Canine Snake Avoidance Clinic Cancelled – see below
Due to a family emergency, Gun Dog and Hunter Safety had to cancel the Canine Snake Avoidance Clinic scheduled for June 28th-30th at the Douglas County Fairgrounds. We appreciate the trust and support so many have given us and plan to offer the course again in May/June 2025. Please check our website and join our newsletter for updates. Thank you for your understanding.
Open to All Breeds of All Sizes (Minimum 8 months old)
Friday, Saturday, Sunday – June 28, 29, and 30, 2024
Douglas County Fairgrounds, Castle Rock, CO
Many dogs have a natural attraction and curiosity towards snakes. Give your dog a chance against one of nature’s most dangerous surprises!
Between 7,000 and 8,000 people and 150,000 dogs and cats are bitten each year in the US by venomous snakes. If a dog lives long enough to be brought into a veterinarian and treated, costs can quickly approach $2,500 to $5,000 or more; treating humans can exceed $1million
If you and your pet enjoy being in the outdoors, or you live in a rural area near open fields or canyons, we strongly urge you to consider enrolling in our Snake Avoidance Clinic being offered Friday, June 28th through Sunday, the 30th in the Whitman-Lowell Pavilion at the Douglas County Fairgrounds – 500 Fairgrounds Drive, Castle Rock, CO 80104.
As responsible pet owners, it’s our duty to help prevent snake bites if possible. “Snake-Breaking” or “Snake Avoidance” is a proven technique used to condition dogs to avoid snakes. And with snakes currently out and on the move, now is a great time to have your dog trained to avoid them. Snake Breaking or Snake Avoidance will help reduce the risk of your dog coming in contact and being bitten by snakes.
This Clinic is not just for your dog(s). It’s also about you and the other humans you enjoy the outdoors with – especially your children! When a dog is properly conditioned to avoid snakes, watchful humans can often key off of their dog’s behavior to avoid snakes as well. Many who have attended our Clinic have reported noticing their dog steering clear of an area only to realize that a snake was there. Had they not heeded their dog’s warning, they may well have been bitten.
We’ve vetted and partnered with a professional Snake Avoidance trainer who has trained thousands of dogs using his proven method using live snakes which have been rendered harmless (there is no chance of your dog being envenomated). He available to answer any of your questions and individually tailors his sessions for each dog to make sure that they react to the snakes appropriately before leaving.
Description of the Snake Avoidance Training Process (typically 5 – 10 minutes per dog)
Two rattlesnakes which have been rendered harmless are used for each training session; the first simulates venomous snakes (i.e., rattlesnakes, copperheads, water moccasins, etc.). So the dog can see and smell the snake; the second will rattle so the dog can see, smell, and hear the snake. This ensures an aversion to the sight, sound, and smell of all venomous snakes.
An e-collar is fit on the dog and then it is guided toward the first snake using a long check cord. When the operator of the e-collar sees that the dog has noticed the of the snake, he gives it an unpleasant stimulation with the e-collar.
The dog is then guided toward the second snake which can be seen, smelled, AND heard. If the dog responds by leaving the vicinity, no stimulation from the e-collar is given. But if the dog remains curious, it will be given another stimulation from the e-collar.
Last, to confirm the dog has learned the lesson to avoid snakes, we position the snake between the owner and the dog (still on a check cord being handled by the trainer) and the owner calls the dog to them. If the dog intentionally avoids the snake by giving it a wide birth around the snake as they come to the owner, the lesson has been learned.
We’ve heard many success stories from owners of dogs who have taken this Snake Avoidance Clinic. People have reported being herded or nudged by their dogs to stay away from an area when they sense a snake is present. Many snake encounters have been avoided that could have led to extremely high vet bills or worse.
Important Notes:
Use of an e-collar has been proven to be very safe and effective for this type of training.
- No dog has ever been envenomated while going through this training process.
- While this method is highly effective, it cannot be guaranteed to always keep your dog away from all snakes. As a result, we recommend annual training.
Cost: $100/dog
Event Logistics and Rules
- To maintain a smooth flow of dogs through the training process, we ask that you check in 15 minutes before your hour-long time slot.
- Please ensure the comfort of you and your dogs by bringing your own portable shade/shelter and water.
- Safety is of the utmost importance. For the safety of your dog and as a courtesy to other participants, all dogs must be on a short leash and under control at all times. FLEXI LEASHES ARE NOT PERMITTED.
- Please pick up after your dog. Human restrooms are located just to the North of the Pavilion.
- Persons exhibiting conduct detrimental to the event, any dogs(s), and/or other person(s) will be asked to leave the site.
- Substitution of dogs will be accepted at the time of arrival PROVIDED that the owner signs a hard copy of the above Agreement.
Directions:
The Douglas County Fairgrounds are centrally located between Denver and Colorado Springs, one (1) mile east of Interstate 25 from Exit 181 (Plum Creek Parkway).
Directions coming from the North:
Take I25 south to Plum Creek Parkway exit (#181). Turn left at the light onto Plum Creek Parkway. Go east on Plum Creek Parkway approximately one (1) mile to Fairgrounds Road (3rd light). Turn left onto Fairgrounds Road. Follow the red arrows on the image of the Fairgrounds below.
Directions coming from the South:
Take I25 north to Plum Creek Parkway exit (#181). Turn right at the light onto Plum Creek Parkway. Go east on Plum Creek Parkway approximately one (1) mile to Fairgrounds Road (3rd light). Turn left onto Fairgrounds Road. Follow the red arrows on the image of the Fairgrounds below.
Questions? Please email us at Info@gundogandhuntersafety.com