Snake Avoidance
Training for Dogs

We want to train your dog to avoid a costly and often fatal encounter with a rattlesnake. The risk of death or the high cost of treating a snake bite is a significant reason to schedule your dog for Rattlesnake Avoidance Training.

Our trainers will also train your dog to avoid Sonoran toads, which are commonly called Colorado River Toads. Many veterinarians believe that more dogs die from encounters with Sonoran Toads than Rattlesnakes.

Animal Experts is the largest provider of Toad and Rattlesnake Avoidance Classes in Southern Arizona. Our Snake Avoidance Classes are held on various weekdays and weekends from late February through November.

Location and Class Information

We provide scheduled appointment snake avoidance training classes at Veterinary hospitals, feed & tack stores, animal shelters, residential communities, mobile home/resort communities, and non-profit groups. Our classes are held in Tucson, Marana, Vail, Green Valley, Sonoita, Benson, Amado, Catalina, Casa Grande, and Sierra Vista.

We also provide Toad and Rattlesnake Avoidance Classes at your home. Please call us to inquire about fees.

Click here to view the session locations and telephone numbers to schedule an appointment.

How is the Training Performed?

Our trainer, Paul Blaushild, is the best in the West. He has over 50 years of dog training experience. The training will begin by having the trainer fit your dog with an electronic (shock) collar. The collar is used to simulate the pain a dog receives when they are bitten by a rattlesnake. Please note that the pain a dog receives when it licks the poisonous toxins from a Colorado River toad is also very painful.

Our trainer will teach your dogs to avoid rattlesnake and/or Colorado River toads through their natural senses of sight, sound, and smell. The process is repeated multiple times to ensure your dog will know the distinct sound of the snake’s rattle, their scent, and what they look like. The average time to complete the training course and class presentation is thirty minutes.

Dogs are instinctively curious to investigate Rattlesnakes and Colorado River toads. They view both of them as prey animals. Once your dog has completed the training, they will view both animals as a predator that can or will inflict pain upon them.