their strong sense of smell and endless pursuit of their prey. Our favorite? German Shorthaired Pointers are bred for upland game hunting. Even highly trainable dogs like German Shorthaired Pointers can struggle. They focus and drive well in the field. However, they may be tempted by a rustling sound or a running animal. This strong desire to chase is deeply ingrained in their DNA, a holdover from their ancestral past. It's not that these dogs are disobedient; it's that they're acting on instincts honed over centuries.
The problem, of course, is that a rattlesnake doesn't distinguish between prey and predator. A curious dog approaching a snake can trigger a defensive strike, injecting a potentially lethal dose of venom. The consequences of a rattlesnake bite can be devastating, leading to severe pain, tissue damage, and even death. And even with prompt veterinary care, the financial cost of treatment can be substantial.
We, as dog owners, face a difficult situation. We want our dogs to enjoy the outdoors, to run and explore, but we also want to keep them safe. How do we balance these competing desires? How do we protect our beloved pets from a danger they don't fully understand?
One of the most effective tools we have is education, both for ourselves and for our dogs. Understanding rattlesnake behavior, recognizing their typical habitats, and learning to identify their warning signs (the telltale rattle, of course, but also their posture and movement) is crucial for any dog owner living in or visiting rattlesnake country.
But knowledge alone isn't always enough, especially when dealing with a dog driven by instinct. That's where rattlesnake avoidance training comes in. These training programs, offered by qualified professionals, use a combination of controlled exposure and negative reinforcement to teach dogs to associate the sight, sound, and smell of a rattlesnake with an unpleasant experience.
The goal isn't to make dogs fearful, but to teach them to recognize a rattlesnake as something to be avoided. This training can create a lasting aversion, helping dogs to make safer choices when they encounter a rattlesnake in the real world. Leashing dogs in rattlesnake areas and staying alert on trails are important. However, rattlesnake avoidance training is a proactive and effective way to keep our dogs safe. It's an investment in their safety. It helps them navigate a world where their instincts can lead to danger. In rattlesnake country, it's arguably the most important step a dog owner can take.
Note that we are offering for the first time in several years, snake avoidance training. One class led by a professional trainer. Please click here for more info.
