Denver snake avoidance training for your dog?

[sndmn11]

Is anyone interested in doing snake avoidance classes for their dog?

I'd like to get a class together and it works easiest for the trainer to have a group.

 

[Elkfitness]

Not sure who you are working with, but there used to be two veterinarians from deer Creek animal Hospital in Littleton, that would put a session around caring for snake bites as part of the presentation at the sportsman expo. If you are doing some training around avoidance, it might be cool to see if there is a veterinarian who would do something about what to do after a bite. I don’t have a dog in the fight but thought I would throw it out there for you.


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[sndmn11]

Not sure who you are working with, but there used to be two veterinarians from deer Creek animal Hospital in Littleton, that would put a session around caring for snake bites as part of the presentation at the sportsman expo. If you are doing some training around avoidance, it might be cool to see if there is a veterinarian who would do something about what to do after a bite. I don’t have a dog in the fight but thought I would throw it out there for you.


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That's a really good idea.

 

[rideold]

CGDA organizes a training once a year most years. June 7th is the next one:

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Please help us spread the word and post or forward this!
Training to Save Your Dog’s life
Do you hike, hunt or live in snake country with your dog? Give your dog a fighting chance! Let us educate your dog to the danger of rattlesnakes! All breeds and sizes!
Licensed with the Colorado Division of Wildlife
Sign your dog up now for the CGDA pointing dog club’s Snake Avoidance Course

Saturday June 7th 2025 ONLY

Held at: Hess Road, Parker CO just West of Heirloom Parkway

Training starts at 8:00 am until 4:00 pm

You do not need show up at 8:00 am. You may come any time before 4:00 pm. The training only takes about 5 minutes when it is your dog’s turn on the course. It is first come, first serve upon arrival and all pre-registered dogs will be trained.

Sponsored by: The Colorado Gun Dog Association

We are not a business but have been educating dogs to avoid snakes for over 20 years. Our partner, Robert Hemmenway is a professional Snake Avoidance trainer from Texas –

We train ALL BREEDS and SIZES of dogs.

Cost is $100.00 per dog

Credit Card Payment/Registration is available on our website: www.coloradogundog.org

Snake Avoidance Tab (PayPal option is at bottom of page)

Or mail check to:

CGDA c/o Paul Boni, 6762 Bugle Court, Boulder CO 80301

Make checks payable to: C.G.D.A. and add 2025 Registration Waiver

Bring a signed copy of 2025 Registration Waiver (Attached) with you.

Feel free to post or forward this to anyone you think may be interested in educating their canine friends.

We welcome pointing dog enthusiasts to check out our club!



Colorado Gun Dog Association

We are a Pointing Dog Club

Snake Avoidance Course



You may be wondering what exactly a Snake Avoidance Course is and what will happen to your dog. Professional snake handler Robert Hemmenway from Texas has 'desnaked' thousands of dogs over many years and will conduct the clinic, sponsored by the Colorado Gun Dog Association, a pointing dog club.

This course is designed for your dog to associate snakes with a very unpleasant experience and only takes about five minutes on the course. The course uses electronic stimulation dog collars for training the dogs in a way that they blame the snake for their discomfort. The electronic collar has been proven as a very safe and effective method for this training.

Rattlesnakes have the capabilities of rotating fangs very quickly after accidents to their fangs so Robert uses a clipping method to keep the old fang partially in place and milking the venom in the process. The possibility of venom extracting from that portion of the fang is very low and the mouth is humanely taped for further safety. Robert has never had a reported accidental venom extraction.

There will be multiple rattlesnakes on the course. One snake has its rattles taped to simulate a dormant snake or a Cottonmouth. The dog is brought in the vicinity of the snake using long check cords. The best response is to get the dog to use its natural senses and SEE the snake and SMELL the snake! When the trainer sees that this has occurred, a negative response will be given from the e-collar. Some dogs will need further stimulation, but most will learn quickly that any curiosity will result in a negative response.

The other snake will usually be a more aggressive rattlesnake, complete with the buzzing of rattles. The purpose is to have the dog use its natural senses to HEAR the snake, SEE the snake and SMELL the snake. If your dog responds by avoiding the vicinity no negative response will be given but if your dog shows any curiosity, stimulation will be applied.

A wide berth around the snake is the final lesson showing that your dog recognizes WHERE THE SNAKE IS, WHAT THE SNAKE SOUNDS LIKE & WHAT THE SNAKE SMELLS LIKE as an unpleasant experience to be avoided.

This method of training is highly effective but not guaranteed so we recommend annual training until you are satisfied with your dog's responses. We have heard many success stories from owners of Snake Avoidance Course graduates that have avoided snake encounters that may have saved their lives or huge vet bills. Many dogs have a natural attraction and curiosity towards snakes. Give your dog a chance against one of nature’s dangerous surprises! “DESNAKE”!!!